Fall Decor: Recycling Sweaters for Pumpkin Craft (Video)

Image via: Someday Crafts

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Watch the video to learn how to make sweater pumpkins:

You can find the link to the video here.

Image via: Etsy – The Tiny Crafter – Sweater Pumpkin

Supplies

Sweaters

Embroidery floss

Filling

Twigs

Needle (with a big eye)

Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Embellishments (leaves, twine, ribbon, dried twigs with berries etc.)

Image via: Joyworks

Instructions

1. Cut the sweaters so you will get parts that are straight on both ends. Sleeves are the easiest for this project, since you won’t need to sew them together to get a ‘tube’ as the other parts.
2. Thread the floss (choose the same color floss as the sweaters) through the needle eye and make a simple knot at one end.
3. Turn the sleeve inside out. Make a running stich around the one end of the sleeve. When you’re done, pull the thread to close the opening. Make a knot to secure it. This part will be the bottom of your pumpkin.
4. Turn the sleeve right side out. Fill the sleeve with enough filling, until it gets a round, plumb pumpkin-like shape.
5. Now it’s time to close the upper end of the sleeve, the same way you closed the bottom one. Just use the needle and floss and make a running stich around the end of the sleeve. Pull it enough so it will leave a small hole and make a knot to secure everything.
6. Use another piece of floss and the needle to make lines to the filled sleeve so it looks more like a pumpkin. To do that, just make a stich on the top of your filled sleeve (near the small opening), pull the floss to the bottom of the sleeve and secure it there, making sure that the ‘pumpkin’ clinches a little. Repeat this a few times so you’ll get the finished look. This part is optional, but it adds to the appeal of your final product.
7. When done, glue a small piece of twig with hot glue into the opening on top of the pumpkin. You can wrap the twig (stem) with twine and use hot glue to secure it, to get another look.
8. Now to the finishing touches. Add leaves, berries or ribbon to the stem of the pumpkin to give it the look you want.

Image via: Etsy – Willow Creek Sparrow 

So, there you have it. It’s a really easy project to make Fall Decor, but if you want to make it even easier, here are a few suggestions. You can use faux pumpkins to avoid the need of stuffing the sleeve with filling. Just take the faux pumpkin, cut off the stem (optional) and ‘dress’ the pumpkin with the sweater sleeve. Continue as described above. Another option is to use rubber bands or hot glue to secure the ends of the sleeve, so you could avoid the sewing part altogether. Just try what you like more and go for it. Make a number of sweater pumpkins to adore a corner of your home or even your porch.

For more fall decoration ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Easy DIY Gift: CD Picture Frame

Image via: Jam Carin

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Things You Will Need

• An old CD. If the width of your picture frame is wide you may need more than one CD.
• Scissors or tin snips
• Tacky glue
• Tweezers
• A piece of thin cardboard or a piece of cereal box
• Black slick dimensional fabric paint

Instructions

1. Cut the CD into pieces using the scissors. Vary the shapes and sizes.
2. Apply the glue on the front part of the frame and spread it using the cardboard.
3. Use the tweezers to pick up the CD pieces and place them on the glued frame. Continue this process and leave space between each piece.
4. Put the CD pieces on every part of the frame until it is fully covered. Leave to dry.
5. Squeeze the paint onto a scrap paper to ensure it doesn’t come out with bubbles.
6. Fill in the spaces between the CD pieces with the paint. Keep the lines even.
7. You can repeat the lines to make them bold. However, make sure you don’t smear the previous lines.
8. When all the lines are filled, leave the frame to dry.
9. Display for all to see!

Image via: Make it easy crafts

Who knew old CDs could make stunning artwork? This easy DIY project is ideal for beginners and requires few materials. You will love it for its simplicity. Try it this holiday season and display your family pictures, holiday images, or beautiful art. Your friends and guests will ask you for tips on how to make the frames. After you show them, get started on another DIY project.

Can you think of anyone on your gift list who would enjoy this holiday craft?

Happy DIY Saturday! Today we show you how to make a recycled or repurposed dining room table. Whether you have old furniture to repurpose or refinish it or you want to create an entirely new dining room table – today’s DIY Saturday is for you. Today, watch a video on how an antique bed was turned into a dining room table. Then read on to see how you can use everyday items for a dining,coffee table or night stand.

