Yes you "can" upcycle your paint cans!

Give a splash of color to your kitchen with fun paint cans turned planters. Simply use any leftover paint to paint the outside of the can and plant your favorite seedling inside. The complete how-to for this project is over at DIY Network.

Destination: Maker Faire, San Mateo, California!

It's been five years since I last attended the Mother of all Maker Faires in San Mateo, California. And I'm very excited to be returning this year with GoGo squeeZ and TerraCycle!

If you're out that way, it's a must-see event. I've attended Maker Faires in Michigan and have a soft spot in my crafty heart for the one in New York City. But there's nothing like Maker Faire when it's hosted in its own hometown in California. You don't even bat an eyelash when you're standing in line at the coffee stand behind a motorized cupcake. Or when a car passes you adorned with robotic, singing fish. It's hacker-overload when you're at the Faire, and will hold promise to blow your crafty mind. Even though it's only a weekend long, you're sure to run home afterwards and want to make stuff, which is a mindset much longer than a weekend.

If you're at the Faire, be sure to stop by the GoGo squeeZ booth, get some free samples of delicious (preservative-free) applesauce, and Make some do-it-yourself goodness with me. I hope to see you there! Happy ReMakering!

Made + Remade !

Hey there readers - get ready for more upcycled fun at the newly launched Made + Remade blog! This site is hosted by the DIY Network and I'm excited to be one of the regular bloggers posting projects and ReMaking anything that comes my way.



My first posts are great crate designs made from upcycled wooden wine boxes. I've written and illustrated step-by-step instructions for turning a wine crate into a under-the-counter stemware holder. I've also provided the how-to for creating a minibar from two empty wine crates.



Help get the word out! If you want to "like" or "share" my projects, I wouldn't mind.

Put this new blog on your daily check list because new projects are posted every day. This new site is only just beginning of the Made + Remade posts. There will be a whole lot more do-it-yourself goodness coming your way. Let's hear it for Making + ReMaking! Hurray!

Make your own fingerless gloves!

I'm excited to share my latest DIY project that I wrote for the always-fantastic DIY Network. This project shows you how to transform old sweater sleeves into new fingerless gloves. Show off your crafty handiwork and reuse some of those old sweaters you have laying around. They're the perfect crafty accessory because your fingers can move freely... a necessity for creating even more craft projects!

Get the complete instructions in the decorating section of the DIY Network.

ReMake the holidays at NYSci!

Hi friends! If any of you are going to be in the NY area between Christmas and New Years, then a visit to the NY Hall of Science is a must!

We'll be there from noon to 4 on December 28, 29, and 30th helping them ReMake the holidays!

On December 28th we'll help you set your new year to the perfect tune by helping you create a recycled rockband. We'll provide the tissue box, some rubber bands and you reply a little bit of crafty power!



Then, on December 29, we'll help you frame your holiday with a picture perfect project made from scrap paper.



And we'll finish up on December 30th helping you create your very own soda tab bracelet. If you can't make it to the NYSci over the holidays, we created a video together to show you how to ReMake It on your own.



Happy holiday ReMaking!

Create your own minty fresh ornament!

Hi friends! Looking for a fresh idea for your holiday tree? Look no further than that toothpaste tube in your bathroom. Tomorrow I'll be showing you how to transform that tube into a one-of-a-kind holiday ornament.

You can join the Google+ event or tune in to the livestream on YouTube. And if you just can't wait until the Google Hangout session, you can always view the step-by-step PDF from TerraCycle's website.

Happy holiday upcycling!

Putting a new spin on Maker Faire!

We’re ReMaking it at Maker Faire in New York City again this year! It’s coming up this weekend from September 29 – 30th and being hosted by the nice people at the New York Hall of Science.

This year’s RePlayGround project is a DIY pinwheel made from scrap materials (what else would be use?) attached to a straw. It’s one of my favorite new projects and definitely takes upcycling for a spin.

If you’re there on Saturday be sure to check out my soda tab bracelet demo at the Maker Square Stage from 1 – 1:30. Bring your own soda tabs or be one of the first 20 people at the demo and get free supplies to make your own bracelet. If you can’t make it to the event, you can always check out this easy how-to video.

Hurray for ReMakers and Faires!

Create a cereal box cyborg! This weekend!

Make it to the last weekend of summer Maker Days at the NY Hall of Science! In honor of Make's iconic robot, RePlayGround will be on site helping museum goers reate their own upcycled version. We'll have super-crafty super-friendly instructors help you customize robot from cereal boxes and other upcycled materials. You can find us at the NYSci from 11 – 4pm this Saturday and Sunday, August 25-26. This project is free with museum admission. Making stuff doesn't get any better than that!

Then, be sure to put Maker Faire on your calendar - September 29-30. It's two jam-packed days of making, crafting, hacking, deconstructing, reconstructing, building, and just bout anything you can add -ing to. Whew. It will blow your crafty mind!

Go to camp without leaving home!

It's the last week of Maker Camp so tune in this week for DIY bookbinding, creating your own marshmallow cannon, and more.

The great thing about Maker Camp is that if you miss a session you can always tune in on Make Magazine's YouTube channel. If you missed my session last week, you can still catch the complete video on how to make your own woven basket from scrap paper and weave as you watch.

The basket pictured above is the one I wove during the session. It took me over an hour to make, so I finished it up at my Brooklyn studio, then took it up to my roof for a glamour shot. Make your own upcycled fun before summer is over!

Got a bug to make stuff? Come to the NYSCI this weekend!

This weekend we'll be at the New York Hall of Science for Maker Days! Can I hear you say woo hoo?!?

We had loads of fun at the last event creating art just for the NYSCI from keyboard keys. See a few highlights below and you can view more pics on our photo album.




