The Craft Bin

This weeks recycle project is peggy the love pot.

Like any recycler, I had issues with letting go of this tin can. I also have issues with money boxes, you know, the ones that have the rubber plug at the bottom which you can just open to take out the money... I mean, what's the point then? I always end up finding some cheesy excuse to use the money and as easy as it is, open the plug and the money comes raining down. Ok, ok, not quite "raining down" because that paints a picture of lots of coins... no, my collection usually doesn't get that far! So, with this tin can, there is no rubber plug. YES, you read me, no rubber plug! The can will need to be opened with a can opener to get the mooolah and THIS, I believe, will stop me (and others like me lol) from opening it because that's just wayyyyy to much trouble to go through if the reason for the money isn't valid enough and it gives me more time to contemplate the situation!

You will need:

A tin can with a reusable tin (or plastic) lid Super glue Something pretty to decorate your money box with A scissors A sharp pointed kitchen knife

Directions:

Using the knife, cut a slit into the bottom of the can, wide enough for the largest coin to fit through. (What goes in should not come out!)

Put super glue on the rim of the can and close it with the reusable lid, ensuring the lid cannot be removed.

Add your decoration. I used fabric off-cuts.

I’m not about storing up clothes I no longer wear so here’s what an old t-shirt turned into! Yep, I tried it and it worked! lol

MATERIALS: T-shirt Scissors Beads

METHOD: 1. Remove the sleeves.

2. Cut the bottom of the t-shirt into slits +-1-2cm wide.

3. Knot every two pieces (front and back of t-shirt).

4. Add beads to the bottom and tadaaaaa!

First, let me say, I don’t do Valentine’s day. I tried it a couple of times in high school -EPIC FAIL- and nipped it in the bud then and there. So, this week’s activity was going to be a more playful, kiddies version of the toilet roll core gift box and the outcome looks like I was in some kinda Valentine’s mood -so not the case! Also, it was made with a little girl in mind so the colours and hearts make sense... right? HA! Don’t look at me like that, this is not about Valentines day, ok?

Materials: • Colour paper • Paper glue • Scissors • String • Confetti (I used the ones from my punch) • A surprise (I used a kiddies watch and some stickies -got for free at the supermarket lol kids like that kinda stuff!)

Method: Cut the Toilet roll core at about 2/3 its length. The 2/3 will be used for the cracker and the 1/3 will assist with the wrapping. I cut out some hearts for decoration.

Place the paper in landscape, and roll it around the 2/3 toilet roll core. Add some glue to hold it together.

Place the 1/3 toilet roll core in to the rolled paper spacing it about 5cm from the 2/3 toilet roll core which should be in the center of the rolled up page. The 1/3 core creates the cracker shape at the ends of the page. Squeeze the paper together between the two cores and tie with a string. Remove the 1/3 core.

Add the confetti and surprise and close the other side as in step 4 & 5. I added the hearts for decoration.

MATERIALS: • 1 toilet roll core • Scissors • Pencil • Measuring tape • Cardboard • Glue • Something to cover/decorate it with. I used leather and a peel off tin lid for this one. • Pegs (to keep things together if need be)

DIRECTIONS:

-Cut two pieces of cardboard and two pieces of decorative material to fit the circumference of your toilet roll core.

Glue each cardboard piece together, with its pair covering, to ensure that the proper side of decorative material faces upward. Let dry.

Cut the core in two, to serve as the top and bottom of the box.

Glue the cardboard side of the circle cut outs to an opening of the core pieces, respectively. Let dry while resting a book or some weight on it.

Cut cardboard the length of the inner circumference of the core and about 4cm wide. Glue this to the inside of a piece of the core, allowing about 2cm to be above the rim of the core. Allow to dry.

Cut and paste some decorative paper to cover both core pieces, respectively. Trim if necessary.

I painted the cardboard black once it was pasted to the inside of the core because I just wasn’t feeling the ashy look of the cardboard. I also cut out some triangular shapes from peel off tin cans but you can feel free to add more of your own kinda pizazz!

If you have ever tried this, please post your pics and tag us or post your pics in the comment space! Support the cause by using the hashtag #rearth

Needed a gift box for a friends prezzie and here’s what I tried out with a toilet roll core! Check out our blog for the HOW TO!