Upcycling competition Votes now closed!
We are announcing the competition for the best upcycling project!
We love it when old things are given a new life, unsuitable things get repurposed and things that are not needed anymore are shared with somebody who will find good use of them!
Please share your story of upcycling or repurposing and get a chance of winning a great prize!
All you need is send us photos before and after and a brief description of your DIY project!
Deadline for submitting your entry is 18 September.
The winner will be announced and rewarded during the Circular Caithness Fair.
Entry 1. Sheena’s Back Garden Makeover
“Our very sad old shed had seen better days and was in need of replacing. We recycled and repurposed the wood to clad an ugly breeze block wall and my talented husband also made a vertical planter on wheels for easy moving..
We’re delighted with the end results. Even made a table with the leftover wood and an old washing machine drum. “
Entry 2. Charlie’s Pallet Planter
Charlie was busy in the summer holidays building a pallet planter.
Entry 3. Gordon’s volunteering projects at Thurso Grows
“During voluntary work there was a wooden shelf unit that was donated and then got converted into two identical smaller units for displaying plants.
Designed, constructed and painted a bench that was made from three pallets and is now being used in the Greenhouses.
Used slats from a wooden bed frame that was donated to make into gates for the entrance to the Greenhouses.”
Entry 4. Pam’s Pallets Makeover
“We "rescued" a number of pallets from my hubby's work. There were 3 small pallets that I turned into a bookcase and 2 shed planters. The big pallets we used to make a fireplace wall and inside our camper. Very different uses and very different looks, but I love upcycling”.
Entry 5. Becky’s Display Cabinet
“I have upcycled an old display cabinet giving it a clean, paint and wallpaper”.
Entry 6. Allie’s Revamped Cupboard
“This Mexican pine unit needed a complete transformation with a little bit of sanding , painting and legs . Transforming this tired pine unit to a contemporary piece of furniture“.
Entry 7. Stuart’s Planters
“I am disabled due to a problem with my legs and was a gardener before I became ill. So with the help of my wife we made some planters from old pallets for the garden so i can reach my plants and continue gardening”.
Entry 8. Geraldine’s Pyrography
“During lockdown i started learning pyrography (wood burning) then few years later when I was much more experienced I got some offcuts from a joiner who was going to put them in the bin. And started doodling on them and started making all sorts things. Pics, keyrings, shelves, light up pics”.
Entry 9. Hamish’s DIY Carnival Games
“With left over wood and a pallet we had left of lying in the garden from previous garden projects, we made some carnival games for our daughter’s carnival themed birthday party. We managed to make hook a duck, ring toss, a spinning wheel and shoot a duck which were all big hits at her party. My children loved helping make these games and have had so much fun playing with the finished products”.
Entry 10. Rona’s Spooky Mirror
“Bought a mirror at auction. Mirror used for intended purpose and black frame upcycled to a useful Halloween decoration!”
Entry 11. Janice’s upcycled furniture
“The basket chair was in a very sorry state when bought from local auction but I needed to see how hard it would be to paint basket work (nightmare). It turned out really nice in the end but hardest part was trying to hide the staples under the fabric of the seat. The chest of drawers was from a local lady who was throwing it out and I wanted something to try the sunflowers on. Once sanded (hubby's work) it took a good few coats of paint to give it an even finish but turned out OK in the end. I think my favourite item to upcycle is ottomans as a bit of new foam, fabric and paint can completely transform the whole appearance. I've upcycled so much now that I can't keep it all, I would need a shed the size of a barn!!! I'm currently trying to make a monks bench from an old piano but its proving to be a bit more difficult than anticipated! Good luck to all you upcyclers out there, keep up the good work and keep it out of landfill”.
Entry 12. Rosaline’s Sewing Box
“I purchased an old sad 1940s Morco sewing box/table and stripped out all the old lining and pin cushion, of course with help from my wee cavapoo Lou Lou. I used them to make patterns for the new ones. My husband sanded it down and painted it white for me and now I have a happy updated statement piece in my home”.
Entry 13. Pam’s Makeover for Bedside Tables
“Needed 2 bedside cabinets but always prefer to upcycle rather than buy new.”