Video: How to Build a Distressed Farm Table

Link to video –> How to Build a Distressed Farm Table

Are you someone who’s obsessed with the latest DIY trends and who loves to have a project to do yourself?  Are you constantly looking for inexpensive and easy ways to spice up the décor in your home? Have you ever thought about creating a brand new coffee table or nightstand easily and affordably? Here are three table ideas you can use to create fresh, fun and brand new tables for your home all by yourself!

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Coffee Table   

Create a rustic coffee table made out of old crates! These charming crates can be purchased at any local craft supply store such as Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Make sure to purchase four of them. Find a color of wood stain that you like and that coordinates with the rest of your living room furniture.

The first thing you will need to do is sand the crates with any type of fine-grain sandpaper and wipe clean. Then spray each crate separately with your wood stain, and allow to dry. Once each crate has completely dried, you can arrange the crates however you like and nail or glue each crate together; taking care to use small enough nails so they don’t show through.

This charming and rustic crate-made coffee table is a perfect focal point for a living room.  Plus it has more than enough storage for décor display and organization. Just think, with the purchase of four simple crates and a can of wood stain, you can have a brand new coffee table for your living room!

Night Stand

Is your bedroom nightstand in need of a facelift? Check out this absolutely darling little nightstand and its extreme makeover! What’s even better is that the makeover is super easy to do with game-changing results!

The first thing you need to do is remove the drawers in your old, drab, forgotten about nightstand. If your nightstand has more than one drawer, that is okay! It will give you more surface area to add pops of color and pizazz!  Next, you need to sand down the nightstand to remove its protective glaze. Then wipe clean. Once the piece is dry, choose a fun paint color that coordinates with your bedroom design. In the case of this particular nightstand they chose a vibrant sea blue.

Once you have painted the nightstand with at least two coats of color, allow it to dry completely. Make sure to either spray or brush on a protective top glaze. This will give the piece some shine as well. Once the glaze had dried, apply the fun, funky and patterned contact paper you have chosen into the nightstand where the shelves once were. You will be amazed at its transformation, and how well the vibrant contact paper makes those open shelf areas pop!

Dining Table

This is such an amazing idea! How creative and crafty would you be when you repurpose an old wood door as a dining table! You can find an old door at any antique store, vintage shop or even your own home! Find one that suits your design style and is in fairly good condition!

You can use the door as is, or you can sand it down and of course repaint or refinish it to your liking. The above farmhouse door is being used as it is for an ultra-vintage feel.  You can have someone construct legs for your table or you can use old front porch posts for added charm. Find some dining room chairs that coordinate nicely with your table and its look and Voila! You have a brand new (to you) dining room table!

This is such an amazing idea! How creative and crafty would you be when you repurpose an old wood door as a dining table! You can find an old door at any antique store, vintage shop or even your own home! Find one that suits your design style and is in fairly good condition!

You can use the door as is, or you can sand it down and of course repaint or refinish it to your liking. The above farmhouse door is being used as it is for an ultra-vintage feel.  You can have someone construct legs for your table or you can use old front porch posts for added charm. Find some dining room chairs that coordinate nicely with your table and its look and Voila! You have a brand new (to you) dining room table!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Do you want to throw your old ladder away? Well, think again. You may not know what you’re about to lose. There are great things that you can make out of it – many DIY projects just awaiting to be made! Your old ladder can be repurpose into a decorative and functional item at home. These ladder ideas can certainly make an accent in your home interior or exterior. Isn’t that exciting?

The beauty of repurposing an old ladder is that you don’t have to do a lot with your ladder. It can stay as it is – painting is not even required. You just need your old ladder, as it is, and a couple of accessories.

Image via: Eenig Wonan

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So, check out these unique decor ideas to repurpose that old ladder and see how it can work like magic:

Shoe Rack Ladder

You spent a lot in buying shoes and yet you just keep it in storage when not in use. Why not showcase them? With a ladder shoe rack, you can make your shoes as decorative items at home. Strap on your shoes on each step of the ladder all the way to the top. This idea will also save you time looking for your shoes in a bunch of storage.

Image via: Pinterest

Ladder Lighting Fixture

This is perfect for both interior and exterior decorations. Use your ladder as a holder for your lighting fixtures like chandelier, lanterns and anything you can hang. It creates a perfect rustic look to your design. Make sure to use ropes so you can intensify its artistic design. This is perfect for your patio, garage or even in the living room.

Image via: Eenig Wonan

Bookshelf Ladder

If you want to have an express bookshelf at home, your old ladder can do it for you. This is one of the simplest and quickest project for your old ladder. It’s a functional and attractive addition to your wall design. Attach your old ladder on the wall and pile in your book.

