Tag Archives: DIY

DIY Upcycling Projects: 2 of 12 - OLD TIRES

  By Donna DeForbes | November 2, 2015 - 5:00 am | ,
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One of the cool things about the green movement is that it has inspired people’s creativity for repurposing items. The term “upcycling,” which was first used in 1994, is now a widely understood concept that refers to the process of transforming waste or unwanted products into something new, usually of a higher quality. This post highlights five DIY Upcycling projects using old tires. Be amazed and inspired! DIY Tire Ottoman from That Was a What?!   DIY Garden Planters from Lushome   DIY Tire Sandbox from I Heart Nap Time   DIY Tire SeeSaw from My Fix It Up Life   DIY Tire Pet Bed from Fab Art DIY  

DIY Upcycling Projects: 1 of 12

  By Donna DeForbes | October 6, 2015 - 5:00 am | ,
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One of the cool things about the green movement is that it has inspired people’s creativity for repurposing items. The term “upcycling,” which was first used in 1994, is now a widely understood concept that refers to the process of transforming waste or unwanted products into something new, usually of a higher quality. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’ve done a 12-month series on Eco-Friendly Crafts and Unique, Gently Green Holidays. This post begins a series highlighting DIY Upcycling projects gathered from the Internet to amaze and inspire. Suitcase Lounge Chair from Crafty Magazine   Old Leather Coat into Leather Handbag by Luz Patterns   Spool Bookcase by Pink Stitches   Do you have any DIY Upcycling projects to share?  

DIY Solutions for a Natural Summer

  By Donna DeForbes | June 16, 2015 - 5:00 am | ,
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DIY Solutions for a Natural Summer | Eco-Mothering.com

Summer is a carefree time of sunshine, vacations, picnics and outdoor living. For the eco-conscious person, that outdoor living can bring up questions from “How do I make my own tiki torches?” to “What natural product will keep bugs out of my garden?” Other times, the casualties of summer (sunburn, bug bites) leave us hunting last-minute for natural remedies. Be prepared for anything summer dishes out with these DIY solutions for your body, home and garden. DIY for Health and Body DIY Herbal First Aid Kit for Summer from Delicious Obsessions Easy Sunscreen Recipe from Scratch Mommy Homemade Sunscreen for SPF Allergies from Life Currents Bug Repellant with Coconut and Essential Oils from Delicious Obsessions Treating Bug Bites with Essential Oils from Mix Wellness Healing Garden Salve from Nourishing Simplicity Strawberry Lemonade Foot Scrub from Richly Rooted Medicinal Yarrow Salve for Cuts, Rashes and Stings from Montana Homesteader DIY Non-Toxic … Continue reading →

December’s Top Eco Crafts

  By Donna DeForbes | December 5, 2014 - 5:00 am |
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craft-solstice-ice-lanterns

Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids to enjoy! This month’s collection includes creative ideas for Hanukkah and the Winter Solstice. Solstice Ice Lanterns from The Crafty Crow Felt Solstice Calendar from Green Kitchen Toilet Paper Roll Menorah from Creative Jewish Mom CD Dreidel from Minds in Bloom LEGO Menorah from Bible Belt Balabusta It’s an eco-friendly reuse if your kid already has LEGOs.

Guilt-Free Green Tip #77: Decorate with Nature

  By Donna DeForbes | November 18, 2014 - 5:00 am | ,
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Natural holiday decoration | Eco-Mothering.com

Welcome to a regular blog feature called Guilt-Free Green Tips. These will be easy action steps you can take to be a little greener, and each mini post will feature one tip. Choose the ones that appeal to you, and learn what eco benefits a single, simple step can make. Decorating for the holidays is a fun tradition, but did you know that this year Americans spent nearly $2 million decorating for Halloween? And in 2011, we purchased $6 billion of holiday decorations for Christmas! That’s a lot of money at a time when people often stress about not having enough for other things. Holiday decoration can be much simpler, sustainable, cheaper — and really quite beautiful — when you source items from nature. Sometimes the simple placement of a few eye-catching pieces makes a bigger impression than a house full of plastic creatures. (That even sounds a little creepy, doesn’t it?) … Continue reading →

November’s Top Eco Crafts

  By Donna DeForbes | November 11, 2014 - 5:00 am |
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Eco crafts for Thanksgiving | Eco-Mothering.com

Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids to enjoy! This month’s collection includes creative ideas for Thanksgiving. Vegetable Turkey Centerpiece by Views from My Window Gourd Candles by Inhabitots Sock Turkey by Christian Games and Crafts Thankful Pumpkins by Keeley McGuire Nut and Corn Husk Napkin Rings by Bellenza

Review: Fun, Affordable Eco Art Kits from Artterro

  By Donna DeForbes | October 21, 2014 - 5:00 am | , ,
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Artterro Eco Art Kits | Eco-Mothering.com

My daughter, Sofie, wants to be an artist when she grows up. While she mostly draws or paints, I like exposing her to new mediums to get her creative juices flowing in a different way. Arttero’s Eco Art Kits are a great way to encourage that — they offer 11 kits with a variety of materials and open-ended projects to spark young creative minds. Making Art Eco-Friendly When we received their Creativity Kit (Sofie’s choice) and perused their website, I was kind of blown away by the level of sustainability and social conscience behind Artterro. Ethically sourced, natural materials including wool felt, recycled paper, glass beads, wood bangles, U.S.-made copper wire and non-toxic paints. The handmade recycled paper is composed entirely of scraps from the garment industry and is processed pollution free! Corn-based, biodegradable plastic bead bags. Minimal packaging with 100% post-consumer recycled cardboard that can be repurposed. The box … Continue reading →

October’s Top Eco Crafts

  By Donna DeForbes | October 2, 2014 - 5:00 am |
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craft-cinnamon-stick-candles

Welcome to my monthly installment of eco-friendly arts and craft projects gathered from around the Internet. While some projects require adult supervision, they are a fun, educational and green hobby for your kids to enjoy! This month’s collection includes ideas for Halloween and Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Cinnamon Stick Candle Holders from Elena Arsenoglou Make it greener by substituting soy or beeswax candles. Paper Mâché Bowls for Diwali Gifts from Mommy Labs Lentil, Rice or Flower Rangoli from Artsy Craftsy Mom (scroll halfway down the page) Halloween Neighborhood from Natural Mommie Egg Carton Bats from Care2