REPURPOSE Archives - Everyday Edits

SUBTLE WAY TO USE RETAIL BOXES FOR STORAGE Shelves with Retail Boxes

January 12, 2021

the subtle-way-to-use-retail-boxes-for-storage

I am a retail box hoarder- I blame it on my parents. My mom still uses boxes from the ’90s when gift-giving.

Over the last three years, I amassed a large collection of boxes. And I realized the boxes look remarkably similar to the same storage boxes I have from this store and Homegoods.

One look at the stack of retail boxes tells what was the popular brand at our house (or the age of my kids). One year everyone got clothes with these whales.

In the past, I used retail boxes to stage shelves. The boxes were usually empty and just added height.

But some brand stepped up their box game and it is almost impossible for me to toss these boxes in the trash/recycle bin. Some boxes are so sturdy it makes me rethink spending $15.95 for a Container Store box that sits in the closet (or on a shelf).

THE SUBTLE WAY TO USE RETAIL BOXES FOR STORAGE

If you have stumbled onto my blog for a hot minute you know I love to repurpose everyday items like this project.

I added boxes to my office’s built-in. I store thank you notes and birthday cards in a box. No more digging through drawers for cards and matching size envelopes.

The shape of boxes is ideal to store paper files and receipts.

Retail boxes are sturdy enough to be stacked and wide enough to save photos or childhood keepsakes for when you tackle this fun project.

I love to store the photos that didn’t make the cut for the frames in a retail box. When the kids are home for the holidays and summer I pull out the photos and we laugh about the bad haircuts and Homecoming date photos.
I use a few retail boxesto keep crayons and coloring books for my nieces. I routinely add fun things from the $ section.
Again, these are hiding in plain sight and are neat and tidy on a table or shelf.

The storage options are endless with retail boxes. I keep the best boxes, recycle the ones that are a bit tired and finally tackle some of those stacks of paper to organize.

How to Repurpose a Paint Can in One Step

October 20, 2020

You would have think I found time to sort through dozens of near-empty paint cans when I came home and discovered this oozing from under the door of our entry closet.

But now that my husband may never leave his home office I need to control something. So I decided to organize and repurpose stuff.

I was this close to tossing the empty paint cans when I got one of my repurposing ideas that drives my husband crazy.

It’s like when Daphne Moon got one of her visions (Frasier on Peacock network).

. That is what my repurpose ideas are like for me .. a vision.

I put aside a few empty cans and forgot about them until I was working on my fall front porch. I was running back and forth from the garage to find a strand of lights for the porch.

And, then I got distracted by the 1/2 dozen empty paint cans. You know the drill, right. Distraction… distraction from the distraction. I am like a squirrel …with a cup of coffee.. on a swing.

Does anyone else get distracted while working on one project and end up on a completely different project?

I abandoned my search for twinkly lights and grabbed an empty Home Depot and headed to the porch.

HOW TO REPURPOSE A PAINT CAN

This repurposed project is a reminder to keep a bin or closet or corner to toss containers into until boredom or a total distraction leads to a practical upcycle.

Like this paint can.

I buy most of my paints at Home Depot with the formulas for the brand’s paint color. It’s convenient to get my paint at the Depot because I can wander the aisles while I wait for 2 gallons of these paint colors.

Save Empty Paint Cans

2. Make sure the paint can is empty & dry.

The best part of this idea is you don’t have to give up your kitchen sink for a half a day to soak the paint can in soapy water to remove the label.

3. Nope, you just pull off the label

and there is this perfect vessel just waiting for a makeover.

That’s the simple tip.

The almost smooth finish is hiding under the label. There is a line of adhesive where the label was attached, but that was easily hidden behind the pumpkin.

It’s like a before and after reveal.

Under the paint drips and the rusty lid is this perfect shade of a chalky black can. It is perfection for a girl who loves to upcycle the most random objects.

It’s like Cinderella getting out of the garage and onto the front porch.

4. Add flowers.

And, congratulate yourself for finding a new use for a can of paint. Villa shared a few more paint can upcycle ideas too.

