Wednesday

Creative Recycling of the Ordinary: Whimsical Gift Packaging

Long before recycling... re-purposing... and reusing became popular...

we have harvested nylon/plastic netting...saving them from the landfill.

We store them in a pretty apothecary jar on the counter-top.


Sometimes we use them as-is...


other times, we paint them to create whimsical gift packaging...



This Bean Soup Mix is prettily packaged inside a recycled fast-food cup...

(it has been cleaned out with bleach & water...allowed to dry...then painted)...

and then wrapped in re-cycled netting.


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We originated this idea in our first book...

Frugal Luxuries

(page 230).

Below, you'll find the actual excerpt with detailed instructions on how to

make this environmentally friendly, easy, project.

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WHIMSICAL GIFT PACKAGING

You Will Need:

Spray paint [I try to minimize my use of spray paint & either buy it at yard sales or use a sponge brush and leftover latex paint from other projects around the house]
One large, clean drinking cup (like one from a fast-food restaurant)
Nylon netting (from store-bought onion or garlic)
Raffia or other coordinating ribbon
A small piece of masking paper or newsprint

To Make:

Over the masking paper, spray-paint the netting. [Or sponge paint, one side at a time, allow to dry between sides.] Allow the netting and paper to dry thoroughly. Crumple the paper and put it loosely into the bottom of the cup. (This will raise your gift item so that it makes a better presentation.) Next, put your gift (I use homemade three bean soup or homemade gourmet coffee) into the cup and netting then tie it with a raffia bow.

This beautiful package will stand alone as a small hostess gift (you can put cookies or candies inside instead of soup or coffee) or as part of a larger gift basket.

Take from Frugal Luxuries, by Tracey McBride. Published by Bantam Books, 1997.

6 comments:

Just Jules said...

this is so fabulous and thrifty!

Simply Heart And Home said...

Tracey,
You always have such lovely ideas! Thank you for sharing them with us.

Gina

Stacey said...

What a cute idea with the netting! I don't think I see it very often any more.

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Hello to you all! Thank you so much for your nice comments! I buy a lot of my produce from small farmer's markets, where I bring my own bags to hold produce. Even still, there are times when we miss out on the farmer's market. When that happens I usually turn to Trader Joe's. This is where I buy the netting packaged produce...usually onions, avocado and oranges...and sometimes garlic! This recycling project (above) helps to keep the plastic out of the landfill and is fun and easy too!
Have a great weekend my kind friends.
Warmly,
Tracey

Terri Steffes said...

Hey Tracey!

I found you again! I love these ideas. What a great way to be "green"!

Michelle said...

That is a wonderful idea! I'll be looking at my netting bags with new eyes now, seeing more than pot scrubbers!

An idea I saw Lynette Jennings mention years ago on one of her decorating shows (I don't think these shows are around anymore) was another creative use for something all of us have and probably throw away. She "recycled" the tube that wrapping paper comes on as a "box" - her daughters gift was several pair of new socks which she safety-pinned together and then stuffed down the tube, and then wrapped in gift paper. Apparently her daughter got the giggles as she pulled out pair after pair after pair of socks!

Blessings on your day!

Michelle

The original "FRUGAL LUXURIES" ~ Based on the books by Tracey McBride ~ Established 1993

A warm Thank You to all kind souls and kindred spirits who generously take the time to leave a comment...your encouragement, trust and support are deeply appreciated...please know that we read each and every message and will respond as time allows.

~~~

Frugal Luxuries
is a registered trademark.


~~~


"FRUGAL LUXURIES: Simple Pleasures to Enhance Your Life and Comfort Your Soul" was written by Tracey McBride and published by Bantam Books, NY, in 1997. It was the first of its genre to synergize the elements of simplicity, frugality and gracious living.

After more than a decade, FRUGAL LUXURIES has never been out of print and is now more relevant than ever.

"It's our hope that a new generation, faced with a teetering economy, will also find this information helpful and enlightening."



Sending Good Thought to Our Special Band of Kind and Kindred Souls!

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