Creative Mom Cafe

With Earth Day coming up I wanted to share some places on the web where you can find some creative inspiration. There are lots of fun ways to celebrate Earth Day for creative moms and kids. Here are some of my favorite ones.

•  Tin Can Herb Pots - Decorative and fun these little pots are made from empty tin cans, the kind that you can buy soups and vegetables in at the store. Decorate them up and grow some herbs. Not only can you use them for cooking but your kids can enjoy making something grow for Earth Day
• Recycled Tote - Use old plastic and weave it into a new tote bag that you can use to carry things in. Have some weaving fun and recycle at the same time.
• Earth Pendant - Make a fun necklace to wear that shows off your kids’ love of the earth.
• Make Your Own Recycled Paper - Use this to make your own Earth Day cards to give to everyone. It’s lots of fun to do and is a great way to show your kids about recycling.
• CD Jewel Case Birdhouse - Though it was meant to be a birdhouse this would make a great little greenhouse for starting seeds. Plus it looks beautiful and would make a fun decoration to have in your yard.
• Crafty Fridge Magnets - Recycle old candy packaging into fun magnets for your fridge. Instead of tossing those little boxes into the trash use a little glue and a small magnet to have some creative fun.

These are just a  few of the fun creative ideas you can use to celebrate Earth Day with your kids. Get creative and see what other things you can reuse, transform, and recreate into something fun and eco-friendly.

Earth Day, crafts, creative, recycle, recycled crafts

The weather is warming up and many moms are pulling out their kids’ warmer weather clothes. Around here jeans were the staple of cold weather wear, worn nearly every day to keep us warm. Now the stack of jeans is being gone through, those too short or too stained tossed to the side. If you have those jeans that have become too short in the legs or have stains across the legs they can still be reused for this spring and summer. A few simple changes can turn old blue jeans into cute skirts and fun shorts for your kids to wear.

First head over to ThreadBanger for a great DIY idea on turning a pair of jeans into a cute denim skirt. All you will need is a pair of jeans, a seam ripper, and a sewing machine to create a fun new wardrobes item for your little girl. Add some lace around the bottom, iron on fun patches, use fabric paints, or anything else to decorate the skirt and turn it into a one of a kind piece of art to wear. You could even try some fun embellishing for a unique style.

If your daughter isn’t a skirt wearing type of girl you can still turn outgrown jeans into fun spring pieces. When kids grow so fast it is common to find jeans that still fit, yet are several inches too short. Cut off the bottom few inches off the legs and hem them to create fun capri jeans. You can add a small lace ruffle around the bottom for a fun look.

Of course girls aren’t the only ones that can have their jeans reworked. You can refashion your boy’s jeans by turning them into cool shorts for the warmer months.  You can use the same ideas of adding iron-ons, sewing on squares of fabric, or using fabric paint to make interesting and fun shorts any boy would love to wear.

If hemming jeans seems like a challenge here is a great tutorial on hemming jeans that you can use for all your jeans transforming ideas.

jeans, crafts, sewing, shorts, skirts, DIY

I found these adorable spring animals online and had to share them. Using empty baby food jars and some craft foam you can create cute little animals to show off. Make bunnies and chicks for Easter decorations around your house, in your church, or even at the dinner table if you are having a big Easter meal. The possibilities are endless for these easy to make pets.

Of course they don’t have to just be decorations. You could help your kids make an entire farm full of animals for some creative play time. Or you can even use them for party games. Write numbers on the lids then have everyone pick an animal. Later draw a random number, whomever has that numbered animal wins a prize. Hide the fun animals around your house or yard for an interesting scavenger hunt game, just be sure there aren’t any eggs still laying out there. Use your imagination and I’m sure you can come up with a lot of great fun ideas for these cute animals.

Since they reuse the glass baby food jars you could turn them into a fun recycling project. Use scraps of felt or bits of broken toys to create the animals. You can stuff them with bits from old towels, clothes, or the cotton stuffing from blankets and pillows. See how creative you can get using only recycled items for your animals.

For other ideas on reusing baby food jars click here.  There are a lot of fun ways that you can reuse something that most parents already have sitting around.

crafts, spring, animals, Easter, recycling, kids

For those who like to recycle their trash into crafty projects the milk jug Easter basket is a fairly common one this time of year. However this simple basket can pull double duty and become a Pot ‘O Gold for some little leprechaun to carry. All you need is a clean empty milk jug, scissors, paint, a stapler, and your “gold”. My favorite is to use chocolate candies wrapped in gold foil. You can use both a gallon and a half-gallon milk jug to make this, both work great. Here’s how to make the pot.