Wait Until You See How to Repurpose Packing Material

September 15, 2020

I need a directional sign to redirect deliveries to the side of the house. With my husband working from home, he sees the purchases from the easy button called Amazon and other favorite retailers. I am an open book with purchases, but even I noticed that Amazon is my shopping assistant for those must-have items like a 10-pound bag of baking soda. This may be one of my favorite repurpose projects. Wait until you see how to repurpose packing material inside all of those shipping boxes.

You know the packing the material that is tucked between items? You know the brown paper that my husband instinctively throws into the kitchen trash can (and not the recycle in the garage). When I see brown paper and cardboard packing material all I see are future blogs posts.

Like this one.

Or this paper bag idea.

I love this simple repurpose idea and the story behind how it happened.

Curious?

The first time my kids saw me tear the book jacket off of a book they thought one of their siblings was in big trouble. #wink

Now they just say, ” Working on a blog project, mom?” #smartkids

When I hauled out my pumpkins this season I was in a mood.

I did not want to order and wait for the convenient adhesive-backed brown paper. But I wanted something a little different.

I wanted the stacked book look without any additional expense.

While breaking down a few delivery boxes to re-cycyle I pulled out the familiar brown packing material. Except this packing material was different.

It had ridges and texture. I was so close to tossing it into our recycle bin but for some reason I saved it.

Not to sound like I took a turn to crazy town, but I think the textured packing paper just said, “Save me.”

So I did.

Yes my thoughts talk to me. Don’t yours?

Steps to Repurpose Packing Material

Supplies: glue or adhesive spray, books (I used a hardback book) & scissors. I love this adhesive spray.

I used a hardback book and chose a dictionary because I love words and we don’t allow i-phones during a family game of Scrabble.

2. Cut packing material to size, spray book’s cover with adhesive or glue. Adjust quickly as the adhesive spray dries quickly.

Tip: If you have packing paper that is too short to cover the entire book cover the top and spine of the book.

No one will know if the bottom of the book is exposed.

You guys I love it. The ridged packing material adds a little texture and durability compared to a roll of brown wrapping paper.

Now if only there was a way to eliminate the bubble wrap in all of those shipping boxes.

What do you think? What is the craziest thing you have repurposed?

Video:

How to Paint Glass Jars

June 29, 2020

My dad repurposed pickle jars before there were blogs and Youtube. His parents and grandparents lived during/through the Depression. My dad will appreciate how to paint glass jars. After all, I am a third-generation repurpose enthusiast. Dad here is how to paint glass jars so you can take those pickle jars up a notch.

I know what you might be thinking: everyone knows how to paint glass jars.

That’s what my son told me.

I get it; this is not a faux paint finish back in the late 1990s. It is paint and a glass jar. I can hear my dad reading this right now and asking me, “Laura, you mean people actually NEED to read a story on how to paint glass jars?” #momblogger

How to Paint Glass Jars

Supplies Needed:

glass jars (clean + dry)
spray paint

This is pretty simple. I always use this one with a matte finish and a built-in primer. And, this spray paint finish is a new favorite after I used it on this project. It sells out quickly at Home Depot. Target carries it too, but limited selection and a few dollars more.

When I buy candles I always go for the shape of the candle jar over the scent. I loved this candle’s shape, but unfortunately, the candle did not smell tranquil.

how-to-upcycle-candle-jars-everyday-edits

I bought several because of the cute glass jars. If you zoom in it is a #madeintheusa find from here.

After removing the labels and the waxy film and wick using this technique I was ready to paint the glass jars.

Tip: When I whip out my spray paint I like to set up an assembly line of whatever I plan to paint. In this case, I had a 1/2 dozen glass jars ready to paint.

In the past I always spray painted the exterior of the jar in case I wanted to serve snacks or nibbles. And, until this project I never even thought about spraying the inside of a glass jar.

But on a whim I decided to go crazy and spray the inside of the glass jar.

You guys! It was life changing for this jar. Spraying the inside of the jar was night and day from the previous jars I sprayed on the exterior.

The finished glass jar looks professional grade smooth. The spray paint process is more forgiving when the drips or misses are on the inside of the jar too.

I tried to capture a side by side, but it was hard to show the exterior side version. But the interior spray technique gave the jar this smooth finish. The jar in the background was painted on the outside where you can see it has more of a flat finish.

