3 Fun Recycled Crayon Crafts

If you have kids, you probably have lots of broken Crayons. Instead of throwing away all those bits of colored wax, why not recycle them into a work of art or another useful creation? Here are three fun crafts you can do to recycle your broken Crayons:

1. Rainbow Crayon Hearts – An easy way to make your broken Crayons useful again is to melt them into new, fun shapes. Using a silicon mold, heart shaped for example, place the broken Crayon bits. Make sure all the paper is removed. The end product also looks better if the colors blend well, like blue and yellow for example. Melt in a 250 degree oven for fifteen to twenty minutes. Let cool before removing. The resulting heart crayons make for a fun Valentine’s Day gift! Try different mold shapes for different seasons or holidays. You can even make crayon cars, worms, butterflies, or other kid-friendly ideas.

2. Crayon Monograms – A great gift for Teacher’s Appreciation Day, you can make a large initial monogram by simply gluing broken Crayon parts creatively. Invest in a nice frame and you have a great gift for your child’s teacher. Or make one with your child’s initials for a fun addition to their room’s wall art. 

 

3. Crayon Drip Décor – Last but not least, melting crayons make for all kinds of fun décor. The most basic use is done by gluing a new box of crayons to the top of a large paper or poster and then melting them and allowing the drips to make a rainbow. While attractive, it does not work as well with broken crayons. However you can use broken crayons to make a similar effect on three dimensional objects like pumpkins. Using a white pumpkin and melting crayons, paper free, with a hair dryer you can have an awesome rainbow effect for your decorating needs. Don’t limit yourself just to pumpkins; this fun craft can have all sorts of uses throughout the seasons. 

These three fun crafts really make you take a second look at what you throw away. Even broken items can find new uses. Help your kids to understand what it means to reduce, reuse and recycle!

Author: Nancy Parker is a regular contributor to www.enannysource.com and she loves to write about wide range of subjects like health, Parenting, Child Care, Babysitting, nanny background check tips etc. You can reach her at nancy.parker015@gmail.com

5 Steps to Greater Tranquility at Home

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Your home is supposed to be a place to feel restful and to recoup after a hard day’s work. Turning your home into a tranquil retreat is a great approach to take if you’re looking to spruce things up with a little bit of redecorating and hard work.  So how do you go about turning your home into a restful retreat?  Here are 5 steps to achieving a truly tranquil home.

1 – Natural Materials

Cold, harsh materials such as metal and glass should be avoided if you’re looking to create an environment that’s welcoming, comforting and soothing.  If your home is full of modern furniture, replace it with rustic feeling wooden pieces like the ones available from Trade Furniture Company.  Take up your carpet and reveal the wood floorboards beneath. With a little bit of care (plus sanding and staining) you could turn them into one of the best – and most tranquil – features of your home.

2 – Sleepy Sounds

Twitter notifications might be practical, but they’re not conducive to a relaxing home.  Try playing soothing music, and open the windows to allow the sounds of nature to come into your home.  You could even designate certain hours of the day where you switch off all your technology to prevent any distractions.  

3 – Natural Light

There are a number of studies showing that exposure to natural light promotes a healthy, balanced lifestyle and is also physically good for you.  Not only that, but it releases melatonin which is known to increase productivity.  Therefore, draw the curtains and let the light in because it’s only going to be beneficial.  After all, a relaxing environment is a happy one, so improving your mood will carry you a long way in your quest for a more tranquil home.

4 – Minimal Design

Clutter is the enemy of a clear mind and a stress-free home.  The more things you have out, the more there is to clean, tidy and put away, and this all amounts to a significant amount of stress and hard work.  Therefore, if you’re looking to operate a tranquil home, the answer is to go minimal.  White walls, as little furniture as you could manage, plenty of open space and simple fixtures.  

5 – Bringing Nature to You

As previously stated, nature is great for relaxation, so if you’re looking to really go the whole hog, you should try to increase the amount of nature in your home.  Do this by extending your outdoor space in – by, for example – placing green potted plants in strategic locations and by having more natural materials in your home. 

