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
Tutorial: Coiled Magazine Paper 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
DIY: Folded Paper 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
Find a Use: Soy Sauce Tin
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
How to Reuse/Recycle Christmas Cards
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
Make Some Romp Stompers!
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
Recycled Sweater Tea Cosy
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
Use What You Have-Recycling Water Bottles
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
Organizing-Dealing with Plastic Baggies
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
Make Gift Tags from Christmas Cards-Quick, Easy, Free and Green!
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