The only issue is if you plan to use your repurposed painted glass jars for food. I don’t like the idea of my M&M’s next to spray paint.

Tip: If you plan to serve snacks or candy in your freshly painted glass jars add a cupcake liner or coffee filter. They work great and make for easy cleanup!

I love the look! Am I the last to know this technique?

How to Repurpose Wood Shutters into Crafts

June 15, 2020

I recently shared our interior before and after paint colors. One of those rooms included our family room. Our minds were blown with the before and after when we removed the shutters. But with the open exposed windows, I found a way to repurpose wood shutters into crafts.

how-to-repurpose-wood-shutters-into-crafts

We sold most of the shutters online but were left with a stack of replacement shutter slats from the previous owner.

The slats are a crafter’s dream because of their horizontal shape and primed and painted (or stained) wood.

Don’t have a stash of shutters or extra slats? These repurpose ideas work for scrap wood too! Or, if you want a more finished wood the balsam wood at Michaels is an easy surface to personalize your own signs for wreaths too.

I repurposed these shutter slats that my husband had already deemed “disposable” into darling signs I use year round in my wreath.

How to Repurpose Wood Shutters

For these wood signs I used my vinyl cutter, but stickers work just as well and everything pops with a coat of paint!

Etsy is a great source for vinyl too! I found this gather vinyl here. Or this alphabet sticker pack from Amazon.

The repurposed shutter slats made their way outside when I made this for our backyard gate. Etsy offers a variety of custom vinyl signs on Etsy for a nominal fee.

The best part of shutter slats is flexibility and unlimited creative use. It became a fun way to create additional signs for other seasons.

Tip: When I painted the first shutter castoff red I lined up a few shutter slats because I knew I could use red paint for the summer, Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

I buy red plates at HomeGoods for the same reason. #wink

I love the idea of repurposing everyday items and objects that may otherwise be tossed. Check out my other upcycle projects here.

7 Eco-Friendly Habits

April 22, 2020

I read somewhere, or maybe Maria Schriver or Hoda said it; it takes 3 weeks to form a new habit. So that means you are only 21 days from a new habit. What habit would you like to change in 21 days? Well, in honor of Earth Day, I have 7 eco-friendly habits to start today. You could start a new habit for the next seven days and be well on your way to seven new habits in 21-28 days. And, you could start today; on Earth Day.

Eco-Friendly Habits

Now before I go all Mama Earth on you there is something you should know about my marriage. I am married to a man who uses a plastic bag to carry a box of nails from the Home Depot checkout to his car. It drives me crazy.

The good news is I believe it is a habit. And, all he needs to do is replace it with a new habit. My goal is to get him to think about changing just one of these eco-friendly habits.

1. Reduce or Reuse Plastic Bags

Reduce plastic bag usage. Think about this; one plastic bag holds 2 cartons of juice; so 2 bags would hold a total of 4 drinks. How many 64 ounce containers of milk can you compare using both your arms?

This is the hardest math you will have to do on this blog.

I love to see people bring in their own bags to the grocery store, but I take it a step further and specifically ask the baggers to not bag the milk and juices and my favorite low-cal lemonade. Using my math problem above, I can carry the same amount with my two hands into the kitchen.

I take it a step further and ask the baggers not to rebag items that are already bagged or boxed. I make a choice to carry it. And, if it requires a few extra steps from the car to the kitchen I think that is a win all around.

** the no bag at all rule works well with local restrictions on plastic bags.

Just try it for 21 days.

2. Repurpose Dry Cleaning Bags

Repurpose dry cleaning bags. I double knot the end of a dry bag that exposes the hangers’ hooks. And, ta-da I have a plastic liner for my trashcans and for these ideas too.

3. Empty Water Glasses & Ice into Plants

Empty your water glasses into a plant or pot. Or, dump the ice from your favorite mid-day refresher before tossing the cup. The little guy gets the ice cubes from my daily water intake.

4. Park + Walk

This is my new eco-friendly habit. When running errands in a ~~strip mall~~ retail center (funny story about that distinction for another day) I park in the middle of where I need to go. Sprouts, Michaels and Home Depot are within 60 yards of each other.

