Ideas for materials S-Z

We have gathered together a collection of ideas given to us by people like you who are interested in making a difference in our community. They are arranged alphabetically by the original item.

Shoe Boxes

• Reusable Gift Boxes - wrap the lid and bottom of the box in gift wrap of your choice and use for gift giving as an alternative to gift bags. The box can be reused by the recipient or used to store/organize keepsakes. See our craft corner for examples.
• Photo/Negatives Storage Box - Cover the box in the same manner as listed above but line the inside with acid-free paper for added protection for your photographs.

Slide Boxes, originally used to store photo slides

• Jewelry & Gift Boxes - These clear plastic boxes 2"x4.5" and 1" deep are great for organizers, jewelry & gift boxes. They can be decorated with hot glue gun sparkle glue, double sided tape to stick on names and pictures, decoupage etc. If you don't feel crafty, donate the boxes to an organization such as Girl Guides for their craft activities. Thanks to Kim for this suggestion (Jan. 4/05)

Tin Cans

• Luminaries - All kinds of cans could be used to make luminaries: coffee cans, paint cans, or any size or shape can. Spray paint the finished cans any color you want. To make one, fill can with water and freeze. The easiest way to make patterns on the can is to either draw or trace a pattern or find a graphic, blow it up on a copy machine and tape the paper to the can or fasten with a rubber band. Using a nail or punch, hammer a series of holes to make the design. Place a candle in the can, and you're set to go.
• Storage Canisters - See our CRAFT CORNER page for instructions to make storage canisters out of Coffee Cans.

Tissue Boxes

• Craft Supplies Organizer – remove the plastic covering the opening and use the box as is or enhance it with the materials and instructions on our CRAFT CORNER page. Most tissue boxes are already beautifully designed to match various decors. Organize your supplies for hobbies such as scrapbooking, stencilling etc.

Tissue Paper

• Decorate a tin can – cut tissue paper into small squares and glue onto a tin can, when dry decorate it further with paint or markers and the container makes a nice holder for pencils, small brushes etc.
• Filler for Gift Bags – don’t throw out the tissue paper that comes in your shoeboxes or in your gift boxes. If it’s too plain to reuse paint some designs with watercolours or use rubber stamps. Use in your one of a kind “Paper Bag” gift bag.
• Reuse Tissue Paper for gift bags – wrinkled paper previously stuffed into gift bags can be ironed. Every wrinkle will disappear and you will have a "looks like new" effect. Thanks to Lupita for this suggestion. April 2005

Toilet Paper Rolls

• Cord Holders - Are long awkward cords on your small appliances making it hard to tuck them into cupboards and drawers? Well, no more! Use a paper roll from your toilet tissue or paper towel to slide the folded cord into. If you are feeling creative decorate the tube beforehand (kids love to help with this). You can add stickers, glue on magazine picture cutout, whatever you wish. Spray it with latex varnish or diluted white glue (decopage medium if you have it) for extra durability. In a hurry? Use left over mactac or vinyl contact paper instead.
• Christmas Krackers – use the paper rolls to pack instant snacks, like peanut butter & crackers packages, inside. Wrap the rolls in recycled Christmas magazine papers or wrapping paper scraps. Tie the ends with ribbon (recycled or reused of course). Seniors and youth alike will enjoy opening these tasty treats on Christmas Eve.
  Thanks to Connie for providing this suggestion, Jan. 2005

Twist Ties

• Twist Ties (with wire centers covered in paper) – can be reused for homemade clay ornaments. Remove the paper from the wire (use a flame if necessary) then twist the remaining wire into a suitable loop to insert in the top of the clay ornament.

Wallpaper

• Book covers -Cut paper 2" wider and 6" longer than your book. Place the paper sample wrong side up. Fold the top edge of the paper down 1" and the bottom edge up 1". Place book in the middle and wrap with the paper, folding the extra 3" at each end over the edge of the cover to the inside.
• Bulletin Board - Cover the cork part of a bulletin board with wallpaper (tape on for a temporary different look, glue on for a permanent look). It looks especially good if it matches the walls or color of the room!
• Decorate Jar lids
• Fishing Game - use leftover wallpaper scraps to cut out fish shapes (wallpaper books are great because there are lots of patterns). Place a paper clip on the nose of each fish. Create a rod out of a dowel or branch with string and a magnet tied on the end. Children will love this fishing game. The wallpaper is sturdier than regular paper but light enough that the magnet will pick them up. Make it more of an educational game by placing numbers or letters on the back of the fish. If they identify the letter or number correctly they keep the fish if not it goes back in the pond.
• Picture Mat - Cut wallpaper to make a mat for pictures. Check our CRAFT CORNER page for our featured Wallpaper Picture Mat.
• Placemats -Make a "quilted" placemat by cutting a piece of cardboard and a piece of paper to size. Draw a quilt design on the paper and cut out the shapes. Use them as pattern pieces for cutting your wallpaper scraps. Attach the wallpaper pieces to the cardboard with the adhesive of your choice. Cover everything with clear Contact Paper or acrylic coating, such as Mod Podge, to seal the placemat and protect it for extended use.
• Wallpaper scraps are excellent for enhancing the Craft Supplies Organizer featured on our CRAFT CORNER page.
• Shelf or Drawer liner - Use leftover wallpaper to line the bottom of drawers or on shelves.