Creative Recycling

[foxflame88]

Tell me your most creative recycling ideas. Do you turn old clothes in to quilts? Make something out of what others consider trash?

[Prudence]

I don't know about "creative" but lately I've been using the plastic containers that things come in -- the containers for mayonaise, those big peanut butter jars, etc -- to store things like flour, beans, small ones for spices.

Before I would have gone out and bought new pretty glass canisters...but after reading "The Tightwad Gazette" I've started thinking more about using what I have.

[foxflame88]

I don't know about "creative" but lately I've been using the plastic containers that things come in -- the containers for mayonaise, those big peanut butter jars, etc -- to store things like flour, beans, small ones for spices.

Before I would have gone out and bought new pretty glass canisters...but after reading "The Tightwad Gazette" I've started thinking more about using what I have.

I reuse containers too. Our parrot food comes in really nice size clear containers... I can put 5 pounds of sugar or flour in them.

[susansabrina]

I like to keep my containers too. My DH thinks I am crazy. I realized just how expensive they are to get new and that I have already paid for them once. Its worth it to wash the things and store them for some future need. I always seem to find one. Egg cartons and meat trays are my fave for artist palates! I just stick them in the dishwasher to make sure they are clean then in the closet they go.:mrgreen:

[foxflame88]

When I was a kid, my mom used to make small trash cans out of egg cartons and pie tins. She used yarn and a plastic canvas needle to stitch the cartons together and then attatched the pie tin, which became the bottom of the trash can.

[kocho]

I've been doing a lot of crafts out of our old jeans. I've made notebook holders out of the pockets, jean purses out of the whole top section and even a few diapers from the legs. And I started re-covering my dinning room chairs in patchwork denim.

I have a bunch of other denim crafts in mind, but I got addicted to this diaper swapping site . . . lol

[j9_shooter9]

Our old toilet paper tubes are becoming spyglasses for my son's birthday pirate party. LOL

I use yogurt containers for starting seeds (or other small containers). Egg cartons are great too.

If I don't use cloth bags at the grocery store, I use the paper grocery bags for my garbage sacks.

Small pill bottles or other containers filled with some dried beans make great musical instruments. :)

[uk2usa]

I clean out 1/2 gallon milk containers and wrap them in colourful construction paper. voila...building blocks for the kids...

[Sanche]

I like to keep my containers too. My DH thinks I am crazy. I realized just how expensive they are to get new and that I have already paid for them once. Its worth it to wash the things and store them for some future need. I always seem to find one. Egg cartons and meat trays are my fave for artist palates! I just stick them in the dishwasher to make sure they are clean then in the closet they go.:mrgreen:

Oh, I never thought of that. Great idea!

[janendragon]

i try to reuse as much as possible, so old clothes become fabric or rags.

I try to buy oberweis milk, so the glass bottles get returned and reused.

[FaeryGnomeHome]

-Fruit and veggie trays(we buy the reduced produce that's packaged in a tray) make great palettes for painting on.
-Those credit card offers with the cards in them make great toys for kids(my kids like to shop, it's a sickness really!) or scrapers for the kitchen counters or the table after we play play-dough(homemade of course!)
-I reuse butter containers for big batches of chili to put in the freezer.
-Old beat-up t-shirts get made into doll diapers or cheapy prefolds for Lulu.
-Felted or outgrown or stained sweaters are perfect for longies.
-Outgrown but in good condition sweaters get cannibalized for wool yarn for knittign projects, otherwise I'd never be able to afford to knit!
-This is re-using gas in a roundabout sort of way but we cook more than one dish at a time in the oven so it doesn't go to waste. Instead of cooking just the chicken for dinner, I make a batch of muffins or banana bread or cookies or whatever to bake at the same time to sorta re-use the gas instead of cooking separately.
-I guess this counts but we buy the PetGold cat litter from PetCo in the re-usable container. I think I pay something like $6.99 for what they think is a 16lb container. I can fit 18lbs in there and still pay only $6.99 but I'm re-using the container each time to fill up instead of buying individually packaged litter AND I'm saving money.
-I re-use my calendars for pretty pictures to frame(example: currently I have a calendar of GORGEOUS black and whites of all different flower arrangements. current month, easter lilly). Even more frugal would be a white board that you erase but I like the pictures and if you buy after the new year, it's like $.99 so I justify it that way!:laugh:
-Those frozen juice containers double as pencil cans when you cover them in construction paper.
-toilet paper tubes with colored saran wrap on one end and rubber banded together make great colored glasses to look through. Ever wanted to see the world pink? My kids do everyday!
-old micro towels from dd's pocket diapers are GREAT cloths for the swiffer
-broken stubs of crayons can be put into a muffin tin and melted in the oven for new rainbow crayons

That's all I can think of right now but I'm sure I"ll come up with more later.

