Thursday, December 16, 2010

Upcycled or Recycled?

After reading the meanings of recycled and upcycled, I am quite sure this next item is upcycled. We have certainly improved on the crappy junk mail brochure that was with the hundred thousand other junk mail brochures that have come through our letterbox these last few weeks. I tell you our letter box looks a bit like Santa's jolly belly some afternoons. It costs nothing at all to make these other than your children's time.

Would like to say a huge thanks to Ana from i made it so, who sparked the inspiration for this lovely idea. Hers is much, much prettier and Christmassy than ours, and she has added lovely little diary notes of things they are doing along the way. Thank you Ana for sharing this lovely idea.

In regards to craft at our house, it has to be a little bit messy, it has to be cutting and pasting, it has to be lots of colour and minimal fuss, and most of all, it has to be quick. Much to my own disappointment, as I love me a bit of craft, actually I love me a lifetime of makin' stuff.

So not wanting to pull out a heap of craft items for a only a few minutes and then me having to pack it all away again, we just pulled out all the christmas brochures, and some wrapping paper from my youngest' recent birthday gifts, and put this little countdown together.

It really did only take a few minutes to put together. They love it, because they made it, and because they know how many sleeps there are to go. It's hanging at their level on a kitchen cupboard door, right where they walk past throughout the day, and already they are in the habit of swinging it as they pass and counting the numbers.

I am visiting other blogs the next few days to find lovely recycling and upcycling ideas. I will share them with you, because I want you to see these lovely blogs and lovely talented people for yourself as well.

What have you been upcycling or recycling at your place lately? Let me know, so I can share your blog with everyone too.

Have a lovely day at your place.


7 comments:

Unknown said...

Well, since you asked, I have been busy up-cycling here at Notions head quarters. It's all hush-hush at the moment...I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

- said...

Joyce, very great idea.

ana @ i made it so said...

hi joyce, what a nice surprise to float in here to see what you've been up to, and to find this project. thanks for sharing it. i love that it's such a simple thing that we can do together from materials on hand, and like you said "they love it, because they made it"... love that!

ana @ i made it so said...

and i dunno, i think your version is just as pretty!

Crochet with Raymond said...

Love seeing you guys upcycling! Its a great idea AND they get to see on hand how many sleeps! Looking forward to seeing your next environmental endeavours! have you been to trashcollectors blog? I think its www.trashcollector.blogspot.com you'll love it, I haven't been in ages but its great!

'Joyce' said...

Hullo my dear blog friends, Rosie, Ohhhhh I am so excited for you, gosh there seems to be lots of wonderful upcycling happening in blog-land of late and that makes me ever so excited. I am still working away when I can with my bits as well. So far so good, however, little steps seems to work best for me right now. It's like my little paper bag. lol.
Ana, I am so glad you don't mind my posting your lovely idea, it was just too fabulous to pass up and make excellent use of all our brochures which I wish these companies would just stop printing. My little ones love it, I am going to have to do a New Years countdown after this one, because they love it so.
Alice, I am about to head over to trashcollectors right now. Thanks so much for letting me know. The more I can learn and do, the more I can pass onto my boys.

ana @ i made it so said...

hi joyce! a new year's countdown is a lovely idea too. i think kids love it so much because it's so *tangible* -- they can feel and hold it, hear the rustling, all that good stuff that we adults sometimes seem to float above in all our rushing around.

just wanted to pop by and return the wishes for a happy season for you and your family. the feeling is mutual, about having crossed paths online :)

merry christmas and happy new year!