Felt Purse

Quadrilateral pieces of felt are turned into purses with Martha Stewart.  She glues the pieces of felt together and decorates them with pretty scrapbooking stickers and fabric trim.  Next she adds a fancy feather boa, ribbon or chain handle for a purse any little girl would love.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.marthastewart.com/265614/no-sew-fancy-kids-pocketbook?center=0&gallery=274497&slide=265614

Cardboard Box Bird Feeder

A cardboard box is decorated with wrapping paper and then stuffed with popcorn to make an easy upcycled bird feeder.  Maros kindergarten cuts a door in the box so the birds can stand and eat the popcorn and hangs it from the tree with yarn. 

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://maros-kindergarten.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-post_31.html

Jello Playdough

In this recipe Jello doesn't just give playdough its color but also a great scent.  Playdough recipe shares the ingredients.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.playdoughrecipe.org/playdough-recipes/jello-playdough-recipe/

Bead Bookmarks

Very simple and pretty, beads are strung onto a matching color ribbon and tied into a bow at the end to make a beautiful bookmark.  To make the part that goes into the book use flat long beads such as shown below.

Flower Glass Decorated Vase

Glass vase beads are used outside of the vase to make an ordinary vase a bit more interesting. 

Paper Plate Purse

You will need:
- Paper plates
- Staples
- Ribbon
- Decorations (markers, stickers, sequins...)

1. Put two plates together and cut in half.
2. Then cut two of the pieces in half again.  You should have two halves and four quarter pieces.
3. Hold the two halves together so the front pieces are facing inwards.
4. Do the same for the quarter pieces and slip inside or outside the bag so it has a scalloped top and staple the corners together.
5. Attach a strap of beads or ribbon for the handle into the corners and staple to secure.
6. Staple the rest of the plate together.
7. Decorate the bag.

This tutorial first appeared on jellyfish jelly which unfortunately is no longer available.

Lip Gloss Necklaces

You know those machines stores seem to always have in their tiny vestibules filled with trinkets kids can buy for 25 cents and all of the trinkets come in a little plastic bubble?  Well not so idle hands has found a really unique way to upcycle those containers.  She makes lip gloss out of Vaseline and Kool-Aid and then stuffs it into the containers.  To make them even more special she decorates the containers with stickers and ties them to a beaded chain for her girls to wear.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://notsoidlehands.com/2009/08/freecycle-friday-luscious-lips-for-the-kids-too.html