April Craft Time

My best friend is coming into town (after being gone almost 2 YEARS) soon!  That being said, this month's craft (found on Pinterest) is for her to celebrate her engagement/marriage to a WONDERFUL guy!  They like to relax with a glass of wine every now and then so I made some painted wine glass for them.  As always, this is quick, easy, and cheap!

Hand Painted "Dot" Glasses

What You'll Need:
-Some glasses (you can do tumblers, champagne flutes, shot glasses, etc. and how every many you want!)
-Assorted acrylic paints
-Q-tips OR small paint brushes
-Newspaper OR a plastic grocery bag
-Plates OR paint palette
-An oven
-Clear nail polish (optional)

Step-by-Step:
1. Wipe down glasses with a paper towel.  If you wet it, make sure the glasses are nice and dry before painting.
2. Set up work space.  Since you're dealing with paints make sure to wear not-so-nice clothes or a smock to cover up in case of spills.  Spread out your plastic bag or newspaper over your work space.

3. Select paints and place smallish amounts on plates/palette.  Make sure there is enough space between them.

4. Dip Q-tips/paint brush ends in paint.  Stipple onto glasses in whatever pattern you want.  Notice below that I placed my hand inside the glass.  This helped me turn them for easier (and smear free) application as well as prevented getting any paint that was on my hands onto the glasses.

5.  Once decorated, place glasses in the oven WITHOUT TURNING IT ON.
6.  Once securely in the oven, turn on to 325 degrees.  Let them "bake" for 30 minutes.  After 30 minutes, turn oven off with glasses still in the oven to cool.  I'd say let them stay cooling for at least 1 hour.

(Please excuse my oven...it's on my Spring Cleaning list next weekend...)

7. OPTIONAL: Because these will be hand washable and are a gift, I also applied a clear coat of nail polish to my dots as an extra safety precaution to further assist in keeping the paint on the glass.
8. If you're making these for yourself, pop a bottle of your favorite beverage and drink out of your awesome glasses!  If they're a gift, wrap them up and be prepared to see a smiling face when opened.

(My finished products, pre gift wrapped)

I am VERY happy with how they turned out!  I'm sure I'll be making more of these in the future =]

Happy crafting!

Recycling-Part I: Knowing Your Products

     As I stated in my 101 blog, part I will be about getting to know your products.  This includes what you buy, what it comes in, and how it impacts your daily living and (more importantly) the earth.  Sometimes I'm astounded by how small and intricate some things (like plastic or cardboard) are involved in products.  Now that doesn't mean you have to get down into the inner workings of everything you touch (although it doesn't hurt I'm sure...) but it should really let you see just how much of this stuff we use all of the time and how it gets tossed away...NEVER to leave the earth again.  It gets tossed in a landfill, tossed out the car window, tossed out in space (is that really a thing?!).  Tossed, tossed, tossed!

Okay so, what products should be recycled you ask?  Here is a quick list to get you started:

Aerosol cans containing no propellant or material

Aluminum: Cans and clean foil

Beverage and food containers: Clean glass, steel, and tin

Mixed paper: White writing paper and stationery Tablet paper and tablet cardboard White and colored copy paper Computer paper (green and blue bar) Colored triplicate forms Sticky notes Paper wrappers Magazines Newspaper Blueprint paper All envelopes Junk mail Telephone books Paperback books Manila folders Boxboard (e.g., cracker or cereal boxes) Corrugated cardboard

Plastic bottles or containers with a #1-7 recycling symbol on the bottom (rigid plastic only, not plastic film)

Molded Styrofoam packaging

(source)

     There are other products like batteries, paint, toner cartridges, and more that can still be recycled although the methods are a bit different due to the chemicals involved.  Check with your local centers to see what their practices are and what they do/do not take (more about that in part II.)

     When I read this list here are just a few of the (thousands of) products that come to mind here in our household:

-junk mail

-shampoo and/or body wash bottles (look on the bottom to find the number)

-soda cans (or in our case now-V8 cans)

-milk jugs

-pasta sauce jars

-printer paper (thesis drafts anyone?!)

-bug spray canisters (or hairspray)

-cereal boxes (boxboard)

-make-up containers (foundation-glass/plastic, eye pallets-plastic)

-mail packages (corrugated cardboard)

     In our house I've noticed that we have a LOT of cardboard...like a ton.  It comes on everything!  Due to this, we've tried to get products that have less of it BUT aren't willing to trade it for packaging that is going to be trash.  It's a hit or miss sometimes but worth the time to look for alternatives.

You should not recycle the following (amongst others):

-plastic film (think DVD packaging)

-Styrofoam

-trash

-tissue/paper towels

-plastic bags (think grocery bags)

-tires

-medical products

-diapers

Although these products cannot be recycled, some can be replaced or revamped.  For example: a lot of food considered trash can be composted as mulch for a garden.  Or you can make/buy some cloth grocery bags to skip getting plastic ones altogether.  You can often donate tires to car junk yards (if they're in decent shape) as well as other car parts for scrap metal.  Again, check with your local center about what is/is not acceptable to recycle there.

