Keeping Yarn Easy to Use 

Cut 2 liter Bottles off at base creating a straight bottom. 
thread yarn thru top 
put bottles into a Plastic Soda Bottle Container (can usually get from any store) 
Keeps yarn from knotting, and is an easy way to tell what colors you have, and how much. Also keeps yarn clean, and away from "babies" (human or otherwise). :) 

Shopping Basket Rugs 

Cut handles and bottoms off of plastic shopping bags, cut into strips, use size H crochet hook and crochet them together to create a rug, or anything else that might need to be "weather proof".