1. Grab a stack of magazines, scissors, modge podge and a 1 inch paint brush.

2. Tear off the front cover and the back cover of a magazine (these are usually a little bit thicker and will be great for your placemat’s foundation).

3. Cut away the ragged edge of the two covers.

4.  Cut out squares and rectangles of text from throughout the magazines.

5. Lay the magazine covers side by side and use modge podge to glue one of your square shapes across the center of the two covers.

6. Continue adding the squares and rectangles at various angles to the covers.

7. Cut out 3 rectangles and a square from any page in the magazine.  These will act as the foundations for your fork, spoon, knife, and plate. Sizes: 9″ high x 3″ wide for two rectangles (fork and spoon) and 9″ high x 1.5″ wide (knife) for the third. And an 8″ x 8″ square for the plate.

Note: The sizes may vary depending on the overall size of your placemat.  But, start at the size I provide and trim down as needed.

8. Tear out pages from the magazines that have red, blue, yellow, and black and white in them.

9. Create piles of small pieces of torn colored magazine pages.

10. Modge Podge the colors to the foundations for your fork, spoon, knife, and plate. Let them dry.

11. Turn each of your foundations over. Draw a fork and spoon on each of the two larger rectangles.  Draw a knife on the smaller rectangle. Draw a circle on the 8″ x 8″ square.

12. Cut out your fork, spoon, knife, and plate.

13.  Modge podge each to the placemat.

14.  Modge podge over the entire placemat.  Let it dry.  Do it again.

Boom!  You’re done.  Eat and be happy.

Now, of course you don’t have to make an exact copy of this one.

Imagine the fun you could have for your next dinner party if you made personalized placemats for all of your guests. Or, let the kids make their own one of a kind placemats.  Hey, they might like them so much it will encourage them to keep the table clean!

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Materials:

• Old CDs

• Permanent Markers

Instructions:

1. Grab a CD and turn it over to the shiny side that used to play your favorite songs.

2. Take a permanent market and decorate your soon-to-be new awesome coaster.

3. Grab a drink!

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If you’d rather have this one for only the shipping cost, then read on!

Shipping Cost:

Within the United States = $10.00

Anywhere else = $25.00

Want this giveaway? That’s so great!

Contact me here and tell me the following:

1. To whom and to where will I be sending this lovely item?

2. Why do you have to have this?

———————————————————

Read more about my giveaways here.

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I have created a large amount of tutorials for this website.  Sometimes I make more than one version and other times I don’t end up using the items I make.  Instead of having those items sit sadly in a box, I’ve decided to find new happy homes for them.

So, let the giveways begin.

Here’s how it will work.

1. I’ll post some images of the item I’m giving away.

2. If you have to have it, contact me here.

3. Tell me the following:

• What item do you want (include the link to the post)
• Where will it be sent.
• Why do you have to have it.

3. Pay the shipping fee. I will note what the shipping fee will be when an item is listed for a giveaway.  I will send a paypal request to you.

4. Wait a week or so and the giveaway will arrive to its new home.

5. Enjoy!

I would say “easy as pie” but this is WAY easier than making pie.

Please know that I will have a gallery with the items that have found new homes with your first name, the location of the giveaways new home, and the reason you provide for having to have it. If that makes you uncomfortable, please don’t ask for a giveaway item.

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If you don’t have carpets and can’t use the suggestion over here, try this easy homemade flea repellent.

Ingredients:

2 cups of water

1 lemon

Directions:

1. Cut the lemon in half.  Then cut each half into 4 pieces.

2. Place the lemon pieces in a large boil.

3. Bring the 2 cups of water to a boil and pour over lemons.

4. Let the bowl sit overnight.

5. Strain the liquid into a spray bottle.

6. Spray your dog or cat generously.

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Rice cereal is just the beginning for babies!  They are in for a world of flavor.

Here’s how to make your own baby food at home. This particular recipe is for carrots and yields 24 servings, but you can follow the same steps for most vegetables.  Have fun!

What you’ll need:

1 small bag of carrots or 3 bunches of organic carrots

A veggie steamer system (steam basket and sauce pan or a rice cooker)

A blender, hand held blending tool, or food processor

2 ice cube trays

Directions:

1. Peel all the carrots.

2. Cut the carrots into bite sized pieces.

3. Wash the carrots thoroughly.

4. Steam carrots for 20 minutes. You’ll know they are tender enough when poking them with a fork almost makes them fall apart.

5. Place your steamed carrots into your blending machine of choice.  Blend for 5 or so minutes until you get as smooth a consistency as possible.

6. Scoop 1 Tablespoon of your homemade baby food into each ice cube section of the tray.

7. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze.

8. Each morning grab the number of servings you’ll need and place them in serving dishes, then in the fridge.

9. When you are ready to serve either use a baby food warmer or float the bowl in a hot bowl of water to get the food to at least room temperature.

