Sunday, March 15, 2009

Repurposing!

Do you like to repurpose things? I think it is so cool to find something intended for one use and then cleverly use it for something else completely different: repurposing!

Purpose: Jelly jar light fixture


Repurpose: Inexpensive vase (about $5 or less each at most home improvement stores)


Purpose: Fabric-covered brads for scrapbooking. These are Amy Butler (ooh la la!)


Repurpose: Nail-head cover


Purpose: Curtain panel (Target's Simply Shabby Chic line)


Repurpose: Tablecloth (and a valance used as a runner)


Purpose: Tension rod for cafè curtains
Repurpose: Holder of spools within bookcase shelves
Purpose: Scrapbook paper
Repurpose: Backing the exposed areas of a bookcase


Fun find
Very cute felt coasters for $1/pack of 4 at Michaels. They are available in Spring colors like green, pink, yellow, lilac and blue! I can't get enough of them! Maybe they can be repurposed as stamps?


I would enjoy hearing about something that you have repurposed!

xo



29 comments:

Unknown said...

ELYSE! These are wonderful ideas!!! I am alway searching for mulitple use items! Great post!
Hugs,
Amy

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Wonderful ideas! I love to repurpose. Mostly I repurpose vintage china into mosaics :-)

Hugs,
Penny

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

GREAT idea for the vase!!! Your blog always inspires me!

Elyse, thank you so much for the adorable gift you sent to me. It is PRECIOUS and it will find a very special place in my home. Such a clever, generous and wonderful friend!!

much love,
Becky

Unknown said...

Your blog is my new favorite place to visit. I have those brads, and that would be perfect for a nail cover. I was just trying to take a nice photo this morning of your frame with my print inside, and I was thinking I wish I could hide the nail. Ta dahh, you gave me the solution.

I am going to write the post about you tomorrow. Thank you for my sidebar award. I love everything cottage.

Karen

Connie said...

I LOVE your ideas, chickee!! Especially the brads to cover nail heads and the curtain-cum-tablecloth!!
xoxo,
Connie

OH MY #6 said...

My I ask you if that little side table has been repainted? I just love it. The one with the runner.

lea

Elyse said...

Elyse! I think it's more than our names that make us "sisters"...it must also be our love for creativity and all things pretty! I love this post. Repurposing is such a wonderful idea, and you're so creative! I love your jelly jar idea. I can't wait to try that around my apartment...it needs some sprucing up! You and your blog are chock full of such fabulous ideas. It's true pleasure to read your posts.

By the way, you are so right about one bad long distance call ruining the week. Are you an over-analyzer, too? I remember some nights where I repeatedly ask myself why Todd sounded so weird! I don't miss that type of apprehension at all!

Wendy said...

The idea of the tension rods for spools of ribbon is fabulous. I might have to steal that one!

cottage farm villa said...

Love your repurpose ideas!! The tension rod for the spools...great!

Anonymous said...

you never cease to amaze, girl!

I'll need your help repurposing the spare bedroom into a sewing room come June! OK?

:)S

Lori said...

great ideas Elyse!!! i esp love the way the curtains look on your table and sideboard...very pretty!!!

Unknown said...

Elyse, today's post is about you, your shop and your inspiration. Stop by and see what made a home inside one of your cottage frames.

Karen

♥Mimi♥ said...

Hi, I found your blog...you know the way, read a blog, read another blog, read another blog, etc. Then I found your lovely blog and have had the time to flip through your pages and really enjoy!

I do have a question. You have a photo of a couple of chicks on a picnics next to a little camper. Do you have the camper for sale or is there someplace you could direct me to so I could buy one? It would have to be online since i live in a very small town and our goodies are limited...sigh.

Thanks for any and all help and suggestions. The reason for the camper is that my son and his wife just bought a retro camper and I thought it would be precious if they had one to display in their little home away from home

cammy @ freckledfarm said...

Such great ideas. LOVE the light fixture jar!!

Sugar Bear said...

Lovely ideas! I've used the tension rods as ribbon holders - they work great!
Karla

LaurieStar said...

Cute stuff - aren't you smart! I especially love what you did with the tension rod. Brilliant! And I saw those coasters too - was tempted to buy them but didn't for some reason. (Guess I figured I'd already spent WAY too much!)
Wanted to tell you too, that we have been having our "crafternoons" in the church basement on Sundays and it's working out pretty well. Hope you can arrange one for you and your friends!

Bethany said...

Great post. Lovely pics and ideas.
Does using the empty cat litter bin to hold the dry dog food count? The orange lid matches my kitchen.

Barbara Jean said...

Love all those ideas, and actually have used my lights from garage sales (have one just like yours only it's old) for vases too.

Thanks for the ideas.

Blessings on your week,
Barbara Jean

Tiedupmemories said...

Very clever ideas! Your blog is so sweet!Thanks for stopping by my blog! I'll save you a plate of corned beef!lol!Have a happy day full of shamrock wishes!
Tracy

Cynthia's Cottage Design said...

I love re purposing too, it's so creative! I love how you did your ribbons, what a great great idea! I'm gonna try that one too! Great post sweetie and filled with wonderful ideas as always!

Today is finally going to be nice out, I cannot wait to plant flowers and get this Spring moving! lol

Have a wonderful St. Patty's day , Hugs!! Cyn xox

cupcake studio said...

I just bought those too...funny. They're great! LOVE all of your way-clever repurposing ideas! Happy St. Pat's Day!

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Hi Elyse,
You made me laugh!!! I am so enjoying my new life at Ikea only problem is they took to long to get me the comp hooked up, LOL!!! Actually my Mom is in town for a visit and we have just been enjoying our time together, I will be back to blogging again when she leaves ): Thanks for thinking about me my sweet friend!!
Hugs~Kelly

Glitter & Bliss said...

Super cute finds and ideas!! I love your new picture. You are soooo pretty!!!

Stephenie said...

You have amazing idea's. Those brads to cover nails is a really great idea. I'll have to keep that in mind.
Hope you have a wonderful week.
Stephenie

Elyse said...

Hi Big Sis (/Lysie)!!

I'm always so excited to hear from you!! I used craisins in my cookies. There's not too much sugar in the cookies, so having a sweetened craisin didn't make a huge difference. I'm sorry that I'm getting back to you so late. I have a Wills & Trusts midterm tomorrow (ick, right?), but after the exam finishes, I can't wait to check out your Etsy page!!!! Hope you're having a Happy St. Patty's!

xo,
your lil sis

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Great Ideas!!! Love them all...
Stay Cozy, Carrie

Amy C said...

those brads are lovely. Amy Butler makes such pretty designs.
Thanks for the book suggestions - I will have to check them out!

Unknown said...

Very cool ideas! I love the "vase"!

The Nester said...

Nice work! You are so creative!