Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is right around the corner but don’t fret if you haven’t been able to find anything in the stores yet. Here are some great gifts that you can make by repurposing items laying around the house.

For the Dad that loves to garden: Floppy disk plant holders

 

 Image Source: BRIT + CO

These are very cute and are sure to brighten up any space! Floppy disks are a thing of the past now but it’s likely that many of you still have some lying around the house. These aren’t hard to make. Simply gather up as many floppy disks as you require (min. 5 for every planter) and a glue gun, then go plant shopping!

Full details on: BRIT + CO

For the Dad that loves winter: Handwarmers

Image Source: Rae Ann Kelly

While not in season at the moment, these will be very useful come winter. You can be creative making these! Use some fun patterned fabric, perhaps you have an old t-shirt that you love but it no longer fits, or an ultra-soft blanket that has a stain on it. You’ll need to cut out two, ¾ inch squares from your fabric of choice to make each handwarmer. Sew the two pieces of fabric together, fill with rice, and sew the handwarmer closed.

See detailed instructions here: Rae Ann Kelly

All you need to do is pop them in the microwave for 20 seconds before you’d like to use them! That’s it! A very practical and comforting gift.

Here’s a fun gift for kids to make: A Father’s Day trophy

Image Source: Smart Class

The idea is to cut out a trophy shape from cardboard and decorate it with all sorts of fun things found around the house, such as dried pasta, sparkles, buttons, beads, plastic jewels, etc. Once the items are glued on and the glue is dry, the trophy can be spray painted gold for a nice finishing touch. Photos can be added afterwards too. 

Check out this blog for more details: Smart Class


Happy Crafting!

-Tamara (Volunteer)

May Reuse-It Item - VHS Tapes

May's Reuse-It Item is VHS tapes! We get a lot of them here at the Reuse Centre, and so many of our customers tell us that they'll be bringing their old VCRs out of retirement, after finding some of their favourite classics in the store.

Image source: Reuse Centre staff

With the advent of DVDs, Blu-Ray DVDs, and streaming services, many of us have old or unusable VHS tape collections. If you don't plan on watching them, what do you do with all of those old tapes? Our blogger team has taken up the challenge! We've pulled together a few of our favourite VHS upcycling ideas from around the web.

Siao

I am constantly running out of storage containers and space. Plastic VHS cases are great for organizing smaller items, and it's super easy to stack them onto a shelf. Make a small label for the spine of the case and you are set!  If the black cover bores you, you can have a small craft session with the kids to decorate the exterior.

Image source: Materials for the Arts

Tamara

In this age of technology where new gadgets and systems are produced almost constantly, there's a high likelihood that you have some old VHS tapes that have become dust collectors. There's a number of things you can do with them so they don't just end up in the garbage. Take, for instance, this easy to make pen holder:

Image source: Hipcycle

You only need 4 tapes, glue, and some sturdy cardboard. In fact, I wouldn't think you have to limit yourself to making just a pen holder with this idea! This container could also be used to store kitchen utensils (spatulas, wooden spoons, and the like), fake flowers, and probably a lot more. Put your creative hat on! 

Get the full instructions at Hipcycle.

Vanessa

A VHS coffee table would make a great addition to a family or rec room! It’s super easy to make, and is sure to be a conversation piece. Add a touch of nostalgia by using your favorite movies!

Get the tutorial at Instructables.

Image source: Instructables

Sarah

I love this VHS tape pencil case idea! You could also use these for sorting and storing craft supplies, like buttons or bobbins of thread. Get the tutorial at Taylor Rae Luster Flights of Fancy.

Image Source: Taylor Rae Luster

I also found this umbrella holder, made of VHS tapes It's really similar to Tamara's pencil holder above, just with the tapes facing the other way for a different look. You could easily change the dimensions and layout of your tapes to make storage bins in a variety of sizes and shapes! 

Image source: Ri Eco Lab

Do you have a collection of old VHS tapes? Blow the dust off, and get creative! Share your ideas in the comments below!