So, you still want to throw your old ladder? Sure not! These are just three of the many wonders that your old ladder can make. What are you waiting for? Get hold of your old ladder and take it to the next level!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Homemade lamps have never failed to impress people from all generations. Well, the value of lighting at home doesn’t only concern with the intensity of light but also the brilliance it adds into your home.  With impressive lighting, your home will have an amazing touch of radiance especially in the dark.

Homemade lighting fixtures evolve each year. It continues to electrify the structural design and theme to enhance the looks of your home. Just like the Up-cycled lighting system that is introduced recently in the market.

They offer several homemade designs that are so amazing and awe-inspiring. Here are some of the Up-cycled lighting systems that will capture your attention. Thanks Cavender Diary blog for the great ideas!

Hanging Wine Bottles in Wine Cellar

This is extremely classic and classy. It’s not your usual chandelier lighting fixtures but rather a new approach of having a hanging lighting system. The wine bottles provide the unique characteristics of lighting.  Also, the shape of the bottle is superbly timeless and very sophisticated.

All images: The Cavender Diary

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Double Pipe Wall Sconce

The design of this lighting fixture will bring you back in time but with a twist of a contemporary touch. It is built primarily on a water pipe metal that makes it looks solid and stable. This design is perfect for your garage or any type of room that has a natural theme.

Modern Chandelier from Pipes

This is another pipe lighting design fixture that shines above the rest. It may be built with pipes but you will never notice it because of its elegance and style. Another great feature of this chandelier is that it is arranged beautifully to have a modern look. This design is great for living room or areas at home where you have a wider space.

These are just some of the best Up-cycled lighting that will provide you with an excellent alternative for home lighting fixtures.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

See The Cavender Diary’s guest post on Stagetecture – DIY Spice Rack

One of the newest trends in residential architecture is saving space and reusing shipping containers. Ever wonder why some people are interested in container houses? Well, wait until you see some of the most remarkable container houses built in different places across the country. These houses are well-designed that you may not notice that it’s made from a robust container.

All images via

Aside from its design, container houses are getting the attention of people for so many reasons.

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To provide you with the advantages of container houses, here are some notable reasons:

Mobility and Durability

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Containers are primarily designed for easy transport. It handles a hefty amount of materials for deliveries. This is why container manufacturers ensure its durability and toughness to any adverse condition. These two features make it perfect for containers to qualify for a stable home that can withstand diverse weather conditions. Along with durability the cost of construction is extremely low than a standard home.

Environmental friendly

The fact that these houses are built in recycled or repurposed containers, you can be certain that it alleviates the need for wood coming from trees to build a home. Not to mention the plastics and wastes that are produced in building a regular house. The container houses also require less operational cost for air-conditioning or heating. With owners placing their garden on top of the roof, the direct heat from the sun and cool breeze of the surroundings are filtered and the home now acts as an eco-system.

Economical

With a container house, you are assured of low maintenance and cost-efficiency. It is safe to say that you only have to spend for paint to maintain its benefits. But take note that by repainting your container house, you are not only doing maintenance but enhancement as well. This makes it two benefits for price of one. Since these home are limited square footage, the cost of upkeep is low and can help homeowners save space for their building footprint and more.

The increasing popularity of container houses can be driven by the high cost of monthly amortization of regular housing and their maintenance. It’s nice to know that there are architects and designer who are using their knowledge and skills in building great ideas like these container houses.

For more house tours on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! This week we are looking at the versatility of shutters and how they can be used to beautify your home. Once upon a time, shutters were only used for covering windows, and as decorative features on the exterior of your home. Today they are being used in re-purposed decor as headboards, and even as beautiful room dividers! The options are endless.

Image via

Today watch a You Tube video that shows you how to creatively use shutters in your decor. Then my guest blogger will give tips on to creatively use shutters throughout your interior decor. Let me know which idea you decide to try?

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You Tube – Creative DIY Projects with Shutters

Guest Blogger – How to Creatively Use Shutters in Home Decor

Yes, we said it – shutters. Not a lot of people think about shutters these days when they’re thinking about interior design. They often think about shutters for practical purposes – sealing off a window from air leaks or helping to prevent the sun from coming in and heating the whole place up. But if you’re a smart interior designer, you know that having shutters does not have to just be a matter of practicality – it can be a matter of good taste as well.

The problem is, so few people think about shutters these days that they don’t really know where to begin. That’s where we come in. We can not only help you with incorporating your shutters into your home’s over-arching motif, but we can tell you why you need to do this right away. Here are three reasons you need to be thinking about shutters right now.