[Radish4ever]

You could turn old blue jeans into totes to take with you to the grocery store (to use instead of plastic bags ;) )

[janendragon]

You could turn old blue jeans into totes to take with you to the grocery store (to use instead of plastic bags ;) )

thats an awesome idea! if only I could sew.

[Namaste]

-broken stubs of crayons can be put into a muffin tin and melted in the oven for new rainbow crayons

I like this idea!

[Krystyna]

Newspapers are the best to clean your windows & mirrors with. I learned this in the USMC. & use vinegar as your window cleanar. I promise your windows will never come out clearer. Same w/your mirrors!

[milehighmonkeys]

We also wash some containers (butter, individual juice, mustard, etc) and put them in DDs "groceries".

I make some old clothes into diaper, recycled longies, etc.

DD has some pants that are kind of big in the waist, but are getting too short, so I'm going to take some fabric and add on to the length.

[serinat]

This is probably obvious on a diaper forum, but I turn just about anything cotton into a diaper, doubler, or wipe. Anything wool gets turned into a diaper cover/longies.

I also love the idea of turning wool sweaters into blankets. I'm saving enough sweater pieces for that one.

I saw a magazine article that featured old sweaters as seat covers for dining room chairs--surprisingly chic!

[For The Love Of Cloth]

I buy used flannel sheets and sew them into dish towels and kids pj's. Some are really cute and barely used so this can be a really good deal! I got 2 pr of pj's and 6 dishtowels for $2.

[wdube]

* Baby food jars are great for storing spices.

* Paper egg cartons can be used to sow seeds.

* Glass juice bottles are great for home-made iced tea.

[Krystyna]

When DH goes to work & takes snacks or food he always loses the tupperware. I send his now in the old butter or sour cream containers, etc. That way they are getting used at least a second time & we aren't losing the good stuff.

I take old shirts & stuff that have stains that would go to goodwill or get tossed & just cut them into PFs or doublers. Even if we don't use them I'll put them up FFS or donate them. Just makes me feel better that someone will be CDing w/them that maybe would have had to buy a sposie or didn't have something. That stuff even makes great mamma cloth or liners or boob diapers.

You can take old kid's clothes that have been stained like cute lil t's & use them to embelish PFs. I never thought about this until recently. I get really bummed out w/all the supercute t-shrts that get stained up really bad around the neckline from spit up and stuff butt he rest of the shirt is so cute. I'm starting to cut them out & just sew the square onto the PF as embelishment. You can do the same thing to patch up a hole in a pair of jeans or fix up an old blanket.

[tomatojane]

[old micro towels from dd's pocket diapers are GREAT cloths for the swiffer]

I was just trying to figure out what to use instead of buying more refills! Thanks for the tip!

[FaeryGnomeHome]

You can take old kid's clothes that have been stained like cute lil t's & use them to embelish PFs. I never thought about this until recently. I get really bummed out w/all the supercute t-shrts that get stained up really bad around the neckline from spit up and stuff butt he rest of the shirt is so cute. I'm starting to cut them out & just sew the square onto the PF as embelishment. You can do the same thing to patch up a hole in a pair of jeans or fix up an old blanket.

So how would you sew this? Would you just zigzag the edges of the embellishment??? I"m a very novice sewer but I can sew patches on my hubby's uniforms(he's air national guard, former air force) with some skill and can make prefolds, doll diapers, and mama cloth quite easily.

Meg

[For The Love Of Cloth]

You can take old kid's clothes that have been stained like cute lil t's & use them to embelish PFs. I never thought about this until recently. I get really bummed out w/all the supercute t-shrts that get stained up really bad around the neckline from spit up and stuff butt he rest of the shirt is so cute. I'm starting to cut them out & just sew the square onto the PF as embelishment. You can do the same thing to patch up a hole in a pair of jeans or fix up an old blanket.