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First Wave Feminism, 2008

The bra is something I have not found many reuses for.  In 2008 I turned several of my used bras into an artwork paying homage to the First Wave Feminists of the late 19th and early 20th century.  I promise to keep on brain-storming to come up with more creative reuse ideas for the bra. In the meantime, I love what the The Bra Recyclers of Gilbert, AZ are doing with used bras!  They collect them and re-distribute them to developing countries around the world.  The next time your bra is no longer useful to you, send it to the Bra Recyclers instead of the garbage can.

First Wave Feminism, 2008 (Detail)

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Everett’s Room

I am a new mom.  YAY!

I’m discovering that babies come with a lot of stuff.  But, I’m also discovering easy and fun ways to be an eco-conscious mama.

Let’s start with the baby’s room.

Here are a few ideas to keep that new nursery green and environmentally friendly.

• Don’t buy everything brand new.  

I love garage sales and flea markets.  They are so inspirational and I always leave with new ideas for creative reuse.  They are also a great place to find a dresser, crib, changing table, and all your possible baby furniture needs.  Not only will you save A TON of money, you will be stretching the life of each piece of furniture.

An old flea market dresser = brand new changing table!

• Start a clothing swap.  

If you have friends that have babies close in age to your bambino, start a clothing swap.  Shop together, split the cost, and share the clothes.  Trade out with one another every few weeks or so. It will feel like you went on a shopping spree and have a whole new wardrobe for your kiddo.

• Make your own baby clothes!

Not that new moms have a ton of time, but if you are handy with a sewing machine why not make a few of your own outfits?  I found a few inspirational upcycled newborn clothing tutorials here, and here.  You might also be interested in my baby dress from a t-shirt tutorial here.

• Don’t buy toys, rent them.

Check out Baby Plays, an online source to rent baby toys for kids of all ages.  Select your choice of toys online and have them delivered to your doorstep.  Talk about learning how to share!  You’ll keep your baby’s room clutter free and it will feel like your birthday every month when new toys arrive.

• Make a quilt from old tshirts.

I’m still working on one for my own bed, but might turn it into a quilt for our new baby boy. Quilts are handy for lots of things.  You’ll use them when you breastfeed, cuddle, eventually on the floor or couch when you need to put baby down to rest your arms.  Get a great tutorial on How to Reuse Old Tshirts to Make a Quilt by going here.

• Creatively REuse materials to make your decorations.

Use an old book to make a collage, make your own baby name out of fabric scraps (tutorial here), or hang a fabric scarp mobile over the crib. (tutorial here).

My husband and I turned our favorite childhood books into collage wall art .

Any other eco-friendly, creative reuse tips I missed?  Share your comments below!

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Our precious puppy Neko

The next time you find your best friend full of fleas take a salt shaker to your carpets.

Why?

For one thing, those pesky fleas have most likely spread themselves over more than just your dog.  To keep them from spreading any further, sprinkle a handful of salt over your carpet and let it sit over night.  The next morning, vacuum up the salt.  Do this once a week for about a month to ensure those fleas stay clear of you and the rest of you house.

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image source = Red S.

I love coffee.  I love the smell, the taste, and the many, many reuses for the grounds after I’ve enjoyed my last cup for the day.  Coffee grounds can be used for so much more than just fertilizer.  I have discovered 10 ways to REuse old coffee grounds and wanted to share them here.  Share your favorite reuses for coffee grounds in the comments section.

1.  Combine coffee grounds with coconut oil and just a bit of brown sugar and you’ll have yourself a homemade body scrub for the shower. (treehugger.com)

2. Get rid of the smell of garlic and onion from your hands by scrubbing them with coffee grounds. (care2.com)

3. Make cleaning your fireplace less dusty by sprinkling your wet coffee grounds over the ashes before you sweep them up.

4. The next time your hair needs some shine work coffee grounds into your scalp and hair, then rinse.  This may seem weird, but coffee grounds can clog your drain, so you may want to to use your hose outside. (tlc.howthingswork.com)

5. Coffee grounds act the same as baking soda in the refrigerator.  Put a cup of old grounds in the back of your fridge to keep it fresh. (usgreentechnology.com)

6. The next time you go fishing keep your worms in coffee grounds to keep them fresher longer.

7. Let your used coffee grounds dry and fill part of an old nylon with them.  Hang your DIY sachet in your closet to absorb odors. (diylife.com)

8. Pour some coffee grounds down the garbage disposal to freshen it up and keep the blades sharp. (nikadearing.com)

9. Next time you give Fido a bath add some coffee grounds as a natural flea repellent. (nikadearing.com)

10. Coffee grounds make a great natural dye for paper.  Simply soak the paper in a bucket with water and coffee grounds. (treehugger.com)

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