Featured Seller: June from Threshold Paper Art

This week's featured seller is June from Threshold Paper Art.

I was born in Scotland and immigrated to Canada while very young. Interior design was my main occupation. I have a passion for all that is unique and handmade. I have always been on a quest for beauty doing whatever possible to enhance my surroundings and those of my clients. My love of interior design and craft was born. My craft repertoire included batik, decoupage, faux painting interiors, and mosaics. I was dubbed the glue gun queen by my friends.

Ever since my daughter brought home colorful notices home from school, I have been recycling them into homemade paper to produce unique cards. After several years of card making, the themes I was drawn to exploring required a larger format. I recycle paper and other organic material and transform it into art. I cast, embed, and collage the paper with a variety of materials such as metal, found objects, thread, mica, and text to create dimensional imagery. Hand-spun art fibers add a rich textural component to some pieces.

My design sensibility embraces both the old and the new. I explore themes of antiquity and faith, including biblical symbolism. Antiquity is created both by the rich textural properties of the paper and the symbols of the past.

The recurring theme in my art is transformation. Even the paper I make goes through the process of being destroyed in its original plant form, only to be transformed into a work of art. Inspiration is drawn from many sources including nature, ancient times, instrumental music, as well as contemporary design. The transcendent aspect of nature has a strong impact on my work. Much time is spent contemplating the majesty of nature. My sincere desire is to inspire and uplift others.

Check out Threshold Paper Art for more unique artwork. You can also follow the shop on Facebook and Twitter.

How to Get More Use Out of Old Cloth Diapers

Do you have a plethora of cloth diapers you no longer use and can't sell, and don't know what to do with them? Here are some ideas on how to get more use out of your retired cloth diapers:

Prefolds can be used as:

• Burp cloths
• Cleaning rags
• Napkins for dirty hands and faces on the go
• Emergency wipes for messes in the car, stroller, etc.
• Cloth baby wipes for diaper changes (cut into smaller squares)
• Place mats for art projects
• Doll blankets 
• Protective wrapping for storing or packing fragile items

Uses for other types of cloth diapers:

• Pocket diapers, without the inserts, can be used as swim diapers.
• Covers are great for putting over disposable diapers to contain blowouts or as a fashion statement under dresses or with leggings (instead of using baby bloomers).
• Small AIOs, fitted diapers, and covers make perfect doll diapers. 

How do you use your old cloth diapers?

Featured Seller: Erin from Dramatique Designs

This week's featured seller is Erin from the whimsical, colorful shop Dramatique Designs, home of upcycled fashions:

I started Dramatique Designs about 3 years ago. I am self-taught; I never went to design school. I am an artist at heart, from acting to dancing, so it felt natural to start designing and sewing. I finally felt like I had chosen the right career for myself--and it only took 32 years!

I love creating something new out of something old. So much care, love, and fabulousness goes into my work. Every piece of clothing has a story to tell, and I love telling fantastical stories through my fashion. I have been an actor in theater for over 15 years, so it seemed only natural to integrate drama into what I create. I am heavily influenced by the dreamy designs of the past, from Jane Austen’s classic and delicate style dresses to the bright mess of color in the 60s. I do not limit myself to one era; I love to create it all! It was so easy to come up with the name for my business, as I have always had a flair for the dramatic.

I joined Etsy on the encouragement of my mother. She felt it would be a good way to showcase my wares, and hopefully sell them. I also have my own personal website where I sell my items. Like my Facebook page and comment or follow my blog and comment for 10% off your order! (Email me for code: erin@dramatiquedesigns.com.)

Check out Dramatique Designs for more fun fashions and accessories, including tote bags! You can also follow the shop on Twitter. For fall and winter knit fashions, check out Erin's other shop, HipKnitism.

Featured Seller: Ashley from Ershware

This week's featured seller is Ashley from Ershware.

My background is in art and design. I have an MFA in Art and an MLA in Landscape Architecture, and a love for fashion, eco-friendly materials and processes, and dressing my son in the coolest clothes I can find or make! I basically started my shop after making hats, accessories, and screen-prints for my son and seeing the reaction of people out and about. Pretty soon, my son (and main model) began to become recognized around town in the oddest of places!

