‘Reuse Tues’ Category

Reuse Tues: Caine’s Arcade

Posted on April 24th, 2012 by Tonia 5 Comments

Lately around here we’ve been putting old cardboard boxes to use as starter homes for our baby chickens and turkeys. But the little feller in this video does something WAY cooler with them:

Caine’s Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.

I want a Fun Pass!

Reuse Tues: Garden Edition

Posted on March 6th, 2012 by Tonia 1 Comment

It’s still very much winter here in Northern Wisconsin {thanks to the Leap Day Blizzard, we’re finally enjoying a few feet of beautiful snow} but I am aware that elsewhere in the country, March is actually considered a spring month. And many of you are already planning your gardens, so today we’re looking at how reusing everyday household things can help make our gardens more successful and our wallets happy.

1. Those of you that are already starting seeds or thinking about doing so soon- start saving up your used toilet paper rolls and give them a second-life as a seed tube! Not sure when you should be starting seeds? Go here and enter your zipcode for a complete seed-starting calender! {Example: Today is “start cabbage indoors” for 54891}

2. Do you have old storm windows laying around, or maybe you came across a set of them at a garage sale? That is prime cold-frame material! Cold-frames are essential for extending our short growing season around here. You will be happy you made one when you’re munching tender spring lettuce from it when there’s still snow on the ground, and then again in early winter when your summer and fall plantings of lettuces are still going strong. Directions for assembling one here.

3. When we moved to our little farm, we discovered a rather large pile of old lumber {probably remnants from the house remodel that took place about ten years ago} just rotting away in the woods behind the house. We dug through it and found several nice pieces that could be saved and put to a good use. A potato box is a great project for any old wood scraps you may have laying around that doesn’t require the lumber to be strong or in great shape. With your potato box, you’ll be able to plant about 100 lbs of potatoes in just 4 square feet, saving you tons of garden space. Click here for directions.

4. This one is a double-whammy: reuse rain water AND reuse an old garbage can/barrel/stock tank by making a rain barrel to water your garden with! Directions right here.

What are you doing in preparation for gardening season? Reusing anything in a creative way?

Reuse Tues: Egg Shells & Egg Cartons

Posted on February 14th, 2012 by Tonia 2 Comments

Next time you’re about to toss out an empty egg carton, don’t! You could be the proud owner of a gorgeous little succulent garden like this:

What a beautiful centerpiece this would make on your Easter brunch table! Click here for the tutorial.

If succulents aren’t your thing, I think it would be pretty to plant different grasses, mosses and herbs in the shells instead. Similarly, my mom plants a big pot of wheat-grass every year about a week before Easter and then nestles a bunch of dyed eggs into it once the grass gets to be a few inches high.

Reuse Tues: Potholders & Poufs

Posted on November 1st, 2011 by Tonia 6 Comments

Image courtesy of alisaburke.blogspot.com

Duuuuude. How amazingly cute are these jean pockets turned into potholders? I MEAN! My next sewing project for sure.

And speaking of sewing, my aunt Cathy who is very talented with a needle and thread {like, makes-her-daughter’s-prom-dresses talented} taught me how to make these cool “poufs”. They’re basically ottomans, but cuter.

I stuffed mine with old bed sheets and mattress pads that I shredded up {and all the stuffing that Charlie has ripped out of his toys over the years- I saved it hoping it could be reused someday.} Aren’t they so comfy looking? I still have to sew the top patch down on the yellow and gray one, but the red one is finished.

‘Tis the season for board games and reading good books by the woodstove with our wool-socked feet propped up on a pouf! Plus they double as extra seating when we have a party.

What are you re-purposing around the house lately?