Make snack storage cans out of old formula cans
Since having to switch to formula lately, I've been wondering what to do with the cans once it's all used up. Here's my first project, which has used up a couple, turning them into snack canisters!

First, take off the labels.

Next, cut some paper to cover the cans. I wrapped mine in construction paper first, although you could just leave them as-is and glue on the snack name or picture if you like the metallic finish. I just cut the Cheerios box down to just the name.

Then, glue to your canister, and voila! A snack storage can! Here's a tip if you are glueing something like the Cheerios box cut-out...curl the cardboard a little so it takes the shape of the can more easily before adding glue, and put a couple rubber bands around it to hold it down while the glue dries.


For the Goldfish Cracker can, I just did a Google Image Search for "goldfish cracker," found an image, and printed it out. You could use the packaging too, or just make your own label.

One very simple way to use your empty formula cans to store other baby stuff! I like these because it's better than having to roll and unroll a bag of snacks...the lid makes it easier to keep them fresh and access them quicker. Plus, they are more customized than just using a Tupperware.

So, I only have so many baby snacks around...what else to do with future empty cans? There are many other ideas out there on the web...

How about a cool gift box?

Or a pencil holder?

These are great ideas and you can cover the cans with all kinds of other recycled materials...old maps, gift wrap, and photos.

source: Junk Mail Gems: DIY - Make snack storage cans out of old formula cans

Here are two different types, the first doesn't really come with instructions (as apparently they want you to buy their book)


Materials:

Empty Plastic 2L Soda Bottles
Tires
Rain Water Barrels
Reclaimed Wood For Framing
Nails
Hammer
Knife
Pea Gravel

When you are selecting the area to build your make sure you choose an area that receives a lot of sunshine. If it is possible, try to make your greenhouse face just east of south. This will use the sun in the morning to heat up the greenhouse very early. The main frame is what will hold this whole structure in place. The bottles will just act as the walls that capture the heat from the sun. Cut the bottom of the bottle off, and slip them one on top of another. This makes the tubes you then put side by side to create your walls. The tires are used to build the foundation.

source: DIY Pop Soda Bottle Greenhouse

Our first prototype was constructed using metal 2x4s – so we could literally pick it up and move it around (and allow school groups to assemble and disassemble it).  But the wind also soon discovered that it could move it around as well – so we found it spread across the pasture one morning after a particularly severe storm.

We decided the building needed to stay put – so we constructed a pounded tire foundation and decided to do this thing properly.  With the help of the Clark Montessori School (from Cincinnati, OH) we built this 12 x 12 foot greenhouse over a rather muddy weekend. We later added a small potting area extension.

The complete construction details are available in our book – Building a Plastic Bottle Greenhouse.

original source: Plastic Bottle Greenhouse - Blue Rock Station


Next project, the same concept but a little different design:

Materials:
4″ x 4″ posts and 2″ x 2″ timber (about 240 feet)
Screws
Hinges for the door
Fencing staples
Postcrete
Gravel, slabs, and mulch matting
Garden canes
About 1500 plastic 2-liter bottles

Instructions:
Start collecting and cleaning 2-liter bottles (you can ask friends/family to save theirs for you)

Once cleaned (you don't want them to be sticky or attract bugs) remove labels and lids and cut off the bottoms
(save those bottoms
for some cute flower curtains : 4REarth > Sheer Flower Curtains - page {#}
for some cute flower patterns : https://4rearth.info/forum/decor/flower-pattern-with-soda-bottles/)

Create the corners of the house by settling the 4×4 posts into the concrete. Spread mulch matting along the inside to keep the weeds from growing up later.

Using the 2×2 boards, create the frame of the house. Frame each side and frame each door and the roof. Screw together the corners of the frame but don’t do anything further.

Using the bottles, later them one by one on top of the garden canes. The result will be multiple beams of plastic bottles supported by a garden cane.


Using your fencing staples, secure the bottom of the bottle to the frame. Shoot the staple around the neck of the bottle and into the frame.

Connect the frames to bring the structure together. Mount each frame to the upright corner posts.

Attach the roof and doors. You can do either a flat or sloped roof but a sloped on is recommended. Make the roof in the same way that you did the walls by stacking water bottles.

source : Gardener shares how to build affordable greenhouse using empty plastic soda bottles

Do you have cement blocks just hanging out, taking up space? Here's a fun way to convert them to planters outside, along a wall. Looks great and saves space! All you need is a brush and some paint - and of course, those cement blocks - and you're good to go!


We capped the bottom of the planter section with these metal flashing squares and some landscape adhesive.

Materials:
Cinder blocks. We used both dual and single blocks.
Metal flashing rectangles, precut that we found in the roofing dept. Be careful their edges can be a little sharp.We heard there are such things as cinder block caps, but good luck finding them.
Landscape adhesive and caulking gun. We used Loctite PL 375 heavy duty construction adhesive – good for masonry and metal (Found in the paint department at Home Depot).
Plants
Soil

Instructions:

Adhere the caps to the bottom of the sections that will be planted. Let dry, might help to put some weight on top (or flip the block over) to dry.

Materials:
Milk or Juice cartons
Knife and Scissors
Potting Soil

optional
Brush
Acrylic paint
or
Fabric
Glue
A foam brush (or a sponge)

Instructions
Clean the container(s)

Decide how deep you want the container to be, and draw a line around the milk carton where you want to cut. Use sharp scissors or a serrated knife to cut out the top of the milk carton.

Optional: cut a cute design, like ears or other things on the top

Optional: Paint the carton or wrap it in fabric

a. You may need to coat it more than once, allow the paint to fully dry between coats and before continuing.

b. Using a sponge spread white glue over the carton and wrap the carton with the fabric, cut the corners of the fabric to fold easily around the bottom. Put a little glue on the top edge to avoid fabric to fray.

Fill the planter with potting soil, up to ¼ inch from the top. Plant your seed according to the packet and cover the seed with some soil. Mist the soil and place the carton on a sunny windowsill.

For more room you can lay the carton on its side and cut the topside off

To avoid overwatering you have two options.

First, you can punch a hole in the planter bottom so that water drains.
Use a screwdriver, knife, or scissors to poke a couple of holes in the bottom of the carton. This will allow any excess water to drain out of your planter.

The second option is that you can add some pebbles in the planter bottom before adding the soil. It will prevent the roots from soaking in water and rotting.

You could also add flowers instead of seeds.