‘Reuse Tues’ Category

Reuse Tues: Art from Trash

Posted on November 7th, 2012 by Tonia 2 Comments

President Obama {yay! Four more years!} mentioned global warming in his acceptance speech last night, and immediately I saw my Twitter feed light up with excitement from all my greeny friends- cries for the government to finally take notice and action on this serious issue. I hope that Barry’s second term succeeds in being more aggressive on matters of protecting and restoring the environment, but regardless, we all need to keep doing what we can on a micro scale, everyday.

This couple is making a difference in a really beautiful way. I would love a couple of their colorful prints for my walls- as a reminder to not let my life be consumed by “stuff” but to value what is really important, to continue working hard to find new uses for old things even though it’s so much easier to just go buy what I need, and to think hard about things before tossing them in the trash.

Reuse Tues: Butterflies, Tin Cans & a Really Cute Bag

Posted on July 10th, 2012 by Tonia 2 Comments

I have been pinning all sorts of fun craft projects lately, but alas have not had time to try any of them. Is it terrible that I’m already looking forward to fall/winter because life slows down and I’m able to sit at my kitchen table and whittle away at little projects while This American Life crackles on the radio?

I wish I had time for these three projects in particular: The butterflies made out of colorful magazine pages would make a beautiful garland for our screened porch. I would love to have a dinner party with those strung all around, and the paint-dipped tin cans on the table filled with napkins and silverware.

And that skirt turned into a purse is incredibly cute and looks like it’d have plenty of room in it for my flip flops, sunscreen, book and towel…

Okaaaay so I actually don’t want summer to be over at all. I just want more time to do all the things I want to do. Have you been crafting this summer? What have you re-purposed around the house lately?

Reuse Tues: Caine’s Arcade

Posted on April 24th, 2012 by Tonia 5 Comments

Lately around here we’ve been putting old cardboard boxes to use as starter homes for our baby chickens and turkeys. But the little feller in this video does something WAY cooler with them:

Caine’s Arcade from Nirvan Mullick on Vimeo.

I want a Fun Pass!

Reuse Tues: Garden Edition

Posted on March 6th, 2012 by Tonia 1 Comment

It’s still very much winter here in Northern Wisconsin {thanks to the Leap Day Blizzard, we’re finally enjoying a few feet of beautiful snow} but I am aware that elsewhere in the country, March is actually considered a spring month. And many of you are already planning your gardens, so today we’re looking at how reusing everyday household things can help make our gardens more successful and our wallets happy.

1. Those of you that are already starting seeds or thinking about doing so soon- start saving up your used toilet paper rolls and give them a second-life as a seed tube! Not sure when you should be starting seeds? Go here and enter your zipcode for a complete seed-starting calender! {Example: Today is “start cabbage indoors” for 54891}

2. Do you have old storm windows laying around, or maybe you came across a set of them at a garage sale? That is prime cold-frame material! Cold-frames are essential for extending our short growing season around here. You will be happy you made one when you’re munching tender spring lettuce from it when there’s still snow on the ground, and then again in early winter when your summer and fall plantings of lettuces are still going strong. Directions for assembling one here.

3. When we moved to our little farm, we discovered a rather large pile of old lumber {probably remnants from the house remodel that took place about ten years ago} just rotting away in the woods behind the house. We dug through it and found several nice pieces that could be saved and put to a good use. A potato box is a great project for any old wood scraps you may have laying around that doesn’t require the lumber to be strong or in great shape. With your potato box, you’ll be able to plant about 100 lbs of potatoes in just 4 square feet, saving you tons of garden space. Click here for directions.

4. This one is a double-whammy: reuse rain water AND reuse an old garbage can/barrel/stock tank by making a rain barrel to water your garden with! Directions right here.

What are you doing in preparation for gardening season? Reusing anything in a creative way?