My goal is to park once and hit all three stores. If I have to drop off items in my car I park my car in the middle of the three. Try it! I get a few extra steps and I am not in and out of my car.

Elliott loves to join me if the days are cool.

5. Use What you Have

One of the best ways to practice eco-friendly habits is to organize your crafts, tools, paper, etc.

Use what you have before your run out and by more. I made this cute spring wreath using everything in my basement.

6. Bring Matchsticks Back

Did you catch this post where I attributed my love of matches to Charles Ingalls and his Little House on the Prairie? Well, what if we ditched the plastic Bic lighters and returned to matchsticks?

I shared the matches label for mason jars here.

7. Dropbox + Scanner App

I am a Realtor and the year we transitioned to online signatures was the year our industry collectively saved a forest. Why? Because we could access all of our documents online. And, with apps like Dropbox and my favorite app we can save and access personal and/or work documents through our phone. All of my photos are stored on “the cloud” which makes social media a little easier too.

And, it turns out Mother Earth has her own wiki page here.

And, if you are interested in other eco-friendly ideas, please check out my upcycle project page.

5 Ways to Repurpose Dry Cleaning Bags

April 20, 2020

I had to find a way to repurpose dry cleaning bags because of my husband’s addiction to starch. Not the carb-loaded starch, but the industrial-strength starch in both the collars and the cuffs in his dress shirts.

Our first Sunday, as a married couple and back from a disastrous honeymoon that almost ended in divorce, I made an announcement; no not that one: I could not iron his shirts. Without going into the details; as a recent grad with career aspirations (interviews), I argued I could not be distracted by the iron.

I proposed two options: he could iron his own shirts or outsource the task. Since I am sharing 5 ways to repurpose dry cleaning bags you can guess which option he pursued.

And, now we have dry cleaning bags and wire hangers. Every time I collect the wire hangers in our closet I think of the cheesy 1980’s movie Mommy Dearest and Joan Crawford’s famous line; “No more wire hangers.” I always shove the wire hangers back into the dry cleaning bag and hope they get reused.

Sidenote: Has anyone thought to replace the wire hangers with cardboard hangers? Do they exist?

Here are a few ways to repurpose dry cleaning bags and other household plastic bags. I have three ideas to repurpose dry cleaning bags. All of these work using the same technique. This is a low tech project.

Start with the top of the dry cleaning bag; the top (end) that has an opening for the hangers. I tie this end together with a double knot to hold the bag together.

1. Cover Seasonal Wreaths:

Some of my wreaths drop their faux leaves just like the Aspen trees in our yard. They create a dusty mess in storage. Now, I cover my wreaths with dry cleaning bags. The clear plastic works great to see which wreath is in what bag.

This is one of my favorite wreaths I found at Homegoods.

2 . Line Small Trash Cans

This idea does not work for your kitchen size trash cans. I tried it and it was a fail. The kitchen trash was too heavy for the drycleaning bag.

However, the drycleaning bags worked great to line the trash can in the bathroom trashcans under the sink.

One of my top ten pre-listing suggestions explains why I advise my sellers to stash the bathroom trashcans.

3. Pack Clothing Donations:

The clear film makes it easier to sort items once they get to the donation center. Now that my kids are potty trained and in college, I am a little more organized with my donations.

4. Crafts + Paint

For quick crafts or paint projects use a dry cleaning bag. The drycleaning bags are lightweight and easy to cover a space before a glitter party or Mod Podge project. I used a dry cleaning bag to catch the drips when my ghost left while hanging out to dry. Made the drying process a breeze.

5. Packing Material

Drycleaning bags make a perfect packing material because the backs are pliable and lightweight. These bags are easy to fit into tight corners of a care package or storage boxes if you decided to do this project.

Thank you for stopping by today! I would love for you to sign up for my once a week (only) newsletter in the sidebar, leave me a comment, ask me a question or follow me via social media below.

how-to-repurpose-dry-cleaning-bags-feature-everydayeditsblog

HOW OUR PUPPYY TAUGHT ME TO USE SCHOOL CRAFTS IN THE DECORe Decor

August 30, 2019

Many (some) of you follow my Instagram to see what our recent Bernese Mountain puppy rescue is up to these days. But our first family dog was Tanner, an Australian Shepherd. Aussies and Berners are completely different personality types. Kind of like children…Tanner, like all our pets, taught us so many life lessons.