This weekend's projects include cereal box rockets and bottle cap bugs. Sure to be loaded with do-it-yourself fun! We'll be there from this Saturday and Sunday, August 11-12 from 11am to 4pm. Meet up and make stuff with us again on August 25-26. Same time, same place. See you there!

MAKE it to the New York Hall of Science this weekend!

Looking for ways to beat the summer heat? We have loads of cool new projects for The New York Hall of Science Maker Days!

This weekend well be getting crafty with CD suncatchers that you can make and take with you. We were also inspired to create a one-of-a-kind art piece from a pile of computer keyboard keys we’ve had just waiting for a special project. Then it finally clicked that the Maker Days were perfect place for them to debut.

You can find us at the NYSci from 11 – 4pm this Saturday and Sunday, July 28-29. We will also be at upcoming Maker Day weekends August 11-12, and August 25-26.

We have some new, fun projects up our vintage sleeves for those events - like upcycled robots (it's not a Maker Faire without a robot), bottle cap bugs and more!

The goodness doesn’t end there. The NYC Maker Faire is at NYSci once again from September 29 - 30. Don’t miss it! Make it!

A berry fun summer project!

Recently, RePlayGround offered a series of upcycling projects for a "farm to table" style evening hosted by Time Out NY Kids.  We offered do-it-yourself recycling projects made from food packaging, and our big hit of the day was this woven berry basket, as pictured below.  These berry baskets can be found at grocery stores and farmer's markets, and are easy to upcycle!  Simply cut up strips of colorful plastic bags, t-shirts or ribbon, and weave the strips in and out around the berry basket frame.  Once you're done, you'll have a candy dish or organizer basket that will wow your friends!  You can also see this project in the book ReMake It! Recycling Projects from the Stuff You Usually Scrap.




images courtesy of Time Out NY Kids

Necktie Gadget Case for Father's Day!

Father's Day is fast approaching, and we have a DIY project that will make a super-fun gift for Dad.  It's the Necktie Gadget Case, and you can make it out of one of Dad's old ties.  (Just be sure not to cut up a tie he's going to miss!)  For step by step instructions, check out our DIY video tutorial below!

Spring Kids Fest Saturday 5/19

Time Out Kids and the Madison Square Park Conservancy host an afternoon of free family fun, featuring performances from kid-friendly crooners the Rockdoves and a special magic show from the Amazing Max. There will also be crafts courtesy of the Rubin Museum of Art and the Children’s Museum of the Arts, and yours truly, ReplayGround! Plus snacks from the Treats Truck. Free. All ages.

When: Sat May 19, 2012 10:30AM-1:30PM
Where: Madison Square Park NYC (23rd-26th Streets btwn 5th and Madison Aves)
website: http://timeoutnewyorkkids.com/things-to-do/220123/spring-kids-fest

Weft, Warp, ReMake!

Disney Family Fun posted this Hula Hoop rug project on their blog. Using scraps of old t-shirts as the warp and a Hula Hoop as a loom, you can make a beautiful circular rug! For step-by-step instructions, check out Disney Family Fun.



photo via Disney Family Fun

Our book ReMake It! features a t-shirt rug project as well. Cut up strips of an old t-shirt, pull them taut, then loop and tie to make your own recycled rug. See detailed instructions in our book!

A Paint Can Planter is perfect for Spring!

Spring is here, and we've got a great upcycling project to help you celebrate! It's the Paint Can Planter (project #77 in the ReMake It! book) and it's a fresh, colorful way to display newly bloomed flowers!

Materials:

empty paint can

paint brush

paint

rocks

potted plant that's smaller than 5 1/2 inches in diameter

Instructions:

1) If there's paint left inside the can, use that paint to paint the outside of the can. Let any additional paint in the can harden and dry. Remove any labels from the outside of the can and paint it. Save the lid for project #77 Paint Can Lid Clock (which can be found in the ReMake It book)

2) Fill the paint can halfway with rocks.

3) Place your potted plant inside the can. Fill up the rest of the can with rocks around the sides of the potted plant. You'll want the top of the plant pot to line up with the top of the paint can. Now, rock out with your new, low-cost planter!

Upcycling ideas from Instructables

Here are a few of our new favorite DIY upcycling projects from Instructables.com. Click to try them out!

Budweiser Box cardboard wall mounted mail holder

Hack a VHS cassette tape into Super Pom Poms

Fuzzy bunny slippers from recycled sweaters

Ammmunition box tea organizer

RePlayGround just posted a new DIY project on Instructables.com, so take a look! See step by step instructions to make your own tea packet organizer out of a repurposed ammo cartridge box: http://www.instructables.com/id/Ammunition-Box-Tea-Organizer/

This project can also add a bang to your Valentine's Day gift giving!

RePlayGround at the American Folk Art Museum!

This February 2nd, 2012, RePlayGround will be hosting Make It Thursday at the American Folk Art Museum! We'll spread some crafty recycling inspiration with an upcycling talk, then we'll teach how to make your own soda tab bracelet. ReMake It! author Tiffany Threadgould will also be available for a book signing.

Admission to the event is $10 and includes refreshments. For more information on the event check out the museum website: http://www.folkartmuseum.org/index.php?p=folk&rd=9568&id=8998

American Folk Art Museum

2 Lincoln Square

Columbus Avenue at 66th Street

New York, NY 10023

Thursday, February 2, 2012 from 6pm - 7:30pm

DIY wine cork stoppers

Elsie Larson's blog A Beautiful Mess is a great source for DIY upcycled inspiration. We love her thread spool wine cork project, and you can learn how to make them here!

RePlayGround is always thinking of ways to upcycle wine corks as well. Our favorite use for old corks is to make them into a trivet. Check out our ReMake It trivets here!