• My prayers go out to the families of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon.  May they rest in peace.

    Michael will be missed by many.
    Michael will be missed by many.Photo courtesy of: solarnavigator.net
    R.I.P. Farrah Fawcett - Photo courtesy of examiner.com
    R.I.P. Farrah Fawcett – Photo courtesy of examiner.com
    R.I.P. Ed McMahon        Photo courtesy of images.usatoday.com
    R.I.P. Ed McMahon Photo courtesy of images.usatoday.com
  •  

    Recycled magazine waste paper basket
    Recycled magazine waste paper basket

     

    One afternoon I was watching CT Style with Desiree Fontaine and Sonia Baghdady and they had bracelets made out of magazines.  I thought it was a wonderful idea, so I researched on-line and found several crafting projects for recycling old magazines. 

    There were vases, bowls of all sizes, waste-paper baskets and more.  Some friends sent links of pictures of things made with old magazines that were great ideas also.  After a few Google searches I was ready to start my first project.  I like this craft because the only supply I needed was glue and the old magazines.  The worst part is ripping out pages and folding, but it’s not horrible. 

    I used paper cement (brush in can) for my first project and later discovered that a permanent glue stick works just fine.  I made a little bowl to hold keys.  It’s a little junky, but I kept it because it was my first project and I was able to get a technique down.   

    First project...not too tight.
    First project…not too tight.

    I used closed bobby-pins to hold the strips together while I worked.  The hardest part for me is the base, I guess that’s because it needs to be tightly woven and can be kind of hard on the hands.  My first one is rather loose, but this one is tight. 

    Closed bobby-pins hold the strips together.
    Closed bobby-pins hold the strips together.
    Inside of basket
    Inside of basket

     

    I probably worked on the basket for three hours total.  It is relaxing and fun to see something come from old magazines you would normally throw away or donate and let someone else throw away later.   It’s surprisingly neutral as well.

    Magazine waste paper basket
    Magazine waste paper basket

    I will get a camera as soon as I can afford one.  Taking an on-line journalism class in the fall, I will need a good camera; I hear that a good blog has good pictures.  Thank you for your patience. 

    There are so many good ideas on the Internet.  Dudecraft.com has beautiful picture frames made of magazine pages posted and Craftster.org also has some wonderful ideas. 
  • Hey friends, the semester is over and I will be updating the blog with exciting and fun new things and ideas.  Please excuse the break in postings.  I promise to try and post something daily from now on….or until the fall semester begins.  Have a blessed day.

    P.S. I’ve found some wonderful ideas for recycling magazines and will be sharing what I’ve done with that.  Please come back soon.