Make something new out of something old.

Judging by the success of yard sales, rummage sales, garage sales, thrift shops etc. I would say I agree that one person's "junk" is indeed another person's treasure.

It's a wonderful way to make the most of our resources. If you can't use something don't throw it out give it to someone else or sell it or "reuse" it as something else. This page is designed to inspire you and your family to get creative with items around your house that no longer serve their original purpose.

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Use a clear plastic 2L soda bottle as a holder for your gift items. Choose any holiday, occasion or hobby. Our example is a shower gift. The bottle is filled with baby items such as baby lotion, soft spoons, terry cloths, rattles and a teddy bear.

PDF instructions, 1 page, 113KB

Use old Calendar pages to create beautiful custom size envelopes to hold CDs or Greeting Cards you've made on a letter-size page from your Graphics Software programs.

PDF Instructions, 1 Page - 118KB

Reuseable Gift or Storage Boxes

A plain box with a fitted lid (such as a shoe box) can be transformed into a gift box to be reused again and again or a decorative storage container to match your decorating style.

Earring Organizer or Sewing Organizer for Bobbins

Don't discard your candy boxes after Valentine's Day or Christmas. A velvet covered Valentine box is perfect for organizing your earrings, each in their own compartment. A rectangular plastic box with a gold insert is a perfect holder for your sewing machine's bobbins. You can use your crafting skills to further enhance these boxes but most are ready to reuse or refill and give away.

Painted Storage Canisters

Reuse large tin coffee cans, paper bags and left over paint for decorative storage containers. These cans have been covered with torn pieces of paper bags then painted with leftover latex paints.

Business Card Holder

Reuse an old cassette tape case to create this business card holder. It's fast and easy to make, kids will love creating one as a gift for their parents!

Clothes Pin Holder

An HDPE (#2 plastic) jug makes a perfect holder for your clothes pins. Just hang it on your outdoor clothes line and slide it along for easy access to your clothes pins as you hang the clothes on the line.

Reuse a tissue box, paper tubes and leftover wallpaper to create this organizer for your craft supplies or your child's art supplies. If you have a hobby such as scrapbooking you can store your edging scissors in the tubes, just cut the wallpaper with the decorative edge before applying it to the paper tube for easy reference. The remaining space is perfect for your acid-free adhesive, photo corners, die-cuts, stickers and glue sticks.

Reuse tin cans to make a desk top catch-all container for pencils, crayons, markers, scissors, pens, etc.

Reuse leftover wallpaper, an old frame and a favourite picture from an outdated calendar to create a unique decorating accent for your home.

Your tin cans can be transformed into decorative lanterns or lumaries for use inside your home or to accent your deck or patio. They require a little more effort than some of the other featured crafts but are well worth the effort!