80. Altoid iPod Speakers

For those makers among us, here's a cool use of an altoids tin and an old set of headphones (not to mention that cool little switch).

79. Going Green T-Shirt Shopping Bags

Turning an old T-shirt into a reusable shopping or grocery bag is a simple, clever craft to help everyone be "green." It's a Good Thing that will help protect the environment.

56. Gifts for Bird Lovers: Soda Bottle Bird Feeder

This nifty idea uses a recycled 2-liter soda bottle to make an upcycled bird feeder.

MATERIALS

Two-litre soda bottle with a screw-top cap (you can also use larger plastic juice bottles)
Wire (or heavy duty cord)
Drill
Wooden dowels
Clear caulking Adhesive, duct tape, or hot glue
Bird seed

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Remove the label from your soda bottle, and rinse it with the cap in hot water to remove any stickiness.
2. When they are completely dry, drill two holes into the bottom of the bottle and thread wire or cord through the two holes to make a loop for hanging the feeder. Make sure you cover the holes with duct tape or fill them with clear caulk (or hot glue) to ensure no water can get inside.
3. Turn the bottle upside down (the cap will be at the bottom).
4. Drill two holes on opposite sides of the bottle, making sure that they are no larger than the thickness of the dowel you have.
5. Slip the dowel through the bottle for an instant perch.
6. Drill holes 1 to 2 inches (2.6 or 5.6 centimeters) higher than the perches, so the birds can easily access the holes — but don't make the holes too big, or the birdseed will fall out.

   Hint: Fill the bottle with water and freeze it over night - this will make drilling the holes much easier.

   
   
   Seed:
   The best overall seed is the black oil sunflower: "High in oil, this seed is eaten by most birds. We find it less messy than striped sunflower seeds, as well,"

Alternate Ideas

Instead of dowels, use wooden spoons. (And clearly, it doesn't matter which end is up for these feeders. If you use it cap side up, just screw an eye-hook into the cap and use your caulking adhesive to make sure it stays in place.)

For Finch's, cut an 1/8th inch wide slit above the dowel that lets them access the Finch food.

Original source: Microsoft Magazine

[Edit 12/16]—This no longer appears on the Microsoft Magazine website (b/c there isn't one anymore).

Combine this with a bird watching guide, and a bag of bird seed for a wonderful present.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds Western Region
by Audubon (Flexible)

53. Bottle Cap Magnets

MATERIALS:

metal bottle caps from soda or beer bottles
Photographs or photocopied images, magazine pictures, comic book pictures, etc.
White glue
Round magnets
Hot glue gun (with hot glue stick)
EnviroTex Lite or Ultra Glo varnish kit (includes varnish and hardener & can be found at craft stores), or other clear / non-yellowing sealant

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut your image(s) to fit inside the bottle cap.
2. Using the white glue, adhere image to the inside of cap - make sure the image is smooth and there are no air bubbles or wrinkles
3. place a little glue on top of the image, smooth, and let dry
4. Cover image with EnviroTex, or varnish and let cure for 24 hours (make sure you follow the directions on the label).
5. Using the glue gun, attach the magnet to the bottle cap

ALTERNATE IDEAS:

You can also drill a small hole in the top of the bottle cap & attach a small O-ring for a cord (to make a necklace) or a key chain

Instead of using the inverse side for images, why not just glue the magnet inside the bottle cap and let the cap be the magnet.

Source: Bella Online

46. Alternative gift ideas for the tragically hip among us

DUCT TAPE WALLET

Given the variety of duct tape designs out there these days, you can get quite creative with this project.