Using your scissors cut the bottom 4-5 inches off of the milk jug. This bottom part will be the pot. From the top part cut a long, thin piece  to be the handle of the put. Use the stapler to secure the handle to the pot. You may need to use two or three staples on each side. It should look like this once you have the handle stapled one.

Once you have it securely stapled into place you can paint the pot. Some may prefer to go with black to make it resemble a traditional pot, others may want to go green with it. You could even glue on pictures of 4 leaf clovers or leprechauns to make it even more fun.

This could be a great class project to do. Have everyone bring in a jug to cut and paint themselves, then leave them out on their desks over night. The next morning they might find a suprise left behind in their pots by some traveling leprechauns.

crafts, pot of gold, recycled, milk jugs, St. Patrick’s day

This isn’t a project you will want to do with younger children, but it is still a fun St. Patrick’s day craft idea.

Many people have seen the fun necklaces and earrings made from soda cans. Shapes, usually hearts, are cut from the cans and strung onto chains or hung on ear hooks to make interesting recycled jewelry. I have always thought these were cool pieces of jewelry, and have also secretly wanted a Mountain Dew heart necklace to show my love for the beverage that keeps me going. This weekend I decided instead of a heart I could use the green can to make a fun four leaf clover. So that’s just what I did.

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Nothing else says spring like flowers. Here is another fun little spring craft you can do with your kids to get you all in a spring state of mind.

• cardboard
• paints, crayons, or markers
• scissors
• glue
• a small photo of your child

You can make a cute flower photo frame to show off your child’s artistic talents and spring time smile all in one shot. First you will need to print off the flower template to use. Or create your own flower head to show off your child’s face. For the template click on the small image below.

Use the flower template to cut a flower shape out of your cardboard. You can make this a great recycling project by using cardboard from boxes. If you use food boxes, such as from cereal or pastas you may want to cut two flowers to layer together for a sturdier flower frame. Cut the center circle out for your child’s picture.

Most children will have fun decorating their flowers for unique spring time treasures. You can use just the flower heads, or cut stems and leaves to glue to your flower frames. Once dry add your child’s picture to the center and you have a fun spring time frame. The great thing about this craft is that it is so simple you can adapt it in any way that you want. Attach magnets to the back to hang your flower frames on your fridge or glue each flower onto a doweling rod and “plant’ them in a flower pot. You can get as creative as you want to with these simple frames.

crafts, kid’s crafts, spring, pictures, picture frame

There are only so many things you can do with paper, right? What about making beads? You can make cute and simple beads using small scraps of paper. This is perfect for the scrapbookers out there who always seem to have little bits and pieces left over. It’s so simple that you can even make these beads with your kids. Craft up some cute beads in red and white for a Valentine’s necklace or make some in pastels for a Spring theme.

You will need paper, a ruler, scissors, and straws. Use regular drinking straws for larger beads to string through yarn or ribbon. If you plan to use thin wire or string, such as fishing line, you can use the small straws used for stirring coffee. You will also need glue, and if you would like a clear varnish to coat the beads in once they are finished.

Start with your scrap paper. Cut small rectangles 1/2 inch wide by 2 inches long. For more variation you could cut a long triangle rather than a rectangle. This can give the bead a more intresting shape. Experiment with various cuts to see what you will get.

Paint a thin layer of the glue on the back of the paper. Roll the paper around itself on the straw. You can do this several time to crate many beads at once. Let the glue dry completely, then cut away the straw from both ends of the bead. The straw should only be inside the paper beads with none sticking out on either side. If you like you can paint on a coat of clear varnish to help seal the paper beads and make them last longer.

This is a very simple craft that can b done with most children from preschool up. As long as the child can cut, glue, and wrap paper they can easily make these beads. This would be a great craft project to do at a birthday party. Of course paper beads arn’t just for kids. You can make one of a kind earrings, beautiful necklaces, or funky bracelets from paper beads.

paper, beads, paper beads, craft

I actually did this project back before Christmas and had planned to share it, but kept forgetting to. I had posted before about finding some cute fabric in my stash and wanting to do something with the scraps. I had enough to make a large tote bag for my oldest to use to carry his stuff in and with the scraps made three small bean bags.

Because I was using scrap pieces of material and I wanted to make the frogs the center of attention on each side of the bags the peices were cut into some unusual shapes. So far that hasn’t affected how fun they are to play with. The filling is lentils, from an old bag I found hiding in the back of the cubbard. I did not follow an exact pattern on making these. I sewed up three sides, turned them right sides out, filled with the lentils, and hand stitched them shut. It took about 15 minutes for the machine sewing and filling, then an additional half and hour to hand stitch them closed. It was a really quick and simple project that both of my boys have gotten hours of fun out of.

