Save the Planet Sunday #9

Little Miss J loves to paint....and no matter what project we start off with, somewhere along the line, it ends up with her painting her hand so that she can make handprints!!  So I try to come up with something she can do that's different to try and keep her attention focused......that's how we ended up painting some flowers fashioned out of empty egg cartons - although I have to say that did not deter her in any way from doing the handprints!!! 

This turned out to be a nice eco-friendly craft and she did enjoy doing it - although it does involve drying time so may not be suitable for very young children.  I had to boost Little Miss J's patience level by letting her do the handprints while we waited for the paint to dry!!!!

I cut up some empty egg cartons.

 Then she set about painting them.

The cardboard does get quite soggy so you have to keep an eye.

We had to wait until the inside dried to paint outside and here is what happened in the meantime!!!!

Once the inside was dry, we painted the outsides.

A lolly stick for the stem and some crumpled tissue paper for the centre.  And she had her 'present' ready for daddy, for when he came home from work just as all her craft projects are!

Save the Planet Sunday #8

Its been a very hectic week and I am so exhausted - I think I'm trying to fit in too many things and my mind is in overdrive......so this is a quick save the planet post.

Did you know that you can use baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) to exfoliate?  The best way to do this is to either take a couple of teaspoons of baking soda in your hand and adding some water and spreading it on your face in a circular motion followed by rinsing it off. 

Alternatively, you can use it mixed in your cleanser.  In both cases, follow it up by moisturising your skin. You will be able to see the effects very soon . As with all exfoliants, use no more than 2-3 times per week. Baking soda has neutral ph so is very mild on the skin and it is a fine abrasive powder so works great as an exfoliant. 

Keep well and do your bit to be 'green'.

Save the Planet Sunday #7

It was chucking down with rain outside this weekend - so it was crafting to the rescue for a rainy afternoon.

I had seen these toilet paper tube flowers in a few places in blogland and have been meaning to try them - but they got used for a kiddie craft project - not to mention upcyling toilet roll tubes!!!!

We flattened a toilet roll tube and cut half inch strips.  Little Miss J did try to cut them with her scissors, but they're a tad difficult to cut with kiddie safe scissors, so I helped cut them and she glued them together.

 Then a few clothespins came in handy to hold until the glue held firmly.

 Then we glued a lolly stick to the back and made a pretty flower!

Next time around, I might get her to paint the 'petals' before gluing them together.

Happy recycling everyone!

Save the Planet Sunday #6

This week has whizzed past and I've really found no time to blog - its been so busy around here!!! But I'm hoping that is remedied next week as there is so much I want to write about and so much I want to do - so little time.

Anyways, we went to the 'pick your own' farm for the first time with little miss J this weekend and here's what we came back with!

Look at all that goodness - fresh farm produce - no supermarket packaging one less thing to harm the environment and whats more we had fun picking all of it.  And all of it tastes gorgeous.

What was your little contribution to the planet today?

Save the Planet Sunday #3

Sunday's around again and its time to talk 'green' again! I was out and about with Little Miss J yesterday and stopped at the flea market on a whim.  And was I glad I did.....a lady was selling plants and wrapping up, so I scored 7 sweet pea plants and a tray of greyhound cabbages, along with the planting tub, all for the stately price of £2.00!!!! I was very pleased with myself and now they've all found a home in my little back garden. 

Now for my little contribution to the planet.  I have actually been doing this for sometime now.  Every morning, when I boil water in the kettle for a cup of coffee, I fill the kettle to maximum and after using what I need, I pour the remaining boiling water into a flask.   I use this water from the flask for anything that requires hot water, whether that be more cups of coffee, or a recipe that calls for water while cooking. This way the water is already hot and less energy is utilized.  If I don't use the water all day, then when it has cooled down the next morning, it gets used for all the plants on my window sill.  Saving water and saving energy!