Image via

1. They’re Practical

If you’ve ever been in a house with shutters, you know that they’re actually a great solution for window shading. They’re easy to adjust, move around, and they definitely accomplish their job of insulation and blocking the sun from coming in. And since not all shutters are alike, it can definitely be said that there are good shutters and bad shutters – they don’t have to look a certain way if you don’t want them to look a certain way.

Add the impact that shutters can have on your home’s energy usage – they help block the sun when you want it to be cool and can help you store heat when you don’t want it leaking out of your windows – and you start to see just how much sense it can make to have shutters on your windows.

2. Get Creative With Your Style

Just like any type of interior design decoration, it’s important to remember in this case that shutters do not come in one distinct shape or size. Essentially, they are customizable. So if you’ve been focusing on a particular type of shutter, it’s important to remember that your options are open. Shutters can be fit to coincide with the rest of your interior design themes and match the color patterns you’ve already selected for your house. Considering how important window trimming can look on a house, it’s good to have an option like shutters available to you.

Image via

3. Need an Old Fashioned, yet Stylish Look?

Let’s face it; shutters do have a certain look as compared to shades and other options. And that’s a good thing if you’re looking for an old-fashioned chic look that matches with the rest of your house. After all, mixing modern with old-fashioned can make your home clash in strange ways. If you want a certain look and aren’t sure why shades aren’t working, it may be time to consider getting window shutters. They’re about to make a serious comeback and it’s good to stay ahead of the curve.

Chris Turberville-Tully is a marketing strategist for Purely Shutters, a UK retailer of residential and commercial shutters. Bay window shutters, solid shutters, speciality items and more can be found on Purely Shutters’ website.

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas

Recycling old socks can be a great way to make use of those one socks you find laying around. How many socks have you thrown away because you can’t find a match, they have a hole, or they just aren’t your style anymore? Take advantage of numerous green home ideas with your old socks. It is one of the best methods to reduce the amount of waste materials piling up every day in our homes. It is a more efficient way to spend a free time like holidays or weekends at home, and you can get more space back in your sock drawer!

Whether the damage is due to several holes or stained, it can still be recycled into a new stuff. All you have to prepare are your time and creativity. In addition, you may also set up some of your craft tools and accessories. Then, you are ready to create a masterpiece.

Recycling Old Socks: Creative Craft Ideas to Try

Image via: Maribel Made

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Creative recycling ideas for your socks: 

Create a doll

This is a great stuffed toy to create. This can also serve as a home décor or accessory to furniture and curtain. You can place this on top of the table or beside your lamp shade. Using your old sock, draw a pattern as to how you like the doll to look like. Then, sew the sock to form the doll pattern. Leave a small hole or space that is enough for you to insert something to stuff the doll. It can also be another old sock that is cut into small pieces. When the right firmness is achieved, you can now sew the remainder of the sock.  You may now add some accessories to enhance the looks of your doll like buttons that will serve as eyes and beads for some parts of the doll. If you have textile paint, you can use it to dress-up your doll.

Dress up your flower pot

Old socks can make a simple flower pot look like new and fashionable. All you need to have is your old colorful sock, a pair of scissors and sewing kits. Just slip over the sock to the flower pot. Make sure that the sock is able to stretch enough for the size of the flower pot. Shear off the bottom part of the sock so that the flower pot can stand firm on any surface. Secure the bottom parts of the sock by sewing. Fold the top portion of the sock inside the flower pot and fill it with soil or Styrofoam. Raise your desired flowers and you now have a decorative flower pot.

Image via: Design Sponge

Recyclin Ideas – Make a pin cushion

A pin cushion usually measures five inches in diameter to preserve and store needles and pins. This makes it fit for an old sock to be a pin cushion. The first step is to fill-in a handful of fine sand inside the sock. Feel free to add or remove some sand, as desired. Tie the sock with nylon or yarn. Provide a space to form the pin cushion according to how you want it. You may form your pin cushion like a strawberry or tomato or other vegetable like a pumpkin!

These are just a few of the old sock ideas that you can work to pump-up your creativity and resourcefulness. Socks can also be used to pack breakables when moving in boxes, or use them to store antique silverware to help reduce tarnishing! Old socks can have many uses – you just have to think outside the box!

