December 30, 2010

Craft TuesD.I.Y with Lisa Lopez: New Year's Eve Time Capsules, Noise Makers & Confetti!

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I am re-posting an oldie but goody from last year!

Although New Year's Eve is typically regarded as a holiday for grown-ups, and kids are in bed long before midnight, there is no reason young ones should miss out on having some of their own fun earlier in the evening! Ring in 2010 together by making these fun, festive crafts from household items! Read on to learn how to make a family time capsule, noise makers, and confetti! And let the countdown begin!


Materials You Will Need
to make a Family Time Capsule:
  • Any kind of small container with a lid. I used a mixed nuts can -- you could use a potato chip can or anything you have available.
  • Construction paper
  • Glitter Glue
  • Glue
  • Stickers
  • Pipe cleaners


1) Measure and wrap construction paper around your can. Do the same for the lid as well. Glue on decorative ribbon, pipe cleaners, and stickers, and then write '2009' on the front of the can with your glitter glue.

2) Have each member of your family place an item of significance from the past year, (one that they won't miss having around) in the can. Add special pictures or mementos from events that occurred during 2009, and have each person write a letter to themselves, perhaps stating what they hope to accomplish in 2010: goals, dreams, hopes...


3) Place all items into the 'time capsule' and put it away until next New Year's Eve when you can have a peek inside! Or, you could also make the time capsule cover a longer period of time by filling it with history from several years past, and then stow it until several years in the future before re-visiting the memories.



Materials You Will Need to make your own noise makers:
  • An empty TP roll, paper towel roll, or any type of empty tin gum container, tin mint container, etc.
  • Wax Paper
  • Rubber bands
  • Coins, uncooked rice, or uncooked beans
1) If you're using a toilet paper roll to create your noise maker, simply wrap your roll with colored paper, then put some wax paper on one end and secure it in place with a rubber band.

2) Fill the roll 1/4 to 1/2 full with, coins, rice, dry beans, etc. Seal the other end of the roll with wax paper and rubber band it as well.

3) Decorate your noise makers and then shake, shake, shake!

(If you use a tin mint or gum container, simply fill it halfway full with uncooked rice, beans or coins, close the lid, decorate and shake!)



To Make Your Own Confetti:

Making confetti is super easy! If your child is old enough, equip him/her with a hole puncher and let them go crazy punching holes into scrap paper, newspaper, or junk mail! You can also put your confetti in fun little bags or containers, so each little reveler has their very own stash for tossing with glee! If kids are too young to wield a hole puncher, simply let them shred or tear little pieces of paper up for the same jovial effect!

Have fun, and have a Happy New Year!

December 27, 2010

Recycle Your Christmas Cards with St. Jude's Ranch


When you take down all of your beautiful Christmas cards and re-read them before saying goodbye to the holiday season, here's a great way to let their beauty live on while helping children in need...

Remove the covers of your cards and mail them to St. Jude's Ranch, where children will upcycle them into brand new cards to be used next Christmas.

Click here for all the info you need to send in your cards!

December 26, 2010

Co-Founder of gDiapers Proves Necessity is the 'Mother' of Invention


The cloth vs. disposable diaper debate is one that presents quite a conundrum for green parents. But when gDiapers hit the scene, a hybrid diaper was born! Read more about this ingenious invention that pairs the convenience of disposables with the sustainability of cloth diapers, and meet the eco-conscious mom and co-founder of the company. Click here to read my article on Kimberley Graham Nye of gDiapers!

December 23, 2010

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas


Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World


We recently visited the World Forestry Center's exhibit: The Last Polar Bear: Facing the Truth of a Warming World, featuring the photography of Steven Kazlowski. We viewed over 40 large-format, breathtaking color photographs by Kazlowski which document the polar bear in its Arctic coastal habitat from Hershel Island in Canada to Point Hope, Alaska.

