Creative Mom Cafe

After my craft the other day of making purses from recycled plastic shopping bags I wanted to share another recycling gift idea. Using up items you already have on hand is a great way to recycle and bring someone a smile.

Most parents have a small collection of those small, baby food jars. The tiny glass jars with tin lids can be reused in a though sand different ways. These are perfect for storing tihngs, for decorations, and for fun gifts. Here are a few ideas you can use to crate holiday gifts this year and clear out your old jars.

• Use the small jars as decorative candle holders. Tie ribbon or string around the jars. I have used small, clear glass rocks and glued them around the jars. Add a small tea light candle in the center and you have a perfect decorative gift.
• Create a storage unit with them. If you know someone who has a lot of small pieces, such as nails or beads, you can create a simple storage unit for them. All you need is a large board, a hammer, and nails. Nail the lids of the jars onto the board. Use strong nails so that they will stay in place. You can then fill the jars with what ever pieces and screw them into the lids. Use paint to decorate the board however you wish.
• Turn the jars into mini snowglobes. This is one project that my oldst loved doing last year. Use small figures, beads, or whatevr you want to create a personal snowglobe. Fill with water and screw the lid on tight. Add a few drops of superglue to make sure that the lid stays on.

baby food jars, recycled gifts, 30 Gifts in 30 Days

OK…so how sick are you of running around like a chicken with her head cut off each morning making sure one child has her instrument, the other has his inhaler and the third at least has pants on before you run out the door to the bus stop?!

This idea for a Creative Placemat solves your problem! Simply make your own placemat that highlights what needs to be done and what needs to be grabbed before heading out the door.

For little ones, I would suggest finding pictures/clip art of items instead of using words they can’t read.

For older ones, who think placemats are for babies, I would suggest a large chart near the coat rack or the shoe rack.

A little attention-getting goes a long way and makes mom more relaxed so the guilt doesn’t arrive as the bus pulls away!

OK…I am in a Family Fun Magazine kind of mood so far this week so I am going to throw some VERY cool, VERY easy crafts at you that I found while searching their site…gotta love naptime!

This first idea I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and know my kids would love using this Creative Carrying Tin for lunch money, notes to teachers, etc!

But above all, they will love MAKING it AND the interchangeable, magnetic lids!

Very cool idea - some commenters on the site had a few suggestions I thought were worth relaying to you:

**to be frugal - use magnets you pick up around town instead of buying the biz card ones!
**put the magnet on the back for older kids who can stick the tins to the inside of a locker!
**put photos of friends on the lid in place of artwork

LOVE THIS!!

OK…you don’t have to tell me twice to dive head-long into the cheesy goodness of pepperoni slathered with greasy, melted cheese!!

But organizing with pizza?? C’mon!

Well, here at the CAFE, anytime we get the chance to have a reason to EAT…we do it! And we do it well!!

A large pizza box is a great way to save the odd-shaped art projects, the spelling tests and math homework and all the other goodies that form gluttonous piles all around your house this time of year!

Although, I don’t have a picture for you yet…the steps are easy.

1-Line the bottom of the box with contact paper (sticky-side down, obviously) - this will keep the pizza grease that you didn’t lick up from harming her papers.

2-Start piling.

You could go farther if you wish, you know I would…

Use the old duo-tang folders with the metal bendy tabs for whole punched paper ad organize WITHIN your box. Have a spelling folder, math, science, etc and punch holes in the papers you want to save. Odd-sized work can just be placed in the box without a folder.

While it is fresh in your mind, staple a comment card to some of the most poignant pieces. A 3 x 5 index card is perfect. Jot down a comment about the work - something you want to remember.

Clearly mark the exterior with child’s name, grade and year.
These should store nicely on a shelf in a closet or in the space between your fridge and the wall.

Start now, it will be easier!