My nickname is Ersh and I have an art/landscape design business called Ershworks, so Ershware seemed to be a natural extension and fit for my Etsy shop featuring kids 'wares'. I love the creative process, and especially love the thrill of the hunt to find just the right t-shirt to upcycle. This branched out into screen-printing, other hat forms, and lately experimentation with other clothing items that I hope to start production on soon.

All the hats are double lined in super soft t-shirt material that is either upcycled from well-loved t-shirts or made in soft jersey cotton. It’s important to have soft, comfortable, stretchy material, a point my son makes every time I try to put on a different kind of hat.

Currently, other than the upcycled graphic hats, the hats are made to order, in sizes that fit infants to pre-schoolers (and beyond - my 11-year-old niece loves her bunny hat). All the items are handmade by me in my home studio, squeezed in between preschool pick-up/drop-off and nap times. I like the one-of-a-kind quality that guarantees no two will turn out exactly the same.  

Check out Ershware for more cute designs. If you see something you like, use the coupon code France15 for 15% off! You can also find Ershware on Facebook and Pinterest.

Featured Seller: Alix from Blessed in Homemaking

This week's featured seller is Alix from Blessed in Homemaking. Isn't that a great shop name?

I am a stay-at-home/work-at-home mother of two sweethearts and wife to my hero. I strive to raise my children to love and follow Jesus--that is my highest goal.

 I love all things natural: natural health and healing, natural childbirth (both of my children were born at home), natural and chemical-free living, gardening. And I'm a bookworm.

I am an aspiring herbalist. I seek to provide herbal remedies and safe natural body care products for people.

Check out Blessed in Homemaking for more natural products! You can also follow Alix on Facebook, Pinterest, and her blog.

How to Reuse Everyday Household Items

If you want to save money and the planet, then reuse your everyday household items. There is a lot you can do with things you would normally throw away.

• TOOTHBRUSHES: Used toothbrushes work great for cleaning, especially for cleaning grout, fabric stains, and around faucets. Just be sure to mark them and keep them away from the kids!
• PLASTIC BAGS: Plastic bags can be used as trash bags in the home or car, and make good packing bags. I like to put shoes and bath items in plastic bags before packing them in my suitcase so that my clothes won’t get dirty, wet, or stained.
• TISSUE BOXES: Empty tissue boxes make good storage containers for plastic bags and napkins.
• SHOEBOXES: Use a shoebox like a pencil box to store office supplies, markers and crayons, and craft materials. You can also store cards, letters, and homemade gifts you want to keep.Or use them as toy bins in the kids' rooms!
• PAPER: Save paper only printed on one side for your kids to color on or for you to make to-do/shopping lists.
• JARS: Jars are great storage containers for many things; for example, leftover sauces and oil, coins, beads, buttons, cotton balls, etc.
• SOCKS: Instead of throwing away socks with holes or missing partners, use them for cleaning and dusting. You can cut them open or stick your hand in them.
• OTHER ODDS AND ENDS: Gather together all the random items your kids could use for crafts (and store in a shoebox!). It will encourage creativity and leave you and your kids guilt-free if the craft breaks or gets thrown away.

How to Reuse Plastic Cups

After so many summer picnics and parties, you may find yourself overstocked with plastic cups. Or perhaps you like to use things more than once before throwing them away. Whatever your reason, there are many ways you can reuse plastic cups.

1. Use a plastic cup to catch bugs. Throw the cup and bug away in your outside garbage can or the dumpster.
2. Small plastic cups work well for rinsing after brushing your teeth. You can throw them away as soon as they are unsanitary.
3. Save a lot of plastic cups for cheap homemade games, such as ball tossing,  bowling, and cup stacking.
4. Make a string phone as a cheap toy for your kids to play with.
5. Let your kids use plastic cups to play with in the bath tub. Then use them to rinse their hair and store their small bath toys.

Do you have any ideas on how to reuse plastic cups?