For more creative Crafts & DIY ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

The time and effort you exerted to repurpose your old jeans are worthwhile. It does not only augment your savings but also demonstrate your concern for the environment. Instead of throwing your old jeans that complement to the increasing environmental waste, recycling them is a great help.

Denim jeans are one of the toughest fabrics that the majority of people have. It is designed for people from all walks of life. This kind of fabric has never ceased to provide comfort and style for any occasion. The best thing with this fabric is the variety of ways to recycle your jeans.

Image via: Between the Lines.Blogspot

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Here are some of the fashionable and trendy ideas to repurpose old jeans:

Jeans Bag

This is probably the most popular way to reuse your old jeans. Simply cut the leg parts and make it into something like shorts, fold the jeans inside-out and embroider the edge. Make sure that your stitches are close enough to hold weight because this part will serve as the bottom or base of your bag. Then, cut the detached parts of the jeans to form a bag strap or handle. The measurement will depend on how long you want the strap to fit your height. Sew the jeans and add a zipper. You can also attach pins and other decorations that will represent you as a person.

Pot Holders

Jeans are known to be tough and sturdy. These features make jeans a great raw material for a pot holder. This a very simple project to make. Cut an area of your old jeans and form it into shapes of circle, square, or anything you like. Sew the edges and add some colorful fabrics for design. You can form a flower, butterfly or other stuffs that will enhance the pot holder you made.

Image via: i Shop Soon Lee.Blogspot

Photo Frame

This is a simple yet cool way to repurpose your old jeans. All you have to do is to remove the back pockets of your jeans. Cut a square in the center of the pocket that will fit the picture you intend to place. You may use a pair of scissors or cutter to do this. Then, place a strap on the upper portion of the pocket jeans that will be used in hanging the picture frame. You may also place the picture inside plastic cellophane to prevent it from getting dust and dirt.

Also consider using denim for throw pillows, accent rugs, throws for your couch and even slipcovers. There are hundreds of ideas out there for your old jeans. So before you toss them. Use of these ideas first!

For more repurposing ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Are you in the mood to redecorate? Have you been walking through your house lately, thinking your walls could use some sprucing up? Maybe you’ve recently moved and thought that your once loved sofa looks absolutely horrible in its new living room. Whatever the reason you’ve caught the decorating bug, make sure that you don’t break the bank doing it. Here are some tips for those that want to redecorate, but want to do so within their budget:

Image via: Free People

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Repurpose

Just because your sofa doesn’t look at home in the living room doesn’t mean it won’t look fabulous in the family room! Sometimes something as simple as moving furniture from one room to another can give your home a whole new look. Take a gander around the house and see what you can move around. End tables can make great nightstands, the futon in the den can make a great bed for your child’s room, and those wall hangings in the kitchen might breathe a new life to your bathroom. Just because your furnishings have started off in one room doesn’t mean that they have to stay there.

Shop Small

Almost everyone has a flea market, thrift shop, or small home store near by. You don’t have to shop at high-end retailers to find great pieces. Sites like eBay are a treasure trove of decorating materials and, if you know what you’re looking for, take a peek at Craigslist and see what other people are trying to get rid of.

Get Creative

Think of new and unique ways to use items that others wouldn’t normally decorate with. If you’re going for a country theme, for instance, old farm tools can look interesting when hung on a wall. Old windows can make an interesting grouping on a large wall, and plates hung above your dining table lend your kitchen a kitschy look. Just because it doesn’t have a picture hanger tacked to the back doesn’t mean it can’t be hung!

Image via: Curbly

Cover It Up

Furniture can get a new look with slipcovers, tables can be covered with new tile, and door panels can be covered with wallpaper. You don’t always have to buy new to give your home a fresh look. Rather than tossing what you already own to the curb, look for ways that you can change its look. Decoupage is a fun way to bring out your old postcards, photos and mementos! Cover a tabletop, a kitchen chair or even a bulletin board with contact paper, postcards or even fabric.

Charge It!

Use your credit card, but use it wisely. Save your credit card for larger purchases that you simply can’t do without. Obviously, if your chair has worn springs or the dog has attacked your mattress, you’ll need to replace them. Use a zero percent interest card or look for a store that offers six or more months same-as-cash. You can pay for your larger purchases in small chunks!

Decorating on a budget is easy if you look for opportunities to be creative. Look for garage sales, browse flea markets and look to see what you can repurpose in your own home. You can make an old look become alive again, simply and cheaply.

Andrew Bennett is a financial counselor who understands how a granite card can help repair your damaged credit.

For more creative decorating ideas on Stagetecture, click here.