These would make cute wipes too!

[ri'smom]

love this thread!!

[CamoMom]

I'm going to have to get a better pic, but the quilt my DD is sitting on in this picture is made from a couple of yards of (post-4th-of-July) discounted fabric that I got for $1 a yard and circles cut from oodles of old, holey blue jeans! It is NOT your average "blue jean quilt"!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/klharker/Harker%20Kiddos/SittingDJ16April07.jpg

[Shay]

I just made a purse from a old pair of my DSD's jeans. I use old sposie wipe containers to hold stuff. Great for small items you don't want lost.

We are saving old jars for when we organize our carport. We are going to put up shelves and use containers to keep things like nuts and bolts. Just take the lid and put a screw in the top of the jar. Place under the shelf. Screw the lid on and then no space is wasted on top of the shelf. We had this at our old house in the shed.

[CamoMom]

Cool, found a better pic of the quilt. Here 'tis!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/klharker/Harker%20Kiddos/PhotoShootFollies.jpg

Wanna know another really nifty recycling project? Dryer lint paper! Seriously, you take dryer lint, collect it in one of those yogurt containers....anyway, when you've got a good variety of color, put a handful in a blender or food processor with a sheet of construction paper (I always use white or manilla) and a cup or two of water, blend to make a slurry, then pour over a screen and let dry. Instant designer lint paper! LOL

[Krystyna]

So how would you sew this? Would you just zigzag the edges of the embellishment??? I"m a very novice sewer but I can sew patches on my hubby's uniforms(he's air national guard, former air force) with some skill and can make prefolds, doll diapers, and mama cloth quite easily.

Meg

It's hard for me to explain so I'll have to make a quick tutorial on this when I get some spare time. Not sure when, maybe in the next week or two when the kids are in bed & I'm caught up on some stuff. It's super simple, just I'm not sure if writing it out will make sense as my words would confuse LOL. It's basically sewn on the soaker pad/butt area. But I'll make a tutorial :)

[Krystyna]

something i started doing was to stop buying notepads & paper for writing notes & lists. i realized there is just no need for it. i get so many notes from ds's teachers at school, crap in the mail, flyers at the store, invoices w/orders. they're blank on one side or only half printed on. i just cut them up into 4ths & use them as my note pads. you can even punch them w/holes & tie them together w/a ribbon & hang them in the office or kitchen & rip one off as needed.:thumbsup: i made a project for ds to embellish them w/stickers & stamps for me & he is so proud of them now & they have a cute personal touch & a bonus was that it kept him busy for about an hour.

[uk2usa]

I use an empty cubed tissue box for storing plastic bags...No need for the fancy plastic bag dispensers you get at bed bath and beyond...

I also cover DH's 12-pack beer cases in pretty fabric and use them as toy, craft and paper storage...

[faithmom]

I use the bags from cereal boxes for wax paper instead of buying it.

I've also heard of (haven't tried yet) taking iron-on appliqués and covering up any stains on shirts and pants for kids. You could probably cut out shapes from old clothes and appliqué them on as well.

[CarrieAnn0413]

I stumbled upon this thread during a search and thought it was great. Wanted to bring it back up for more ideas.

I never new you could use cereal box bags for wax paper.....Awesome!!!

Love all these ideas. Would love to learn some ways to recycle for kids craft type projects too. especially preschool / kindergarten age.

so far my only "creative" recycling is using boxes from cereal, crackers, etc...for mailing packages and using shoe boxes for dd to keep small toys, stickers, etc.. organized in.

[crystalinnc]

Thanks! There are tons of great ideas here.

And I found a link about using old sweaters to recover seat cushions like someone posted before: here (http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/eco-chic-on-the-cheap?lnc=ff6e0c8668ec9110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=lpg_green-living&lpgStart=1&currentslide=2&currentChapter=1#ms-global-breadcrumbs)

I have been saving glass jars lately to hold things in my pantry like split peas and other beans once the bag is opened. We also save all sorts of cardboard inserts and things like tissue boxes for DS's art projects. He has a whole cabinet full of old things he can recycle into new projects.

Another fun thing if you're into jewelry making is to reuse beads from old out-of-style items to make new ones.

[SenoraE]

I started saving all the envelopes we get in junk mail and CCard statements. We pay almost everything online, but they still send envelopes. I often pass out coupons to friends, so no more wasting "good" envelopes for that!