Lime Green Lemon Upcycled T-shirt Bracelets Giveaway [CLOSED]

Remember the feature I did on Leigh Ann from Lime Green Lemon and the deal on her bracelets I shared? Well, now she has agreed to do a giveaway for me! One of you lucky ladies will win 3 bracelets in the colors of your choice:

Smiles
*Great for casual wear, but also versatile.
*Cute, stylish, and comfortable.
*Variety of colors.
*Green! I love upcycled things.
*Easy to clean.
*Awesome seller!

Frowns
*None!

Mandatory Entry: Visit Lime Green Lemon and tell me which colors you would choose.

1 entry: Heart Lime Green Lemon on Etsy. Leave your username.

1 entry: Like her shop on Facebook. Leave your username.

1 entry: Like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle on Facebook. Leave your username.

1 entry: Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect.

1 entry each (4 total): Post this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and your blog.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, July 25. The winner will be announced Thursday, July 26. Please leave your email address in one of your entries so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway is open to the U.S. and Canada only. Good luck!

Ten Ways to Reuse Clothes

photo by Fleur Suijten

You finally cleaned out your closet and drawers and discovered you have a pile of clothes you never wear or are worn out. Instead of throwing them away, try the following ideas to reuse your clothes.

1. Remove shirt buttons to use as replacement buttons for other clothes or to use for crafts. Sort them by size and color to make finding a match easy or store them all in jar for crafts.
2. Tear up stained and holey clothes to use as cleaning rags. Test different fabrics; some leave lots of lint and others are not good for cleaning. Regular cotton works best.
3. Use quality fabrics and patterned clothes for craft projects.
4. Cut cotton t-shirts into strips to turn into upcycled headbands, infinity scarves, or bracelets.
5. If you are good at sewing, use clothes that no longer fit to make clothes for small children or dolls. You can also use old baby clothes to dress stuffed animals.
6. Sew old ties together to make a skirt or use a tie as a fashionable belt, headband, or other accessory.
7. Make a costume box for Halloween, costume parties, and playing dress up. Add in clothes, shoes, hats, jewelry, and other accessories.
8. Put clothes you never wear but that still fit you in an emergency kit. Be sure to include clothes for different seasons and weather conditions.
9. Wear stained and holey clothes for painting, gardening, and other dirty work. Keep reusing them or throw them away afterward.
10. Donate to charity, sell, or pass along whatever clothes you can’t reuse but can still be worn.

Save Money on Trash Bags

Trash bags are usually not seen as an expense to worry about, but why not save money wherever you can? Pennies add up, so follow these tips to save money on trash bags.

The best thing to do is save plastic bags from shopping to use as trash bags. Grocery ones work well for small trash cans in bedrooms and bathrooms. The bigger ones, like from Target when you buy large items, can replace kitchen trash bags. You can use small ones too if you are willing to take out the trash more often, which helps with the smell anyway.

If you still want to use regular trash bags, at least throw away raw meat, rotten foods, and dairy products in a small grocery bag and immediately take it to the dumpster or garbage can outside. When possible, use your garbage disposal to get rid of food waste, which accounts for a lot of trash and odors. Food makes your kitchen smell bad quickly and attracts bugs, making you have to take out the trash perhaps before the bag is completely full.

Other ways to increase room in your trash bags are to recycle what you can, flatten or crush large items before throwing them away, and press down paper products. If trash cans are mostly filled with harmless items (such as paper, plastic, and other non-germy junk), then empty the trash cans into one bag or straight into the dumpster/outside garbage can and reuse the bags until they need to be thrown away.

Ideas for Reusing Ribbon

Between birthdays and holidays, you may end up with a lot of ribbons of all different colors and sizes. Instead of throwing them away, save them to use for the following ideas.

