We all have little things that remind us of a loved one who has passed. It could be an old quilt, a rolling pin, an old tobacco pipe, or even their biker rag. Sometimes, the best way to keep these memories safe for years to come is by refurbishing them into something new – something that can be seen and even held.

Check out these 5 DIY ideas for turning something that belonged to your loved one into a conversation piece in your home.

A pillow is a great way to take an old shirt, piece of a blanket, or jacket that belonged to your loved one and making it into something you can see and use every day. The best part is that you don’t even need to know how to sew! Just find something of your loved one’s that would make good pillow fabric, cut it to size, and create a beautiful piece for your home.

Check out this tutorial for no-sew pillows  on youtube.

If your loved one was artistic, find a piece of their art and frame it. This works great for old drawings that were never framed or displayed, but that you don’t want to just throw away. Displaying it in your home lets you remember them every day.

A photo luminary is a type of lantern that has a space for a photograph. You can find kits to make them at most craft stores, or you can make your own with a few simple supplies. This is a great way to remember your loved one every day, and it’s also a great way to share their memory with others.  Here’s a DIY luminary tutorial.

Do you enjoy having plants in your house? Use something of your loved one’s like a motorcycle helmet or old guitar and make a planter out of it.

Here is a tutorial on how to turn someone’s favorite book into a planter.

Photography can be a powerful tool for remembering our loved ones. Framing an old photo or going a step further with a collage is a great way to gather all the best memories in one place.

For example…