I also wrap all packages in newspaper or brown bags when mailing items that I sell online.

I also make old clothing into blankets, doublers, wipes, or rags.

I know that you can recycle cooking oil by pouring used oil through a coffee filter, although we almost never fry anything, so I haven't tried this personally.

[ourfamilyof5]

-broken stubs of crayons can be put into a muffin tin and melted in the oven for new rainbow crayons

I like this idea!

I wanted to make these for my 19 month put using candy molds. Do you line your muffin pans, do you use the same ones you melt the crayons in to cook in? Just curious. Maybe I'll use your muffin tin idea instead!

[finn's mom]

I wanted to make these for my 19 month put using candy molds. Do you line your muffin pans, do you use the same ones you melt the crayons in to cook in? Just curious. Maybe I'll use your muffin tin idea instead!

http://www.makeandtakes.com/recycled-chunky-crayons
Found this she suggests candy molds at the bottom (variation #2)
I am going to try these tonight after I clean the kitchen.

[bethiana]

When I was pregnant I took a bunch of my shirts that I couldn't fit into anymore, but that had sentimental value (I know I'm a dork) and made them into burp cloths for my baby. That way I cleared out space in my closet and I still got to see the shirts everyday.

[jennyz123]

Great thread! I do some of the things already mentioned. I also save the ribbons from dd's grocery store balloons and use them to wrap presents...

[finn's mom]

I use the formula scoop for laundry detergent (we make our own, that's what everyone is getting for Easter from us)

We get our butter in a bucket. I keep them and use them for popcorn, Ds also has one for the beach.

I also use the kleenex box to hold plastic bags

Old clothes, get re-used for blankets, embellishment, rags, baby gowns, booties, etc.

Our old shower curtain is now a drop mat for Ds when he eats

Frost Bites gum containers are the perfect size to hold bobby pins. I keep one in the diaper bag

An old teacup holds our sugar

Wipes containers make awesome beginner blocks, and catch-alls for pretty much anything.(we keep our detergent in one :giggle:

Cereal boxes become magazine/paper holders, after you cut them

I have one egg carton that holds my misc. buttons

Cookie tins become great travel desks. Ds plays with his fridge phonics and farm on one.
Formula cans also work well for this, plus you can store the pieces inside)

milk bags make awesome freezer bags

[NessaL_07]

These are some good ideas. I bought some foaming hand soap and used it up asap. Then filled them up with my Dr.Bonners and water and now have my ecofriendly soap and it foams. My dd likes to pretend she is driving I was going to go buy her a key at walmart from the auto section but in the mail I got one of those come see if your keys fits in the car and you win it things. So I gave dd the key, so now were always going pretend shopping. I will do better with stuff once we get moved. Right now its just a hassle to deal with stuff.

[littlelinds]

I don't know about "creative" but lately I've been using the plastic containers that things come in -- the containers for mayonaise, those big peanut butter jars, etc -- to store things like flour, beans, small ones for spices.

Before I would have gone out and bought new pretty glass canisters...but after reading "The Tightwad Gazette" I've started thinking more about using what I have.

Love this book! My mom has volumes of it.

[cherylchoo]

I've been doing a lot of the suggestions on this thread already. I'm trying to think of ones that haven't been mentioned...

We are starting seeds in 2 liter soda bottles this year, and it's working great. They are going to be transplanted in reused 5 gallon paint buckets (or you could use frosting buckets free from a bakery).

We make bread in a breadmaker several times a week, so I have a couple of small baby jars with sugar, salt, powdered milk, etc by the bread machine so I don't have to pull out the big bins.

We reuse the kids' watercolor paintings for valentines cards, mother's day and father's day cards, thank you cards, and note paper. DH actually brings home paper that has been printed on one side already for them to draw and paint on already, so often this is the third time the paper has been used.

Every time I buy or receive new linens/curtains/etc in those zippered vinyl bags, I reuse them. I keep out of season linens in them, and the small ones (like curtains/tablecloths/curtains) keep toys with multiple pieces together.

Any adult clothes you are purging from your closet can be made into kiddie clothes. Dress shirts and blouses can be made into sundresses, sleeves can be made into pants just like longies are made, etc.