MATERIALS
Cutting board
Duct Tape (any color)
Ruler
Exacto knife

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Using a dollar bill as a measuring tool, cut two strips of duct tape slightly larger than your bill.
2. Join the two strips along the long edge, overlapping them by 1/2 inch.
3. Flip the the first strips over and tape the back side, making sure to overlap the outer edges by 1/2 inch.
4. Flip it over again and trim the corners at a 45 degree angle.
5. Fold the 1/2 inch overlap over to make sealed edges.
6. Make a second sheet, this time slightly smaller than the first (but still larger than your dollar bill).
   • seal the top edge, but use the bottom and side overlaps to seal this sheet to your first (this makes a pocket & your basic wallet structure)
   
   
7. To add ID or credit card pockets, you'll make a sheet (just like we did above) that is the same length as your wallet, but about half as tall (you will probably only need one strip of duct tape for each side of the pocket)





For more images go to The Duct Tape Guys

Source: The Duct Tape Guys

JUICE POUCH COIN PURSE

MATERIALS
Empty drink pouch
Scissors
Velcro
Finishing | hem tape
needle, thread &/or sewing machine
tape

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Carefully cut the sides, top, & bottom of the drink pouch, so that the front and back are now two separate pieces. If you like, with the scissors, go ahead and round the edges of the top and bottom (see picture above)
2. rinse with water, making sure the pouch pieces are clean, and pat or air dry.
3. Fold each of your pouch pieces into thirds. One will be the front of your purse, the other will be the back, with the velcroed flap.
4. For the front of your purse: keeping the top third folded back, unfold the bottom third, so you now have two-thirds of the pouch showing.
5. With your sewing machine, stitch the top (folded) edge
6. Sandwich the two pieces together, right sides out, and stitch around the edges using a zig-zag pattern. (you may need to tape the pieces together to make sure they don't slip while you're sewing. If you like, fold the finishing tape around the edges before you begin stitching, to give it a more finished look
7. Attach the velcro on the underside of the flap, and on the front of the purse.

[Download Instructions] - PDF

PULP FICTION COIN PURSE

MATERIALS
One paper back book.
The cheesier the cover, the better. Paperbacks come in a variety of sizes, but look for one that is at least 7" high and 4" across.

Sturdy paper or card stock.
Clear vinyl
Snap Faster Kit. check your fabric store around the velcro and other closures.
Sewing machine & thread

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Remove the cover from the book.
2. Cut your book cover, paper, and vinyl so that each measures 7" by 4"
3. Find the middle of the book cover and mark it with a horizontal line.
4. From the top, measure one inch down and make another horizontal line.
5. Do the same for the bottom.
6. Now fold along the lines you made.
7. Place the vinyl over the book cover, lining up the edges. Use paper clips to hold them together as you attach the snaps.
8. Using the same measurements as Steps 3-6, mark three horizontal lines on your paper and fold.
9. Getting out your paper clips again, place the paper lining on top of the book cover, fold over the edges, make sure it is all even, and clip the folded edges in place.
10. Make sure the paper clips are not in the way of your needle before you start sewing. By sewing the edges together you are attaching the lining to the book cover and forming the pockets by way of the folded edges.
    
    Sew as close to the edge as you can.
    
    You may choose to use a contrasting color of thread of decorative stitches.

Original source: Eat Your Heart Out Martha (eyhom.com)

[Edit 12/16]—The original website for this tutorial no longer exists. I'm trying to find another similar one with pictures, but until then you may just need to try this out as is. I welcome any pictures you may take of the process. (thanks all!)

17. Ice Cube Candles

MATERIALS

Candle wax (you can also use crayons)
Cardboard milk and/or cream cartons
Wick (wax coated)
Ice (cubes)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Melt the candle wax &/or crayons. This is best done by filling one pot up with water and placing a second (thrift store) pot on top - like a double boiler. You won't want to use the same pot to melt your wax in that you'd normally cook food in.
   
   note: you can also add fragrance to your candle. Craft stores have special oils and fragrant waxes you can incorporate into your wax as it's melting
2. Cut the carton to a desired height.
3. Cut the wick about 4 inches taller than your desired candle
4. Secure the wick in the carton, tying the top to a pencil or tongue depressor (so it won't fall into the carton)
5. fill the carton with ice cubes. The coarser|larger the cubes are, the larger the holes in the candle.
6. Make sure the wick is standing upright and pour the melted wax into the carton.
7. When wax is set (ice will have melted) remove the milk carton and you have a candle that kind of looks like swiss cheese. There may be some water that will drain out as you remove the carton.

Source FamilyEducation.com