     I ask you, dear reader, to spend 1 month noting what products you buy, what they come in, and what you can recycle from it.  It's a bit time consuming to start but WORTH IT.  You notice just how much we waste on a lot of temporary products.  I can promise you'll be astounded!  I'd suggest if you're just starting out to take inventory of what you notice you're throwing away the most.  Like I stated, I had no idea just how much cardboard we were tossing away until I really started to pay attention.  Now I can't turn it off and am SO glad we're recycling a lot more of it now!

So lovelies, do some research.  Take part in recycling, not as a movement but as a lifestyle change.  It's a pretty painless process and has SO many benefits.  I promise it will be worth it!

March Craft Time

I know I'm a little late in posting but I had to wait to get the pictures from my sister.  I hadn't planned on blogging about this because it's not technically a craft BUT since I inspired my sister to switch detergents and helped make it, I figured why not!

We did the math:  they (my sis and BIL) do about 2-3 loads of laundry a week (which equals to roughly 156 loads of laundry a year!)  We calculated that they spend on average between $100-$120 a year on laundry detergent, depending on the brand...which isn't bad but after making this they will walk away with about an $80 yearly savings AND a greener alternative!  You're using MUCH less product and this has no dyes, nothing unnatural (unless you add the crystals and Oxyclean) and you're saving a bunch of moola.  Talk about a great incentive!  I made a batch of this a while back in early Fall of 2012 and I still have a full box to go...mine should last well into this coming fall and I only spent about $17! Since I have sensitive skin this is great for me and it cleans really well.  It is super fast to make, easy to store, smells delicious and will keep your wallet slim.  If you're not convinced now then you should probably quit reading ;)

(I was not given any incentives to endorse any of the products pictured below)

Homemade Laundry Detergent

What You'll Need:
-1 box of Borax
-1 4 lb box of Baking Soda
-1 box of Washing Soda
-2 to 3 bars of Zote or Fels-Naptha soap
-1 large container (or multiple small containers) to store it in
-Cheese grater (large grates) or food processor
-(optional) Oxyclean
-(optional) scent crystals

**Please remember that this is a dry detergent and needs to be stored in a dry location.**

Step-by-Step:
1. Gather all of your ingredients.  It's best to do this where clean up is easy since most of the products are powder.  My sister bought a great tin bucket to put this product in but you can use whatever you want.

2. The longest part is in grating the soap.  I used a cheese grater but you can also use a food processor to get it in tiny pieces.  You can use 1-3 bars per batch.  We used 3 here.

3. You'll start adding the ingredients SLOWLY box by box.  The order doesn't matter because you'll be mixing it all together anyway.

4.  Once all products are combined, stir/mix well.  The soap and crystals often fall to the bottom so make sure you shake/scoop well when you're using it in your loads.  You only have to use about 1 heaping tbsp per load...how AWESOME is that?!  You can use more but the great part is that you don't have to.  The smell is great and it's so quick and easy!

The finished product!

I hope you enjoy this green/money saving "craft" from March.  If you make a batch PLEASE leave me comments to let me know any adjustments you made, good/bad turnouts, etc.

Recycling 101 (An Introduction)

     I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that recycle(s/d).  My mom married my (ex) stepdad when I was only 5 so from 5-12 I was exposed to and taught a lot about recycling.  In that house we recycled:

Cans (soda and beer)

Glass (bottles)

Cardboard (from cereal boxes, etc.)

Mixed paper (letters, mail, etc.)

Plastic (milk jugs, soda bottles, etc.)

Magazines and Newspapers

     My stepdad made this neat spot in our pantry where it all went.  We had 6 LARGE tupperware bins placed on a homemade shelf and we just stuck the appropriate product in the correct bin.  Easy!  Although they divorced, his habits rolled over and my mom, my sister, and myself still practice recycling.  I'm super glad about that!
     As silly as it may sound, I also remember Nickelodeon having a large impact on my views towards recycling, water conservation, and animal care.  Back in the 1990s I remember a lot of television, books, and discussions regarding being earth conscious and "green" (although I don't remember it being such a movement until the mid 2000s).  I'm so glad for this!
     Both of these things have had a huge impact on my daily living and practices.  I am glad that I have also rubbed off on Derrick and that he is fine with these practices as well because frankly, I don't want to budge on it.

If you're a newbie to recycling, may I suggest a few things first?

1) Get to know your products (part I).  Know: what you buy, what it comes in, and how it impacts your daily living and (more importantly) the earth.

2) Take note (for about a month) of how often you're throwing "trash" away and what you're actually throwing out...you'd be ASTOUNDED to see how very wasteful we are (as a nation and as individuals)!

3) Look for your local recycle centers/pickups for your town.  Recycling has become a lot less stressful with the green movements that really came about in the 2000s.  There is curbside pickup (just like your trash), centers for drop off, and some centers for cash exchange (namely cans and metals).

4) Understand where to recycle what (part II) and why it's important.

