the {upcycled & recycled} Classic Egg Carton Caterpillar!

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Hi all!

We’ve been crafting it up this month. Mainly because it’s fun and the eco tot really loves to express himself through art! We’ve been reading The Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. I grew up reading Eric Carle books so naturally I’d like my boys to experience the same stories, The morning we did this craft we chalked a picture of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly on the board. We also read with the story via you tube!

The eco tot would prefer it if the hungry caterpillar stayed in his true form rather then turn into a butterfly. He’s not a huge fan of that part of the story. He told me that “Sam” (caterpillar he made) would not turn into a butterfly.

We reused an egg carton and newspaper for this craft. The newspaper served as a tablecloth. We haven’t managed to get any eco friendly paints but I’m hoping that once these Crayola paints run low we can try out an eco brand! For now, we just use the basics!

Today, we did some onion painting … and potato prints (which btw, potato printing, is super fun & I’m planning a project for the eco tot’s birthday!).  I didn’t take any pics yet… but most of our ideas and inspiration come from a very neat & educational site called No Time For Flash Cards.

What I love best about Allie’s site is that a lot of the crafts reuse items from the kitchen or around the house! Which is right up our eco alley.

My son adores her site and loves to sing the Owl song A LOT!!

Happy New Year again!!!

the {upcycled & recycled} New Green Mama

Awhile back when I was ventured out in this bloggy blog world I came across a blogspot called New Green Mama!

Jen from New Green Mama is the upcycling queen! She’s recently been featured in Stuffed and Green Craft Magazine. She upcycles wool sweaters and makes unique felted coffee cup cozies & owls. Even more recently, she’s made cozies for Klean Kanteens too!  Jen can re purpose just about anything and as I’m visiting her site to link up- whatta ya know? A tutorial for a cereal box shipping envelope! Genius.

You can find her shop on Etsy.com Second Chance Studio

Jen’s handmade work rocks!  Support handmade this Christmas!

Did I just say Christmas? Forgive me, it’s an eco challenge – worth looking into.

Halloween is just around the corner. Have you been thinking on ideas or way to re use items around your house to dress up?

Check out this article at E Magazine,

The Top 10 Plastic Bag Costumes: Put That Excess Plastic to use this Halloween.

Have a lovely weekend!

the {upcycled & recycled} Kid Art

The past couple of weeks I’ve been in such a crafty mood. It must be the cool crisp air getting to me! I’m beginning to  LOVE the world of kid’s crafts and realize I only know a speck of what is out there for my child to learn. With learning in mind I like to provide opportunities for a lot of creative play + playing outdoors. My son mentioned he wanted to paint one afternoon and it turned out to be such a great idea even with our limited art supplies.  He really enjoys the different textures paint offers and loves to rub it everywhere on the paper including his arms!

We usually do it outside where I hose/wipe him down in the sunshine. It’s pretty windy where we live so in the cooler months we’ll have to be inside. Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks we can start working on the outbuilding  and begin to shift it into our school room. It’s going to be a fun project for us. So, if any of you homeschooler’s or unschooler’s shall I say – have any tips or ideas on decor/supplies please feel free to share. I’m pretty sure were going with a Waldorf based curriculum.

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the {upcycled & recycled}Why I Love Preserve

About a month ago, our Costco collection of toothbrushes came to an end! While on a quick run into Trader Joe’s I saw these Preserve toothbrushes and decided to purchase them. I’d read a lot about them previously and figured it was the best eco option. We’ve been using them for a couple weeks now and like them.

I love all the features about Preserve products! I honestly can’t believe I haven’t invested in their products sooner. I’m thrilled to share the wonderful information with you.

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Ecoist & Mars Inc. Partner Up

Earlier this week, the huge confectioner company, Mars Inc. partnered with Ecoist the “recycled candy-wrapper handbag” maker.

They have set a few goals for their partnership that will include the following:

- Ecoist will manufacture and market a line of handbags made from obsolete candy wrappers and other packaging misprints from Mars-owned brands’

- The partnership will prevent more than five million candy wrappers from going to landfills during the first year

- Mars, Incorporated has committed to reducing its waste by 3 percent a year.

- As part of Ecoist’s commitment to environmental preservation, Ecoist and Mars will plant a tree for every product sold.

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Eco Arts & Crafts for Kids

Summer is a great time to dive right into eco kids crafts! Although, my son is only 14 mos. old, I could use the practice while he’s young. Looking forward to the days when little man will get interactive and creative. Watching your children express themselves through art is very humbling. Arts & crafts offer children the time to explore and use their imagination. Often times, we babysit my niece and nephew and they like to be entertained.  Your kids can learn to love the planet while being taught how to re purpose items and help save the planet. Kids are great at finding new ways to use things too. A few handy crafts can easily distract a bored child…

-  Homemade Organic Playdough - As a child my sis and bro went nuts for this stuff. Check out this video from The Green Parent on how to make it at home.

-  Make Your Own Paper- what a fantastic way for kids to learn how recycled paper is made…we’re so going to do this!!!

Watch this video by The Green Parent author Jenn Savedge and you’ll be amazed!

-  Melt and re-use old broken crayons, found a really awesome Crockpot Crayons recipe…she even has one for playdough!!

-  Finger paint using non toxic paint or make your own recipe- instead of buying paper for this craft, combine the paper making craft and use the paper you made!!

Egg carton make eggcellent paint cups.

- Use toilet or paper towel rolls and  make a pair of binoculars, a pencil holder, telescope, or musical instrument (flute or horn)…etc.

Let kids decorate the outside with newspaper, magazine cutouts, sand, old buttons…etc.

- Re-use jar lids and make coasters, photo magnets, or change tray

- If you really want to get crafty you can make your own glue too!

Last night, I made organic playdough and my niece and nephew had a ball with it!  They were so fascinated of the simple fact it was actually made at home! Super easy too!!

Didn’t have cream of tartar so I used this No Fuss recipe instead

No Fuss Play Dough

1 cup cold water
1 cup salt
2 teaspoons vegetable oil (only have EVOO)
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
natural coloring/essential oil  (used tangerine)

In a large bowl, mix together water, salt, oil and a few drops of essential oils and add color. Mix flour and cornstarch and add 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly (you may need a little more or a little less than 2 cups flour so make sure you stir in until it is the right consistency). Knead for a few minutes with flour on your hands.

Seal and put into refrigerator afterwards to keep from drying out! Home paper making here we come. Hoping it’ll get the artsy side out of me! I’m also going to do the crockpot recipe for broken crayons and playdough!! How terrific is that. So, stay tuned for all the summer CrAFty fun…

Oh! and did I say, The Green Parent rocks! There. Now you know. Can’t wait to get the book.

And don’t forget to enjoy the time with your budding eco-artist(s)! Have any crafts or ideas you’d like share?