Best Upcycling Ideas and Repurposing Projects by Sadie Seasongoods

American Flag Decor with a Buffalo Plaid Stencil

June 10, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 54 Comments

I’ve made several projects with a buffalo check stencil, but they were always meant for end-of-year decor for the Fall and Winter. So, I’ve been yearning to use that same stencil for a warm-weather July 4th project, perhaps inspired by a picnic tablecloth. But then I started thinking about using the buffalo plaid stencil to create some American flag decor.Read more ›

Categorized: Create, Patriotic · Tagged: American flag, American flag DIY, americana, Buffalo check, Buffalo check decor, Buffalo check stencil, Independence Day, Independence day craft, Independence Day decor, Independence day project, July 4 craft, July 4 decor, July 4 project, July 4th decor, patriotic, patriotic craft, patriotic decor, red white blue, stenciled

Faking a Cloisonne Vase

May 13, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 73 Comments

Florist vases are a staple at most thrift stores, aren’t they? On one of my thrifting excursions (many, many months ago), I came across a shelf that was exploding with them. And for whatever reason, I started wondering if they could be painted to look like a Cloisonne vase.

DIY Greeting Cards from File Folders

May 6, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 15 Comments

Spring and early summer bring a plethora of family holidays and birthdays in my world. But the last thing I want to do right now is linger in a grocery store looking for the perfect cards for everyone. So, I decided that DIY greeting cards were the route to take this year.Read more ›

Categorized: Create · Tagged: card, craft paper, floral card, greeting card, paper, paper craft

Braided Bracelets from Vintage Handkerchiefs

April 26, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 38 Comments

Making my own jewelry has been a staple in my life for about as long as I’ve had motor skills. I’ve obviously graduated from the friendship pins and bracelets of childhood. But, this project is nearly just as simple, using some vintage handkerchiefs as the main ingredient.Read more ›

Categorized: Create · Tagged: boho jewelry, boho style, DIY jewelry, jewelry, jewelry craft, jewelry project, jewelry repurpose, jewelry upcycle, refashioned jewelry, vintage linen, vintage linen craft, vintage linens, vintage linens DIY, vintage style

How to Designate Your Yard as Certified Wildlife Habitat

April 22, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 18 Comments

As an animal lover and biologist (on paper), it’s no surprise that our yard is very wildlife-friendly. Not only do I love to watch the birds and other critters, but our indoor cats do, as well. Many of my upcycling projects were made specifically for backyard habitat, including feeders, baths, and houses. I learned about designating one’s yard as Certified Wildlife Habitat many years ago, but wasn’t sure how well-known that program was.Read more ›

Categorized: Create, Yard & Garden · Tagged: backyard habitat, backyard wildlife, bird, bird bath, bird feeder, bird home, bird house, bird house project, birdhouse, DIY bird bath, DIY bird house, DIY garden, DIY yard, garden, garden DIY, garden project, yard

Telephone Sign on a Small Cutting Board

April 15, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 11 Comments

Long-term quarantining is, quite honestly, the best thing that has happened to my garage in a long time. It’s the only thrift store I have access to and I’m uncovering things I’d long forgotten about. And one of those things was a small cutting board. I decided it was the perfect piece to make a telephone sign.

Upcycling a Decanter Tantalus as an Herb Saver

April 8, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 16 Comments

As you know, my garage is the only “thrift store” I have access to right now. So, it’s been fun for me to discover all of the treasures that I’d collected but not yet upcycled. When I came across this wooden caddy, I did a little research and discovered that it’s a decanter tantalus. That means it’s a lockable liquor holder, but I decided it would be perfect as an herb saver.Read more ›

Categorized: Create · Tagged: condiment caddy, farmhouse kitchen, growing herbs, herb, kitchen, kitchen caddy, kitchen decor, kitchen holder, kitchen implement, kitchen organizer, kitchen storage

Botanical Decor from the Thrift Store

March 29, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 35 Comments

With a new season comes a new opportunity to Thrift the Look for another style of home decor. And as Spring approached, my blogging friends and I decided that Botanical Decor or Garden-inspired Decor would be fresh and perfect for this time of year.Read more ›

Categorized: Create · Tagged: botanical decor, decor, DIY spring decor, glass bottle, salvaged window, Spring, spring decor, Spring decor DIY, Spring decor project, Spring decorating, Spring display, Spring home decor, thrift store decor, Thrift the Look, vintage home decor, vintage window, vintage window frame

Painted Tray in Spring Pastel Colors

March 25, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 23 Comments

Now that I’m doing the right thing and staying home, I can’t breeze by a thrift store for project inspiration. Instead, I went “garage shopping” and decided that this rectangular wooden tray was ripe for upcycling. I needed a relaxing activity to calm my nerves and thought that painting it might be just the ticket.Read more ›

Categorized: Create · Tagged: DIY spring decor, DIY spring project, repurpose tray, Spring, spring craft, spring decor, Spring decor DIY, Spring decor project, Spring upcycle, tray, upycle tray, wood tray, wooden tray

Artificial Topiary Trees in Vintage Candlesticks

March 11, 2020 · By Sarah Ramberg · 16 Comments

Do you ever spot something at a thrift store, see the price, and start laughing maniacally to yourself because the thrift shop is crazy? Crazy for thinking someone will pay the price on the tag? Well, that happened to me when I spied these vintage candlesticks. I left them on the shelf for some other sucker to overpay for, but they haunted me. Whispering to me to upcycle them into bases for artificial topiary trees…