Crazy Crayons: A Fun, Inexpensive & Creative Classroom Gift Idea

It has been insanely cold here this week so instead of sending the kids outside to play, we've been creating gifts for our neighbors and their teachers & friends.  Yesterday, we made cookies & pumpkin bread...today is "crazy crayon" day.

I found this "recipe" on Martha Stewart and thought it would be a really great "rainy day"...(or just plain bitterly cold day) craft for the kids and I to try.  Once they were completed (see photos) the kids decided that they would make a great gift for their friends at school.  I couldn't agree more.

Here's how we made ours....

• We gathered up all of our crayon scraps (we used about 40 crayons and parts to make 10 crazy crayons).
• Then, I put the kids in charge of peeling.  (This takes awhile so you may want to pop in a movie or turn on some holiday music while they peel).  If you plan ahead, you may want to soak the crayons overnight or for a few hours so they are easier to peel.
• Next, I sliced the crayons (using an old chopping knife) into pea-sized pieces and sorted the chopped crayons into small bowls by colors - (reds & oranges, blues & greens, blacks & greys, etc...)
• After that, I let the kids sort the pieces into muffin tins.  We talked about "earth tones", primary colors, holiday colors etc...as they put the pieces into the muffin holes.
• Finally, I baked the crayon pieces in a 200 degree oven for 15 minutes.  You may need to bake them longer or shorter...they will look like liquid when they are completely melted.
• It takes an hour or so for the crazy crayons to become solid so I put mine in the freezer when the kids started getting impatient.

That's it!  Wa-la...a fun, educational & "green" craft project & gift idea.

We are going to make more later this week and put them into cute baggies for a little gift for the kids' classmates.

12 Essential Rules to Live More Like a Zen Monk

I just stumbled upon this article and thought I would share it.  Chances are, you've never sought advice about parenting & motherhood from a Zen Monk.   Continue reading this article to find out why you should....

 

I’m not a Zen monk, nor will I ever become one. However, I find great inspiration in the way they try to live their lives: the simplicity of their lives, the concentration and mindfulness of every activity, the calm and peace they find in their days.

read more | digg story

Do you Freecycle?

If not, you should. 

I heard about Freecycle.com about a year ago and assumed it was a glorified garage sale "free box".  You know what I am talking about.  The box filled with crap like stuffed animals and broken Happy Meal toys that no one wants....

Boy was I wrong.   A friend reminded me of Freecycle the other day.  He loves to cook and wanted to purchase a pressure cooker but couldn't afford it.  He joined Freecycle and posted a message..."Wanted: Pressure Cooker" - within two days he was trying out his brand new (to him) pressure cooker recipes.

I wasn't completely sold, but joined anyway.  I am trying to downsize a bit so I figured I could at least use it to declutter a bit.  

Part of my downsizing plan means getting rid of the gym membership so I posted...."Wanted:treadmill"..."If it is collecting dust at your place, let it collect dust at mine instead". =)   

Within 24 hours, three people responded.  This morning...instead of driving to the gym, I ran for 20 minutes on my new (to me at least)...and surprisingly nice treadmill.

This weekend someone was giving away a trampoline....

This morning, someone was giving away a plethora of baby items including a crib, bassinet and car seat. 

Tonight...I am going to give away a computer monitor, keyboard, kids' games and mouse. 

It is an absolute blast.  I love reading the posts.  I am anxious to grant wishes...and I am really excited to share my pile of pre-pregnancy jeans with someone who may actually be able to squeeze into them!

Click here to get started....

What You Should & Shouldn’t Buy Organic

A list of foods that you can safely buy non-organic, and things that you really should buy organic.

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20 Extraordinary Uses for Old Pantyhose

I don't think I've worn pantyhose since I left my job in 2002.  (I prefer skirts, tall black boots and sweat socks now).  =)  Oddly enough, I still have piles of pantyhose cluttering up my drawers.  Check out this article that offers some fantastic uses for the dreaded pantyhose. 

When your pantyhose have runs and tears in them, don't throw them away. Someone somewhere will have a use for them. Here are twenty useful ways to recycle them.

1. Cut the legs off and use to keep all those odd bits of soap that tend to get left in the bathroom. Tie the end and keep it beside the sink for hand washing.
2. Put mothballs into a leg and tie it to the rail in your closet
3. Fill a leg with lavender and use to scent your closet

Continue reading.

Technorati Tags: homemaking , cleaning , crafts , pantyhose , recycle , recycling , recycling pantyhose

12 Volt Battery Hack – *Must See*

12 Volt Battery Hack! You'll Be Surprised... - The top video clips of the week are here

I was just doing some research for my "other" gig and came across this video. It is amazing! =) The timing couldn't be better because I was just about to purchase new batteries for my bathroom scale and children's thermometer. Saved $10 bucks just by watching! Cha-CHING!

Sustainable Living and the Work/Life Balance

Enjoy this wonderful video about thrift shopping and green living.

"Quality of life is not about money - time is the key to it all and it is never to late to build a bridge to the ones you love".

Amen, sister! Enjoy.