Author: Trade Furniture Company

Spotlight: Twelve Chairs

Twelve Chairs in Boston’s South End is a boutique featuring fun, high-end furnishings that are curated to meet environmental and social criteria. The two founders believe that design should not simply beautiful, but also ethical, functional and earth-friendly. Walking into Twelve Chairs is like entering an eco/ethical/local Anthropologie! What could be better than that?!

New Perspectives: Decorating Your Christmas Tree the Green Way

source image courtesy of Green House Eco-Cleaning

For many of us the Christmas season is a time of lights and decorations. However many of these decorations are not exactly eco-friendly. From wasteful lights to harmful plastic to chemical additions there are all kinds of ways to make your Christmas tree less than green. However there are great ways to easily change this mindset. Here are some fun and festive decorating tips for your tree:

1. Real is best – Having a real tree instead of an artificial one can seem counterintuitive. I mean you are killing a tree for your personal use. However Christmas trees are always replanted and the demand for trees actually keeps more real trees growing in the long run. Not to mention that it is much better for the environment to have a real tree produced instead of a plastic one.

2. Natural décor – Using natural elements like trimmed pine branches, pine cones, holly sprigs and mistletoe is a great way to bring green indoors figuratively and literally. The vibrancy of real plants cannot be matched. Even plants that are toxic, like poinsettias, make for beautiful living decorations if you are careful to keep them out of the reach of children and pets.

3. Homemade ornaments – Decorating the tree the natural way is easy with homemade ornaments. You can make edible ornaments in the shape of gingerbread men, sugar cookies, candy canes, and so on. These edible ornaments can not only be a great visual appeal on your tree but can also be part of the gifts. The children can pick and choose one snack to have every day until Christmas, leaving less to toss after the holidays and increasing their enjoyment.

4. Stringing garland – Another great old fashioned idea in tree decorating is garland stringing. A needle and thread can be a great asset as your family joins in Christmas cheer to create strands of popcorn or cranberries to wind around the tree.

5. LED lights –Speaking of flammable, the hot lights that usually mark the Christmas season are very wasteful and older models can even be a fire hazard. Instead, try to use new LED lights. These lights produce little heat and are very energy efficient. They also last a very long time so you do not have to keep replacing them every year. No more frustration with burnt out lights or worrying about fires!

6. Recycing tree –Last but not least, after the holidays make sure to dispose of your tree properly. There are many areas that will take your tree for recycling into mulch or other useful things. Or you can cut the tree up and use it as part of your own gardening compost. As you can see it is easy to decorate your Christmas tree in an eco-friendly way. Stay green, have fun and enjoy time with your family this holiday season!

Author: Rachel is an ex-babysitting pro as well as a professional writer and blogger. She is a graduate from Iowa State University and currently writes for www.babysitting.net. She welcomes questions/comments which can be sent to rachelthomas.author@gmail.com.

Sponsored Post: Using Natural Materials in Home Décor

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Many people want to be more eco-friendly, but struggle with actually implementing green lifestyle changes. The best place to start is at home, and if you’ve got a renovation project coming up or already have one underway, incorporating natural materials into your home’s new décor is a great way to help the planet. Materials that are sustainably sourced, rapidly renewable or are made from organic fabrics are often free of toxic chemicals. Plus, natural materials look amazing in any home, so your décor will look chic as well.

Reclaimed Wooden Floorboards
There’s no better way to add an element of cozy, rustic charm to your home’s interiors than to work with the flooring you’ve already got. Peel back those carpets and see what condition your home’s existing floorboards are in. You’ll need to be armed with a kit of tools and supplies, including an electric sander and some dye, but if you’re willing to put in the effort the results will look amazing. For a guide to doing it yourself, check out this online tutorial.

Wicker Furniture
Investing in wicker furniture for your garden or conservatory will look lovely as well as being environmentally friendly. It’s a good idea to check with the retailer that the material has been sustainably sourced and is made from rattan or palm vine, so picking a reputable company is incredibly important if you want to be eco-friendly. Give each one a call or visit their website to check where they source their furniture from, a good place to start is Shackletons.

