I have a passion for transforming trash into treasure– for repurposing something you might throw away into something that might just blow away your friends and family this holiday season.
My own family mocks me mercilessly about this.
In fact, my nephews’ effort to humiliate me for saving cat food cans knows no bounds. They love to remind me of the labels I’ve collected—the sales receipts I’ve saved.
Insisting I have a near terminal case of pack-rat-itis, they allege I’ve crossed a line—stepped off the edge separating the safe side of sanity from the abyss that is crazy-ass-recycling.
But, morphing junk into joy can be tons of fun—and a whole lot less crazy than my nephews might imagine.
Below are my newest Christmas tree ornaments created from recycled cat food cans. These were special orders from my friend, Miranda over at “ScatteringMoments.” She emailed me photos of her friend’s cats who had recently died and asked me to make special ornaments in their memory, so she can give them to her friend as holiday gifts.
Below are a few of my older cat food can designs.
Pretty cool, aren’t they? And not at all crazy! The empty containers create a shadow box—a perfect frame for assemblage in miniature. Plus, these are a green gift-giving idea.
I’m selling my cat-food-can ornaments at idiomART, my Etsy site, for $14 each, plus shipping. If you want to can shopping at the mall this Christmas, these gifts can be ordered with just a click.
My ornaments quilted from recycled paper and fabric scraps are also available.
I know you may not be shopping for ornaments yourself, but would you mind sharing this post via Facebook and Twitter, in the event that your friends and family might be?
This is only one of many options available.
So what kinds of things have you recycled? Have your efforts been successful? Or would recycling be just one more thing you’d have to think about. Come on, please share. I promise I won’t tell. I swear on an empty cat food can, I won’t.
Please, forgive me for being so behind on my blog reading. I’ve been busy getting ready for Christmas, working on my memoir, and preparing my next Huffington Post piece. In fact, this may be my only post this week. Hope to get back on schedule soon. I miss you all!
Kathryn M. McCullough 
Your ornaments are not only beautiful, they are fascinating. Created with such skill and love. Who, may I ask, could take what others see as “trash” and create such beautiful art out of it? Only someone with a happy heart and wonderful skills. Beautiful! You and your art. Hugs to both you and Sara!
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Ah, this said my the woman who also makes beautiful ornaments! How is your Christmas crafting coming? I can’t tell you how crazy I am about your tree. I mean, that thing is awesome, Colleen! Thanks for all of your kind words! Hugs to you and David, as well!
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COming from YOU I feel quite honored. The tree is “good”. The ornaments, though, have not turned out as I had hoped. But I am having fun making them. I will do a new picture when it is all complete. I have some picture ornaments on it now…..so hopefully it won’t be long!
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As someone who has been the proud recipient of one of your ornaments, I beg to differ, Colleen! We LOVE our star!
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Oh shucks! 🙂
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Love these! If I had a Christmas tree I would so buy them 🙂
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If you didn’t live so far away, I’d make one for you with a photo of the Melville cat and send it to you as a gift, my friend.
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🙂
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You so crafty, Cappy. Beautiful and funky!
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Thank you, Miss Tori–Cappy is crafty, indeed. Speaking of “Cappy”–hug sweet Thomas for me!
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Beautiful! I am ashamed to admit that the only thing I really recycle is glass. And some paper. But I cannot make stuff. Only edible stuff. And that we do recycle :-). Have a great week!
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Hey, Gertie, glass is more than a lot of people do! If everyone would just to a little, it would amount to a whole lot in the end. Right? Hope you have a great week, as well, my friend!
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I can make leftovers not look like leftovers, but the artsy craftsy stuff I leave to you. You do such a beautiful job. I especially like the personalized ones. What a great idea.
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Thanks so much, Lisa. I wish I had thought of the personalization thing. Howwever, all of the credit belongs to Miranda, I’m afraid. That woman has great ideas, does she not?
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Kathy – I think the “memorial” ornaments the woman ordered to give as gifts to her friends whose companion animals have died is an awesome idea!
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I know. I thought so, too. Like I said in my comment above. I wish I had come up with the idea on my own. But all of the credit goes to Miranda, I’m afraid.
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These are bgorgeous and so creative! We recycle at the recycling place, but I can’t say I’ve created anything from these items…though I’ve seen interesting things made from wine bottles. My creative endeavors normally involve yarn, dye, fabric, or plants.
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Thank you so much. I’m delighted you like these. Now, I’m not at all able to do the creative stuff you mention. It’s fun how we all have different gifts to give.
It’s great to have you stop by. Hope you will visit again soon. I’ll stop by your blog asap.
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If my Mom had a tree, I’d get her a catfood can ornament in a second, Kathy. This are so wonderful.
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Thank you, Lisa. I think they would make fun gifts, as well. But then I may not be entirely objective. What do you think? LOL
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What a lovely way to pay tribute to Miranda’s friend’s cat. It’s sweet to be able to keep his spirit alive during the holidays.
Great work as usual, Kathy!
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Thanks, Jackie. I thought it was a good idea, as well–all Miranda’s idea, to be completly honest. Glad you like the ornaments. Fun project! Have a great day, my friend.
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CUTE!!!!
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Glad you like them, Jamie! I was happy to pay tribute to Miranda’s friend’s cats.
