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!)

34. Felted Wool Mittens

Felting wool means shrinking it—on purpose! While results will vary from one type of wool to another, most will shrink quite dramatically and take on a tighter feeling, felt-like finish. The key is, you must use 100% WOOL fabric. Grab a few old all-wool sweaters from your closet or a second-hand store—the kind with holes in the elbows, or stretched out edges. With just a little effort, you can transform an "undesirable" into a pair of funky (and functional!) mittens. Here's how.


MATERIALS

At least one old 100% wool sweater (as long as you're going to the effort, you might as well felt a few - up to four or five will fit in the washing machine)

A bit of dishwasher detergent (not dish soap!)

Pattern tracing material

J & P Coats embroidery floss or Red Heart Yarn

INSTRUCTIONS

Before You Sew:

Loosely arrange the sweaters in the washing machine. Add a small amount (maybe 1/8 - 1/4 cup) of dishwashing detergent, then fill the machine using a "hot water wash/cold water rinse" cycle.

Machine dry the sweaters on the hottest temperature setting.

Ready, Set, Sew:

Make a mitten pattern by tracing your own hand (or someone else's) onto pattern tracing material.

Lay out the pattern on your felted sweater, playing with placement until you find just the right look. Sweaters with multi-colored designs or special stitches, like cable knits, offer lots of possibilities—enjoy! You can also utilize the ribbing on a sweater's lower edge, though don't expect it to be particularly functional. Once the sweater is felted, much of the stretch is long gone. So you'll find these mittens aren't snug fitting. But they are very cool—and warm at the same time!

Cut two mittens on a double-layer of fabric. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, stitch each set together along the outer edge using a straight running stitch, whipstitch or blanket stitch. Perfect stitches NOT required. You can also machine stitch using a long stitch length (5.0mm).

To do the running stitch, use yarn or heavy thread like embroidery floss—all strands in the skein—and a large-eyed needle. Then just run the needle in and out of the fabric.





If desired, add a final row of the running stitches around the "cuff" area, gathering slightly and finishing with a bow. Or add button embellishments—whatever your pleasure.

Original source: SYSF

New source: Dabbled

[Edit 12/16] The original source for this project appears to no longer be on the Web, although the instructions are pretty easy to follow. You can also find similar instructions (with pictures) at Dabbled.org.

If you like green / eco-conscious gifts, you might want to check out:

Big Green Book of Recycled Crafts (Leisure Arts #4802)
by House, Allan Ed. and Leisure Arts and Leisure ArtsTrade Paperback

30. Button Clock

MATERIALS

Round cookie-tin lid
Awl
Nail set
Dial template
12 buttons in various sizes, shapes, and colors
Multipurpose cement
Clock movement

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Poke a hole through the center of the lid with an awl. Using a nail set, widen the hole to accommodate the shaft.
2. Refer to the dial template to position the button hour markers. Affix buttons with multipurpose cement. To assemble mechanism, follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Source MarthaStewart.com

Want more Martha Stewart crafts? Why not check out her encyclopedia of crafts:

Martha Stewarts Encyclopedia of Crafts An A To Z Guide with Detailed Instructions & Endless Inspiration
by Luke Brock (Hardcover)

20. Tea Cup Candles

MATERIALS

Nested pans / double boiler
Partially burned candles
Candy or candle thermometer
Tongs
New wicking
Teacups
Wick sustainers
Wooden skewers

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a small pan set over a larger pan of simmering water, melt down old candles; clip the thermometer to the upper pot, and keep temperature at about 185°. Remove old wicks with tongs.
2. Cut a piece of wicking to the cup’s height plus 2 inches. Clamp one end to a wick sustainer; tie the other end around a skewer. Dip wicking and sustainer into melted wax to coat them. Remove and stick sustainer to cup’s bottom.
3. Pour in the wax, stopping 1/2 inch below the cup’s rim. Allow wax to set, about 1 hour. The candle will harden with a well in the center. To even it out, use another skewer to prick a circle of holes about 1/16 inch deep around the wick. Pour in melted wax until surface is 1/4 inch below rim. Cut wick.

From Martha Stewart