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Thursday, January 1, 2015

January Creative Craft Challenge: Recycled Soda Bottle


Welcome to our first Creative Craft Challenge!  Not only do your hosts create a challenge craft, but you do too!

We create the challenge; present ours to you; and then you link up yours! Look for the link up coming up next!

Each host will choose our own favorites to feature during the next month's NEW challenge. Sound like fun?? Well it is! It's a great way to recycle and create.

This month is soda bottle or milk jug.  I chose two liter soda/seltzer bottles. I drink a lot of plain seltzer (good for you soda) I wanted to make a greenhouse, but I didn't have enough bottles. I'll work on that over the new year.



I cut a 2 liter bottle into three parts.
The top, middle and bottom.


Then I swiped a Christmas napkin and separated it to use the printed part.



Cutting the printed part to fit the middle section of the bottle, enough to fold over the top and the bottom of the plastic, I used Gloss Mod Podge to attach it.


I didn't fret over the wrinkles as much as the ones on my face. I wanted it to have character, like me.


Then painted on the Mod Podge over the entire napkin (on the fold overs and on the outside). Then walked around with it on my arm to dry all morning....


Just KIDDING! I placed it on a freezer bag to dry. The printed section of the napkin is very delicate and tears easy. I actually failed my first attempt trying to flatten the napkin. Trying carefully to mod podge and setting down was a success the second time. 


Now the soda bottle part is a candle sleeve!  When it dried, I placed it over my candle.


As with any candle, never leave it unattended! I had this burning for about an hour without issues and watched it closely. This is a glass contained candle. I would not recommend using just a candle and a sleeve because the plastic would obviously melt. 


I can see this candle sleeve decoupaged on with any pretty printed napkin, or vintage newspapers, copies of photos, gift wrap paper, stamps, lace, tissue papers, or however you desire. Can you also see this technique used for wedding reception tables? I can. Great table centerpiece idea without a huge cost.

Have fun with it!




Wait! What about the other two parts of the bottle? 

The top makes a handy funnel! 



I transferred my paint into a cleaned laundry bottle; painted the front of it with the color; labeled it with date and room where I used it and now it's ready to pour into the roller pan for the next time!

And that paint can? It's plastic. So I washed it out and now have a nail bucket for those big nailing jobs like a roof, shed framing, deck building, etc.

I just recycled a soda bottle, a laundry bottle and a paint can. What a cheap thrill!!!!


Oh, almost forgot, the bottom section of the soda bottle is a nice little cup. I put my jewelry in it at the sink while I washed the paint can.


Don't go yet, I have another!  The girls are going to laugh at me over this. They always try to get me to one thing all the time but I get carried away. Must be a hyper disorder.

I like the color of this 2 liter soda bottle and decided to make a hanging toy box for my parrot.


She is an active bird, as those of you who have one know, keeping her happy and entertained can be high maintenance. She has lots of toys. I wanted to put some of them in a clean spot that she has access to  and this was a perfect idea.



First I drilled holes in the bottom of the bottle. (For easy cleaning and drain drying. She can't have any chance of mold or she'll get respiratory issues. Just like us, but she is more fragile.) 


Then I cut a large hole on the side for easy access to toys.


 I sanded the cut edges smooth and gathered parts to hang the bottle.


I used one of her daily coconut shell halves (I drill a hole to drain the coconut water, then use a hammer to break the shell in half to create a bowl for her to eat out of every other day. So that work was done for me.) I recycled a chewed up toy by inserting it through the bottle top and adding the shell over it.


Then stuffed some of her toys and a few nuts inside and hung it on her tree.


And the first thing she reached for is her bracelet. Well, it used to be my bracelet that she picked off my wrist. (She is so girly!)




Like a baby, she will have everything tossed about when she is done playing with them. But I do like the toy box bottle a lot! 




Okay, there is my 2 liters worth. What would you do with a 2 liter soda bottle?  Or a milk jug?  I can't wait to see you at our first link up on January 2nd!









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47 comments:

  1. too awesome! Mz. Over Achiever with 5 crafts! loving them all!

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  2. Awesome Idea! You have inspired me to modge podge a soda bottle. I think it will be a spring flower vase or something.

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  3. You are so creative-- love this! :)

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  4. So many great ideas! I love the candle sleeve but I'm blown away by the idea of storing my paint in a pourable laundry detergent container. That's awesome!

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  5. Love the effect you achieved with the sleeve holder!

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  6. The candle sleeve is awesome! All of your ideas here are so creative. Now, I'm eyeing a ginger all bottle that's almost empty in my fridge and thinking of something fun to do with it!

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  7. lol! Thank you, Mz Millie! Can't wait to see all of yours this month! ;)

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  8. Oh that is going to be so pretty, Susan! I hope you stop back and share it!

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  9. It's really handy... and the screw tight top keeps paint from drying out. Sometimes the paint can lid doesn't go back tightly, so I like this. (I'm guilty of not always keeping the paint can completely tight.)

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  10. The thinner the paper, the more translucent the effect. :) Thank you, Noreen!

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  11. Thank you, Beverly! Oh, I want to see your ginger ale bottle! This craft can be so much fun. I'm thinking how nice it would be for wedding reception tables too. This idea has so many options.

