Category Archives: Home Decor

5 Things to Do With Old DVD’s

Posted on by
Reply

Last week I cleaned out my entertainment center cabinet. I found drawers and drawers of DVD’s that I hadn’t viewed in years. I’d kept them for the “just in case” moments when I may want to see them again but I’ve moved on. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu mean I no longer bother to find and load a DVD when I can see what I want with a few clicks on my computer.

I boxed them up and stuck them in the garage while I thought about what I wanted to do with them. I did a little research, a little experimenting, and here is what I came up with to ensure that my DVDs didn’t end up as landfill.

Get Cash!

DeCluttr
After downloading the app, (which was the major reason that I chose DeCluttr above it’s competitors) all I did was scan the barcode on each DVD to see the price DeCluttr will pay. Most DVDs went for .50/DVD, some went for.10, and a few were worth $3.
The app does the hard work. After confirming which DVDs I was selling to DeCluttr I just packed them into a box and applied the free shipping label that DeCluttr emailed to me. Ten days later their payment posted to my account. I chose the direct deposit option.

While DeCluttr was my favorite you may want to try some of the other online options for selling your DVDs such as SellDVDsOnline.or SecondSpin or EagleSaver.

 Make a Mosiac

Use a pair of tongs to immerse the DVD in VERY hot water for 10-15 seconds, then use scissors to cut it into pieces. Glue the pieces to a table top, a plant pot, a frame, kitchen or bathroom backsplash, or whatever you want to add sparkle to. Instructables has an

Use the DVDs as is, or cover them with contact paper, decals, or decoupage.

DVD Clock

It’s remarkably simple to make a clock from a DVD. This Instructable will give you the detes on how to make your own clock.

DVD Coaster

Use the DVDs as they are, or cover them with contact paper, a decal, or decoupage a picture onto them.

 Spinning Tops

These spinning tops are not only fun for the kiddos to make, but they’ll have a blast playing with them. Lalymom shows you how to do it.

 

 

Embroidery Floss Saves

Posted on by
Reply

Do you have hanks of embroidery thread left over from projects completed or abandoned long ago? Well dust them off and take a look around your house to access new ways you can use them.

 

Gift Wrap

Use several strands of embroidery thread to wrap small gifts & then tie into a generous bow on top.

Braid embroidery floss into long strands to use as ribbons to wrap gifts.

Homemade tassels using embroidery floss can be used in place of a bow on a gift.

 

Fashion

Sewing Projects

Take a look through your stash of embroidery thread next time you need the perfect color of thread for a hand-sewn project or mending session.

Braid one or more colors of embroidery floss together to use as ties, trim, belt loops, button loops …

 

Shoelaces

Twist or braid together six strands of embroidery thread. Dip the ends in glue to stiffen them & when the glue dries you have a new set of shoelaces.

 

Hair

Braid embroidery floss into a long strand, then braid that strand into your hair, use it as a hairband or wrap around a ponytail.

 

 

Home Decor

Braid one or more colors of embroidery floss to use as curtain tie-backs, to trim upholstered furniture, lampshades or pillows …

Take a plain basket from ordinary to extraordinary by weaving four or more strands of embroidery thread through the baskets holes with a large eyed darning needle.

Homemade tassels using embroidery floss added to curtain tie-backs and other home decor projects.

Resurrect a Damaged Vase

Posted on by
Reply

If Your Vase is Simply Ugly

Paint it! Paint it white. Paint it a bright color. Paint it with metallic. Any way you do it, you’ll be amazed at how elegant the end result is!

(The vase at the left is one of the creations shown at My Two Butterflies.)

Reface a Metallic Vase

If you have a vase with metallic decorations that have worn away in spots it’s quite easy to resurrect.

What You Need

  • gold-leaf kit (or silver or copper leaf)
  • scissors
  • 2 small, soft paintbrushes

What to Do

Dip a paintbrush in the adhesive from the gold-leaf kit and paint loose, slightly irregular strokes 1 to 2 inches wide to cover the outer rim of the vase. Set aside for an hour while the adhesive becomes tacky (it will turn clear).

Cut sheets of gold leaf into 1- to 2-inch strips. Press the gold leaf onto the adhesive. Peel off the paper backing. Dust away any excess gold leaf with the clean paintbrush.

Apply the sealer and let dry for 30 minutes.

You can use the same technique as above to recover the damaged section, but you may find that after metal leafing the rim, that you’re happy with your vase again.

Quickie Repair: Use a metallic ink pen to fill in damaged spots on your vase.

Repairing a Cracked Vase

If you’re not worried about the vase holding water then you can use quick drying super glue to repair it. If possible, spread the super glue over the crack on the inside of the vase. Let it dry and then fill with water to check for leaks. If it still leaks then spread another layer of glue over the crack, again from the inside.

If you want the vase to hold water follow the procedure above but use a two part epoxy instead of quick drying super glue.

Fixing a Broken Vase

If your vase is completely broken you can still save it from the trash can. Choose your weapon, quick-drying super glue or two part epoxy, depending on whether or not your vase will be holding water.

Dry piece your vase together without glue to get an idea of how you’ll glue it together.

Assemble your glue of choice, painters tape (which is better than masking tape as it won’t leave a sticky residue on your vase), rubber bands big enough to fit snugly around your vase and a shallow pan filled with sand.

Glue your vase together one piece at a time. Depending on how your vase is broken you may glue it together one piece at a time, allowing the glue to dry before adding another piece to your vase puzzle. Use your rubber bands, painters tape and pan of sand to hold the vase together while it drys. The pan of sand allows you to rest the vase in a reclining or sideways position while the glue dries.

Decorating With Game Pieces

Posted on by
Reply

This article is a work in progress. Subscribe to this blog to be notified when additions are made to this and other articles.

Decorating with game pieces, using games that you no longer play or that are missing pieces is a great way for quick and easy decorating. And decorating with recyclables is eco-conscious and costs zero dollars. Way to go – you!

Bookshelves

Scrabble Bookshelf Labels

If you have a scrabble set that you no longer use, or that is missing tiles you can use the tiles you have to label your bookshelves. Attach the tiles to the shelves with removable mounting tape.

Picture Frames

Scrabble Picture Frames

Use Scrabble tiles to spell out a message or the name of the person in the pic. Attach to the frame with removable mounting tape.

Magnetic Alphabet Picture Frames

Use magnetic alphabet pieces to spell out a message or the name of the person in the pic. Attach to the frame with removable mounting tape.

Game Piece Picture Frames

Use the above idea to attach small game pieces that are appropriate to the person(s) in the pic or the room that the picture is in.