Ecoleeko: 2009

12/29/09

New Years!!

Wishing Everyone a Very Happy New Year 2010!!!
Time to think about those resolutions..Think of what you want for yourself in the next year, Maybe that set aside dream you always wanted to follow? A hobby you wanted to start but held off? What a perfect time to start!

Here's some small n easy New Years ideas:
-Get a start on clearing and cleaning house and donate what you don't use anymore.
-How about changing up a room to a new furniture set up?
-Find some brand new music this year..www.pandora.com is great for that..and free!
-Try a new dish next time you go out to eat!
-Learn how to bake or cook something you always wanted to know how
-Make something handmade for someone as a gift
-Volunteer at a local nonprofit/charity or donate to a good cause
-Set aside a 1/2 or 1 hour for yourself each day to relax! Take a bath, meditate, read a good book, dance in your room, or just lay and daydream!
-Tell someone you love them when you can!

No guilt! No Race! Just enjoy your New Year and appreciate it all!!

12/22/09

Merry Christmas!!

From My House to Yours!

Wishing You all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
~Sue

12/17/09

Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas

The Holiday is coming up quick and that means it's time to wrap lots of presents! Oh the choices we have! Let's think of some fun ones, you may already have materials in your house to do..
First, try and use up all your leftover wrap from last year before buying more. I'll treat myself sometimes and buy 1 roll to use that's new to add in. Try and find recycled gift wrap. It's out there! And it's important to try and use recycled everything when you can. Just be sure and read the labels.

Good other materials you can use for giftwrap are:
- Using newspaper with nice twine or bright ribbons to offset the neutral color
- Leftover wall paper (untreated on the back)
-Try using a recycled magazine, take out the staples and use the sheets as wrap. This can be a fun glossy brightly colored alternative!
- Print designs on kraft paper - You can use fabric you may have. Play with wrapping it like a big candy and tying ribbon at both ends, or maybe using safety pins to adds some details?
- To make packages more fun, wrap gifts in various styles and designs.

Good materials to use for ribbons are:
-Any ribbons leftover from last years packages, reuse!
-Ribbon, lace or fabric you may have. -Raffia, paper ribbon
-Yarns work amazing! Use a fun novelty one!

Once you have the ribbons, add on:
-Any ornaments you may have you can pass along to a friend or family member
-A small toy, little decorations of any kind or bells
-Cinnamon sticks, Dried flowers, Holly or evergreen sprigs

When the package is just about ready, we need a tag!
-Make your own easily by cutting out paper and hand writing a note
-Use a stamp you can buy at a craft store that says TO and FROM, use on anything!
-Use sticker labels, using less paper and adheres easily to the paper.

Gift wrapping can be fun! Put on some Christmas music and spend the evening with a nice cup of tea and wrap away!

12/13/09

Easy - Make Your Own Christmas Wreath

This year, everyone is trying to conserve in every way, so why do the same with decorating? No need to go and spend a bundle on decorations for your house. We can make it look like the holidays for free.. Or almost free!

First, Make your own wreath! Have a pine or two in your backyard? In simple steps you can create your own wreathe and hang it in just an afternoon. All you need is sprigs of evergreen branches, at least 10"-12" long, some wire and a round base to wrap them to. Usually you can buy a frame for $2 or less (almost free), Or create your own wire circle shape or use an old wreath frame you may have lying around.

Start by tying the wire on the frame in one area. (If using a frame that you bought, make sure the curve of the frame faces down.) This is where you will start.

Grab a bundle of the evergreen, about 2-4 pieces, lay them down, all facing one direction, and wrap the wire around it all 2 x. While keeping the wire taut, next, grab another bundle of pine and do the same.

Continue until you have the wreath covered with evergreen. In the last place, fill with evergreen as before until looks full, wrap the wire around 2x and turn the wreathe over, holding the wire taut. Tie it to the frame and cut.

Now, hold up your beautiful wreath and observe which angle would be best for hanging. Trim any edges that may look unruly. Turn over, and create a wire hanger by tying the wire on, make a U and thread it to another part of the frame, then double the wire back over the U and twist it around the original wire. Tie to frame and cut. This reinforces the frame hanger.

Now, turn it over and let's decorate!! Have some ribbon laying around from some old project? If it will be outside, choose a stiffer ribbon to deal with rain, wind, etc. To put any decorations on the wreath, just wrap it with wire at one spot and then tie on to wreath from front, twist the wire to back. You can decorate the wreath with almost anything! Let your kids choose fun stuff like little toys, use found pine cones in your backyard, make some fake berries you have from an old decoration, any Christmas tree decorations you aren't using this year? Put them on!

Remember, you can make the wreath any size you want, use any decorations and ribbon you like and when you are done, you've made a wonderful decoration for your house that cost you next to nothing! Happy Holidays!!