• The most obvious thing to do with ribbon is to reuse it next time you wrap a present. This works really well with family because you can keep using the same ribbons over and over, whereas if you give it to a friend you’ll need to buy more ribbon for future presents.
• Use ribbons as fashion accessories. Tie or braid small ribbons in your little girl’s hair; tie large ribbons around her dress like a sash; replace your belt with a long, fancy ribbon; add ribbon to purses and shoes for pizzazz.
• Give small ribbons to your little girls to use as accessories for their dolls or to tie to their bikes.
• Use ribbons for crafts, such as ornaments, homemade cards, jewelry, bookmarks, scrapbooks, and key chains.
• Ribbons also work as holiday and wedding decorations. For example, tie ribbons in your wedding color to the cake knife and server and to champagne glasses. Or wrap ribbons around stair rails and tie them around candles.
• Tie small ribbons around napkins for a simple but elegant napkin ring. Switch the colors every now and then for a quick decoration change.

How to Reuse Cookie Sheets

Reusing regular household items is an easy way to save money and go green. But coming up with new ways to use things is not so easy. What in the world can you do with grubby, stained cookie sheets besides throw them away? A lot more than you think! Here are some ideas for how to reuse cookie sheets.

USE AS A TRAY

Clean the cookie sheet and glue on fabric. Use the decorated cookie sheet as a serving tray for food, like sandwiches or tea. Cookie sheets, decorated or plain, also make great TV trays for eating on the couch or floor. Use the more unsalvageable cookie sheets as clearing trays when cleaning up after a dinner party.

Use an old cookie sheet to carry things from one place to another. For example, if your kids want to color outside, put the paper and coloring utensils in the cookie sheet and carry it outside. The paper will stay clean in the cookie sheet and in place with magnets and the crayons won’t roll all over the yard.

Do messy crafts on the cookie sheet for an easy cleanup afterward. Cookie sheets work great for glitter projects, finger painting, play doughh, or anything involving glue.

Use as a drip guard when cooking in the oven. For example, if you have an unsteady hand, put your pumpkin pie on the cookie sheet first before putting it in the oven. The drippy mess will be a lot easier to clean off a cookie sheet than the oven.

OTHER USES

When on a picnic, your cookie sheet can double as a serving or eating tray and a card table. Simply turn the cookie sheet upside down for a slightly raised table.

Decorate the cookie sheet with patterned paper and ribbons to use as a magnetic board (see photo). Drill a hole in one handle and hang the cookie sheet in your office or kitchen to post reminders and lists. Or make it kid friendly for your kids to use it with their magnets when you want them out of the kitchen.

Paint or glue on a target to use the cookie sheet as a cheap magnetic dart board. Drill a hole in one handle to hang it up.

How to Save Money and Lose Weight by Going Green

photo by Michael Lorenzo

There are ways you can save money. There are ways you can lose weight. There are ways you can go green. But all three at once? Yes, you can kill three birds with one stone: go green and in the process also save money and lose weight!

1. When circumstances allow, walk or ride a bike to places that are within a couple miles, such as the library, post office, or elementary school. You will lose weight from walking or biking, save money on gas, and lessen bad chemicals in the air. You will also get to enjoy the outdoors: the sights and sounds of nature, the beautiful sun and clouds—even in the city!
2. Once a week, with family or friends, pick up trash along a busy road or highway. You will not only make the road cleaner and the soil healthier, but you will probably get a mini workout as well from all the walking, bending, and hauling. And you may be able to make some pocket change by taking cans and bottles to a recycling center.
3. Plant an organic garden. Eating fresh, clean produce will encourage you to eat healthier and thus lose more weight. Also, gardening is a great way to burn calories and include the whole family in hard labor. Plus you’ll save money by growing your own organic fruits and vegetables instead of buying highly priced ones at the store.
4. Use eco-friendly cleaning products when you clean your house. To save money, make your own eco-friendly cleaning products or use simple products like vinegar. Clean to some upbeat music for a fun and productive exercise.
5. Get your family involved in free or inexpensive outdoor activities—such as hiking, bird watching, or picnicking at a park—instead of going to the movies and consuming buttery popcorn and sugary soda. Being outdoors promotes exercise and play, saves money, and helps you appreciate nature more.

