8 DIY Projects that Reduce, Reuse and Reinvigorate for Earth Day

Earth Day is right around the corner. This is not the kind of holiday where you decorate an elaborate tree or wear a costume. This is a holiday that was put in place to make us more aware of our environment and how we can take care of it better. As crafters and members of the DIY community we can help too. Rather than running out to the store to buy more things I encourage you to look around your house, even in the garbage can, and see if you can create something from an item you already have. Something like junk mail that might have gone to a landfill can become a gorgeous set of coasters. Old stained T-shirts can be made into fabulous necklaces. Even last night's pizza box can become something new if you look at with crafty recycling eyes. I have compiled a few of my favorite I Love to Create projects that reduce, reuse and recycle with style and whimsey.

20 Green Crafts for Earth Day

Earth Day is this weekend and what better way to celebrate than with a green craft. This is my 3rd year in a row to do this series. Check out 2010 and 2011 too! Go out grab some fabric scraps, plastic bags, Coca-Cola crates and of course your salad spinner and let's get crafty.


Collage Shoes - Revamp a pair of old shoes with a collage of fabric scraps.

Sensory Bottles - Save all your empty bottles to make some fun baby toys.

Bridesmaids Bouquet - Old plastic flower beads and vintage enamel flower brooches make for a lovely bouquet.

Fabric Frock Fanny - This fun collage project uses old chain, fabric and sewing patterns.


Plastic Bag Craft Smock - Plastic shopping bags keep your kids clothes clean!

Rolled Fabric Flowers - Use up your fabric scraps to make fun flower accessories.

Put a Bird On It Brooch - Have you seen Portlandia?

Second Place Picture Frame - An old shirt and second place prize ribbon transform a picture frame.


Elbow Patch Cardigan - Because everything is cuter with elbow patches.

New Chucks - Make an old pair of shoes new and fancy again with a coat of paint and some glitter.

Weenie Onesies - A thrift store onesie gets the one of a kind treatment with the help of some fabric scraps and Fabric Fusion Glue.

Coca-Cola Crate Advent Calendar - Vintage wrapping paper and an out of date coke crate are easily transformed into a festive advent calendar.


Scarf Necklace - Raid the thrift store for all the silk scarves and make yourself a unique necklace.

Thrift Store First Aid Kit - There are a few things every thrifter should have in their arsenal.

Jewelry Box - An old thrift store jewelry box is given a face lift with some Crafty Chica Paint, fabric and ric rac.

Robot Wrapping - Foil wrapped boxes make for some cute wrapping paper.


Salad Spinner Art - Who uses their salad spinner to spin salad? I use mine to craft.

Christmas Cutie - Make a stand-up paper doll with a vintage sewing pattern, Tacky Glue and scrapbooking goodies.

Make Your Own Coloring Book - Using scrap paper and some Tacky Glue you can easily make your own pad of paper or in this case coloring book.

Rubbing Plates - A set of discarded placemats and some glue make for some easy rubbing plates.

How are you going to celebrate Earth Day? Any fun up-cycling projects on your crafty horizon?

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20 New Fave Green Craft Projects

Last year we celebrated Earth Day around these parts with a roundup of our 20 fave Eco-Craft Projects from the blog. Well a whole year has passed and I have 20 new up-cycled I Love to Create Projects to share. Hope you enjoy, and happy Earth Day!


I made a haunted house with a milk carton, but you could make any kind of house for your kiddos little people. Grab the tacky glue & Crafty Chica Paint and think gnome cottage for spring.

Store your knick-knacks in this handy can corral. If you can make paper beads you can make paper covered straws, rev up your glue sticks!

Our Tiered Treat Tray was for Santa, but nothing says you couldn't make one for say the heavy metal or old school rap lover in your life. The theme depends on which records your thrift store has.

Make a cozy and cute yarn wrapped headband for yourself.


I can't stop making kitschy up-cycled picture frames, even vintage cameras are not safe.

My gift wrapped hula hoop wreath was for Christmas, but you could make one for any holiday. Grab your bottle of Liquid Fusion Glue and put on your holiday thinking cap.

I've made baby blocks into birthday wishes and Halloween decor, what will be next?

Laverne inspired monogram sweaters are super easy to make and fun to wear. It took everything in my power to not bust out the Tulip Fabric Paint and cursive J all the sweaters in my closet.


Glass etching customizes a set of plain old beer glasses and vinyl records get transformed into coasters.

Sunglasses get a makeover with a little splatter of Crafty Chica paint, Liquid Fusion Glue and drill.

Convert your craft pants into a string of pearls.

I go through my neighbors trash, but look how cute my toadstool stool turned out. Can you blame me? It took a lot of Crafty Chica Paint, but it was totally worth it.


A summer trip to the beach inspired this fedora makeover. Don't forget that Tulip Fashion Paint works on a lot more than clothes - I like it on hats and shoes too.

Old boxes get transformed into customized cupcake coozies.

Swimming anyone? Use a Tulip Fashion Paint and an old towel to make a tongue in cheek swimsuit cover up.

If you thought sweater clips were just for your grandma, you were wrong.


Knitting needles make for a great mid-century modern clock.

Take an old T-shirt, a hoodie and an arsenal of Tulip Fashion products and make something new and improved like El Tigre.

Be a quilting cutie in this adorable patchwork jacket.

You know how I love recycled pantyhose projects. These earrings might be some of my fave! Old ear bobs, Fabric Fusion Glue and a pair of knee highs - oh my!


How are you celebrating Earth Day? Got any fave up-cycled craft projects you want to share? Love to hear all about it.

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Get your green on this Earth Day!

Going green in your crafting is all about reusing and repurposing what you already have to create something totally fab and new! It doesn't have to cost a lot of money (actually the idea is the cheaper the better) and it should make you feel good knowing you are upcycling your stuff laying around instead of going out and buying new! This movement has really taken off with the downturn of the economy...everyone is getting back to basics!

Here's some awesome ideas to inspire you and help get your green groove on! All you need is a super strong glue like Liquid Fusion! It dries super fast and clear and is environmentally friendly. What could be better than that?


This funky mirror project uses all your bits and pieces around the house!


Make a terrarium from a liter bottle and watch plants grow!

Turn old bracelets into a kitschy new vase. So colorful!

This berry branch mirror brings the outdoors in!