Happy New Year! As the year wraps up (hard to believe there’s only 11 hours left as I post this), it’s always fun to reflect back on our best upcycling projects of the year to see the sometimes unexpected, but always creative, things we’ve done over the past year.
As we count down my top 10 favourite upcycles of the year, it’s impossible not to reflect on the bigger picture behind these projects. Every creation, every transformation, has been part of our larger passion; supporting the fight to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. Thanks to your incredible support through this blog, YouTube channel, craft sales, and fundraisers, we were able to raise $5,295 this year – $5,000 through our main channels and an additional $295 through our online CANvergence fundraiser.
Simply by clicking through to read this post (or any post or video for that matter!), you’re helping us raise funds that contribute to our annual donation!
Favourite Best Upcycling Projects of the Year
One thing that really stood out was that we published just 22 posts this year, compared to 46 last year and 48 the year before. At first glance, that feels like a big shift, but there’s a good reason behind it. For the past four years, this blog has focused solely on raising money for Alzheimer’s research. Midway through this year, I decided to take a huge leap of faith and explore creating physical products as a way to raise funds, rather than relying solely on advertising income from the blog, our YouTube channel, and other online efforts.
I have to say, it’s been quite the adventure! For the first time, we were accepted to sell at a local art gallery which was incredibly exciting; especially having the opportunity to connect with people in person and talk about cause. We’ll be sharing more about our art gallery display in an upcoming post – sometime next year! We also learned how to set up a fundraising page, in conjunction with the Alzheimer Society, so that sales could be funnelled directly to research. What an amazing option to have in place!
While attendance at the two-day gallery market was very quiet and sales were limited, we were still grateful to make a few small sales and to raise $295 in donations. And now we have a permanent online CANvergence donation page that’s open year-round, making it easy for people to support the cause anytime! It motivates us to find fresh ways to share and sell our CANvergence artwork in the year ahead.
Can Crafts
Our journey to selling physical products all started with upcycling drink cans by fashioning them into this spectacular project:
1. Seed of Life!
With all the cans we collected for our CANvergence artwork, we ended up with a lot of drink can tabs. I couldn’t have asked for better inspiration! The second half of Wicked was hitting theatres in November, and the timing couldn’t have been more fitting.
Furniture Flip
It’s been a while since we last upcycled a piece of furniture. And, true to form, Hubs immediately had a vision; transforming a small sewing notion table into a wedding gift for a friend. It certainly didn’t start out looking very charming, which made it the perfect opportunity for me to pull out the stencils and get to work!
3. Thrift flip
Hubs’ sewing machine restoration hobby has sparked countless project ideas for me, but this next one one really rose to the occasion. We didn’t just update a sewing machine that had been repurposed as a lamp; we brought it full circle by restoring it back to what it was always meant to be; a fully working, highly coveted, collectible vintage sewing machine.
4. Featherweight Sewing Machine
DIY Jewelry
2025 is the year I dove head first into jewelry making. I never dreamed of upcycling things I had around the house in jewelry until my friend Carol invited me to join the Style Makers Network. It had me looking at everyday items in a whole new light; even something right out of my pocket!
Close to My Heart
This piece of creative upcycling is one that hits close to home; a tribute to Alzheimer’s. I’ve had this yarn stashed away since I was probably in my teens!
I’ve always wondered why purple was picked as the colour to represent Alzheimer’s. Purple is a combination of blue (calm) and red (passion), representing the steady, persistent, yet passionate fight against the disease. In a way, it echoes the balance of yin and yang that inspires our Birdz of a Feather logo – and of course our fundraising efforts.
This next project had me thinking waaaay outside the box.
I remember a lobster dinner in PEI before we were even married; this is exactly what I wished I had back then! And to think it all started with some vinyl tubing I raided from Hubs’ stash in the garage and alligator clips from DIY table number holders from our wedding.
Weird – yes! But so functional too.
7. Adult Bib
Our weirdest – upcycling projects of the year
Upcycling Around the Block
What’s your favourite day of the week? Most people would probably say Friday – TGIF! But for me, it’s Thursday…aka garbage day. I love strolling through the neighbourhood on trash day, finding all the treasures kicked to the curb just waiting to be rescued and zhuzhed up with a little Birdz of a Feather touch.
Giving old doors a new life had become my jam; transforming them into vibrant and unexpected backdrops for home decor.
8. Felt Craft
New Techniques for Thrifted Treasures
I was so interested in trying out a new-to-me technique for decoupaging without wrinkles on a ‘family’ sign we found while thrifting!
Looking back at this project, it’s a reminder of just how important family really is and how important it is to take care of ourselves, because Hubs had shingles this past December. He’s still dealing with the lingering effects. Shingles can sometimes cause long-term nerve pain, so it’s worth thinking about vaccination in the New Year as a way to protect your health. Health setbacks can be a wake up call to slow down, be present and cherish the moments with the people you love. Tonight we’ll be celebrating a quiet New Years – just the two of us – and I wouldn’t have it any other way :).
The best upcycling projects of the year is all about family!
Tonight is going to be -15°C – and with the wind chill, it’ll likely feel even colder. So am I ever glad that I was able to transform my favourite cozy sweatshirt so it would keep me warm for many more chilly nights!
10. Sweatshirt Cuff Replacement
Hope you’re all keeping warm and cozy this New Years too.
Hubs and I wish you a healthy, Happy New Year that’s full of fun, creativity and laughter.
What inspired YOU this year? Is there anything about year you’d like to share – or is there something in particular you’re looking forward to next year? Leave us a comment; we’d love to hear about it!
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