Shaklee Basic H2 Cleaner Giveaway [CLOSED]

Ever since I had my baby, cleaning the house has gone to the wayside--not because of time, but because I don't want my baby around all the chemicals. I have to wait for my husband to be home so he can take the baby away from where I am cleaning. Therefore, when my friend recently became a distributor for Shaklee, a green health company, and asked if I would host a giveaway of their all-purpose cleaner, I was thrilled!

When I received her sample of the Basic H2, I was a little surprised. She had warned me it was small, but I wasn't expecting a tiny 2 ml bottle. When my husband saw it, he said, "This is the cleaner?" However, the solution is super concentrated: two drops added to 16 oz. of water make a bottle of window cleaner, and 1/4 tsp. added to 16 oz. of water makes a bottle of all-purpose cleaner.

I decided to try it on a variety of stuff. Here is what I cleaned and how it rated:

• Bathroom mirror: Excellent. At first, the mirror was all streaks. I was skeptical until the cleaner quickly dried streak free, better than Windex!
• Bathroom sink: Excellent. It worked just as well as the harsher stuff I use. And it took me less time because I didn't have to wear gloves or make sure the sink was throroughly rinsed of all bleach-based cleaner.
• Shoes: Ok. Then again, my shoes are pretty old and really need shoe polish.
• Baby's toys: Good. Saves me from wasting Lysol wipes.
• Baby's potty chair: Good.
• Baby's bumbo: Good.
• Carpet stain: Excellent! The other day I knocked the potty chair and poo spilled on the carpet. The cleaner got it right out! I tried it on a really old stain too, but alas, my hopes were too high.
• Kitchen stove: Excellent. Great degreaser.
• Kitchen sink: Excellent. I will definitely be cleaning it more often now!

Smiles
*I cleaned all of the above using only 3 oz., most of which was wasted on the old carpet stain.
*I feel confident cleaning with my baby around.
*I love not having to wear gloves, rinsing over and over again to remove all cleaner, keeping the windows vented, and showering immediately so I don't smell like bleach.
*No lingering odor, even on your hands.
*The price is unbeatable! Broken down it's about 25 cents per gallon of all-purpose cleaner and 1 cent per gallon of window cleaner.

Frowns
*Nothing I can think of.

Safe and Natural Living is giving away a 2 ml sample of the Basic H2.

Mandatory 1st Entry: Visit her site and tell me what you like most about the company and its products.

5 entries: Blog about this giveaway, linking to this post and to Safe and Natural Living. Leave the link to your blog post in your comment.

2 entries: Like Safe and Natural Living on Facebook.

1 entry: Like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle on Facebook.

1 entry: Follow this blog via GFC.

1 entry: Follow the seller's blog Crafting with My Cub via GFC.

1 entry: Post this giveaway on Facebook.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MST on Tuesday, March1. The winner will be announced Wednesday, March 2. Please leave your email address in one of your comments so I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

Hand Maiden Santa Cruz Eco Felt Toys Giveaway [CLOSED]

I discovered this really cute Etsy shop called Hand Maiden Santa Cruz that makes eco-friendly, felt toys. Her shop is new and currently consists of play food. She sent me three products to review, and let me tell you, they are adorable!

deluxe pancake special

whole wheat quesadilla

donuts and tea

Smiles
*Cute. How can you not love how adorable and yummy the food looks? Makes me hungry!
*Environmentally friendly, child safe, and long lasting.
*Easy to fix if necessary, even if you can't sew, like me.
*Made with love. You can just tell by the quality and creativity of her products.
*Quiet: perfect toys for church or other places requiring silence. No noise from playing with it or if it falls or hits a chair (or kid, for that matter).
*Easy to pack and take along because they are small, flat, and light.

Frowns
*Plastic toys are easier to clean. But that doesn't make them better!

Hand Maiden will be giving away your choice of the pancake breakfast or tea for two.

Mandatory 1st Entry: Visit her shop and tell me which felt toy you would choose.

5 entries: Blog about this giveaway, linking to this post and to Hand Maiden Santa Cruz. Leave the link to your blog post in your comment.

