The Big-Ass Book of Crafts 2

Sample Project from The Big-Ass Book of Crafts 2: Recycled Plastic Bottle Roses

Like a lot of people, I started recycling plastic bottles ages ago. I just hate imagining one going into a landfill. But only a few actually make it into my recycle bin; the rest are used for craft projects as much as possible. This rose is one of my favorite ways to recycle, and I think the results are just beautiful.

You'll Need

• 2-liter plastic water, juice, or soda bottle

• 1-inch (2.5cm) circular craft punch

• Tea light

• Needle nose pliers

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

• Krylon Fusion spray paint (for a plain finish) or Krylon Glitter Blast (for a sparkly finish)

• Headband, ponytail holder, or plain metal cuff/li>

Here's How

1. Carefully cut your bottle into teardrop-shaped petals that are each 2" to 3" long. You’ll need about 20.

2. Head outside with your craft materials and light your tea light. Then, using your needle-nose pliers, hold each petal over your tea light until it's warped into a curved rose petal shape.

HINT: You don't need to melt the petals or light them on fire. Just holding the plastic near the flame will cause the shapes to transform.

3. Once you have 20 rose petals, hot glue them together by dotting a tiny bit of hot glue at the narrow end of each petal and layering them one on top of the next, forming a flower shape. Let the glue dry.

4. If you feel you need more petals in the center for a fuller look, create and add petals as you see fit, then let dry.

OPTIONAL: If you're making a headband, set aside a couple of petals to use as leaves to cover up more of the band.

5. Put a huge glob of hot glue on the base of your flower for good measure, and let dry.

6. Spray paint the flower with Krylon Fusion spray paint for a plain rose, or with Krylon Glitter Blast if you want a sparkly blossom. Let the paint dry.