Spiral Notebooks made from Fast Food Plastic Cups and Plastic Containers (e.g. CoolWhip, Parkay, etc.)

I have received several emails since introducing Plastique Recreations newest product line - plastic spiral notebooks - asking what made me think to create this.

We all know that there's a lot more to plastic than just plastic bags. Plastic comes in many shapes, sizes and textures. Everyone also knows that I am making it a personal challenge to do what I can to keep what I can out of the landfill.

I decided it was high time (again) to get creative beyond plastic bags and think outside the proverbial 'box' - and in my case, outside the 'cup' or 'container'.

Firstly, I had to decide what plastic item was I going to tackle... it just so happens I had just finished drinking a large diet coke from Burger King. I noticed a trend from some of our favorite fast food restaurants like Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonald's, etc. that large drinks are served in plastic cups. After I cut the bottom off the cup and layed it out flat, my first thought was to poke holes and crochet around it eventually turning it into a tote - very similar to what I did with the Coca Cola plastic cup

but then I thought, I do enough of those already. Then I looked around and knew an idea would hit me eventually and it did - a notebook.....

I love notebooks - I carry them in all my bags/totes and purses. They sit next to every telephone in my house and on every table sitting next to a chair in every room. I go through a lot of note paper because I'm always jotting down ideas; I typically have a running grocery list because I'm not going to remember on Friday what we needed or ran out of on Tuesday; my husband is always asking ME of all people to remind him that we have to do this or that later. You get the idea. And, I'm really rough on notebooks. The cardboard cover typically wears out, fades or just tears off before I even make it through half the notebook paper.

It was the perfect idea and more importantly, more conducive to my lifestyle!!! That's when I converted the plastic cup into a plastic cup spiral notebook ... it won't wear out, won't tear and what's even more awesome, you can bend it and curl it to fit in any pocket. When you unfold it, it goes back to it's original shape. I ask you, just how awesome is that???

But the creative juices were flowing even faster, I couldn't stop myself. I had to take it a step further - if I can do this with a plastic cup, I can do this with some of the plastic containers I wash out and reuse for left overs. Do you know how many margarine tubs and other plastic containers I have in my cabinets, my sewing room and my garage? I reuse them for everything. I turned this beautiful plastic tub into

This fantastic plastic spiral notebook

And, that's my story of how the plastic cup and plastic container spiral notebooks were born!!!

Now I know what you're thinking - now that I've used the plastic container, what good is the lid. Ye of such little faith in me.... stay tuned because I will show you how I 'reused' the lid.

How to Make Plastic Yarn (Continuous / Single-Strand Strip Cutting Method)

There are multiple strip methods you can use to make and connect plarn (plastic yarn) strips. The 3 methods I'm aware of are - 1) Double-Strand; 2) Continuous (Single-Strand) Strip and 3) Connecting Strip.

Tip: Any of the strip methods can also be used with fabric; t-shirts, etc..

Tutorial for cutting a Continuous (Single-Strand) Strip:Lay the bag out flat, straightening out the straps. Fold bag in half (folding bottom up to be even with the top) matching up the handles then a couple more times for easier cutting.








Cut straps off right at the base of the straps and cut off bottom seam of bag. Just a sliver is all that is needed.












Put your hand through the middle of the bag to pull it apart and lay flat as a tube. Fold this tube to within 1 inch from the top (I call the main fold the spine).









Continue the fold multiple times until your tube is small enough to make one cut. You’ll cut from the bottom to the top of the initial fold – not through the spine. Determining the width of you’re the strip is based on the needs your for your pattern. The rule of thumb is not less than 1”, 1 1/2 to 2” pieces are typical cut sizes.

Straighten out the strips – it almost looks like tentacles. Here comes the fun part – separate the strips by separating it at the spine. You can either lay it out on a flat surface or use one of your arms (I use the arm way which is why I'm suggesting it). To use your arm, take one hand at the beginning of the spine and separate each half.

Whether you lay it out on a flat surface or use your arm - to begin cutting place your scissors on the bottom half of the spine, angle your scissors in an upward motion to the next section over and cut. Continue cutting until you reach the other end. You should have a pile of one single continuous strip.

Making the Ball –
The easiest way I have found to make a ball is put your pointer and middle fingers together. Place the end of the strip between the fingers and begin wrapping the strips around both fingers about 5 times. Then pull off the fingers and begin wrapping the strips around it. Before you know it, your ball begins to take shape.

Copyright 2009 Plastique Recreations. All rights reserved.