Oddsockworld

Handbag made from recycled cardboard

Things to make with a cardboard box - Making a designer handbag from a wine box is a clever way to upcycle a cardboard box. I chopped off the top 10 cm (which I will keep for another idea). Then measure approx 5 cm horizontally from the top corners of the box, draw a line from the marks to the corner at bottom of box and cut the 4 pieces away.

 

Front side of cardboard bag with handle

 

Decorate and varnish the cardboard bag with acrylic paint and satin varnish,add handles and bind sides together. Handles were made from strips of waste corrugated cardboard, painted one side with lamp black gloss craft paint - dries with a semigloss finish - then run the strips over the edge of a desk to curve them and squash slightly. I used the sewing maching to hold the edges together and also to top-sew the square handle holders. Further photos will be published in a full tutorial.

Brighton Pier

via www.purseblog.com

This is crazy enough to be on Oddsockworld.....love the stick of rock and bashed up beach huts!

Bird mobile from recycled cardboard

This is a quick project using cardboard and recycling. I made up the shapes as I went along and added a beak with v-shaped pieces of florist wire. Cut a slit in the body and insert a pre-cut curved wing. Paint with acrylics adding detail and hang from thread. Another great way to make a gift from recycled materials.

Patchwork

So...it took 3 hrs design time scribbling on the backs of envelopes. 2 hrs to cut strips into three pieces each from the jelly roll and arrange into blocks. Now I'm sewing pieces together-think 2 hrs including pressing seams.

Christmas Tree design

My Christmas tree made from bendy green sticks lashed together with horizontals and decorated with glittery baubles. Not very stable.

Patchwork quilt

I have always wanted to buy a jelly roll - the name given to a selection of pre-cut fabrics. I decided to just get on with it asap and vaguely arranged them. I'm going to sew them into strips of 3 then cut into squares. Aim to finish this part in 2 hrs!

How to design a repeat pattern with Photoshop

At last - I have understood the method with the help of a very clever lady called 'SewHeidi' and this is my first pattern repeat:

It's a fairly long tutorial at 9 mins but it's the best one I have found anywhere!

How to make a papier mache fish

Now you've added the fins apply a coat of white emulsion or watered down gesso before letting your imagination run riot with colour then apply coat of varnish and hang on a wall. Thanks to DanMonsterMan for sharing his method. You can find photos of all the stages under 'recycling tutorials'.

How to make small papier mache fish

All made as per tutorial 5 super quick and very easy with no knives!

Papier mache fish tutorial 5

Add eyes and a few teeth by wrapping strips of masking tape and cover with more strips - ready to paint but advise leaving for a few more days to dry inside too. The smaller fish was made by cutting a flat cardboard shape, screwing up 2 sheets of newspaper and wrapping masking tape round to cover the paper - then add a layer of floury strips and dry, then paint detail. Finish with water-based varnish. Finished version next week. Any questions pls email.