[cowgirl76]

I don't know if anyone else posted this, but we reuse empty yogurt containers (the large size, not single serve) for freezing food. Mostly soups, stews and the like, but we've used it for leftover turkey and ham on holidays too. We just take a marker and write the date on the outside, and what it is.

[pumpkins_mom]

Great thread!
- If you have an REI store, they will take and recycle your old shoes.
- Use old, scratched up CDs to make ornaments - You put a little picture of your child in the hole, then you can write the year on with marker. Kids can decorate with holiday stickers. (Best Buy is now accepting CDs and DVDs for recycling too)
- We have a bunch of those soft baby washcloths - now they are great for cleaning up after toddler mealtime.
- I collected all of our orphan socks (where do the other ones go?!) and made them into dryer balls...the easy way: roll the first two just like you would a pair of socks, then keep rolling the others around
- I also throw some non-soft hand towels with holes in the dryer with the clothes to help speed drying time
- Animal shelters will take your beat up pillows

[cormama]

I use shoe boxes, strawberry and blueberry containers, and oats containers for my sewing accessories. Bread/wraps bags from store bought bread to put homemade bread, wraps, or rolls in. Wipe containers for bath toys, etc. My DH brings home used paper from work for DD to draw on.

[Fawn]

Use a scratched up cd on the back of a bike for a reflector :)

[BNC]

Small pill bottles or other containers filled with some dried beans make great musical instruments. :)

I was doing this for dd, but now she thinks that all pill bottles are for her to play with. Be careful, please.


Every time I buy or receive new linens/curtains/etc in those zippered vinyl bags, I reuse them. I keep out of season linens in them, and the small ones (like curtains/tablecloths/curtains) keep toys with multiple pieces together.


I LOVE those bags! I have a huge one (form a comforter set) that I use to store all of the yarn skeins until i get to the project I bought them for.

[CarrieAnn0413]

YAY! More awesome ideas :yay: I am loving this thread. thanks for sharing everyone.


DD has a bean box (shallow "under-the-bed" type plastic tote filled with dry pinto beans) and I give her empty containers, paper towel and toilet paper rolls to use in it for pouring and playing in her bean box. It is the best toy ever and super cheap

[JP04JM08]

We use Tidy Cats Cat litter in the big plastic containers, which I HATE to put in the recycling every month. So I've started collecting them. I'm going to clean them out really well and then paint them with spray paint for plastics and use them for storage in the garage. They stack and have handles...what more could you ask for?

We turned an old oatmeal container into our vacation fund bank. DS and I colored our favorite things to do on vacation onto a piece of paper and glued it to the outside of the container. I cut a slit for coins in the plastic lid. Now our spare change goes in there for any vacations we want to take! (It adds up fast!)

[kocho]

Thanks! There are tons of great ideas here.

And I found a link about using old sweaters to recover seat cushions like someone posted before: here (http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/eco-chic-on-the-cheap?lnc=ff6e0c8668ec9110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=lpg_green-living&lpgStart=1&currentslide=2&currentChapter=1#ms-global-breadcrumbs)

I have been saving glass jars lately to hold things in my pantry like split peas and other beans once the bag is opened. We also save all sorts of cardboard inserts and things like tissue boxes for DS's art projects. He has a whole cabinet full of old things he can recycle into new projects.

Another fun thing if you're into jewelry making is to reuse beads from old out-of-style items to make new ones.

Thanks for posting this. After looking at the link I fell in love and had to do this. My first one turned out a bit wonky, but my second try is lovely!! I can't wait to do more, but life got too crazy!!

[sahminaz]

Tin coffee cans make great storage containers. We use one for dog food bought in bulk, one for sugar, one for flour, rice,etc.

Keep all bread bag ties to stake plants in the garden.

I keep a small vinyl bag that a sheet set came in with a change of clothes for my newly potty trained ds. I can put the dirties in the bag too!

We keep toilet paper rolls to use for holiday poppers. Fill with goodies, wrap with paper and give away!

Also use the toilet paper rolls for starting seeds. Plant the whole thing.

[daelaria]

I recycle gift bags and wrapping paper. Anytime we get a gift from someone I store the paper and bags in a tote and when it's my turn to give, I just pass it on. It works to my advantage that SO's family all do this as well, so we have a little mini recycling group going on. My orange polka dot paper has come back to me twice, haha!

