Spring cleaning offers an opportunity to clear out your storage and freshen up your home. But what to do with old fabric, tools and kitchen items that you don’t want? In celebration of Earth Day, here are some delightfully DIY crafts that repurpose those everyday items.
Muffin tin game
This one is an easy winner for indoor excitement!
What you need:
- Muffin tin
- Tennis balls
- Treats
Instructions:
- Place a small treat (or break up larger ones) in the bottom of several muffin tin cups
- Place a tennis ball in each cup to conceal the treats
- Let your dog sniff out their reward
Source: Tails We Win
Please, only use this toy under direct supervision to avoid any ingestion or injury with chewing muffin tin or tennis balls.
DIY dog bandana
Make a doggy fashion statement with your favorite patterns and colors.
What you need:
- Scissors
- Sewing pins
- Sewing needle
- Sewing machine
- Iron
- About 3/4 yard each of two contrasting fabrics (amount depends on size of bandana)
- Matching thread
- Dog collar
Instructions:
- Fold your fabric in half to create a large triangle, then wrap it around your pet’s neck for size.
- Cut the cloth to fit, then repeat with your second piece of fabric (this will be your backing).
- Unfold the fabric, stack with front sides facing outward, iron and pin together.
- Use your sewing machine to connect the two sides, and create a pocket for threading the collar.
Source: Lia Griffith
Only have your pet wear their bandana under direct supervision to avoid choking hazards.
DIY cat ladder fort
With a little rope and other basic materials, you can turn a ladder into a new adventure for your kitty.
What you need:
- 24" wooden step ladder
- 10-feet sisal rope
- Hammer and nails
- Small cat bed
- Area rug/mat
- Non-toxic wood glue
- Cat “wand” toy
Instructions:
- Wrap sisal rope around the legs on the ladder and secure the ends of the rope with nails.
- Cut the rug/mat into squares that are the size of each step.
- Glue the rug onto the steps with wood glue.
- Attach the cat bed to the top step with wood glue.
- Cut the feather part of the cat wand toy off and glue to the top step underneath the bed you secured in step 2.
Source: Buzzfeed
DIY backdrop
Looking to add a pop of whimsy and color to your next pet photo shoot? A quick DIY backdrop can make all the difference!
What you need:
- Masking tape or painter's tape
- Background stand (optional)
Different backgrounds to choose from:
- Wrapping paper
- Sheet
- Blanket scarf
- Plastic tablecloth with fun print
- Fairy lights (Use under direct supervision to avoid any ingestion/injury)
- Blank wall
Source: YouTube