Homemade gifts and crafts using recycled valentines, wrapping paper

Did your little Miss take her neatly-labeled valentines to school and arrive home with reciprocal Valentine cards from friends? So now, what to do with these prized missives? Clean freaks will toss when she isn't looking. Sentimental (ahem, packrat) parents will urge saving. Artsy (messy) moms won't know what happens to valentines because they will filter into general room litter. None of these is very satisfying considering cost, work and love put into valentines. Here are five cheap, homemade crafts using recycled and repurposed children's valentines. Perfect to use as gift crafts for Easter, Teacher Appreciation Month, Mother's Day, Father's Day or Grandparent birthday gift.   Mothers Day gifts, homemade crafts using recycled valentines

Recycled Plastic Bag Basket or Rug Craft for Earth Day

April is Earth Month and what better way to celebrate by repurposing trash? It makes me sad to see plastic grocery bags littering woods and trees.  Here's a craft

I remember from when I was a kid using recycled plastic bread bags and grocery bags. Weave a rug, basket, coaster or mat. Here's how. I know should probably submit this green craft as a video tutorial or slide show, but seriously, it's so easy and self-explanatory that you'll easily get the idea.  Green, Recycled Bread Bag and Plastic Bag Basket or Rug Craft

Easy, No Sew Recycled Homemade Bunk Bed Play Fort

I am always impressed by the creativity of others. My Bubblews friend wrote about an adorable pair of PJ pants she whipped up from a common household object. That prompted me to share a quickie thing I made. I can sew, but use no-sew workarounds if possible. This homemade bed play fort, made in under a minute, costs only a few bucks. You know, like those fabric play forts that come on bunk beds and cost a fortune?   One Minute Recycled Homemade Bunk Bed Play Fort 

Easy Ceramic Dish Design Craft

My daughter designed a platter for me for Christmas. She copied a recipe from my grandmother in my grandmother's handwriting on it. As grandma is now deceased, God rest her soul, it's very special. I was thinking how perfect it would be for bored, snowbound kids or adults to make. Shut-in seniors might like making these too. All you need is permanent markers, glassware and an oven. If you're designing a surface that contacts food, use food safe markers.  Snowbound this Winter? Make This Easy Craft My Daughter Made

Repurpose Summer Toys for Indoor Preschool Learning Play

 I homeschooled four kids in a single-wide old mobile home. So I know about space-saving as well as money saving. A favorite way to do both is by repurposing. We made outdoor toys do double duty in winter with indoor uses. For example, their Little Tikes Sand Turtle was filled with Lake Michigan beach sand and enjoyed all summer. Then in winter, I cleaned it out, bleach and sanitized and brought it indoors. Repurpose Summer Toys for Indoor Preschool Play

Preschool Game Craft--Pirate Treasure Box

I read a blog post recently about digging through old jewelry. That post got me thinking about a nifty game-craft I did with my kids when they were younger. It was especially popular with my sons. We made pirate treasure boxes. Here's how.
You will need:
old, recycled boxes (wood, metal, cardboard) You might use old jewelry boxes as I did.
aluminum foil (to cover box if it isn't already)
fabric scraps and decoration do-dads: feathers, yarn, sequins, ribbon, faux gems, glitter (kids can use this to decorate box) Read on for complete directions. Preschool Game Craft--Pirate Treasure Box

5 Repurposed Uses for Valentines--Art Projects, Crafts, Gifts

Little Miss took her neatly-labeled valentines to school and arrived home with reciprocal Valentine cards from friends. So now, what to do with these prized missives? Clean freaks will surrepititiously toss them when she isn't looking. Sentimental (ahem, packrat) parents will encouraging saving. Artsy (aka messy) moms won't know what happens to them as valentines will filter into the child's general room litter. None of these is very satisfying considering cost and work put into valentines. Here are five cheap, homemade recycled ways to repurpose kids valentines.  5 Repurposed Uses for Valentines--Art Projects, Crafts, Gifts

Recycled Craft Supplies

Reduce, reuse, recycle is a good environmental policy. Your recycling bin is also an excellent source for craft materials. If you recycle items, you have a ready supply of craft materials on hand for literally hundreds of projects. Here is a list of recycled items to save and how to organize them. Having lived in small spaces all my life, I've listed ways to organize craft areas in small places. You may think that you don't have room for all this stuff, but it can be condensed into a fairly compact area that can fit in most closets for home-schoolers or classrooms for teachers.  Crafts Organizer System

Cheap Homemade Holiday Crafts, Home Decor on a Shoestring

I'm the original frugalista. In home decor, I'm all about recycled, cheap and (my favorite) free. At Christmas, I save big with homemade, re-purposed decorations. Here's my guide to decorating for the holidays on a shoestring. I use minimalist techniques combined with natural elements and recycled, homemade crafts.  Read more

Green Spring Cleaning and Decor Tips

Green Spring Cleaning and Decor Tips: Recycle Maps, Book Jackets, Magazine Covers for Wall Covering Spring cleaning is a great time to redecorate or remodel. While you're moving furniture and cleaning, make your work multitask. Refresh your decor with green, recycled options for wall coverings: maps, book jackets and magazine covers.
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Reusable Gift Wrap Containers

Creative and Reusable Ways to Wrap Presents Christmas decorations and wrapping paper are an industry of their own. Shoppers spend millions each holiday season on wrapping paper and trim; all of which goes to landfills after Christmas. Green solutions are a must. Read on

No-Sew Recycled Curtains

Homemade No Sew Swag Drapes and Curtains with Recycled Bed Sheets
Frugal is my middle name. DIY are my initials and resourceful is my main character trait. I'm always looking for ways to create expensive decor with recycled materials. Today's tip: reuse top sheets for no-sew swag curtains. Read on...

Repurposed Furniture Makeover Crafts

Fabulous Furniture Improvs DIY guide to revamp and reuse furniture for new uses! Ultimate recycling home decor crafts! Need a dresser or place to store your clothes? Here are a few with a little twist! And no stuck or squeaky drawers!
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Craft-o-Mania! Ultimate Craft Recycling Guide

Recycled Materials Crafts --Just in Time for the Holidays!
Details on what to recycle for craft use.Dozens of craft suggestions!
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Easy, Cheap Handmade Cat Bed

Easy, Cheap Homemade Cat Bed Craft 'how to' to create an cheap comfy bed for your cat. Kitty will love it! View more »

Reuse Holiday Lights for Cool Decor Styles

Holiday Lights: Green, Creative Ways to Use and Reuse Don't you love the simple beauty of holiday lights? Strings of soft, delicate colors add a lovely ambiance. Use low wattage holiday lights year-round for decorating and design. Here's a list of green ways to use holiday lighting. View more »