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Around the Web: DIY Storage Capsule

February 25, 2012 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 3 Comments

JERMM’S Outside created these cool capsules made from soda bottles for lightweight backpacking storage–but I can think of many other uses for them.  How about using them for a pill bottle in your purse, for salad dressing in the kids lunchboxes (assuming you used food safe glue), homemade lip balms. . . you get the… Keep Reading

Filed Under: Crafts/DIY Tagged With: Around the Web, DIY, recycle

Tutorial: Coiled Magazine Paper Bowls

October 13, 2010 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 51 Comments

Magazine Page Bowls

As I’ve mentioned before-I’ve been fascinated with paper crafts this year.  It really appeals to my frugal nature to make something lovely out of  junk mail, catalogs, old books and magazines!  I already tried making folded paper books, so it was time to try something interesting with magazines and catalogs. Coiled Magazine Paper Bowls are… Keep Reading

Filed Under: Crafts/DIY, Recipes Tagged With: craft, DIY, gift, paper, recycle, tutorial

DIY: Folded Paper Books

September 22, 2010 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 24 Comments

different types of folded books

I have been fascinated this year with the idea of crafting with old books, magazines & junk mail to make functional or decorative items. There is just something alluring about the idea of making beauty out of  what some would call junk. . . part recycling, part artistry~but completely “one of a kind”. The first… Keep Reading

Filed Under: Crafts/DIY Tagged With: crafts, decorating, DIY, recycle

Find a Use: Soy Sauce Tin

September 16, 2009 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 11 Comments

Buying things in bulk can be a great money saver, as long as it is an item that you like, use and will be used up before it goes bad.  There are a couple of condiments that fit this description for me, such as Soy sauce, Teriyaki sauce, Worcestershire sauce (wow, lots of sauces) and… Keep Reading

Filed Under: Frugal Living Tagged With: Jug, recycle, repurpose, Soy sauce

How to Reuse/Recycle Christmas Cards

December 11, 2008 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 11 Comments

Photo by Patrick Q Remember how, when you were a kid, it used to be so exciting when you got mail? It was thrilling! Then, as you grow up, the mailbox quickly became the source of bills, statements and junkmail. I rarely get an actually note or letter these days. But at Christmas, ah Christmas,… Keep Reading

Filed Under: Crafts/DIY Tagged With: Christmas, holiday, recycle, reuse

Make Some Romp Stompers!

June 24, 2008 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 3 Comments

Do you know what Romp Stompers are? They are basically tin can stilts. I vaguely remember having some in the classroom in grade school (Kindergarten?) but had totally forgotten about them until Amy mentioned them a while back on the Motherload. Here they are. Romp Stompers. These things are easy and practically free to make,… Keep Reading

Filed Under: Kids Tagged With: crafts, game, recycle, reuse

Recycled Sweater Tea Cosy

March 12, 2008 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 7 Comments

I am the first to admit that this tea cosy is not exactly a work of art. It’s a little homely now, but I intend to eventually embroider some simple starbursts on it in red-that should dress it up a little. This project came about for two reasons. Number one, as dorky as it sounds,… Keep Reading

Filed Under: Crafts/DIY Tagged With: felted, gift, recycle, reuse, sewing

Use What You Have-Recycling Water Bottles

March 11, 2008 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 3 Comments

Browsing around on “Groovy Green” this morning I found links to a couple of neat ideas for using those ubiquitous single serving water bottles. I personally don’t buy them often, and hate the fact that they don’t have a deposit in the state of NY. Sigh. Here is a neat instructable for making a self… Keep Reading

Filed Under: Crafts/DIY Tagged With: green, recycle, reuse

Organizing-Dealing with Plastic Baggies

February 28, 2008 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 7 Comments

Yes, I’m one of THOSE frugal types. The ones who wash and reuse their zippered baggies! For the longest time I used to throw the washed and dried baggies into a big bag and put them in a drawer. But that was unwieldy. I would have trouble opening and closing the drawer, I had to… Keep Reading

Filed Under: Organization Tagged With: green, Organization, recycle, reuse

Make Gift Tags from Christmas Cards-Quick, Easy, Free and Green!

January 8, 2008 By Jenn @ Frugal Upstate 13 Comments

Yes, I realize Christmas is over, but hey, it’s only 353 days until next Christmas! Just kidding. The truth is we took down all of our Christmas decorations last weekend, including our Christmas cards. I know from past experience that if I try to “save” the cards somewhere to craft with next year, they will… Keep Reading

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Filed Under: Crafts/DIY Tagged With: Christmas, green, holiday, recycle, reuse

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About Frugal Upstate

About Frugal Upstate

I’m Jenn –an Upstate NY wife, mom, blogger and veteran. I talk very fast, read constantly, take on too much and make plenty of mistakes. I’m a real person, not perfection. I love to talk about the frugal lifestyle, “Village Homesteading”, living a more sustainable lifestyle and being prepared for all the curves life throws at you.

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