Big stores and crafty recycling

Apparently, Macy's is now interested in crafty recycling projects. I got their latest flyers in the mail, and the kid-centered flyer was chock full of projects made from recycled materials.

In this photo, you can just see the flower made from recycled water bottles peeking out from behind the cute little girl.

These boys are living out their Tom Sawyer dreams on a raft made from water cooler jugs.

On this page, they prompt readers to make a birdhouse out of an old coffee can. (Come on, does anyone get their coffee in something other than a Starbucks cup these days? It is a cute idea, though.) I've got to say that my favorite is the turtle in bottom half of the page. I think his neck is made out of an aluminum dryer vent hose. I'm not sure what framework they used for the shell, though it looks like it's stuffed with green plastic bottles.

And finally, more flowers!

If you want to see any of the images in a larger size, feel free to visit my Flickr site.

Soft cube

Soft cube at Ipso Crafto in Washington, D.C.
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

I saw this softie cube at Ipso Crafto, a cool craft store in the Eastern Market area of Washington, D.C.

I thought the cube was a great way to use up old scraps of fabric and ribbon. The little ribbon tabs are perfect for little hands to grab onto! Plus, the felt cutouts with embroidery help kids learn words and images.

I'm guessing that this is how it's made.

1. Cut six squares of equal size.
2. Cut loops from scrap pieces of ribbon and pin to the squares.
3. Sew the squares together to form a cube, leaving a small opening in one of the seams.
4. Stuff the block with cotton or polyester filling, and then whipstitch the opening closed.

You also could probably use some of that non-scratchy velcro to allow the cubes to be stacked together.

If you live in the Washington D.C. area or are visiting, be sure to visit Ipso Crafto. They're just a short walk down 8th Street from the Eastern Market metro station and have a cool assortment of craft books and supplies.

Recycled glass sculpture

Recycled glass sculpture
Originally uploaded by sassycrafter

You never know where you'll find inspiration. I saw this nifty suncatcher hanging in the window of a deli in Washington, D.C., when I was there last week.

It's cleverly made of colored glass plates set in a frame. I was thinking this would be pretty easy to pull if you coudl find a way to create a frame. My first thought was to use a jigsaw and sheet of plywood to create a frame. Then the frame could be painted and the plates epoxied into place. Any other ideas for how to create a frame?

For a closeup shot of the project, click on the photo at right and then view the closeup shot via my Flickr account.