And it used up scrap material and that half finished bag of lentils that I had forgotten I had. So it scores one for reusing. (more…)

Are you still staring at a pile of Christmas cards wondering what to do with them now? You could chop them up to make thank you cards to send out to everyone. Or cut them down small and use as gift tags for next Christmas. If you are really feeling artistic you could create some interesting art pieces from images cut from the cards and other thins you can find. It could be a great weekend project to get your creative juices flowing.

If instead of Christmas cards it is gift cards you have piled up Treehugger shared an artist who found new life for used gift cards. The possibilities are endless here. You could even cut up the gift cards and create one of a kind pendants for necklaces and earings. A bit like these intersting conversation starters. Jewelry made from soda cans. Now that is recycling for art.

Take some time this weekend and look around your house, your trash, the neighbor’s trash, any places that you normally would never think of going. See if you can gt inspired to try something different and strange. Stretching your imagination is a great way to give yourself a mental workout and can bring out a mountain of new ideas. If you are still stumped watch your children playing for a while. The untamed imagination and creativity in kids can be a great stimulant for your own.

There are a lot of great ways to reuse what you have in new,creative ways. If you would like to get your kids involved here are some fun sites with ideas for recycled art.

• Recycling Crafts for Kids
• Artists Helping Children
• Environmental Fun for Kids
• Recycle Works Kids
• Crafts that recycle

art, jewelry, gift cards, cards, recycling

I know that a lot of people are resolving to be more eco-friendly this year. Going green is a huge trend that everyone seems to be jumping on. Though I cringe at calling it a trend, that does seem to be what it has become. So to help any wanna-be greenies out there with a knitting habit I have to share an Etsy shop I recently found.

Crafty is a fun little shop that sells recycled yarn. That’s right it’s all recycled. The seller searches for great sweaters at the thrift shop and carefully unravels them to sell the yarn. It is a perfect example of reusing rather than buying new. There are tons of old sweaters still in good shape that no one wants to wear. Why not use that yarn to make something new and fun? Besides being better for the environment you will also be saving yourself a lot of money. The cost of a thrift store sweater is often a fraction of what you would pay for the same amount of yarn new, especially if it is wool.

It is a wonderful idea for someone looking to open their own Etsy shop. If you have the time and patience to scout through the thrift shops and carefully undo the sweaters, vests, and anything else knitted or crocheted you find this could be for you. Or you could start now building up a collection of yarn balls from thrifted sweaters and make all of your knitting friends happy next holiday season.

Here are some links with how-tos on unraveling and caring for used yarn.

• Recycling Yarn
• Turtleneck No More
• Recycled Yarn Tutorial
• How Not To Unravel a Sweater

(photo from Yarn Tomato, post title from Weezer)

yarn, thrift, sweater, unraveling a sweater

Everyone knows how to make fleece hats or knit wool hats, and making a fleece scarf or knitting one is just as simple. But what if your kids need gloves? Can you make simple gloves from warm fleece or knit a pair for your kids to use this winter?

There are several patterns out there for knitting gloves. Including thse adorable mini mittens that would make cute tree decorations. But for functional gloves you will need something bigger. These basic mittens are simple to make and perfect for keeping little hands warm. Here is another pattern for knitting some warm gloves and a matching hat. You can also make yourself some fingerless gloves to keep your hands warm without getting in the way of knitting.

If you would rather sew than knit making warm fleece gloves is no problem. These simple mittens are perfect for keeping hands warm and can be made in no time. And here is great step by step instructions for making a fleece hat and gloves. If you’re feeling really crafty you can try using your own gloves as a pattern to work with. Just be sure to add extra room around for the seams.

If you are wanting a great project that your kids can do this time of year to learn aobut giving this could b the perfect one. Making several fleece hats, scarves, and sets of mittens to donate to your local homeless shelter, church, or any charity that will give them to those in need this winter is a wonderful way to help your children really get into the giving parts of this season. You can reuse old fleece sweaters or blankets to make everything with as a great way to show how to recycle too!

gloves, knitting, fleece

It’s officially December, are you pulling out the Christmas sweaters yet? You know, the tacky, bejeweled, sparkly sweaters. Usually covered in bells, ornaments, and glitter. Blech! I know that some people might like them, but I’m not one of those people. Give me a plain, simple sweater any day.

My friend Christine showed off her mad recon skills by turning a cute sweater into something more fab. I don’t have any sweaters in my closet that are ready to be converted into something cool, so I’m plotting a thrift shop run. There’s nothing like getting a bag of old sweaters for a few dollars to turn into fun. Earlier this year I got a gorgeous, nearly new wool sweater for pocket change and turned it into wool pants for my youngest son. Any moms that use cloth diapers know the joys of wool pants, or wool longies, during the winter months.