If you're in the Portland area, a visit to the World Forestry Center is well worth the trip. The plight of the polar bears really speaks to me, and I dread the fact that these majestic creatures will most likely
be extinct in our childrens' lifetime.

December 20, 2010

Two Precious DIY, Eco-Friendly Dollhouses


My little girl isn't into dollhouses yet... and who knows if she ever will be!? But I appreciate their intricate nature and am such a fan of those who make them by hand from green materials. If you're looking for a winter indoor project -- perhaps a way of bonding with one of your older kids by making this a joint endeavor -- here are two beyond darling dollhouse ideas you can make yourself!

Above: This dollhouse was created by the mom behind Darlybird. She shares the details behind the making of and the magical outcome here.

Below: Amy of Sweet Sweet Life made this dollhouse with her daughter. Click here for the tutorial, and see more amazing photos of the completed dollhouse here.


These dollhouses make me wish I was a kid again!

December 17, 2010

Recycled Hymnal Paper Garland


I can't help but sing the praises of this recycled hymnal paper garland. Made from hymnal paper and appliqued with fabric, this is a glorious example of savvy, green holiday decor. If you have an old book or hymnal around, turning it into garland would make a fun DIY project with the kids as well!

December 15, 2010

Plantable Gift Bags from Green Planet Parties


Since gift wrap typically goes hand in hand with the holidays, we can green our approach by being as mindful as possible when it comes to wrapping up our offerings. Green Planet Parties offers these great, plantable gift bags. They're made with Lotka paper which is 50% recycled and tree free. Reuse them as many times as you can, but once they're done holding gifts, they may be planted into the earth to sprout flowers! Talk about a gift that keeps on giving...

For other eco gift wrapping ideas, visit our post on personalized, green wrapping paper you can make yourself from household objects!

Love the concept of planting an object to make flowers bloom? Then you'll also love this calendar!

And re-visit my review of Green Planet Parties' eco, reusable holiday crackers too!

December 13, 2010

Wee Gallery's Wall Graphics Bring Nursery Walls to Life


If you're looking for whimsical nursery art to liven up your little one's space, Wee Gallery offers an adorable array of modern and stylish options. The Birdie Banner kit shown above will look like it was hand-painted onto the wall. It comes with 15 flags, 2 birdies, 5 stars and 79 alphabet letters so it may be customized to feature a variety of messages from your child's name to sentiments like 'I love you.'

What I truly love about Wee Gallery's wall graphics are that they are made with a wall-safe, removable and repositionable material called Blik Re-Stik so they may be used multiple times. All of Wee Gallery's wall graphic are PVC-free and kid-safe. These graphics are perfect for everyone, but especially for renters who aren't permitted to paint their walls, or for those who want to decorate sans fumes.



Here's the charming backstory on Wee Gallery:

"When Dave (a teacher) and his wife Surya (a graphic designer) had their first baby, they discovered just how much babies develop and learn in those first 5 years of life. They also learned that babies are fascinated by graphic, high-contrast, black and white images and that it actually helps their cognitive development. Playing with the idea of creating beautiful black and white imagery that appealed to parents AND babies lead them to create Wee Gallery, smart art for little minds!"


Purchase Wee Gallery products here at Organic Baby Gift Boutique and get a 15% discount by entering code: Tot15.

December 10, 2010

Eco-Friendly 'Meowy' Christmas Notecards from Pixel & Post


I adore kitties, so of course I'm in love with these 'Meowy' Christmas notecards from Pixel & Post.

They feature eleven festive felines on the front, and the back is blank, awaiting your personal message. They are also sustainably designed: printed in the USA on 100% recycled card stock using soy based inks -- and 100% recycled white envelopes round out the set of 10 notecards which are delivered in a biodegradable plastic sleeve.

Purr-fect for eco-conscious cat lovers!

