Trash to Treasure

It has been a long time since I've posted anything aside from comic strips which is ok since this is a blog centering mostly on well, comic strips (what else).

However, just this morning my mom gave me this book:

There's something humbling about your mother giving you something for no apparent reason except for the fact that she knows you like being craftsy from time to time.  It doesn't matter that she bought it second hand from a book sale and costed around Php60/$1.50; I could happily say she knows me well enough to think about me when she wondered meanderingly through a bookstore.

I love eco-friendly products and should create more of them especially since it's one of my New Year's Resolution this year.  Unfortunately, the last big "Trash to Treasure" thing I made was waaay back last year or maybe even a couple of years ago:

Soda Pull Tabs Shoulder Bag

Bag up Close: croched and lined

I was proud of it but never had a chance to make a tutorial since I thought I'll be making some more through time (BTW, I have plenty of material to use because my dad is a big soda drinker)!

In honor of Trash to Treasures though, I want to post some pictures of adorable, recycled products which could give inspiration to other eco-friendly craft lovers out there.  The photos were all taken from Kultura's website and I know some of these had been on my bucket list of things to do just like my pull tabs bag which was inspired by their items.  Hopefully things will push through one of these days.

Plastic Vanity Kit

Strips Foil Bag (I believe this is made from those tetra packs)

iPad Newspaper Case

Pull Tab Wallet and ATM Case (the craftsmanship is great and I'm jealous!)

DIY: Handmade Paper

One of my to-do's is handmade paper.  I bought this handmade paper making kit from Papemelroti years ago and used it once to make a total of four sheets of paper.  That's right, four sheets!  Still, I decided to give it another go, hopefully making a whole bunch this time.

Here is a simplified step-by-step guide based from the kit instructions  (refer here for more detailed instruction).  I love how Papemelroti consciously promotes not only recycling materials but earth-friendly activities, too!

Things needed:
*bunch of scratch/used paper
*water
*starch
*blender
*basin
*newspaper
*sponge
*Deckle (part of kit)
*Mold (part of kit)

1. Tear/cut used paper into 1/2 inch squares.

2. Use a blender to mix the paper with water.  I used the proportion: 2.5 cups of paper = 3.5 cups of water.

3.  Place mixed paper and water into the basin.  Add 2 tablespoon starch.

(Kinda looks like food...)

4.  Place the deckle on top of the mold (wires should be in between) and scoop up paper.  Shake a bit to get rid of excess water.

5.  Remove Deckle and place Mold on newspaper with the used paper between the mold and newspaper.  Using a sponge, soak up remaining excess water.

6.  Detach Deckle from the paper.  Design *optional*.

Design # 1: Decided to press some dried leaves

Design # 2: Paper with dried flower petals

7.  Leave the paper for 0.5-1 day or until dry.  By then it should detach easily from the newspaper.

And voila!

Relatively easy, right?


Verdict: Fun to do and very informative but if you desperately need papers, better just buy a ream from the store!  I think I cut out around 50 used-up paper to make 17 sheets of paper.  Plus I spent hours doing this stuff!