This past year, I have researched and learned a lot about our earth and ways to help preserve it so my children can continue to thrive here. I stopped eating meat, broke my bad habits, and try to reuse and recycle as much as possible.
Having a child, you go through a LOT of stuff! Boxes for diapers, jars/containers for baby food, (also noting bottles of coffee because it counts), cans of formula/snacks, etc. I'm going to show you some ideas I have had for reusing these items, plus some stuff not already mentioned!
Diaper boxes:
http://aimee-weaver.blogspot.com/2011/02/burlap-covered-storage-box-tutorial.html
(or we are using them as toy containers until i find the perfect toy chest, plus moving boxes!)
We are also using a big bin to hold toys/clothes Ben has yet to grow into. I really love the idea for the bin below!
http://www.hometalk.com/1843163/storage-bin-to-toy-box-makeover
Baby food jars:
So far, I have only used the lids on the baby food jars. I painted the inside of the lids different colors, put business card sized pictures of Benjamin on it, added a magnet to the top, and boom! Benjamin fridge magnets. Big hit for Christmas.
With the jars, I plan on using them to make either mini snowglobes, or mostly candles. I love candles!
http://www.boxwoodclippings.com/2015/04/candles-made-in-baby-food-jars/
If you get the baby food containers vs. jars, i have seen people reuse them for snack containers to bring on the go, or people have added buttons or things to make noise, and super glued the tops for a new noise maker!
Starbucks coffee bottles:
okay, so pinterest has a LOT of cool ideas to reuse these guys. i live in a small town where drive thru coffee isn't really a thing (i know, pray for me) so i go through a lot of these bottles. Here are some of the ideas i am trying or want to try!
http://beautyandthegreen.blogspot.com/2011/11/diy-vases-in-snap.html
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/392235448780881421/
http://www.woohome.com/diy-2/45-budget-friendly-last-minute-diy-christmas-decorations
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1579976?&cat=9446
Formula/snack cans:
http://www.myhappycrafts.com/diy-christmas-luminaries-candle-holders-made-from-recycled-tin-cans/
^^^This is initially what I wanted to do with majority of our formula cans, however the brand we used doesnt have the right type of container, so I had to brainstorm otherwise!
I used a lot of the cans for Christmas related gifts last year, either wrapping them in paper and bows and filling them with candies or hot chocolate packets, or surrounding the can with candy canes and flowers on top to make a nice christmas decoration that could be used over again ( gave these to the mommas in my life )
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf78384837.tip.html
http://www.topinspired.com/top-10-tasty-diy-decorations-with-real-candy-canes/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/392235448781371254/
^^^(this is what I'll be using them for for our home decoration)
Toilet paper rolls (bear with me on this one):
http://tiphero.com/reuse-paper-towel-rolls/
there are a bunch of different ideas here, we are trying the wall art. but also want to try the cord holders and the seedling containers!
Old CDs/DVDs:
http://buggyandbuddy.com/rainbow-science-create-light-patterns-with-a-cd/
^^^this is such a cool idea, i'm considering using it and hanging them up in my little office!
Other Benjamin related crafts:
Fall/halloween crafts: http://thesweetmama.com/blog/2015/10/bum-pkin-painting-babys-first-halloween-tradition/
Halloween feet/hands crafts: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/93/88/a6/9388a65d950e794a7479f1af2dfbf5e1.jpg
Christmas feet/hands crafts:
http://artfulparent.com/2013/12/11-christmas-crafts-to-make-with-your-kids-this-month.html
(i actually need to finish these, oops)
I know my reusable crafting isn't going to save the world, but it's a nice feeling to know you're getting something extra out of your hard earned cash instead of just sending it all to the dump! Plus, crafting. So fun if you make the time for it!