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Awesome, just awesome. Have a purr-fect Christmas season! 🙂
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Ha, ha! Love it, Jennifer. Purr-fect, indeed. Glad you like them! Thanks so much!
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Love you ornaments….I have this habit of disassembling things and saving the component for other projects…of course there are those who think that’s a bit crazy. 🙂
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Hmmmmmmmm, wonder who “those” might be, Charlie. LOL Let me guess.
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I hope you get lots of sales! I’ll share this on Twitter, but I can’t on FB for obvious reasons. I’m am so delighted about how well they turned out! You totally ROCK, Sista!
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Thanks for tweeting, my dear. I hope I get sales, as well. Wouldn’t that be fun? LOL Hugs to you!
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You are so insanely creative Kathy!!!! Wow! Love this post! 🙂
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Thanks, Nicole. I should say–with the emphasis on “insanely.” LOL I can’t help with the mental health humor. What can I say? Thanks for tweeting, as well!
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Awesome! Made me laugh! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Nicole! Glad to give you a laugh today!
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I loved your opening line! 🙂
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Love the ornaments and pretty colors.
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Thanks, dear Andra. Great to hear from you. I totally LOVE your ornament series. Wish I had thought of it.
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There you go being all Martha Stewart again … I recycle the obvious over here — all my clinking empties i.e., beer, wine and “spiritual” bottles. Looking forward to the next Huff-Po piece!
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Ha–“spirutual bottles”–love that description! I know, I need to stop posting so much Martha Stewart type stuff. I think folks are tiring of it. Hell, even I’m tired of it. I’d just like to make a few more holiday sales. Hope the Manhattan Project is going well!
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The Manhattan Project is going but won’t be out until 2013. Hey, ’tis the season to go for holiday sales. If I were inclined to get a tree (no way; never, would sooner shoot myself and I’m not remotely suicidal – I just loathe all this nonsense) I’d definitely decorate it with “gourmet” hand-crafted artisan ornaments. One day a Kathy McCullough ornament might be worth a mint. Just pointing that out so savvy types should invest. 60 years ago no one thought much of Warhol’s I. Miller shoe ads when they were all over the place. Just pointing that out.
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Thanks for the promation, my friend! If I ever make anything, what will you cut be?
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Just return the promotion — if I ever do something promotion-worthy.
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I love your artwork posts!
I don’t have many Facebook/Twitter followers but have posted links to your Etsy site.
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Thanks, Lisa. I saw your Facebook post. I appreciate your sharing the link. Glad you like the art posts. Hope you’re doing well, my friend.
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You sound as crazy busy as me. Only I haven’t written anything for HuffPo in a while. My mind freezes when it comes to thinking about what I could submit. Yet, I have all these ideas for my own blog and now for my work blog. Go, figure. I recycle but not in the true spirit that you do. All I do is put my paper and cans, glass, etc, into a recycle bin and every other Monday, the city collects the stuff. Maybe they’re using it to make ornaments and the like, right? Second thought, maybe not. I wish I could just stay home and get ready for the holidays. That’d be so nice.
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I’m totally sure the city is making cool art out of your recyclables! LOL Is that not the role of local government? You’re too funny, Monica.
I, too, am having trouble deciding what to submit. I work on one thing. Then I decide against it. And try something else. I just need to stick with one plan and follow through. As it stands, I’m investing a lot of time and not producing much of anything.
Great to hear from you, Monica!
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Well done Kathy. I imagine that UK can should sell well in Lexington! Get it on display somewhere!!!
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I think the UK ones would sell well, also. I don’t have them on display anywhere localling, as most places take 50% of your profit. Hardly makes it worth the effort. Thanks for taking a look!
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Gotta get the word out somehow.
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You have a point there.
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I call it “stank to swank”… Love it!.. Love the recycling… Love kitty cats… Love your blog… Love you…
~Love Chris
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Hey, Chris, that’s an excellent way to put it! Stank to swank! May I steal that? Love you, too, my friend!
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Yeah its not trademarked…
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I mean I didnt think of it…
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Beautiful, cheery, festive, and so creative, Kathryn! Love them all! xoJulia
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You are a genius in the art of transforming trash into treasures! Miranda’s friend is going to love the mementos of her cats.
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Amazing ornaments. I love the idea of creating ornaments in memory of lost pets. Beautifully done. 🙂
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Oooooooooooo. I MUST have one of those cat ornaments!
you Rockkkkkk. WOW. xxxx
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Gift bags. I cant throw them out they look too expensive so I have heaps of gift bags if anyone wants them lol 😉 Xx Kel
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No wonder you’re so busy! WordPress has decided I don’t exist again and stopped sending me emails when the blogs I follow have new posts. Grrrr! Finally I checked my Reader. Cripes! I thought everyone was just busy!
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Those ornaments will be so meaningful to the person whose cat passed away, Kathy. Beautiful job as usual. 🙂
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Oh, thank you, Dana. How great to hear from you. I heard from the woman who received them, and she DID, indeed, enjoy them. Happy holidays to you and Marty!
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You really do have new and groovy ornaments, just in time for the holy-days, Kathy. I recycle cards and make new cards. That’s about the craftiest thing this one does.
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Oh, Kathy, I remember your cards! I got one last year! It was fabulous!!!!!!!!!
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