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  12. well sorry, but you have to wait! lol :)

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  13. This is a gorgeous craft. I loved looking at the tutorial on how it came together. Well done. Thanks for sharing at The Weekend Social. Please stop by and share again Thursday 9:00 PM EST. http://www.theKitchenChopper.com

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  14. Wow! I had no idea soda bottles could be used in so many different ways! I seriously love all of these ideas! Candles sleeves can be so pricey, but this is a great way to make one for cheap! Thanks so much for sharing at Talented Tuesdays!

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  15. Buying up battery tea lites at 75% off after Christmas for this project after 2 fires I would not use a candle in this

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  16. I love the idea of you running around the house with the bottle on your arm hehe, much funnier then reality. Your gril is spoilt and so pretty, we had to pull out our parrot book and try to find her. Is she a yellow shouldered amazon?

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  17. Thank you for the invite and for being such a great hostess, KC! :)

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  18. Getting the sales is a great idea, Duke, and I'm sorry to hear of your fires.

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  19. It was on my forearm and hand while I added the mod podge all over it, and I went to set it down, I didn't want to not to rip any of the paper... I hesitated and thought ut-oh... now what? LOL!


    Britta is a blue fronted, but the post picture doesn't show much with the upper side view. She is VERY spoiled but so entertaining. We just brought home another rescue who is only 3, and she's also a blue fronted. (Much more so on her.) Britta is the dominate one, but little Miss Molly is more affectionate.


    The queen of the house, Brit, lol and then there is the little miss, Molly.

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  20. Is that Brit up the top and Molly down the bottom, so nice of them to pose for the photo. Did you make their play stand? Our girls are affectionate but our boy isn't tame and they all prefer their own space. Do your girls get on ok? We bought a big enclosure for our corellas to share but they would have none of it. I'd love to hear your rescue stories.

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  21. Yes, Brit, aka the queen of our kingdom, lol, is the top photo. Little Molly is like a baby chimp and Brit a gorilla in size comparison. They communicate but I'm keeping a distance (10) feet from each other until they get familiar and we'll then take baby steps to get them together. We have lots to talk about, Stella, so I'll email you. I'd love to find about your bird babies too :)

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  22. Great use for a plastic bottle. Who knew it could look so cool!


    Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning.

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  23. What a beautiful yet easy to make candle sleeve! I gave up drinking soda for the New Year so I'll have to hit up a family member for some 2 Liter soda bottles so I can make some of these for myself and as gifts! Thank you for linking up to the Oh My Heartsie Girls Wordless Wednesday!


    Wishing you a beautiful week!


    Much love,
    Lysa xx

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  24. Thanks, Catherine! Love your link up!

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  25. I stay away from sugar sodas myself, that's why I had the seltzer water, but maybe you can use the gallon size water jugs too. Just an idea. :)


    Thank you for being a wonderful hostess! oxox

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  26. Great ideas! I can't event tell that the candle sleeve was a soda bottle.

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  27. It can be an outdoor bird feeder too. :)
    Thank you!

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  28. It's free too. :)
    Thank you, Erlene!

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  29. I absolutely love the candle sleeve idea. Will have to try it! I found you via #HomeMattersParty. Thanks!

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  30. i never would have guessed the candle sleeve was a 2 liter! Thanks for sharing with smallvictoriessundayLinkup!

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  31. Great idea! Thanks for sharing at Pin-Worthy Wednesday!

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  32. These are fantastic! I love the candle sleeve, what a great idea. Thanks for linking up at Mum-bo Monday. This post will be featured this week as Jennifer's Pick of the Party!

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  33. Oh my! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. Thank you so much for being a part of our party. We really appreciate you! I hope to see you on tonight at 7 pm. Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls

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  34. That is a great idea! Awww thank you for the kind words. I have gone live already with the Oh My Heartsie Girls Wordless Wednesday if you want to pop on over and link-up again this week. We have more entry options for the giveaway this week so come try your luck! ;-)


    Much love,
    Lysa xx

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  35. So Clever! Thank you for linking up to On Display Thursday.

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  36. Pool Party in GurgaonJanuary 15, 2015 at 2:36 AM

    I certainly agree to some points that you have discussed on this post. I appreciate that you have shared some reliable tips on this review.

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  37. So glad you found me and are trying this fun craft, JJ! Thank you so much :)

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  38. You're right; I bet this idea will be nice for each holiday or any special occasion. Thank you so much for hosting and visiting! :)

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  39. Fun recycles can be surprising, lol! Thank you, Tanya :)

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  40. Thank you for hosting and visiting, Roxanne! :)

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  41. So honored with the feature!!! Glad you like this fun craft! Thank you for hosting and sharing :)

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  42. Thanks so much for the pin!!
    I enjoy your link ups, Kim! Thanks for hosting and sharing :)

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  43. Thank you for visiting and hosting! :)

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  44. Jessica Pureromance BuresJanuary 17, 2015 at 12:37 AM

    these are some awesome projects!! pinned and shared! thanks for linking up with me love!
    Jess

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  45. They are fun and easy :)
    Thank you so much for being such a dear hostess! ox

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