Though, if you’re looking for something much cooler to do with a sweater I’d suggest you head over to Threadbanger. Here’s an awesome video from them on turning a plain sweater into a cute shrug and matching skirt. I know some preteen girls who would LOVE this! Are you pulling out the sweaters yet? Or are you attempting to make one?

sweaters, reconstructed clothes

Here’s another fun decorative gift idea you can make. A decorative tin candle holder. These are easy to make and fun to have around you home. And they can be made out of things that most people already have in thir homes.

To start you will need an empty, clean tin can, a hammer, and a nail. You can use the cans that soups or beans come in. Just wash it out thoroughly and remove all of the label. If you are having trouble getting the label to comeoff often soaking it in water then using a scrubber pad will do the trick. All you have to do it use the hammer to hammer in the nail into the can. The small holes will let light from the candle shine through creating a beautiful effect.

The best thing to do is to map out your design before you begin. You can create shapes and patterns in the can with the holes. Print out simple images from your computer and tape them around the can. Then just follow the lines as you punch holes into the tin. Remove the image when you are done and you will have a unique candle holder to give. A simple tea light candle or a small votive will fit perfectly in the center. You can also use largr tin cans, such as the ones that coffee comes in or the bulk sized cans of condiments. You can place larger candles in them or use them to create an outdoor light display. Lay out large bulb outside lights going down either side of a walk in your yard. Them place the large carns upside down on top of the lights. It creates a beautiful light effect at Christmas time.

Of course you don’t have to leave the tin can plain. You can tie ribbon around the can, paint it, or attach small decorations. Remember that the tin may get very hot if a candle is left burning in it for too long. So you may want to be catious with how you decorate. Whenpainting the can be sure to paint if before putting the holes in or else the holes may become covered by the paint.

tin cans, candles, candle holder, 30 gifts in 30 days

I’ve talked about making jewelry to give as gifts before, but I wanted to go into detail on a specific kind of jewelry you can really make yourself. Or, more specifically you can make the jewels yourself. This is a very simple trick that you can use to make gorgeous pieces for jewelry, magnets, or anything else you can think of. All you need is a little clear gloss acrylic paint and some creativity.

To start with you will need an image. Some people clip small pictures out of magazines or use pieces of old wallpaper. You can even use photos if you want. Anything at all, as long as you keep in mind the size of the piece you want to make. Cut out the image that you want to use and glue it to a sturdy back. Cardboard is a great choice that is easy to find, though if you are safe you can use small pieces of metal cut into the same size and shape. Cutting down a soda can could be a great way to create your own backing, though very dangerous because of the sharp edges. Use a strong yet light glue to put the image onto the backing, common superglue often works fine.

Once your image is glued on and dried you ar ready to pull out the clear gloss acrylic paint. Basically all you will be doing is applying a few coats over the entire thing. How thick or thin you want it to be is up to you, but you should add at least 2 or 3 coats to be sure. Before painting make sure that your iamge is cut down exactly how you want it. Trim along the sides and measure the size first. Then begin painting. It will have a beautiful glossy shine once dry and look like an amazing piece of jewelry.

You can glue the pieces onto small magnets for great prsonal magnets, or turn them into beautiful jewelry. You can glue on caps to create a drop for your beads to be used as pendants. You can also glue them onto empty broach pins to create special broaches. Be as creative as you want!

It’s a great way to make someone some special jewelry this holiday season!

gifts, jewelry, 30 gifts in 30 days

If you’ve made lots of fun gifts to fill their stocking with now you can make a handmade wreath to hang up next to them. Creating your own wreaths can be fun, and you don’t have to make one just for the holidays. An unique handcrafted wreath can be the perfect decoration any time of the year. In fact, if you are feeling crafty you could make several to be used during the year.

You will need a hot glue gun, a wreath base, and any decorations you want. Wreath bases are fairly common to find. You can even use an old wreath that you have or one bought from a thrift shop. Most are made from straw or grape vines, though if you want to really be unique you can try other materials and make your own. Twist thick wire, rope, or even knit a circle you can use as your wreath base. Just be sure that what ever you choose is strong enough to hold the decorations you plan to put on it.

Once you have your base it is time to decorate. Plan out what theme you want the wreath to have. Will it be a Christmas wreath, one that matches the person’s home decor, or decorated with things you know they will love. Use ribbons, silk flowers, and small ornaments to create an unique style. You can look through the photos of wreaths at Flickr for more inspiration. Make it as big or as small as you want. You can even use pieces from old wreaths to create your new one. It is a great recycling craft idea. The last thing you will need is a way to hang it. Some people buy hooks that they attach to the back, some use pieces of strong wire. Whatever you choose you will need it to be strong enough to hold the weight and secure it tightly onto the back of your wreeath.

wreath, crafts, Christmas, 30 Gifts in 30 Days