Photo Friday

Hello! It's Friday again, which means time for another photo! Today's photo comes from last weekend's Yard and Tree Waste Free Day in Ames! Did you see us there? We were very impressed with these two bikers from Cycles Recycling who brought in yard and tree waste in the greenest way!

Featured Article: Simple Ways to Reuse & Recycle Your Holiday Decor

The new year is here and with it comes the chore of taking down holiday decorations. Since taking down is a lot less fun than putting up, it's easy to think that maybe it's time to toss some older decorations. However, sending that decor to a landfill is just no good! So, today's article goes over just a couple easy way to reuse old ornaments in a fresh, new way.

Check out this article, and find a new way to refresh ornaments, lights, holiday cards and wrapping paper! Which is your favorite? Do you have another craft that you like to reuse holiday ornaments for? Let us know in the comments!

Read the article here.

Featured Article: Hy-Vee and GreenRU Partner to Keep Organic Waste out of Landfills

Organics recycling is a huge service, but it is one that is fairly new on a commercial scale in the midwest. GreenRU is one company that is working to provide that service in Iowa for Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Hospitals, Schools & Universities, and many other locations. The company has been doing work with a few Hy-Vee locations as well. Hy-Vee is a well known grocery story in the midwest, so it is encouraging to see some of their stores picking up this program. 

This article summarizes some of the work the two have done together, and talks about why the grocery stores using GreenRU decided to transition into organics recycling. It's a great little story, it takes about as much time to read as this blog, and we think you should definitely check it out! 

Read the article here.

Recycled Wrapping Paper Crafts

Everybody goes through much more waste this month than the rest of the year, mostly due to the waste created by gift wrapping. However, it seems a shame to throw all of that pretty paper into a landfill. After the presents have been ripped open, these crafts will help you give new life to all that barely used paper!

Wrapping Paper Basket DIY

 This fun basket is great for craft supplies and little nic nacs. It's easy enough that your children can help you with it, and it is a fun way to store a few of the new gifts they unwrapped!

Wrapping Paper Bookmark DIY

These bookmarks are a great future gift for any book lover in your family, or to mark your spot in your new book that your received as a gift! 

Frame From Rolled Paper DIY

 This tutorial is actually for newspaper, but we think it could be even more beautiful with wrapping paper! It's a great little frame that could be used as a gift in the future, or used to decorate your house!

Book Covers DIY

If you ever had to make a book cover in grade school, you already know how to do this craft! Use your wrapping paper to protect your books and make them stylish!  

Soap Cozy DIY

Imagine how great this could look with bright, shimmery holiday wrapping? We like this to spruce up any soap container!

Card DIY

 For fun and festive cards you can't really beat these. Plus it adds a nice homemade touch to all of your cards.

Wrapping Paper Star DIY

These lovely wrapping paper stars would make a great ornament for parties year round (as long as it doesn't have any season specific images)!

Office Supply Cans

 Spruce up some tin cans and make these beautiful and chic office supply cans!

Homemade Gift Ideas

This month is a big one for gifts. If you're trying to be green or just avoid the stores, homemade gifts can be a good and heartfelt option for gifts. If you're stumped on what to make for a homemade gift, check out some of our favorites!

Cork Trivet DIY

 Maybe you have someone on your list who's a total foodie, or maybe just someone who has their own kitchen for the first time. Either way, one easy and useful gift is this trivet. It works well for your hot pots and pans, and it has a fun and almost rustic charm.

Clay Pot Snowmen DIY

We love these adorable little snowmen that can be used to decorate your home throughout the winter season. We aslo think it'd be easy to make these guys a little bigger- using a bigger pot, ball and sock, to make a fun winter lawn or entryway ornament.

Cute Coaters DIY

 These fun coasters make great gifts for everyone because you use scrapbook paper to make the tiles, so you can personalize it to anyone you know!

Pantone Chip Magnets DIY

 This gift is great for the designer or artist you know, and it's a fun and easy little craft that looks so nice that it could have been bought from a store!

Teacup Lights DIY

 These fun little candles are a great way to use old cups that have darling details but might not match your dish ware.

Knit Cowl DIY

 As the weather turns chilly it is always good to remember that cowls and scarfs make great holiday gifts! This cowl looks like it would keep you cozy and warm even on the coldest of days.

Fabric Key Chain DIY

Reuse scrap fabric and make cute little gifts. This is great because it will definitely make the keys stand out, and can be very personal for your giftee!

Garden Path Stepping Stones DIY

Perfect for the gardener in your life, these stones will brighten up any garden! This tutorial is pretty basic, so you can personalize as much as you'd like!

Candy Plant DIY

 Gifting candy can seem almost too easy, but not with this craft! While the craft is easy for you, it shows the effort behind the simple idea. Fun way to gift food during the holidays and year round!

Bath Salt DIY

Who doesn't love a relaxing bath? Now you can give the gift of one with these great bath salts! Give everyone their favorite scents in a relaxing bath.

Lanyard DIY

 The tutorial page presents this as a craft for teachers, but really it seems like it could work for anyone with keys! It's fun and can include the recipient's favorite colors or patterns!

Reversible Coffee Cup Sleeve DIY

This is the perfect gift for the coffee drinker you know. Imagine all the cardboard we could save from the landfill if people used these instead of coffee cup sleeves. 

Bird Nest Necklace DIY

If you're particularly crafty these birds nest necklaces are beautiful and elegant little gifts that everyone is sure to love!

Do you have any other great DIY gifts? Which of these is your favorite? Be sure to share in the comments!