55 New Ways to Upcycle Your Old Stuff

One of the most common garden pests, slugs are bad news — especially for vegetable gardeners, but they're also fond of munching on ripe fruit and all types of seedlings. So, whether you're hoping for a landscape filled with flowers or edibles, slugs are a threat. Deter them with our DIY penny ball that uses the magic of copper to ward off these insatiable eaters.

After all, your kids are your favorite artists, right? Put their best work on permanent display by framing, then hanging their drawings as a grouping. Shop your local craft or big-box store to purchase basic frames with white mats so the cost stays low — and their handiwork remains the star.

For a colorful table runner that's just as easy on your budget as it is on the eyes, sub gift wrap or even multiple squares of patterned card stock for a standard fabric runner. Bonus: Spills aren't a worry; when the party's over, just toss the stained paper — or, if it's still in good shape, save it to use again later.

Turn inexpensive terra-cotta pots and saucers into gorgeous cake stands with our easy tutorial, below. With personalized stamped sayings and a trendy distressed look, your friends and family can have their cake and Instagram it too.