Upcycling Cardboard + Paper / Newspapers

Dear users, dear authors,
Do you have any ideas for upcycling cardboard, paper, and newspapers?

Dear Josefa,

Has the upcycling topic really grabbed you? Totally understandable, it’s very trendy right now. I also like making something new out of old things. For example, I dressed up old shoe boxes of the same size. I got these from a shoe store, where they’re always thrown away anyway. They were originally black. I covered them with metallic wallpaper (from an old wallpaper sample book). Put a label on them so you know what’s inside—and done: new, beautiful containers for all kinds of things.

Best regards - Ina

PS. Maybe next time you buy shoes, just ask to take the shoe box with you; covered anew, it could become a stylish home for odds and ends.

That looks great :-)

Yes, I thought I’d put together a special feature on upcycling with several threads. It’s great to see you all participating so actively.

Yes, Josefa, upcycling is totally on trend. Everyone who goes through life environmentally conscious knows that raw materials don't grow back endlessly and that many things can be reused. And it's also a lot of fun. You can do a lot of it with children too; it stimulates their imagination and they learn right away that you don't always have to throw everything away.

I also like that you sorted the upcycling threads by topic. That way not everything is all mixed up, and you can read the thread that interests you by topic.

I'll just continue a little bit here in this one ... I used to do a lot of crafting, so now I have plenty to draw on. Maybe one or another of you would like to try making it too.

So ... there are also the envelopes made from calendar pages. I had already described that once in another thread. I've linked it above. So when the year is drawing to a close, always keep an eye out for where you can get large calendars with beautiful designs. They are far too nice for the paper recycling bin. You can use the envelopes to give gift vouchers for this and that.

You’re really talented. :-)

Thank you for the compliment :-))
Let's just say I always have lots of ideas. But right now, I’m only making things with wool.

I mostly work with wool these days, but I keep discovering new uses for toilet paper rolls—you can make great little holders for pens or crochet hooks out of them (even by crocheting around them). Plus, they’re just the right size for egg cups.
I also make funny animals or vehicles out of them with my grandchildren. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of them because my grandchildren kept them right away. But my latest toilet paper roll project, which I (still) have at home, is the “Münchner Kindl.” You can remove the top part and hide a little surprise inside.

Wow, I’m pretty creative myself, but even I’m learning new things from you all.
These are such great ideas.
Thanks to Ina for this idea with the gift roll box. I would never have thought of that.

A while back, I crocheted—or rather, crocheted around—a toadstool. No idea where I saw that before.
You’ll need two round cardboard beer coasters and a cardboard roll from toilet paper.
Crochet one beer coaster with green yarn (on both sides)—that’s the “base” for the mushroom. Trim the cardboard tube a bit to reduce its height, then crochet around it with white yarn (the mushroom stem). Sew this onto the “base.” Then crochet the second beer coaster with red yarn. Crochet one side normally, and crochet the other side so it’s slightly rounded and lightly stuff it with stuffing. This is the mushroom cap; embroider white dots on it. Decorate it as you like with little flowers or similar—and your lucky mushroom is done.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of it anymore, but I plan to make it again soon, and then I’ll share the promised photo with you.

@ruthk and @Bastelfan,
I really like your ideas too. It just goes to show what toilet paper cardboard rolls can be turned into. Maybe one or two people won’t throw them away anymore and will simply try making something with them. Andrea, I’m already looking forward to your lucky mushroom—you described it well.

I once used the sturdy cardboard roll from packing tape as the base for a bangle . I still needed a matching accessory for a crocheted fringed hanging top. I knitted around the bangle with the yarn from the top; the flower is crocheted and got an old-fashioned button. In the second picture you can see how it looked together. In the picture you can also see my Loop Featherlight in beige.

Best regards, Ina