Welcome to my blog!

I'm a thirty something (OK I'm 40 in October) mum of three children, aged 16, 7 and 2.

I work part-time for a Business Start Up initiative & I have a part-time photography business - Freckles Photography, which keeps me busy, and my passion alive.

As an avid reader of other people's blogs I thought I had better get cracking with mine so I can record some memories of our family life, which is flying by at an astonishingly fast pace. I also like to blog about my other hobbies of reading, knitting & other crafts.

I'm PR friendly, so if you think you have something I would be interested in reviewing, please drop me a line.

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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Do you Up-cycle?

Posted in Family

No I don’t mean pedalling up hill, but re-using things that may be a bit worn out or no longer used in their current state?

Gone are the days were up-cycling just meant unravelling a jumper to re-use the yarn. The inspiration on the web is amazing, and Pinterest is fuelling my ideas and good intentions to make use of stuff rather than throw it away.

I’ve re-used a pair of old cords to make a very practical draught excluder.

I’ve got a couple of pairs of jeans that have holes in the knees and I’ve got these earmarked for a couple of projects like these:

Source: blog.craftzine.com via Cara on Pinterest

Source: sistersofthewildwest.blogspot.com via Cara on Pinterest

Source: todaysnest.com via Cara on Pinterest

My Mum made this amazing playmat from some old golf jumpers belonging to my husband.

upcycled jumpers, repurposed, recycled jumpers

She also made this quilt from old shirts, leaving some of the pocket details on for added quirkiness.
Recyled shirts, upcycled shirts, repurposed shirts

There has been a great revival of up-cycling and re-cycling attitudes recently, fuelled in part by finances being squeezed for every family and also an understanding that the planet can’t continue sustaining our throw away culture. You can even learn how to alter clothes and make new from old via distance learning with a Make Do and Mend course. We’ve not all got a Mum or Nan to teach us the basics anymore.

Up-cycling isn’t just about clothes either, I’ve been wowed by some of the amazing furniture ideas too.

Got an old ladder in the garage that you’re worried isn’t too stable for decorating, how about this?

Source: mayamade.blogspot.com via Cara on Pinterest

Or have you definitely reached your baby making quota and can’t bear to part with the cot? How about making it into a desk for your little one. An heirloom piece I think, and so precious.

Source: alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.com via Cara on Pinterest

I’m forever thinking how clever people are with their ideas, it isn’t just about turning washing up bottles into rockets anymore is it? Although, there is still room for that kind of idea too:

Source: makeit-loveit.com via Cara on Pinterest

Are you on board with re-using and re-cycling? What’s your favourite idea?

Posted in Family Tags: re-cycle, repurposed, up-cycle

383113Do+you+Up-cycle%3F2012-02-22+14%3A30%3A03Cara comments

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Melksham Mum

- February 23, 2012 - 6:21 pm

My MIL is very good at upcycling old shirts etc into quilts and bunting and I’m starting to do the same. Rather than chucking the children’s old clothes in a recycling bag I’m reusing them myself in a number of different ways. x x

FrecklesFamily

- February 23, 2012 - 10:53 am

It doesn't always have to involve sewing though Sarah. Have you seen some of the things on Pinterest made out of old books? Not a sewing needle in sight ;0)

FrecklesFamily

- February 23, 2012 - 10:52 am

What a fantastic idea. All his treasures can be kept in a safe place. I look forward to seeing some pictures ;0)

FrecklesFamily

- February 23, 2012 - 10:52 am

All our PE bags when I was little were made out of something else, it's nice to know that we're following in the footsteps of some great family traditions.

FrecklesFamily

- February 23, 2012 - 10:43 am

I sold ours on eBay recently (for a pittance). Really wish I\’d seen this before :0(

Keris

- February 23, 2012 - 8:50 am

I absolutely love the cot idea. Hope that will work with ours.

Kerry

- February 22, 2012 - 9:08 pm

Wow – some fantastic idea's!! My mom made me a bag out of an old pair of jeans once.. I loved it!!

Tattie Weasle

- February 22, 2012 - 8:18 pm

I’m using my old jeans to make a headboard for my boy’s bed! he particularly wnats the pockets!

sarahmumof3

- February 22, 2012 - 7:14 pm

I have soe very crafty facebook friends who always put me to shame with their upcycling projects.. I love the idea of it, should really dedicate more time to learning the act of sewing!

FrecklesFamily

- February 22, 2012 - 7:10 pm

Ooh, sounds fab. I'll look out for the pictures ;0)

FrecklesFamily

- February 22, 2012 - 7:09 pm

It's amazing isn't it Nic? Some people must just view every day objects in a completely different way to me.