2 entries: Like Hand Maiden SC on Facebook.

1 entry: Heart Hand Maiden Santa Cruz on Etsy.

1 entry: Like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle on Facebook.

1 entry: Put my button on your blog.

1 entry: Follow my blog.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All entries must be posted by 11:59 p.m. MST Tuesday, January 18. The winner will be announced Wednesday, January 19. Please leave your email address in one of your entries so I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

Skoy Cloths Giveaway [CLOSED]

When I entered giveaways, almost every blog featured Skoy cloths--reusable, biodegradable cloths to replace paper towels, dish towels, and sponges. I thought, What's the big deal about them? So I decided to review them myself. I wasn't even sure I would use them because I only use paper towels for drying fruits and vegetables and cleaning up spills on the floor, I like using sponges for washing dishes, and I hate dish towels. However, after using it this morning to clean my kitchen, I'm now a believer!

Smiles
*I love the way it feels when wet: not as if it's going to fall apart like a paper towel, and not grimy and bumpy like a sponge.
*It scrubbed well, which was unexpected since it is so soft.
*Skoy cloths are super green! They are made from cotton and wood-pulp cellulose and completely break down after 5 weeks.
*You will save lots of money. The package comes with 4 cloths, each replacing up to 15 rolls of paper towels!
*They are easy to clean/disinfect.
*The four colors (blue, red, green, yellow) brighten up the kitchen.
*The company is very PR friendly!

Frowns*When I first wet it, it smelled a little funny. But the odor did not last or transfer to the kitchen.
*I usually disinfect my sponges in the microwave, which you can do for these as well, but I decided to test the company's promise that they are washer/dryer safe. It was fine in the wash, but it shrank about a third in the dryer.

Skoy has generously provided cloths for 2 WINNERS!

Mandatory 1st Entry: Visit Skoy and read "Our Products." What do you like most about Skoy cloths?

5 entries: Blog about this giveaway, including a link to this post and to Skoy. Leave a link to your blog post.

2 entries: Put my button on your blog.

1 entry: Like Skoy on Facebook.

1 entry: Like The Hand That Rocks the Cradle on Facebook.

1 entry: Post this giveaway on Facebook.

1 entry: Follow my blog.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. All entries must be posted by 11:59 p.m. MST on Sunday, December 26. The winner will be announced Monday, December 27. Please leave your email address in one of your entries so I can contact you if you win. Good luck!

The Case for Cloth

Using cloth diapers is easier than you think and has many advantages. The biggest advantage that won me over is how much money I save! Buying your supply requires a lot of money up front, but then you quickly save. Cloth diapers last a long time (I'm using some my little sister had 13 years ago) and you can buy ones that fit from birth to two years, limiting how often you need to buy more.

With cloth diapers, there are fewer blowouts--or none at all--because cloth diapers cover more area. All the blowouts my baby's had were from the times he was in disposable diapers. Also, baby will have fewer or no diaper rashes because cloth requires more frequent changes, is gentler on the skin, and is chemical free. And of course, cloth is better for the environment. Best of all, babies look so cute with a big diaper bum!

The disadvantages to cloth diapers can easily be solved. The number one concern is cleaning them. You do not have to rinse them, though I rinse the poopy ones because it helps with the odor and with staining. (Once your baby's poop is more solid, you can just shake it into the toilet.) When I laundered them, the washer and dryer would smell like urine (cloth diapers require additive-free detergent, so no fragrant smell). The washer would be fine after another load of laundry, but the dryer would leave my clothes smelly. My mother-in-law told me to use vinegar as fabric softener, and it took care of the smell too! As for increasing my laundry load, I made sure I had enough diapers to only have to wash them every other day. Buy more if you want to do laundry less often. The last disadvantage I can think of is that packing cloth diapers makes the diaper bag heavier than disposables do and it doesn't get lighter since you don't throw the used ones away. But that is minor. Consider it an extra workout.

If you were hesitant or curious about using cloth diapers, I hope this post has calmed your fears. And if you decide to use disposables, try different brands and versions to find the best fit and style for your baby.