Recycled Christmas Countdown or if we are going to eat this sugary stuff let's recycle the boxes

My plan is for a weekly post on some recycled and repurposed Christmas gift ideas- things that are easy enough to make fairly quickly, but still look like you put the proper time and thought into them.

Now I know we shouldn't be eating this stuff, but some of us do have a collection of these cereal boxes from overnight guests

(uhuh)

and I especially love the little mini assortment packs.



1. Glue the top flaps open. For stability you want to leave them on rather than rip them off- a glue stick would probably work just fine for this.

2. Using a razor knife or scissors cut a larger package (carnation instant breakfast packaging show here) open and glue the flaps back

3/4. Add little scrapbook doodads to the sides of your boxes- there are tons of variations here, so just use things that you have when possible.

These cereal boxes could also be made into little books and albums in this same way. Large cereal boxes also fit nicely into those plastic crates in your kids' rooms.


Mini Cereal Box Storage Unit (especially great gift when paired with one of the amazing Etsy finds below)


1. Hawaiian Coconut Bowl by Glazed Over
2. Favorite Plaid Shirt Print by LittleBranches
3. Coffee in Color Notecards by ThingsThatAreMade
4. Rice Cereal Upcycled Journal by IvyLaneDesigns.
5. Vintage Recycled Quilt Coasters by RikRak
6. ID Bracelet by Spoonerz
7. Fork Shirt by Xenotees

It's Whining Wednesday

So ... before I abandon another 'series' of posts after just one post

(and because this series is just so easy to write)

I think I should whine another Wednesday.

1st whine- Hubby got sick and blew off both our Halloween invites. He made an amazing recovery the very next day and I think his "24 hour (ie collapse on the bed and shiver) flu"

had more to do with his total lack of pop culture references and insistence that he has never heard of Kanye West or Taylor Swift and that I could be making the whole thing up so I would get to wobble around in heels and carry a soccer trophy

(well, that did sound like fun)

2nd whine - I hate this whole daylight savings time thing. I do like getting up in the morning when it is light out, although it has been pretty much cloudy here for a month so the only light is the compact fluorescents in the bathrooms

(btw- if you have one of those bathroom mirrors surrounded by light bulbs and you only screw in every other bulb you will have yourself some very flattering lighting and in fact will never need any anti-aging cream because you will have an anti-aging mirror, at least in my opinion- every couple years you can just unscrew another bulb)

I hate that it is dark out so early at night now ... and cold ... I hate that it is dark and cold so early. Because to me dark and cold means the day is over - grab a blanket, hunker down.

(and yes, I have been known to take down the phone number for the Snuggie ... every time it is on)

I don't get much done at night now and I really just want to drink hot liquids and read my library books. So, because my day ends earlier it needs to start earlier so I can squeeze everything in which means I have to get up at 5 and that means I am getting up in the dark ... again.

Final whine- I love Williams Sonoma - I don't always buy anything there, but I like to make some pre-holiday visits and see what kind of goodies they are cooking up with their mixes and sauces and dips and such.

But this little guy has made me question their product designers.

I mean, they were considerate enough not to add a face that you would have to smash down on a hot casserole dish, but I'm wondering if they actually put one of these to use before the big roll out-

(or is my mind the only one going to these places)

to actually use Mr. Gingerbread Man (and I am assuming a male here because the alternative would be even more upsetting to me) you need to seriously violate his no-no place.

The bad news is that I burnt the cookies. The good news is that his prostate is just fine.

GIVEAWAY 3squares AMAZING Champagne - Sterling Silver and Copper NECKLACE CLOSED

And the winner is THE BLUNT FAMILY (chosen by random.org) True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max: 588
Result:
575

My favorite piece of jewelry (an amazing moo card holder necklace) was created by the gifted metalworker Jean Cameron of 3squares.

Jean is a mostly self-taught metalsmith whose work is crafted from a mixture of metals with a variety of finishes. Her eclectic creations are some of the most stunning and original work I have ever seen!

Jean dropped out of the corporate world (lucky for us!) to keep her sanity and focus on the things that she's most passionate about.

Aside from her family, that includes creating jewelry and cooking, so it’s no surprise that most of Jean's designs are inspired by (or at least remind her of) something edible.

Her pieces have names like French Toast, Oysters Rockefeller, Cinnamon Poppy Bagel and Squid Ink Fettucine and my all time favorite Milkshake (the moo card necklace!).


WHAT YOU GET:

One lucky winner will receive 3Squares piece - CHAMPAGNE - a totally gorgeous sterling silver and copper necklace!





HOW TO WIN:

Visit 3squares and leave a comment below letting Jean know about your favorite item on her "menu" or something you would like to see her cook up!

For additional entries:

(5) Twitter this post
(5) Blog about this contest; linking to this post
(5) Follow my blog

Let me know if you have done these things so I can give you additional entries. This contest is open to everyone.

DRAWING:

MIDNIGHT on Sunday, NOVEMBER 8th! Good luck! CLOSED

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Hoping everyone has an amazing Halloween this year!

Hubby and I are going to be Kanye West and Taylor Swift - he is going to wear a tight t-shirt and sunglasses

(this is about as much costume as I can force on him and still get him out of the house)

carry a microphone and be rude.

I'm going to wear a long dress (if I can dig one up), carry an award (soccer trophy actually) and look confused.

(in other words no big stretches for either of us this year)

My daughter is going to be a Price is Right contestant.

(with a guess of $701.00 - you know the annoying contestant who always guesses $1.00 over the last guesser)

She has had a Price is Right obsession for years.

Hoping to post pics- we'll see how that goes!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!! Go Yankees!