Inspire Me! (Trash to Treasure)

Have you heard the old saying, "One man's trash is another man's treasure"? I'm gonna show you just how true that is!

Let's start with paper towel tubes. Most of us, when we run out of paper towel, we toss the tube and grab another roll. But what could we make if we saved them?

How about some napkin rings?

(Photo courtesy of Utterly Engaged)

I'm sure even the newest DIYers can handle a project like that.

But what about using paper towel tubes to create art?

(Photo courtesy of The How-To Gal)

I know after seeing this, I've definitely started saving my tubes. Not just cheap and easy, but stunning too!

You can make art out of all sorts of unexpected things! Like old tickets stubs:

(Photo courtesy of Madigan Made)

Or paint chips:

(Photo courtesy of C.R.A.F.T.)

I saw in a magazine (can't remember which one) that they suggested framing produce stickers and displaying them as art in the kitchen.

(Photo courtesy of Black Eiffel)

Now I know this isn't a DIY project, but I was so impressed I had to share:

(Photo courtesy of Stickerman Produce Art)

Yes, that entire piece of artwork was created using only produce stickers! Wow!

And if you all are huge sewers like me, you're used to just cutting off and throwing away all those selvage edges from your fabric. Maybe now, you'll think twice! All these amazing things were made using fabric selvage!

(Photo courtesy of Sweeter Than Cupcakes)

(Photo courtesy of Debra Mason Designs)

(Photo courtesy of Pleasant Home)

(Photo courtesy of Ric-Rac)

I hope this inspires some of you to think outside the box and look for creative uses from the unexpected.

Happy crafting! :o)

Oreo Balls

So back in June I blogged about the Alice in Wonderland Bridal Shower I threw for my sister-in-law. In that blog, I promised you a recipe for the super simple and always delicious Oreo Balls. I may have been slacking (especially since my last post was almost a month and a half ago . . . yikes!), but I'm here now to make good on my promise!

(Photo courtesy of The Art of Two Tarts)

The first time I ever tried these little babies was at my own bridal shower. They were a huge hit!Then I ended up making a big batch for the day of my wedding rehearsal. That's when my sister-in-law put in her request for them at her shower. She said she didn't want a lot of sweets and junk at her shower (cuz she's a very healthy eater), but the one sweet she did want were Oreo Balls. If that doesn't tell you how good they are, you'll just have to make them for yourself and see what I mean!

Ingredients

• 1 bag of Oreos
• 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
• Meltable chocolate bark or candy coating

Directions

Using a food processor, pulverize entire bag of cookies into fine crumbs.

In mixing bowl, combine cookie crumbs and softened cream cheese. Your hands are your best tools for this part, but they will get messy.

Put cookie mixture into a freezer for 10 mins.

Then, using hands, form cookie mix into small balls and place back in the freezer for 15 - 20 mins.

Melt chocolate or candy coating. Dip balls in coating and keep refrigerated.

I hope you all try out this recipe. It's super simple and will be an instant favorite! Enjoy!