I get coffee as a gift a lot, and I've just realized that the plastic Folgers containers would make great storage. I'm going to recover them in pretty cardstock that I have lying around and use them to store DD's hairpins, bows, etc.

There are some great ideas in this thread! I don't buy a lot of stuff, I'm trying to work on the "Reduce" part of the reduce, reuse, recycle. But I love knowing I can use cereal bags instead of tossing them!

Oh, another thing - I always save jars from candle and reuse them for things. Shot glasses, wax molds, bean holders...endless possibilities!

[nothingtosee]

I found an old car bumper and used it to make a raised flower bed. My brother used an old truck hood/cement blocks and made me a bench for my "ghetto" flower bed.

[jennyb]

Newspapers are the best to clean your windows & mirrors with. I learned this in the USMC. & use vinegar as your window cleanar. I promise your windows will never come out clearer. Same w/your mirrors!

i've heard this before, but never tried it. do your hands get "black" from the ink? how does this not smear all over the window? just curious...

...I take old shirts & stuff that have stains that would go to goodwill or get tossed & just cut them into PFs or doublers. Even if we don't use them I'll put them up FFS or donate them. Just makes me feel better that someone will be CDing w/them that maybe would have had to buy a sposie or didn't have something. That stuff even makes great mamma cloth or liners or boob diapers...

great idea:thumbsup:

------------
here's my contribution:
when i was in 5th grade, my friend sewed all her dad's old ties together to make a very cool retro skirt. since the ties were all wider at the end, the skirt had a natural "a-line" to it - it was great. everyone loved it :)

oh, and one more that i don't think was mentioned:
we use cloth diapers (of course!) and cloth wipes for pee, but sposie wipes for poopy changes. anyway, the plastic rectangle wipes containers make great containers. i have one in every single room & it holds cloth wipes, folded in half, for use as "kleenex" - they are very easy to cover with decorative paper or fabric. we have another one that holds the crayons, another one that holds stacks of cut-up paper (reusind the back sides) for notes/shopping lists/doodles/etc.; you get the idea.

[sweet oblong]

lets talk about some real good nerd alert ive got going on!

ive been saving all the glass jars that come with my peanut butter, pickles, sauces, oils. not mention all the plastic containers that i buy for butter and such.
i use all my glass jars to hold sugar, cereal, tvp, popcorn kernals, nuts, rice, pasta etc for just about anything, and their fun to label. not to mention its good to hold homemade peanut butter and sauces over and over again. just use, wash and reuse. i even gave some jars last christmas as gifts to hold some home made potpourri.
and i use all the plastics as tupperware.

ive also tried to germinate the seeds from my cucumbers, tomatoes, lemons, limes, olives, etc etc. & so far i have a pretty huge tomato tree!


fun:blush:

[MomOfSJandL]

I don't think this has been said...

I have leaky faucets. We have hard water and that causes the seals on the faucets to go more quickly than normal. Before we get a chance to get it fixed, I start saving milk jugs to catch the water as it drips. When it is full, I cap it off and put it downstairs as our "emergency water" supply. If the power goes out or our well dries temporarily, we will at least have water for a while!

[Hoping2BaMomma]

I'm loving this thread!!!! :)

[emmyevans]

I buy used flannel sheets and sew them into dish towels and kids pj's. Some are really cute and barely used so this can be a really good deal! I got 2 pr of pj's and 6 dishtowels for $2.

I do the same for mama cloth, doublers, wipes, fitteds, you name it!

I also love this one... I use cute old colorful socks that lost their mate for freeze-pop holders so little fingers don't freeze, or pop a couple of ice cubes in them when someone gets a bump.

We use all our plastic recycling for different shapes to make sand castles. We store them in a plastic doll chest that I got at a garage sale right by our sand box. When one gets beat up, into the recylcing bin it goes, and we always have fresh ones.

I'll post more when I think of 'em!

[jennyb]

i thought of another one!
it seems like i received lots of "junk" or trial cd's in the mail. i save them in a huge stack, and every year when our youth group has their annual YG Olympics, I spray paint them with gold and silver paint. Then tie ribbon through the center and you have instant Gold & Silver Medals.

One of our youth group members saved up about 100 junk cds and painted them all to match her bedroom. she strung them all together with fishing line and make a "curtain" that she hung in a corner of her room to create a semi-private reading nook - it was VERY cute!