Scrubber Sponge, Dish Soap Dispenser, Vase, and More.

I enjoy saving empty containers and packaging to make things out of.  When I was little my mother made some amazing things out of stuff around the house.  These instructions will show how to make a sponge scrubber, a plastic vase, remove sticky labels from jars, how to make your own pump soap re-fills, and fold a calender page envelope,


Here is a picture of a flat sponge that I covered with net packaging from fruit.  I save the ones that are usually a little heavier because it makes since to me that they would hold up better. I wanted to make a scrubber for my sponge. This is what I came up with.  A person probably could make this without sewing it.  I avoid glue because it usually don't work for me. 

Step 1: Supplies

Sponge Scrubber

1 flat sponge approx. 12x12
1 net fruit bag
Sewing machine(optional) This can be hand sewn or possibly glued.
thread
scissors
pins

Plastic Vinegar Bottle Vase

Empty plastic vinegar bottle
Scissors
White paint
Nail or screw driver to punch hole for flower
Real or plastic flowers and ribbon (optional)


Calender envelope

Calender page
Tape or glue
Scissors
Stickers
Medium point marker pen

Foam Soap dispenser bottle

Empty foam soap dispenser bottle
Sticker
Blow dryer for removing label
Liquid bath, shampoo or dish soap
Water

Step 2: Remove Packaging

Remove the packaging paper from the fruit bag.

Step 3: Fold Sponge

Fold the sponge the finished size you want it to be.
Pin the sponge to hold in place.
Place the sponge into the net bag centering it and remove the pin.
Fold the right end of the net bag to the edge of the sponge and lay something on it to hold it down.
Fold it again, this time fold to the left edge of the sponge and hold it down with something.
Turn everything over and this time fold the UN-folded side to the edge of the sponge and lay something on it to secure it.
Fold it again this time over to the very edge of the sponge and pin.

The reason we turned the sponge over was to make the netting equal on both sides.  If you want a 2 sided sponge then don't turn the sponge over.  Fold it from the same side. 

Step 4: Sewing

Now we are going to sew it. Sew a narrow hem all the way around the outside edge of the sponge. Clip loose threads.

Shown: paper pinned to the back side of the sponge. I was hoping that my machine would sew better with the paper but it didn't. Sew the sponge without the paper. My machine does not have a variety of stitch selections. I would use a different stitch for better results. Here is a picture of what mine looked like after I sewed it. It is strong but it does not have a nice finished stitch. I am happy with it none the less. Maybe your machine will sew differently.

Please remember to remove the pins as you sew. Don't sew over them.
This project can be made with out sewing.  I do not have much luck with glue so I avoid the glue.

Step 5: Finished

I am happy with my new sponge scrubber! I found a good use for those nice net fruit bags. After I sewed it I went back and made it smaller because I liked the smaller size better. To do this I just folded it over in half and stitched that area on the machine. 

Pictured is the scrubber sponge and a vinegar bottle that I painted white and cut off the top part just above the decorative lines and added embellishments.  I punctured a hole in it so I could place a silk flower if I wanted to. I also have re-used a pump bottle by filling the bottle with water about 1 inch below the liquid line. Then I added dish soap to the line and shook it up. It works nicely and saves me money by re-filling it myself with less expensive soap. These are great in the bathroom for hand soap and shampoo.

Step 6: Removing Labels From Bottles

To remove labels from jars, use a blow dryer.  If you heat it enough to melt the glue it should come off all in one piece. 
After removing the label  I place a pretty sticker on it. 

Step 7: Folded Envelopes

 I save all of my calenders so that I can make envelopes out of them. I receive so many compliments from people who I have mailed these to. They say it is a treat to receive one of my letters mailed in these envelopes. It is fun to customize an envelope to suite the receiver's personality.

I love using magazines for this because they are perfect in size and do not need to be folded extra or cut.

Here I will be folding a magazine to show how easy it is. Folding a calender is the same you just cut it down  to the size of a magazine page.  Keep in mind that the larger type pictures and the designs that are more centered on the page makes the best envelope. You can use just about any type of printed paper as long as it has a nice weight to it. If it is not heavy enough it will not mail very well.

You can either tape the pages together or glue them. It is best to use a medium point marker pen to address the envelope because many pages are slick and it is difficult to get ink pens to show up.

You can have a lot of fun with these. Postal employees have often even commented on them.

Thank you for visiting!