5 Fall Ideas with Goodwill and Southwestern Michigan....

Falling in love with fall all over again in Southwestern Michigan......
We have gathered together a few ideas that mix the autumn season and Goodwill.

We hope you are inspired to make something, do something, and enjoy the blessings of living in Southwestern Michigan.
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Refashion a sweater....
Take a look at this amazing sweater refashion. Take your time shopping at Goodwill and find two sweaters and then follow along with ehow.com tutorial.

Source - ehow.com

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Try a pallet sign....
Recycled pallet projects are Hot Hot Hot. If you have been wanting to try one, here is a simple one to get you started. themagicbrushinc.com has the tutorial with video.

We love pallet projects here so much at Goodwill that we started a new event called PalletPalooza! Check out our event website at palletswmi.com and see the winners of PalletPalooza 2016 and get ready for PalletPalooza 2017!

Source: themagicbrushincc.com

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Collect plaid blankets from Goodwill...
When you are shopping through the year at Goodwill, be sure to always take a quick look at the blankets... you could have a basket full in no time! (we always thank you for shopping and donating to Goodwill... our stores are our main fundraiser for the programs we provide to the community!) streetscenevintage.blogspot.com has so many yummy and cozy ideas for fall picnics and bonfires.

Source: streetscenevintage.blogspot.com

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Yes! You can make this Apple Cheesecake breakfast in your quesadilla maker! lemontreedwelling.com has a delicious recipe using farm fresh fall apples. Find more unusual recipes to use in your quesadilla maker on a previous post Yes! You can make that in quesadilla maker!  - and if you don't have one, you can often find them at Goodwill!

lemontreedwelling.com

Southwestern has so many places to pick apples. Check out michiganappletours.com and plan on going apple picking with your family and friends.
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Plant these forever flowers.... Garden flowers are fading... but you can make these recycled dishware flowers and they will be a bright spot all year long.  birdsandblooms.com has step by step instructions and of course, Goodwill is the place to treasure hunt for the perfect dishware!

Source: birdsandblooms.com

Happy Fall and Happy Treasure Hunting! 

Make Something Today - Upcycling Sweaters to Mittens and Hats

"Make Something Today" idea sheets are full of curated craft projects made with items you can find at your local Goodwill store. Right now we are featuring hats and mittens made with sweaters. We have stocked our shelves so you can get started right away.

One of our own team members here at Goodwill likes to make crafts and shared with us a pair of pink and gray mittens she made with two wool sweaters. 
          

She told us that once she worked out the pattern they were fairly simple to sew. These are fleeced lined and boy are they warm and cozy! One of our customers kindly modeled a coat from the Alcott Half Off Store and the upcycled sweater mittens.

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Want to try making a pair too? Follow along with chicenvelopements.wordpress.com.

          

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Upcycle Sweaters into hats too. We found a tutorial at heidistock.blogspot.com
             

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Find more ideas for hats and mittens on our Pinterest Page .pinterest.com/vtgtc/re-use-thrift-store-sweaters/

Re-Use Christmas Party Sweaters

That Christmas Sweater was dazzling and jazzy when it made its party debut in 1990, it won a prize 10 years later at an ugly sweater party. Now it is time for it to live another life as a pillow? stocking? mittens?

We have a round up of ideas for re-using your Christmas sweaters!

Pillow

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Christmas Trees

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CHRISTMAS SKIRT

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MITTENS

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WREATH

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Pet Bed

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STOCKINGS

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LEG WARMERS

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Garland

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Need more ideas? 

Visit our Pinterest Page Re-use thrift store sweaters.

Happy Holidays and Happy Treasure Hunting!

Snow Day Sweater Projects

January always has a few surprises up her sleeve; especially, snow days.  For a single day you get to hang out at home with no responsibilities, other than enjoying the warmth of your own house.  After that relaxing hour or so what are you going to do?
We decided to pull together 5 projects that are perfect for a snow day.  All you need are those old sweaters that nobody wears anymore.  You can even stockpile a few thrift store sweaters just for this occasion.  Grab your favorite hot drink and get crafty.