Get Creative These School Holidays

WORDS:: CHYKA KEEBAUGH

PHOTOS:: LISA ATKINSON

The School holidays are here! And although my kids are a little older and overseas I know that plenty of you will be looking for fun ways to entertain the kids (old and young) over the next few weeks…

This is a fun and easy way to kill a few hours whilst being creative and decorating! You don't have to spend hundreds on personalising your goods, simply pick up stickers in your initials like the ones I have used from Keep It Personal and monogram to your heart's content. Kids will love monogramming their favourite t-shirts, phone covers, jackets and so much more. You are only limited by your imagination!

IF YOUR PETS ARE ANYTHING LIKE MINE, THEY WILL CHEW THROUGH ANY TOY GIVEN TO THEM!

It's free and easy to make this unique dog toy from some scrap clothing. I found myself creating these t-shirt chews when the threaded rope toys my dogs loved playing with would always shed string throughout the house; I would also find them chewing on them a little too much and eventually digesting them.

By recycling old t-shirts, you won’t find loose threads, and you can feel pretty proud of yourself knowing you made something for the pets you love. You can even make them to co-ordinate with the colours of your home!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED…

Two old t-shirts (you could also use any scraps of fabric, tea towels or ripped bed sheet you were going to throw out)
Scissors

METHOD

Cut the body of both t-shirts off and cut it into smaller strips.
Once finished you should have about 35-45cm strips all in one length - depending on the size of your t-shirt. Keep 2 spare strips aside.

Collect one colour pile and tie it up with a spare strip of fabric, add the strands from the second colour way and attach to make one large collection.

Divide all the pieces into three sections and plait together, trying carefully to keep it as taught as possible.
Once plait is complete, tie the end with the other spare strip of fabric, cut the edges to keep at one neat length and you are done.
It’s that simple! Once you make one, I promise you won’t be able to stop, every old piece of clothing will morph into a dog toy before you know it. Upcycling at it’s finest! And the best thing is - when it starts to look a little worse for wear and covered in slobber you can throw it straight into the washing machine for a little freshen up! No longer will you feel bad about chucking the worn out toys; simply make a new one!