And, Tanner taught me how to use school crafts in the decor.

Where a Bernese Mountain puppy can fall asleep with his head in a food bowl, an Aussie prefers to run 5+ miles, followed with a 3 mile vertical incline.

And, Tanner’s first Christmas season, we discovered his ambition and curiosity were exceptional for a puppy.

He was going to solve world problems. Or, as we discovered, create a few problems of his own.

haul out the holly and the school crafts

It was the Christmas season and I decided to haul out the storage tubs filled with the kids’ Christmas school crafts. And, then we decided to pile into the Sequoia to grab tacos with plans to trim the tree after dinner.

As the adoptive mom of our Australian Shepherd puppy, it was a rookie mistake.

In the 90 minutes we were away for chips and salsa, Tanner got hungry and ate his way thru every edible Christmas craft, Mother’s Day poster and Fruit Loop Turkey.

And, then when he realized what he had done, he threw up the contents of his tummy so we could keep the school crafts. He was thoughtful like that.

Bless his little heart!

Upon discovering the craft contents shredded and regurgitated across the stairs and front entry, we all just broke into laughter.

A dog’s purpose.

We admired Tanner’s determination to open up those bins and find himself a Honeycomb snack amongst the school crafts.

It took an Australian Shepherd puppy’s curiosity for me to appreciate the school crafts and memories.

After we sorted thru the storage bins, I salvaged the school crafts that were not made from processed sugar or flour.

Thankfully, Tanner did not eat ANY the school craft projects made from just crayons and construction paper.

He did not eat the Mother’s Day crafts made with paint brush strokes and construction paper.

I stashed them in a storage bin and set those crafts aside.

For almost ten years.

And, then last summer, on a rare and rainy Saturday afternoon, I pulled the school crafts and chose a few favorites from each child.

I purchased storage containers from the Container Store, but I found several here this summer.

Some of the baked, glazed projects ended up in the garden next to these.

Sorting thru these school crafts brought back so many memories and emotions. It was like an epiphany happend on my office floor.

Why did I store the school crafts for my kids to sort thru years later?

Let that last sentence sink in because that is the life lesson in this post.

These school crafts were meant to be enjoyed way past their refrigerator phase.

School Crafts in the Kitchen Decor

I never appreciated Mr. Measure Man, my sous chef, until he survived Tanner’s Elmer’s glue and licorice binge.

I added a frame and now he hangs out in the pantry and I smile everytime I see Mr. Measure Man. He kind of looks like Buzz Lightyear.

A few projects claimed year-round status like my daughter’s American flag she and her first-grade class drew on the afternoon of September 11th, 2001.

I was so happy to find this flag, untouched. I am so thankful Tanner lead me to my daughter’s American flag drawing.

Now, it is in my living room year-round.

Let me know what you think of this post on how to integrate the kids’ crafts into the decor. I hope these ideas inspire you to revisit those storage bins in the basement.

This post is in memory and honor of our loyal Tanner who ran to the Rainbow Bridge just before Labor Day. We know he is keeping tabs on our second, fur baby, Owen the Wonder Dog.

THE SUBTLE WAY TO USE RETAIL BOXES FOR STORAGE

HOW TO REPURPOSE A PAINT CAN

Save Empty Paint Cans

2. Make sure the paint can is empty & dry.

3. Nope, you just pull off the label

Steps to Repurpose Packing Material

How to Paint Glass Jars

How to Repurpose Wood Shutters

Eco-Friendly Habits

1. Reduce or Reuse Plastic Bags

2. Repurpose Dry Cleaning Bags

3. Empty Water Glasses & Ice into Plants

4. Park + Walk

5. Use What you Have

6. Bring Matchsticks Back

7. Dropbox + Scanner App

1. Cover Seasonal Wreaths:

2 . Line Small Trash Cans

3. Pack Clothing Donations:

4. Crafts + Paint

5. Packing Material

haul out the holly and the school crafts

A dog’s purpose.

School Crafts in the Kitchen Decor

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)

Join the Everyday Edits Community

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)