The importance of recycling – The impressive benefits of recycling – A pincushion as a gift

Have you ever needed a gift for a friend and just didn’t want to go to the store and buy them something made in China? I have an idea for a gift item that you can make yourself. All you need is a can of tuna from the sandwiches you had for lunch and a few items to prepare it.

So if you would like to delve into the adventure of recycling on a personal level. Let’s go! All you need to get started is:

1 can of tuna

Some fancy velvet or satin fabric (or maybe a piece of the dress you loved but outgrew)

Filling: just a handful (borrow from a pillow in the living room if necessary)

Scissors

Matching needle and thread

Enter a cardboard box like TV dinners or crackers or cereal.

Glue-white glue is ok

measuring tape

can opener or pliers

Pencil

Some beads or sequins or something with a little Splash!

Now that you have all your items together, let’s get started! It will only take a few easy steps.

Step 1. Clean, rinse and dry the tuna can.

Step 2. Flatten any sharp edges with the can opener or a pair of pliers.

Step 3. Cut the fabric 1 inch more than the diameter of the can and 1 inch more than the height of the can. Set this aside. Cut a circle out of the fabric 2 inches larger than the can.

Step 4. Using the tin, trace and cut 2 circles from the cardboard box. Cut a strip half the height of the can and twice around the can. Fold this piece in a zig-zag shape and place it inside the can. Slightly trim one of the cardboard circles to fit inside the can on top of the zigzag strip.

Step 5. Take the fabric strip and glue it to the side of the can with 1/2 inch above and below the rim of the can. Flip or glue the ends under. Fold the top 1/2 inch in at the top and glue in place. Cut around the bottom to fit and glue in place.

Step 6. Take the circle of fabric and place the filling in the center, bringing the edges together.

Tuck this into the fabric covered can and glue or sew on with small stitches.

Step 7. Using the other cardboard circle, glue it to the bottom of the can with the smooth side out.

Step 8. Decorate the outer edges with beads, sequins, or whatever you have to give it a bit of bling.

If your friend doesn’t like to sew, add one of your disliked pins and she can use it on her dresser. So the next time she needs a gift, just look around her house and see what she comes up with. Then write about it!!