Colored Pencil Can

I have a ridiculous amount of colored pencils. And I never use them! I prefer crayons above all other coloring utensils. Most of these I have inherited over the years. With older cousins and an older sibling I ended up with them.

So what do you do when you have a bazillion colored pencils and can't remember the last time you use them? You figure out a way to upcycle them, of course!

For this craft you will need:

-Colored pencils that you don't mind never coloring with ever again

-A tin can (mine originally held diced tomatoes)

-hot glue gun and extra glue sticks

-A hacksaw

-A rotary tool 

This craft ended up being more intense than I originally thought it would be, but I love how it turned out. First of all, gather enough pencils to cover your can. My can was about 9" in diameter, which ended up being 35 pencils. 

Next, you need to cut the pencils so that they are the same height as the can. I used a hacksaw (very carefully, of course!) to get them all to the right length. I used a sharpie to mark where I needed to cut each pencil. 

Aaron makes a lovely hand model! 

Seeing all of the decapitated pencils almost made me feel bad...

Next, take your hot glue gun and start gluing the pencils onto the can. Make sure they are perfectly vertical, and that the uneven sides are pointed up (i.e. the end that was attacked with a hacksaw). 

Once you get everything glued on, in all likely-hood the pencils aren't quite the same height, and the edges are rough thanks to the hacksaw. This is when having a rotary tool comes in handy!

Believe it or not, Aaron was actually glad I was using his power tools for arts and crafts! The rotary tool had been bought for a specific purpose, and he was glad it was getting used for something else, thus justifying the purchase even further. 

The rotary tool makes a bit of a mess. Make sure you use it over a tarp or newspaper. I actually used a trash bag spread out on the floor. That's also what caught the mess when I used the hacksaw on the pencils. 

Once the pencils get sanded down, you are ready to use your newly decorated can for whatever your heart desires! All mine holds right now is my ruler and a pair of scissors, but it will get more as I organize my craft supplies. 

Ps - I have an etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop/TallieH 

Because you are awesome and reading my blog, here is a special treat - a coupon code for free shipping through the end of September! If you make a purchase, at some point during checkout there will be a box for a coupon code and you should enter: THANKSABUNCH

Bubble Stationary!

For this project, you are encouraged to blow bubbles with your straw - nay, you are REQUIRED. How often are you told that not only is it acceptable to blow bubbles through a straw, but it is necessary? Um, how about never?!

Until today, that is.

With only a few supplies you can make unique and awesome stationary. Plus, you can have a lot of fun doing it.

List of supplies:
-white computer paper
-white envelopes
-small bowls, one for each color
-straw
-food coloring
-1 teaspoon dish washing soap
-1 teaspoon sugar
-1/2 cup of water

Mix the water, sugar, dish soap, sugar and ten or more drops of food coloring together in a bowl. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Using your straw, blow bubbles in the mixture! The bubble mixture should extend above the rim of your bowl.

Your should protect your work space. I did not and ended up getting food coloring on the kitchen counter. 

Take an envelope or piece of paper and gently place on top of the bubbles so that the bubbles pop.

Repeat until the paper or envelope is completely covered! Don't forget about the back of your envelopes - they need some bubbly love too. 

It is so bubbly and fun! Once the paper dries, write a letter to someone! Not only do you now have totally unique stationary, but it cost next to nothing.