SHOESTRING: ORIGAMI KIT

 Use your 50% any one item at Michaels (in store as they don't carry on line) to buy the 300 pack of origami paper (6x6).

I dealt it out by color (16 colors) and ended up with 17 sets.  (.40 cents a set)

I used the 15 cent pocket folders from Staples BTS to make up a kit.  The package contained great picture instructions, in three languages.  I scanned and cleaned it up so it would fit on two pages (free copy paper).  On these, I took a dinner plate go round the flaps.  You can find tutorial on the folder here.http://shoeboxesonashoestring.blogspot.com/2015/09/shoestring-make-folder-for-stationary.html

You can download below.

DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOAD

So for around 55 cents you have something great for older boys and girls kits and since it is flat, doesn't take up a lot of room.

HANDMADE: T-SHIRT YARN BALLS

T-Shirt balls for boxes!  I am kind of addicted to making these. Shoebox Shoppers on Facebook shared this project. 

I have made a bunch and have some tips and refinements. 

For your info:  I got seven balls out of a XL men's shirt, it was a South Pole brand that tends to be extra long. I had an old t-shirt pillow case tha needed to be retired. I made five balls. 

I cut my strips a little narrower than her instructions, around 1/2 inch. 

I cut the strips into four inch lengths vs. six inches. I use 120 strips and an 8 inch zip tie. I wish I had less robust zip tie. 

Once you have them zip tied, cut off the zip tie tail. I use the open edge of my scissors to shave off any sharp edges left. 

Now, if is time to twist and fluff. I grab a few strands around the middle and twist one way, grab a few more and twist the other way.   Fluff around the ball. 

Time for a Hair Cut.  I like the strands to be even. Have you ever made a yarn pompom?  This is just a t-shirt pompom. 

Finished Balls!  Think these are great, thanks Shoebox Shoppers 

SHOESTRING: 4 PENCIL BOX FROM UPCYCLED CARDBOARD

Shoebox Shoppers shared a great deal on Dr. Seuss pencils a week or so ago.  These were such cute pencils, I wanted them to be special in the shoeboxes.

I saw this on pinterest:

You can find the original instructions here. I would read these.  I haven't been a detailed.

I made a new template to work with 4 Dr. Seuss Pencils, I used a cereal box. You can download it here.

A couple of things I learned:

1. Tape the template to the reverse side of the box because good lines and scores are important to make a nice finished box.

2.  I scored while the template was still taped down.  I used a ruler and the back side of my scissors.  You need to be precise or you won't get good folds.

3.  Once you cut out, begin to fold.  Again, be precise.

4.  I used double sided tape to hold it together.

5.  I cut a small square of sticky velcro into quarters.  Put the loops on the flap.

SHOESTRING; MAKE FOLDER FOR STATIONARY, ORIGAMI, OR PAPER AIRPLANES

When you include homemade or loose items, it is nice for the kids to have a place to store them.

To make this, you will need:

Pocket Portfolio (15 cents from STAPLES back to school sale)

Ruler

Hole Punch, if tying

18" Ribbon or Twine

Optional: 

Velcro Dots

Scissors if you want to cut down the fold

Measure 5' down from the top edge of the portfolio and score a line going across.  You can use the back edge of pair of scissors or a bone folder.

Fold along the fold.  Creasing the fold.

Option 1:  While folded, punch holes for the ribbon closure

Option 2:  Place velcro sticky dots as pictured.

If using velcro, I would cut the portfolio along the middle down to the fold.

You can place origami paper (remember it needs to be square) in one pocket and instructions in the other.  

SHOESTRING: APRONS FROM MEN'S SHIRTS

The Goodwill in Upstate SC marks their items down differently than they do at home in Atlanta.  Atlanta takes 50% off for the color of the week, Upstate marks the color of the week to 50 CENTS. I thought about what I could do for a shoebox with one of the men's shirts.