5) Once you're feeling comfortable...EDUCATE! Teach your friends, family, children, co-workers basic recycling practices that can really make a huge impact.

     This means that in working towards my yearly goal of going green(er) and continuing and expanding the patterns we've developed in our habits, I will be setting up our own little recycle depot in our hall closet.  I'm super excited about it!  I've got to relearn some of my products and disposal practices and teach Derrick about them but I think it's totally worth it.  So check back for part I where I will be discussing what products are and are not right for recycling.  In part II, I'll be discussing what should be recycled where and the actual impact recycling has on your home, your community, and your world!  Part III will be how to upcycle-recycling things in your home to become newer/different things without having to take them to a center, look at labels, etc.

Are you ready to greenify your living practices?!  Because I promise:  once you get in the habit of recycling it becomes easy-peasy and you'll really notice a difference!

February Craft Time

Alright so, this month's craft I made and completely forgot to take progress pictures!  *Hangs head in shame*  I can still give you the tutorial and show pictures of the finished product so that's at least something.  This too is a quick and practical gift/project like last month's craft.  I chose this craft to make as a gift for a friend's birthday and I honestly think EVERYONE could use one of these!

Sleep Mask

What You'll Need:
-fabric in a shade(s)/pattern(s) of your liking
-coordinating fabric for trim (trim is optional...I had a hard time with it so I chose to opt-out of doing it the second time since I'm not graceful with curves and a sewing machine yet)
-a block of felt (I got a precut square from WalMart for 38 cents and it was about 12"x12"-it was enough for 2 masks)
-a piece of paper and pen (to create your mask template)
-fabric scissors
-coordinating thread
-1/4" elastic (I got about 3' worth for 97 cents at WalMart)
-sewing machine OR needle and thread for hand sewing
-bows/buttons/etc. for adornments (optional)

Step-by-Step
1. Draw a template for the mask with pen and paper.  You can make it as plain or intricate as you want but remember: the more intricate the more complicated sewing it may take.  I am a basic sewer so the easier, the better.   (I already had a sleep mask so I used it as my template but it's a basic half-mask shape that you can do free hand).
2. Cut the template out from the paper and shape it up a bit.
3. Using the template, cut a mask from the felt.  The felt will be your inside.
4. Using the template, cut a mask from your fabric.  You will need 2 of these so you can have a front and back.  You can use different fabrics or the same.  I chose the same.
5. Measure your head and cut your elastic accordingly.  Note: you'll want to cut it a bit smaller than you measured so it will have give and actually hold while your sleeping.
6.  Sew!  You can hand sew or machine sew.  You're literally sewing the pieces together.  Front-Felt-Back.  During this step you can also sew the elastic in on both sides (of the back).  Here, make sure to back stitch to really secure those bands.  I used the basic foot allowance on the machine.
7. OPTIONAL: Sew on the trim.  (I didn't do trim however, if I make more of these in the future I'll be hand sewing the trim since I made a hot mess using the machine, lol!)  Make sure your allowance for trim covers both the front AND the back stitches you made when sewing the three pieces together.
8. OPTIONAL: adorne with bows, ribbons, beads, etc.  This is a great way to make your mask more unique and fun.

Here is my finished product!

Front

Back

Beadwork

Beadwork

You can also check this site to see other adornments and trim she used on her homemade masks.  They're so cute!


Happy crafting, friends!  I hope you enjoy this quick and cute mask as much as I did!

I don't want to leave!

RIGHT NOW...I am watching big, fat snowflakes fall ever-so-quietly onto te patio in the cabin we rented in Gatlinburg.  It's BEAUTIFUL (and was so unexpected!)  We haven't been to Gatlinburg since our quick trip in 2011 so we are very excited to be back, this time with a couple of our friends!  I'll blog more about the trip later but I wanted to take a minute to document how awesome it is right now.

It's snowing so softly outside, the fireplace is going, I'm curled up with a mimosa and book just taking it all in.  P.A.R.A.D.I.S.E.

The view this morning

Snow falling last night

Another view this morning

Shot Confidence

Do you ever have a bought where you just feel lackluster and down-and-out about yourself?

For about the past week my confidence has been SHOT.  Now let me be clear:  it's not like I have this huge ego or anything.  I try to be humble yet subtly confident in my actions, behavior, appearance, etc. Yet these past few days I ain't feelin' it!

I've been feeling slothly, fat, zitty, immature, plain, stupid, lazy, behind-in-life, and childish.

While I know in my heart-of-hearts that I am not (most) of these things (at least all of the time) I just can't shake it off!  I don't really know what brought it on.  Maybe it's the unsightly acne I usually and luckily live without.  Maybe it's the after holiday bloat that lingers.  Maybe it's feeling a bit lost in starting research and writing.  Maybe it's conflicting feelings about life decisions and movements.

What to do?

*I am not looking for a pity party but merely using my blog as an outlet for venting, advice, and a place to record my thoughts.*

Maybe it's my upcoming period and this week is my PMS time...if that's the case I should probably stock up on tissues and chocolate now.