Use Old CDs For A Cute Craft That Turns Them Into Handy Kitchen Decor

Now that digital formats have all the soundtracks you need to release your inner Julia Child in the kitchen, you've probably stopped playing all the old CDs you used to cook to. But the sight of them sitting silently in the CD rack is enough to make you sing the blues. Fortunately, YouTube creator Djanilda Manualidades Fáciles shared a powerful remedy for your mopey mood — one that gives those CDs new life in your kitchen. It's a fun and unique kitchen towel holder shaped like an old-fashioned doll. And it's so cute, your feelings will surely go from blue to snazzy and jazzy long before your cookie timer chimes.

Any CD will work for this project, even a scratched one. However, it must be unbroken. For the doll's clothes, you'll need the following: a round piece of fabric just over 8.5 inches (22 centimeters) in diameter; a second round piece of fabric just under 8 inches (20 centimeters) across; and finally, a third rectangular piece which measures about 28 by 8 inches (70 centimeters by 20 centimeters). The doll's clothes will also need some Poly-fil Polyester Fiber Stuffing and lace trim, like this NoonBaie Cotton Lace Trim.

The DIY additionally calls for a craft ring. One made of wood, like these Fantasyon Rings for Crafts, would be a nice touch, especially if you'd like to paint it to jazz it up. Just keep in mind you'll hang your towels from this ring, so make sure any paint you use won't rub off. You'll also need ribbon and yarn, which you'll braid to form the doll's hair. Finally, get out your hot glue gun, a needle and thread, and some scissors.

Kick things off by sewing the bonnet of the doll. Wrap and stitch the larger circle-shaped cloth around the CD. Imagine making a drawstring in the cloth with the thread; when you pull on the ends of the thread, the material will bunch up, just like a drawstring bag. Using this same technique, create a sachet from the second smaller piece of circular fabric and stuff it with polyester fiber filling. Sew your strip of eyelet lace the same way, so that it bunches in the center and forms a circle, then set it aside. 

Next, you'll make the skirt of the doll. Sew another strip of lace onto the long edge of the rectangular fabric piece. Fold the rectangle in half and sew the ends together to form a closed tube with lace on one edge. This will be the lace hem of the skirt. Use the same drawstring stitch method on the non-lace side of the fabric, cinching it together. To construct the towel hanger portion, loop a long piece of ribbon through the wood ring, gluing the interior sides of the ribbon together. For the doll's hair, braid strips of yarn into one thick braid and tie it at both ends. You'll fold the braided yarn in half to create two pigtails.

Pull the ribbon end up through the underside of the skirt. Glue this end of the ribbon to the cinched side of the covered CD. Adjust the skirt so that the "waist" also sits on top of the CD, then glue the skirt in place. Make a small loop out of a second piece of ribbon or yarn. Glue it to the top of the CD — this is how you'll hang the doll. To finish the back of her head, put a dot of the glue right in the middle of the "hair" braid and attach it on top of the skirt waist. Glue the round lace piece you made earlier to the back of the CD. It should lay on top of the braids. Finally, attach the cotton-stuffed fabric puff for the back of the doll's bonnet. Hang your doll from a hook or peg and hang a towel on the ring!

This doll project evokes childhood innocence and brings whimsy to your kitchen. It makes sense, then, to lean into the storybook aesthetics for this doll. For example, the doll's brown hair color might inspire you to give her a red hat and cape, turning her into Little Red Riding Hood. To embrace some holiday spirit, transform her bonnet into a witch's cap for Halloween or dress the doll in a red faux fur hat, coat, and silver braids to resemble Mrs. Claus. Finally, you can give a nod to this doll's musical roots. For example, use a music-themed fabric, like Apol Music Quarters Fabric Bundles, to make her dress. You'll definitely sing a happier tune when you toss your boring towel holder for this cuter way to hang towels.