I did my own thing but you can find a tutorial here for the green apron above.

I used one sleeve to make the ties.

I ended up with an apron, two little button pouches from the cuffs.  I still have one sleeve and the back left over.  Any ideas what to do with the leftovers?

I need to give everything a good press (I don't have a full size ironing board here) and a spray or two of starch to make it look crisp.

I was worried that the recipient might not realize what it is, a strange backless dress?  I made some tags that you can download and pin to your aprons, in English, Spanish, and French.

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

SHOESTRING: DOWNLOAD AND PRINT MINI COLORING BOOKS, SECONDS TO MAKE

I have created five little coloring books to add to your shoeboxes.  They take ONLY A SINGLE piece of paper each.  No special tools etc.

I cut a piece of scrap of card stock and stapled around but you certainly don't need to do that.  I still like to staple the middle with a single staple as it holds together better.

I am sorry that I didn't keep track of the sources of downloads.  You can easily create your own, just google coloring sheets for kids.  They are small enough to fit in a pencil box or a small purse.  Coloring book is on the front in English, Spanish and French.  FYI, use google translator to include instructions as needed.

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

DOWNLOAD HERE

I have shared a YouTube Video for you visual learners. This isn't my video, just sharing how to cut and fold.


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TIME SENSITIVE SHOESTRING DEAL; MAKE YOUR OWN MINI BOOK

HIP2SAVE is one of my favorite mommy-savings blogs.  She posted this week that MyPublisher is giving you five mini books.  Follow through to her link.  This is HER affiliate link, not mine.  $1.39 is all you have to pay for shipping.

I want to show you what I did:

I made a Tanagram Puzzle Book.  I have uploaded the individual pages to Dropbox.  The pages are sized to the mini book.  Here is the link to the actual book.  Downloaded the puzzles and solutions from Google Images.  I put them an a colorful background in Photoshop.

I am going to cut the pieces from a magnet sheet and store in an Altoid's Tin or get someone I know to cut from very thin wood.  The pattern is also in the dropbox link.

I think it will be a great addition to a shoebox for boys or girls and almost any age.

SHOESTRING IDEA: Reuse Old Crayons

Of course, you can't pack broken crayons in your shoebox.  But I bet all of you can find a pile of crayons that look like this.  I will teach you a budget friendly way to repurpose these stubs into new crayons that are easy, fun, and cute.

Find a cheap silicone ice cube tray.  I found this one at Goodwill for 99 cents.  I have seen at Dollar Tree and Ikea.  One of my favorites is this Lego one.  Just google and you will find lots of shapes.

Take all the paper wrapper off the crayons. I find CRAYOLA brand turn out the best.   Break into small pieces, I also use scissors to cut so the pieces are more uniform.  They will melt more evenly.

 Wrap foil on a cookie sheet.  I use my toaster oven so I don't have to heat up the big oven.  Fill the mold with crayon bits.  You can mix and match or do just a single color.  You need to over full as the empty spaces in between the crayons will fill in melted wax.  You want the mold to be as filled as possible when done melting.

I put in the toaster oven, set to 250 degrees and set the timer for 10 min.  I really don't think there a right or wrong temp.  When I have made before, I didn't cook as long and there was still some definition in the crayon chunks but the colors didn't mix as much as this batch.

You can let set up in the oven once you've turned it off or CAREFULLY take the melted crayons out, being sure to leave as flat as possible,  Once they are a little set, you can put in the freezer to speed it up.

I love to un-mold as you never know how they will look.  Aren't they fun?  I think a lot more fun than a plain old box of crayons.

I put six in the white bag, folded up and tied with multicolored yarn.  I will add a tag that says crayons so when the box is inspected, it will be clear what is enclosed.  You could also use sandwitch baggies or treat bags.


Cheap!  Virtually free!  Make a lot of sets to share with other shoebox packers.  I would love to to see your crayon creations if you do this project.