December 8, 2010

The New Generation Eco-Friendly, Non-toxic Lunchbox


I'm a big fan of the no-waste lunch concept, which eliminates the disposable bags and containers that plague landfills. I have written previously about complete lunch systems, as well as accessories like reusable water bottles and cloth sandwich and snack bags, and I recently learned about The New Generation Lunchbox, which is an insert that fits inside your child's existing lunch carrier. With this mealtime accessory, there's no need to purchase a completely separate system if your child already owns a lunch bag that she's fond of. Simply insert this BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free New Generation Lunchbox inside (as shown below), and voila, you've got a waste-free lunch!


I like that The New Generation Lunchbox features two levels, the top level is perfect for housing a sandwich or wrap (cut in half), and the bottom level compartmentalizes chips, veggies, and fruit.

As mentioned by the mom of three who invented this clever system, this insert does away with the frustration of having to locate and wash multiple pieces: lids, containers, etc. in order to pack a daily lunch -- which is enough of a feat!

The insert also features a handle, and may be used on its own as a lunchbox if you opt not to put it inside an insulated lunch carrier. It is also microwave and dishwasher safe for even more added convenience.

If you haven't taken the baby step to green your child's lunch regimen- consider buying The New Generation Lunchbox as an eco New Year's Resolution!

*SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Enter code "petite20" to get 20% off The New Generation Lunch Box through December 31!

December 6, 2010

Handmade Messenger Bags for Kids from Mee a Bee


Traveling with your tots in tow this holiday season? Equip them with their very own handmade messenger bag to tote to and fro your destination. Kids will love filling a bag with goodies and personal items for road or plane trips!

Mee a Bee crafts messenger bags specially designed for kids ages 3-6. A variety of adorable patterns offer plentiful choices to suit all kinds of interests. Boys messenger bags include the sweet trains shown above and prints featuring the London underground and Beetle cars, and more.

Super cute offerings for girls include Woodland Deer, Ballerinas and a pink nautical theme.

Mee a Bee messenger bags also make great school bookbags, dance class bags, and bags for carrying library books!

December 3, 2010

BOOK REVIEW: Hannah and the Talking Tree

Books are among my favorite gifts to give and receive. I especially like books that teach children about the importance of preserving nature, in a fashion they can relate to and understand.

Hannah and the Talking Tree by Elke Weiss is a sweet tale of a little girl with giant ears. She gets made fun of for being different and retreats into nature to seek comfort. Here she meets a talking tree who tells her he is threatened by people who want to cut him down. Hannah befriends the tree and eventually makes her way back to the city to urge others to save the tree. I won't give away the happy ending!

This book features vibrant, adorable illustrations of animals and nature, and the simple language makes it easy for children as young as three years old to appreciate and comprehend.

If you're looking for a charming, green tale for a teeny greenie in your life, Hannah and the Talking Tree is sure to delight.

Further, this book is printed on recycled, FSC certified paper from responsible sources.

Purchase here at Amazon.

December 1, 2010

Sponsor Highlight: Organic Baby Gift Boutique


Organic Baby Gift Boutique offers an amazing array of eco-friendly and organic baby gifts, clothes, bedding, gear, skincare, and more. They offer a gift registry service so green mamas can let all of their loved ones know what is on their wish list for themselves and their little ones -- everything from baby bottles to skincare!


A few of my personal favorite from the boutique are:


Farm art cards for baby --Wee Gallery's sturdy art cards featuring farm animals will help babies explore, learn and appreciate art and our furry friends!

The Go Gaga Gondola Diaper Bag is made from 72% post consumer recycled fabric by a fair trade certified manufacturer in Vietnam, and it comes in a variety of eye-popping candy hues and features a padded strap to protect mom's shoulders while lugging baby gear to and fro! The interior boasts insulated bottle pockets and plenty of mom and baby-friendly features to make life on the go with a baby in tow more convenient!



I LOVE this personalized organic cotton guitar onesie! It is also available as a long sleeve onesie and in toddler tee sizes! My daughter would really dig this!

Shop at Organic Baby Gift Boutique here! Type in "TOT15" to receive 15% off your order!