DIY

Upcycle Old Bike Tires Into Belts

In honor of Earth Day, I thought I’d share one of my favorite projects with you guys. I upcycled some old bike tires by turning them into belts. Unfortunately, I did this a while ago, so I can’t remember where I got the original info from. I do know that I researched quite a bit and pulled from multiple sources.

Anyway, it’s not all that hard…and the belts are actually pretty cool. It’s kind of a neat way for an ADHDer (or anyone, really) to celebrate Earth Day.

So, here goes…in eight easy steps.

Step 1: Locate an old tire and wash it with soap and water.

Consider the size of your belt loops and the tread when you pick the tire.

Step 2: Use another belt as a guide to determine your belt length.

Add 2.5 – 3 inches to the total length, so you can attach the buckle.

Step 3: Cut tire to desired length and then trim it to your desired width.

Use knobs as a guide for more precise cutting.

Step 4: Punch a hole in the belt and then thread the buckle through.

A rotary hole punch makes this really easy.

Step 5: Punch 2 holes in the belt and insert a rivet into each.

Place the holes close to the actual buckle.

Step 6: Set the rivets (one at a time) to secure the buckle to the belt.

Use a hammer with the rivet setter if you don’t have a mallet.

Step 7: Lay the “guide” belt on the tire belt. Use a hammer and nail to mark your sizing holes.

A permanent marker works, depending on the tire. Use trial and error.

Step 8: Punch holes in the belt to accommodate a variety of sizes.

Again – a rotary hole punch makes this really easy.

Final Product: Your belt(s) is(are) ready to wear!

Seriously, guys, I was pretty excited about how these turned out…and I’ve gotten a lot of compliments when wearing them. Happy Earth Day, guys!

Making Big Stuff Happen With Hands-On Learning (an ADHD Favorite)

Came across this awesome project on Kickstarter – X-SPACE: A Library Designed and Built By Its Students. The idea sounded awesome and I wanted to learn more about it, so I watched the video.

Such an amazing Kickstarter project. Seriously…I’m a bit blown away over here.

I did some more research, to really understand the back story. …even more blown away.

Realm Charter School in Berkeley, California offers these super elaborate hands-on design courses to its students through a program called Project H. Holy crap, the awesomeness. Project H students are the masterminds behind the X-SPACE library designing/building Kickstarter project.

“108 eighth grade students are designing and building their own library, and you can own a piece of it.” – X-SPACE on Kickstarter

Anyway, of course I supported the cause and donated…because SO awesome…how could I not?

For some ADHD / ADD learners, hands-on learning is the ideal learning style, the only (or the best) way to get things to stick. I am one of those ADHD learners, which is why I am so enamored with this project and Project H in general.

Even if you can learn something by reading it just one time, you need to check out the Project H website (http://www.projecthdesign.org/). They even provide lesson plans and other tools for several of their projects (I can’t even pinpoint just one because they all look so awesome). The potential impact of what they’re doing is just huge. I highly recommend you take a peek, guys, especially if you’re a teacher or student (and obviously if you have ADHD, ADD or other learning differences).

I am in awe of the big things these kids are doing and I am super proud of the adults that are making all of this possible. I mean, all you have to do is read the first sentence on their website and you’ll get it:

“Teaching youth to design and build their future with heart, hands, and hammers.”

You can even buy this awesomeness, which I am SO doing.

An Easy Snow Day DIY Treat: Snow Ice Cream

So…what does a mature 34 year old do with a snow day? She’s all super productive, right? She does laundry, cleans her room, works on her taxes…

Um, no. Not this mature 34 year old anyway.

I blame Facebook, really. Had I not scrolled through my newsfeed so obsessively, I might never have been introduced to the wonder that is Snow Ice Cream. But, alas, there it was…plain as day. Quite honestly, a lot of people were posting about it. I’d never heard of it before, but it sounded pretty cool (No pun intended. Aww, who am I kidding?).

At first I told all my friends with kids (and my brother and sister-in-law – my niece and nephew would LOVE it) about it. Then, I decided I had to try it for myself. I gotta say, it was definitely worth trying and it was a whole lot more fun than doing anything respectable.

You, too, can make Snow Ice Cream if you follow these easy steps.

1. Mix 3/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla in a bowl (or other container of sorts).

2. Bring that mixture outside and gather 4 – 6 cups of snow.

3. Stir the snow in with the base mixture, adding more snow as necessary…to reach your desired consistency.

4. Add toppings. I chose chocolate syrup, but, you know, whatever floats your boat.

5. Enjoy ASAP…or it gets kind of soupy…but doesn’t all ice cream?

Boom: Awesomeness! And also, I actually did something else productive today. I finished this blog post, so there. But seriously, go make some of this scrumptiousness.