I love to make something out of something that I was just going to throw away. My brain just ticks in this way.
On February 14, 1010 Peter gave me a huge mylar Valentine balloon. I put it in the corner of my living room and there it sat until today, when it finally ‘died’. Imagine a balloon lasting over a year and a half.
It was so pretty, I couldn’t bear to throw it away. So I pressed out the remaining air and I plan to cut it apart and cover two old placemats. That way I will have a great pair of Valentine placemats.
To do this, just wrap and scotch tape on back. Then cut a piece of pretty paper, fabric, felt, or card stock slightly smaller than the placemat and glue on the back to ‘hide’ the tape.
So next time you get a balloon that says Happy Birthday, Congratulations, or Happy New Year give it a second life. Cover a placemat. If you don’t have an old placemat, just use a piece of cardboard you cut from a box. You should be able to get a ‘matched’ pair out of one box.
The other day I noticed that the Halloween candies are out in full force. Longs had my favorite Sugar Daddy’s on sale. Two bags of 27 lollipops for $4. I bought four bags. After Halloween they will be 39 cents each, but I can’t wait that long for one of these lollipops.
When I opened the bags, I realized that the bags were really nice. Heavy weight and probably would lend themselves to all sorts of possibilities as a second life. Another bag that would be perfect for this project is the Nestles Chocolate Chip bag. Two is all you need.
If you want a big case, get the 72 oz bag that is sold at Costco. It is a much better ‘deal’ and you never run out of chocolate chips. You will have to transfer the chips to another container, so you can use the bag.
I decided to try making a ‘pencil case’. Or it could be a cosmetic case for your purse. Or it could be a Sugar Daddy lollipop container for your purse when you go to the movies.
First step: Carefully cut open the bag. Fold. . Do this twice and use one for the lining. Put the two bags wrong side together, so the ‘lining’ is just like the front.Turn inside out and scotch tape around the inside edges. Voila. You could add velcro, or stich on some ties.
Now here is the scary part. Take a large piece of parchment paper (or wax paper) and fold it. Put your case between the paper and lightly steam with a steam iron. The case will get nice and flat and smooth.
You don’t have to use Sugar Daddy bags. You can use any Halloween candy bags. If you aren’t in a rush and don’t particularly care about the brand, you can wait till November first an buy a whole bunch at 75% off.
These are cute ‘stocking stuffers’ and take about five minutes to make.
There are actually lots of things you can do with these colorful plastic bags. If you like to knit or crochet, you can cut thin strips and make ‘yarn’. Just attach the strips to each other with a little glue.
Or you could cover a wide bangle bracelet either in one piece, or wrap with strips. Then tape on the inside with scotch magic tape.
Or, you could just glue on the front of a notebook or manila folders. Steam and press to ‘bond’. Use your child’s favorite candy and they will be blown away.