We LOVE this idea. It’s all natural, so you can breathe easier (awful pun intended). Better for you, better for the environment.
How to make it:
In a pint jar, combine 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, 2 sliced lemons and 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Then fill the rest of the jar with water.
Transfer the mixture to an uncovered slow cooker and turn on the lowest heat setting. Once your room is fragrant, pour the mixture back into the jar, refrigerate and reuse two or three more times. Continue reading
What once would have been tossed out to the land of no-longer-working electronics can now be upcycled into a stylish Mid-Century bar. You can find these old TV sets anywhere from your grandparents’ garage to antique stores to yard sales. Because their technology is outdated, they should be relatively inexpensive. Continue reading
Being savvy and ecofriendly never goes out of style. Below are 3 easy tips on how to make and give green gifts on a budget.
Give a Magazine a Second Life
If you have a collection of magazines piled up at home or work, you can either donate them to a local homeless shelter or get crafty. All you need is a pair of scissors and some folders to store your cutouts in. If you have an old photo album with sticky pages, you can display the cutouts in a more organized manner. Cut out images and words or phrases that are funny, inspiring or simply memorable. Once you have a generous collection, you can use them to create a homemade card, collage or memory box. You can even send a playful ransom note to your beloved and offer to meet outdoors for a light picnic.
Dual Purpose Homemade Gift
Who doesn’t love receiving a sentimental homemade gift? A fun gift idea is a memory box. To start, you’ll need a shoebox or medium sized gift box. Then, gather some items to decorate the box such as cutout words and images from magazines; photos, ribbons, fabric scraps, color paper or any of your favorite arts and craft materials. Once you’ve finished decorating your box, collect objects that remind you of your gift recipient. Once you have found special photos or other mementos that will fit into your box, place them inside. Next, reminisce and write down fond memories on small pieces of paper, fold them and place them inside. Make sure to write the things you are thankful for. Memory boxes can be reused as a keepsake to store jewelry, writing or art supplies, etc. Continue reading
This fun and festive DIY project is perfect for decorating and gift giving too. All you need are mason jars, masking tape, flocking or glittery spray paint, fake snow, fake trees, hot glue, and glitter if you like.
We found this eco-craft on the Homebody In Motion blog. Check out detailed instructions and other decorating tips there.
We found this stylish upcycle project on A Beautiful Mess. Not only do the old phones make great book ends, they are also a fun conversation starter for the under six crowd who are growing up in a world without landlines and will probably have no idea what they are.
See below for step-by-step instructions.