Please note that the Reuse Centre only accepts commercially recorded VHS tapes, and blank tapes still in the packaging. Home recorded VHS tapes should be disposed in the garbage.

Turn Them In and Win!

Spring has sprung! All around the city, Edmontonians are cleaning out closets, basements, and garages.

There are so many great places in Edmonton that accept unwanted items for reuse, including charities, second hand shops, and the Reuse Centre, of course!

But do you know what to do with items that aren't in good condition, or that aren't accepted for reuse?

The City of Edmonton is asking residents to take household hazardous waste and items too large for regular garbage collection to an Eco Station.

Eco Stations are convenient waste drop-off facilities for all types of residential waste and they play an essential role in Edmonton’s integrated waste management system.

Items such as old electronics, paint, batteries and cleaning products can be turned in for free at one of the City’s four Eco Stations where they will be recycled and disposed of properly. This type of waste is harmful to the environment if not handled correctly and should not go into the garbage.

Eco Stations also accept large and bulky items such as sofas, mattresses, tables and yard waste which cannot be set out for regular collection. Please note that fees will apply for these items.

To say thank you for disposing of your household waste properly, Eco Stations are giving away movie passes from April 25 to May 9. Visit an Eco Station for your daily chance to win.

For locations and more information please visit Edmonton.ca/EcoStations

Post-Holiday Tissue Paper Crafting

Now that the holiday season is behind us, here is one way to minimize the household waste from everyone's favourite part of the holidays — the gift giving!

Tissue paper is a lovely addition to any present, but has few uses after everything has been unwrapped. One reuse idea is to use it for a lovely family arts and crafts session! All you need are scissors and glue, some warm water, a cup, your leftover tissue paper, a sheet of wax paper, and a paintbrush or sponge to make amazing artwork.

Directions

1. Cut your wax paper a little larger than you'd like your tissue paper art to be.
2. Dissolve the glue in warm water (I find that a ratio of 1:2 works well) in your cup.
3. Cut up your tissue paper into small pieces, to be glued onto the wax paper (squares or rectangles are a good shape to start with).
4. Sponge some glue mixture onto the wax paper in the area that you'd like to start placing your tissue paper.
5. Place tissue paper pieces onto the glue spots in the arrangement you'd like. Feel free to layer!
6. Pat down the tissue paper with your sponge, and make sure that you soak them through with the mixture.

7. Leave your art to dry.

8. Trim the wax paper edges down to the size that you want.

9. VOILA! Take a step back and look at your beautiful art piece! You can frame it, or place it somewhere that it will have light shining through, for a stained-glass look.

For an extra "Wow" factor, you can cut out some aluminum foil for a focal point, or add some glitter while the glue is still drying.

Happy crafting!

-Mallory (Volunteer)

All photos provided by Mallory

February Reuse-It Item: Pine Cones

Think it's time to put the pine cones away, now that the holidays are over and Spring is fast approaching?

Think again!

This month, our blogger team has put together a list of clever ideas to use pine cones, all year round.

Michelle

I typically use pine cones for crafts and decor. It's important to me to clean out the dirt and possible bugs that may be stuck in the crevices of the scales. Check out this straightforward tutorial from Urban Jane to learn how to clean out pine cones, so you don’t have to buy them from a craft store.

Image source: UrbanJane.com

Sarah

Give your feathered friends a treat, and lure wildlife to your yard with this awesome, all-natural bird feeder made from a pine cone! This is a simple, quick activity that's great for all ages. Get the instructions at Happiness is Homemade.

Image source: HappinessIsHomemade.net

And because I couldn't decide which one I liked better, I also wanted to share this artificial zinnia floral arrangement, from A Fanciful Twist.

Image source: AFancifulTwist.typepad.com

Siao

Growing up in Edmonton and having great access to the Rockies, I have a natural affinity towards the mountains.  I'm always trying to find ways to recapture those moments of adventure and calm. What better way to evoke these strong emotions and memories than to use the good old olfactory sense? Using essential oils and collected pine cones, you can easily make scented decor pieces around the home. Learn how at Apartment Therapy.

