TheReuseSite.com
Don't throw it away; reuse it!
Don't throw it away; reuse it!
Gardens
GLIDER CHAIRSWe were ready to throw away these chairs. They were ugly white and rusty. I gave them a good sanding, a coat of black spray paint (took way more than I thought) and I recovered the cushions with canvas from a boat cover. A few stencils later, good as new!
GARDEN GATEThis is another project my husband made for me out of cedar branches. We have a tiny garden in a corner, and the only critters we really need to keep out are rabbits, so he built me this tiny 3- foot tall gate to get in and out. We get a lot of comments on it, and it makes my garden special.
TILE TOPPED TABLE
I had a lot of left over tile from my fish tile project, so my daughter and I broke some of them up, mixed up some thin set and had fun designing and making this table top. I bought the glass stars at a discount store and they add some pizazz. The table was a $15 purchase from a dollar store that was looking pretty shabby. The "new" tile top extended the life of the table. This works great as a side table indoors or out.
DOG HAIRI have a border collie that sheds constantly. I could brush him for six hours a day, and I would never come to the end of the hair. I'm left with great balls of fuzz. Do I throw it in the trash? Of course not! I throw the fur out for the birds to build nests with, but there are other things to do. I've heard people keep deer out of flower beds by scattering hair (dog and human). I even have heard of people spinning the hair into yarn and knitting sweaters, although whenever it gets wet you smell like a wet dog......ewww. Side note: he looks like he's snarling here, he's not. He's smiling.
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FOR THE HOME |
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GARDENS
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CAMPING
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ODDS & ENDS |
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HOW CAN I REUSE:
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PLANT STEPS
My in laws replaced their front deck and had the old steps on their burn pile. I asked if I could have them and got a funny look (that happens a lot). I dragged it home (actually, my husband did--he's a gem), gave it a coat of paint and hung plant hangers on it. Now it holds pots of flowers and vegetables. Of course I get people asking me why I have a set of stairs going nowhere and I just tell them it's a metaphor for my mind.
CEDAR FENCEI had to include my husband's projects, too! Where one person sees an ugly tree to burn, he sees a fence. We needed a barrier but were short on cash. He cut, peeled and assembled the fence and then made a birdhouse to go on top!
USES FOR FALL LEAVES
We have an abundance of these colorful beauties in the yard! This year, instead of just bagging them and putting them on the curb, maybe you can try these ideas:
1. Stuff an orange garbage bag "pumpkin" to put on your front step.
2. Compost. The most obvious use. Layer shredded fall leaves with manure or the end of your compost and in the spring you will have beautiful compost for the garden.
3. Mulch. I have a couple spots in my yard where mowing the weeds is problematic and difficult. I pile the leaves up and never have to mow. You can also use the leaves to mulch your beds for over wintering and to protect your plants for the winter.
4. Decoration. One year I had more time than I do now (!) and I pressed the prettiest maple leaves until they dried, then strung them on thread and decorated the windows with the garlands. They really kept their color. This would make an unusual Christmas garland, too. Or, put a few on your Thanksgiving table for decoration.
5. Make a game during Thanksgiving. Write questions or riddles on the leaves and let your kids pick a leaf and read what's written on the back side. Don't tell them ahead of time and it will be a nice surprise!
6. Insulation. Pile the leaves around the dog house for winter and you will have a bit more insulation for the dogs when they are outside.
I'm pretty sure you could have a mouse or rat problem if you have piles of leaves around, so I wouldn't pile leaves next to the house.
7. Give to a gardener. You might give your leaves to a gardener who has compost piles. You never know. It would be better than putting them in landfills inside plastic bags.