Slate Tiles
Slate tiling looks amazing in kitchens and bathrooms, and as a natural material, it has no harmful manufacturing process attached to it. Even if you don’t want to go the whole hog and re-tile, if you ever come across any scrap slate in your local area, it has a multitude of other uses. Use slabs as place mats or coasters, or even put a wooden frame around it and use it as a rustic notice board in a home office or kitchen.

Something for Everyone
Raw, natural materials will never date, which is why they’re so popular among homeowners that want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. As we’ve demonstrated, there’s something for budgets both big and small, so everybody can do their bit to help the environment by making a few changes next time they re-decorate.


This post was sponsored by Furniture. Thanks!

Green Tip Tuesday: How to Navigate a Flea Market

Inspired by my recent trip to Brimfield Flea Market, I've decided to share my tips on second hand shopping at flea markets!

1. Early birds pay more for the worm. Later in the market, dealers are rushing to get rid of their goods and are more likely to give you a good price.

2. Curate carefully. Don't make hasty purchases, you don't want to end up having to get rid of the item yourself.

3. Bring cash. It is easier to haggle with!

4. Look out for toxic materials. Just because something is second hand, doesn't mean its green! Be wary of lead based paint, bpa, mercury, etc. 

5. Know what you want. Go to the market with a list. Surf pinterest for DIY/upcycling ideas before you go. 

6. Make sure you can fit everything in the car before you pay. Many flea market vendors offer delivery services, but don't waste the gas if there's no need. 

Most of all, have fun. You know what they say, one person's trash is another's treasure!

Green Tip Tuesday: Eco Event Ideas Inspired by David Stark

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David Stark is an amazing party planner to the stars. I first heard about him while listening to Grace Bonney of Design Sponge's radio show, After the Jump. He caught my attention when he mentioned during the interview that he tries to make his events sustainable! The image above is a “bottle”  created from hundreds of recycled wine bottles for an editor’s preview event for the Eco countertop line. For more of his eco-aware large scale event ideas, check out his blog: http://www.davidstarksketchbook.com/

LED candle pillars add ambiance to the Metropolitan Opera's Gala in 2011

Cacti made of recycled cardboard at West Elm's Broadway opening

Upcycled newspaper table decor for NRDC Gala in 2011

New Perspectives: Green Ways to Decorate Your Kitchen

image courtesy of MidWestLiving.com

1. Use topiaries to add vegetation & style
Imagine using those spiral topiaries on your kitchen’s entrance? How about the hanging topiaries above your dining tables? Isn’t the thought of using these topiaries in your kitchen fantastic and elegant? The best part is, it isn’t very expensive. You can even make one yourself with some of the many topiary DIY idea boards on Pinterest. This is a classic example of being nature friendly and economical while getting the best results.

2. Strategically position your windows to capture sunlight
If you're re-doing your kitchen,  you can plan to save electricity by strategically positioning your windows.
Position it in such a way that it can capture the sunlight and also take note of the window's dimensions. If you make your windows big enough and positioned it correctly, you won’t have to use your lights not until dinner time.

3. Use plants that absorb air impurities 
For example, the "Mother in Law’s Tongue" plant is well known for helping absorb air impurities and dusts. That is why you commonly see this plant in houses especially in their entrance.
If you place these types of plants in your kitchen, not only will it help in cleaning your kitchen’s air but it’ll add to your kitchen's decor  as well.
Take the time to consider the price of the plant, the beauty it brings, and the function that these plants can do for you, you’d be a sure winner if you use them.

Now that I’ve shared some of my techniques in how to decorate your garden the “green way”, I’d love to hear from you. Whatever tips and tricks you can share to help others in designing their kitchen the green way will surely be appreciated. Share your tips in the comments section below!

Aileen Pablo is a home improvement blogger and writer from toptopiary.co.uk. Top Topiary began life in 2004 exhibiting at garden shows in the south of England and selling Topiary Frames to the visitors.

New Perspectives: How to Make an Indoor Garden

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It is hard to beat the calm that comes with being surrounded by plant life and natural beauty, but in cities like Boston, having a large garden in your condo is not always feasible. Luckily, indoor gardens have quickly grown in popularity over the recent years as more and more people crave the fresh look of greenery in their small space. Now, there are easier ways to get the green you love inside your condo or apartment without taking up your entire living room.

