Category: Around the house

Paper Woven Basket

This is from doitang. There are no english instructions, but its definatley doable. Basically the creator created strips of recycle paper to weave a small basket. The strips were reinforced with sewing. Basketry is an art that requires patience. I’ve made several reed baskets and have found that once you get the first few side strips in, it goes much smoother. I love the idea of recycling the old paper though! Give it a try.

Homemade Bean Bag Chair

For adult-size chair

  • Medium- to heavy-weight fabric for outer cover:
    • for fabric 45” to 48” (115 to 122 cm) wide: 5 yards (4.6m)
    • for fabric 54” to 60” (137 to 152.5cm) wide: 3-1/2 yards (3.2m)
  • Muslin for lining, yardage same as for outer cover
  • Zipper, 22″ (56cm) long
  • Polystyrene or plastic pellets, approximately 6 cu. ft. (1.85 cu. m). Note that more may be needed depending on the size of your bag. Check online (we suggest Amazon.com) or with doll stuffing suppliers, packing suppliers or upholstery suppliers for sources.
  • Other suggested filler to use would be packing peanuts. Use the ones that DO NOT dissolve with water
  • 1″ (2.5 cm) grid, such as cutting mat or graph paper

For child-size chair

  • Medium- to heavy-weight fabric for outer cover:
    • for fabric 45” to 48” (115 to 122cm) wide: 3 yards (2.7m)
    • for fabric 54” to 60” (137 to 152.5cm) wide: 2-1/2 yards (2.3m)
  • Muslin for lining, yardage same as for outer cover
  • Zipper, 18″ (46cm) long
  • Polystyrene pellets, approximately 4 cu. ft. (1.27 cu. m)
  • 1″ (2.5cm) grid, such as cutting mat or pattern paper

Follow rest of instructions at sewing.org HERE

Mess-Free Finger Painting

From Hippiehousewife: Pour some tempora paint into a zipper lock bag. Get all the air out before you securely close the bag. Use painters tape to tape to laminate table. (If you have a dark colored table, put a light piece of paper between bag and table first.) Let your kids at it. Fun to mix colors too!