Image source: ApartmentTherapy.com

Mallory

Pine cones are one of the most common things that we can find in our everyday surroundings here in Northern Alberta, but the biggest question is: 'What can you do with them?' One answer that isn't at the forefront of most minds is to use them to add texture to paintings! It's very easy to take them apart, sprinkle them onto a canvas with some glue, and paint over them to add texture to any painting — especially more abstract pieces, as pictured here.

Painting by Bradley Collins
Image supplied by Mallory

Do you have a great idea to share? Let us know in the comments.

January Reuse-It Item: Board Games

Have you ever pulled out your favourite game, only to realize a critical piece is missing? Or maybe that well-loved board has fallen apart, and you suddenly have an excess of tiles and tokens.

Nobody could possibly want those, right?

Wrong! Here at the Reuse Centre, we take complete board games, but we also accept all kinds of spare chips, game boards, and cards. This month, our bloggers have put together some of their favourite ideas for reusing those extra bits and pieces.

Michelle

Here is a great way to repurpose an old metal Chinese checker board piece into a clock. You may find parts for the hands online or at watch shops. This would surely make a unique conversation piece for your home.

See the tutorial at Light & Spoon.

Image source: Light & Spoon

Mallory

Do the scattered pieces of old, unused board games litter your house? Do they lurk under couches and in corners, waiting for the chance to find their way under your feet so that they can have one last glorious moment of triumph as you limp away in pain?

Never fear, here is a wonderful tutorial from Living Like the Kings on how to re-purpose those pesky pieces into something a tad less dangerous for your unsuspecting feet. The best part? You can do this with any old board game pieces –  monopoly, clue, scrabble –  the sky is the limit!

Image source: Living Like the Kings

Tamara

I saw an excellent idea for reusing old scrabble tiles: make some coasters! They're adorable, plus you get to play the game again and think of clever short words and/or phrases to put on your coasters. This is a great idea for making things like unique wedding favours or just to create a fun accessory for your table. Other than the tiles, you don't need much. All you need are some super glue, scissors, and cork or an old game board. Check out the details at Style & Elegance.

I can't wait to try this!

Image source: CoolBoyCreations on Etsy.com

Sarah

These game-board shelves are genius! What a cute way to add a bit of colour and pattern to a room, without a lot of DIY effort. These would be great on any kid's wall, or as part of a household games room or family room.

Image source: VanessaAlvarado.com

Got any great ideas for using leftover board game pieces? We want to hear about them! Share with us in the comments.

Take a Tour of the Reuse Centre!

               

Did you know that the Reuse Centre offers tours?

A tour of the Reuse Centre is just one of many ways that we provide an opportunity for residents to learn about the idea and benefits of reuse. Tour participants learn a bit of history about the Reuse Centre, what kinds of items are accepted, and how materials are processed by staff and volunteers. Participants might also discover some new ideas about how to start reusing items at home!

Image Credit: City of Edmonton

Who can take a tour?

We offer tours to groups of 5 or more people, ages 6 and up.

Our most common visitors are schools and summer camps, but we've also hosted seniors' groups, businesses, and many different community and social groups.

Don't have a group? We'll be offering drop in tours during our Family Day Open House on Monday, February 15th, between noon and 3pm! Visit edmonton.ca/reusecentre or our Facebook page in February for more details.

When can we book a tour?

Tour bookings are 1 hour in length. They are available Tues-Fri mornings, starting at 9am (final start time for tours is 10:30am).

The tour itself takes about 30-45 minutes, and the group is welcome to shop for the remainder of their scheduled time. Tour participants shop at the regular rate of $5 for up to 50kg of items.

To learn more or to book a tour, please contact us:

CALL     780-495-9851

EMAIL   reusevolunteers@edmonton.ca