• Plant a pot of herbs – Herbs are perfect for condos because they do not require a lot of space to thrive. Assorted herb pots make great centerpieces or accents on windowsills. Better yet, the plants you grow are useful in your kitchen! With a pot of assorted herbs, you can bring some life into your home while saving money at the grocery store on ingredients used to spice up your foods every day.

• Try a hydroponic system – If you do not want to muddy up your condo with soil, try a hydroponic system. This system uses only water to allow plants to grow. The systems have been shown to cost less, use less water and space, and produce more than soil plants. Depending on the type of system you have, you are able to grow vegetables and flowers in a hydroponic system. Ask at your local gardening store for more details about what is available in your area.

• Get some vines – Plants that grow upwards instead of outwards make for perfect window coverings. By using a trellis and small planter, you can create a unique look in any room with vines. If your space is sunny, try your hand at growing cucumbers or grapes. If your space is small or not well lit, try flowers that grow on vines. 

• Turn your walls into a garden – In recent years, artists have created magnetic planters that hang on your wall or refrigerator by the strength of a magnet. These small planters can grow plants that do well inside of these small sized pots. Some examples of what people grow in magnetic planters or planters that hang on your wall are herbs or small shrubbery. This is a unique way to instantly add some life into your home and spruce up your bare walls. 

Living in the city can feel cramped and crowded, making it difficult to grow a thriving garden. With these indoor gardening tips for condos, you can transform your living space into one that has a vibrant, fresh new look.

About the Author:

Joyce Del Rosario works as a Community Outreach Specialist at Open College of Art and Design, one of the leading providers of accredited online interior design courses. She is also an interior design blogger.

Guest Post: Organizing & Greening Your Home Office

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Many prefer to work from home. It is convenient and green to stay at home. However, working at home requires a high level of organization and time management - which makes an orderly home office imperative. 

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Here are some tips to make your home office organized and comfortable:

1.       Space – Regardless of the size of your home office, you can  turn it into a more spacious feeling place.  De-cluttering is a great way to make your home office more inviting and efficient. Try going paperless - it is a great way to save trees and keeping your office tidy.

3.       Furniture- The right furniture for your home office is essential.  Surroundings are a great source of inspiration so choose furniture that both reflects your style but also has a story behind it (like fair trade items from Ten Thousand Villages). 

4.       Home gadgets  - Don't place tvs, radios, or game consoles  in your home office. Not only are these distracting, but they waste electricity. 

5.       Light- Lighting is easy to neglect but a well lit office is important. Natural light sources like windows are of course the most pleasant and cost efficient. Also invest for your lighting source even though it may be costly up front (i.e. use compact flourescent or LED lightbulbs).

Sarah Del Rosario is a home improvement blogger from Thrifty Senyorita and currently partners with officefurnitureexpress.co.uk, one of the leading providers of accessories and furniture for Office. 

Guest Post: How to Revamp Your Kitchen Using Recycled and Eco-friendly Materials

image courtesy of http://cocoonhome.com/

The kitchen is one of the busiest and traffic-prone areas in the home. Often, gatherings and other family events usually take place in the kitchen, causing the kitchen easily lose its shine and glamour.  Most people think that kitchen revamp is costly, but redoing a kitchen doesn’t need to be grand. Simple changes can make a dramatic difference.

Because of the rising cost of energy and improved environmental awareness,  homeowners are careful when choosing the appliances and furniture that they’re going to use in their
kitchen revamp.

image courtesy of http://www.homedsgn.com/

Here are some quick tips for a cost efficient, eco-friendly, kitchen makeover:

Let it be Green - Consider putting a plant in your kitchen. This will alter the look and
ambiance of your kitchen while also improving indoor air quality.

Paints - Apply a new coat of low-VOC paint to an old counter top.

Faucets- Inspect your kitchen faucet regularly. Immediately repairing leaks is a great way to update your kitchen and conserve water at the same time.

Light- Replace all incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs or LEDs.

Appliances- If you’re planning to buy a new set of appliances for your kitchen, consider Energy Star products. In addition, make sure to unplug all your unused appliances.

Recycle bin- Learn your town's recycling policies. If your municipality has single-stream recycling, make sure to have one, clearly-labeled recycling bin. Otherwise, set up a recycling area so that people can easily separate glass, plastic, and paper.

Eco-friendly Cleaning Materials- Try making your own cleaning products to avoid using synthetic chemicals all over your kitchen.

Help save your environment and Enjoy your Eco-friendly Kitchen.

Daniel Argent is a home improvement blogger and is the guy behind The Home Fixers - where you can find  the best local plumbers.

Guest Post: Tips for Turning an Old Item of Furniture into Something Funky and Fresh

These days, with the wallet-watching most of us have to do; it’s simply not possible to buy brand new furniture just because something is outdated or looking a little worse for wear.

With this in mind, it’s no wonder that repurposing or revamping old pieces of furniture is one of the biggest trends in interior design right now. Of course, reusing old furniture also reduces your carbon footprint, which makes it both a pocket and eco-friendly choice.

Give it a new coat of paint
You’d be surprised what can be accomplished just by adding a new coat of paint - whether you freshen something up with the same color - or change it up completely with a bold and bright finish.
Old dining chairs can be repainted to match a new table, and an outdated dresser can be given a funky new look by being painted fire truck red, or for a slightly more rustic look try a subtle shade of lavender.

Get it reupholstered 
Old sofas or comfy chairs can easily be revamped with some new fabric and even new cushions if necessary. The color and pattern you choose will depend on the rest of your décor. For a minimalistic-type sofa that goes well with plain white walls and a clean-cut look, you can choose soft and subtle colors like baby blue or hazel.

If you’re willing to be a little more adventurous you may want to consider eye-catching colors like yellow, red or even a lush green. Patterns like stripes or squares can also add a lot of character to your home.

Image courtesy of Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Add some character 
The easiest way to transform an older piece of furniture is to go along with the “old” feel and make it even more rustic. There are different ways to accomplish this, from sanding tables to distressing them with chains for a “used” look.
Having a few pieces of nicely varnished wood chairs or tables mixed in with a couple of sanded ones can give the room a nice contrast. If you choose to sand something, make sure it is a good quality wood that can be stripped without becoming damaged.

A boring and generic-looking wooden table can also be spiced up with a few touches of wall paper. If you do this you’ll have to ensure that the surface is smooth to avoid rips and bubbles.

Take it outside 
A chair or sofa that just doesn’t match your interior décor anymore may be perfectly suitable as a piece of garden furniture. You can repaint or upholster them to match an outdoor theme in natural colors like green, brown or eggshell yellow.

Change its purpose
Not all furniture can be made to look new, and sometimes the best thing you can do is change its purpose altogether. A chair that wobbles can be stripped and used to hold potted plants in the garden. The legs of an old table can be removed and used as rustic towel racks, while the tabletop can be put to use as a set of kitchen shelves or a spice rack.

Author: Joyce Del Rosario works as a Community Outreach Specialist at Open College of Art and Design, one of the leading providers of Online Courses in Interior Design. She is also an interior design blogger. 

Green Boutique: Twelve Chairs

image courtesy of greenwithrenvy.blogspot.com

Earlier this week I attended an event at the Twelve Chairs boutique in the Seaport District and I am in love. Twelve Chairs is a super-chic home goods store with an Anthropologie-esque vibe, but the reason I love it is that all of their products must meet certain sustainability and humanitarian criteria! One of the store's co-founders, Miggy Mason, is LEED AP which shows their commitment to offering Boston responsible products for home interiors. Their merchandise must all meet the following standards: 

LOCAL

- Local Business - The product is designed by a company within the USA or Canada. 

- Locally Manufactured - The product is produced within the USA or Canada. 

- Locally Sourced - The materials used to manufacture the product are sourced from within 

  500 miles of the production site. 

HEALTHY 

- Nontoxic - The inks, dyes, and/or finishes used in the creation of the product have

  minimum impact on the planet and are not harmful to people.

- Organic - The materials used to create the product are Certified Organic.     

CONSERVING 

- Recycled/ Reclaimed - The materials used to make the product previously existed. 

- Recyclable/ Biodegradable - At the end of its current use, the product can be used again 

  or decomposed.  

- Renewable - The materials used to create the product are from natural, renewable

  resources. 

RESPONSIBLE 

- Values Driven Company - The company that produces the product demonstrates

  a commitment to environmental and social responsibility. 

- Responsible Production/ Manufacturing - The methods used to produce the product

  are focused on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and worker protection. 

- Fairly Traded - The people that create the products are paid a fair, living wage and there 

  is a commitment to social and environmental standards. 

- Responsible Distribution - The product is shipped in a manner that minimizes waste 

  and carbon emissions.

"Just Us Gals Boston" Launch

I am very excited to announce my new project: Just Us Gals. I've teamed up with my friends Suzanne (web designer & DIY expert) and Meredith (real estate broker & stylista) to create a new blog designed for specifically for the ladies of Boston. I hope to be the green voice of the blog, while also writing about some of my other passions like art, books, and cultural events. So if you ever get tired of reading my green living tips, definitely go check out Just Us Gals for some fun and feminine posts!

If you like it, follow us on the following platforms:
Twitter: JustUsGalsBos
Pinterest: JustUsGalsBos
Instagram: JustUsGalsBos

I'd love to hear any comments, suggestions, or questions about the new blog!

Upcycled Christmas Decorations

In the mood for some DIY? Use that creative spirit to make some festive and green decorations for the holidays:

CDs ----> Ornaments

Wine corks ------> Mini Christmas Tree

Scrap paper ----> Gift bows

To find out how to do all of these (and more) upcycling crafts, check out Boston Green Blog on Pinterest.

Green Gift Ideas Continued: Treehugger Guides

Only 14 days left until Christmas! So far Boston Green Blog has featured eco-friendly gift ideas from
The Nature Conservancy, The New England Aquarium, Lauren Conrad, and Jess Rizzuti  . But if you need a more comprehensive guide, take a look at TreeHugger's 2012 Gift Guide. TreeHugger composes the best  gift guides on the web, so you're sure to find something for everyone on your list!

Some of my favs that I found through TreeHugger are:

Agate Plates & Coasters from VivaTerra

Earrings from Lulu Frost

Upcycled Clutch Made from Books from Conduit Press

Eco Gift Ideas by Lauren Conrad

Whoever thought Lauren Conrad, the blonde celebutante from The Hills, would become an eco spokeswoman?! It turns out that her website has some fabulous eco-chic gift lists!

1. 5 Eco-chic Gift Ideas

2. XO(eco) collection for Blue Avocado

3. Gift Guide for The Hostess

Cyber Monday Discount Codes & Tips

Finish all your shopping from home by participating in Cyber Monday (TODAY!).
Shopping online is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, and find exactly what you want without the added stress of the crowds.

Where to find the best deals:
-Boston.com's list of 40+ checkout codes and sales
-Rue La La Cyberthon
-Gilt Free Fall
MY FAV: Kate Spade Surprise Cyber Sale

Where to find the most eco deals:
-Ethical Ocean
-Ecolissa
-Fashioning Change
-Nau (get 25% an order of 2 or more items with code: 2FOR25

Great Ways to Upcycle Soup Cans

Here are some fabulous can upcycling ideas from pinterest:

Required Reading: Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano

Not unlike Starre Vartan's Eco Chick Guide to Life, Gorgeously Green is a fun, girly, and informative guidebook to making your daily life as sustainable as possible without giving up style or little luxuries. The 8-step guide is a great resource, I want to carry a copy with me whenever I go shopping! It has lists of chemicals and products to avoid, product recommendations, and even recipes. The book also corresponds with Sophie's website Gorgeously Green - which has countless more green lifestyle ideas. The book and the website have checklists and quizzes to test your progress (like a girls-only version of Practically Green). 

Gorgeously Green is a New York Times Bestseller and has been recommended by many of the world's most stylish women (I mean, come on, the foreword is written by Julia Roberts!). Its easy to see why people love this book - it is super user friendly. I highly recommend checking out a copy from the Boston Public Library or surfing the website.