Craft TuesD.I.Y with Lisa Lopez: Make a Milk Carton Gingerbread House!

Kids love to decorate gingerbread houses, and my son especially loves eating all of the candy as he puts it on the house. But what I don't love are the expensive gingerbread house kits! I can never get them to assemble correctly without the walls falling down, and the icing is a mess. I definitely do not have the time to hand roll gingerbread and score it into walls, etc., so here is a very simple, eco-friendly way to make an adorable gingerbread house out of a milk or juice carton using graham crackers for the walls!

Materials You Will Need:

• Empty milk or juice carton, washed and left to air dry. You can also use small whipping cream cartons to make miniature houses too.
• Hot glue and regular glue. Sometimes the hot glue can melt the candies, but it works well for the graham crackers.
• Graham crackers
• Various candies and cookies of your choice: gumdrops, licorice, M&Ms, candy canes, you can even use cereal!
  
• Royal icing: for a simple recipe click here, and a bag for piping the icing onto your house.
  

Covering the Carton with Graham Cracker Walls:
If you have a milk carton that doesn't have a screw lid and opens from the top, simply glue the opening closed. Next, glue your graham crackers to the carton, covering all 4 sides. Use a knife to cut your graham crackers to fit each side -- be careful because they break if you press too hard. Don't worry about the top of the carton... this is the roof of your 'house' which may be covered with mini Oreos, Nilla wafers, or candy. You also don't need to cover the bottom of the carton, because it won't stand if you do!


The Roof:
Once you have covered the carton with graham crackers, use your glue (hot glue is best) to install your cookie and candy coated roof. Don't worry about any gaps where you can see the carton underneath, the icing and candy can cover them. Now you can begin decorating your house!


Decorate Your House:

Use your regular glue to affix the candy, the icing is meant purely for looks and to fill in nooks and crannies. You can make windows, doors... anything you want! This simple gingerbread house is a wonderful green activity for kids and it would be a real hit as entertainment at a holiday party. When you are finished decorating your house, glue your carton to a piece of cardboard and decorate that as well with trees, candy lanes, more houses -- the possibilities are endless!

NEW! FlexiBath: BPA, PVC & Phthalate Free Folding Bathtub for Babies and Toddlers

Danish company, A Real Cool World takes bath time to an entirely new level with their uber cool FlexiBath.

The FlexiBath is BPA, PVC and phthalate free. The sides and bottom of the FlexiBath are made of non-toxic Polypropylene, and TPE is used in the corners and in the thin lines of the tub's bottom enabling it to fold flat for easy storage and toting!

We'll get to the amazing, innovative design features of the FlexiBath in a moment, but first I'd like to say how thrilled I am that A Real Cool World is pioneering the effort to eliminate toxins from infant/toddler tubs. I have written on several occasions about keeping chemicals (from shampoos and body washes, as well as tub cleaners, toys and bath gear) out of your child's tub time regimen here, here and here -- but I had never questioned the safety of the plastic used in the actual, physical tub itself!



Regarding the design -- I think it is ingenious that the FlexiBath may be easily folded after use by simply closing it up with the small, attached latch. This feature is a clutter avoiding lifesaver -- especially in smaller homes and apartments where space is limited. Additionally, the FlexiBath features a temperature sensitive, BPA free drain plug that changes color when the bath water reaches the ideal temperature. (Note: the color changing drain plug will be introduced in spring 2010, while the initial collection of FlexiBath tubs will feature a black drain plug that does not change color based on temperature).

The FlexiBath will be available for purchase in the USA and Canada in January 2010 from Easy Walker in colors blue, pink and white, with a retail price of $39.99.

As an aside, I love that the personable makers of FlexiBath included the following statement with regard to the sturdiness of the FlexiBath in their product info: "Our own kids have used them as downhill sledges in the winter!!! No detectable weakness!!!"

So, once your child outgrows his FlexiBath, it may still be used for snow day fun! Talk about good, green, multifunctional design! How remarkably flexible...

Eco-Friendly, Reusable, Felt Christmas Crackers

Thanks to Green Planet Parties, Christmas crackers are now an eco-friendly, celebratory tradition! Green Planet Parties offers festive and adorable reusable felt Christmas crackers, so revelers are no longer left with a handful of wasted paper and a plastic trinket after the "pop!" Available in patterns of stripes, trees or jolly Santas, Green Planet Parties' Christmas crackers fasten on each end with a hemp string which may be easily tied and untied to fill the cracker with organic candy, merry messages, or sentimental trinkets. The best part is, they may be reused again and again every year as a new, green family tradition!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving!

Alphabet Wall Decor for the Playroom or Nursery

Olivia loves her ABC's, and if we had a dollar for every time we've sung the alphabet song to her, and with her, I'd be sipping a Pina Colada in Maldives instead of writing this post. But seriously, I am moved at the whimsical and unique alphabet wall decor in the nursery shown above -- because it is both ornamental and functional. It will truly help tots learn their ABC's while also making their room look super chic.

I also like that you can make piecing the letters on the wall together into a fun project -- and every time you're out and about at thrift stores, vintage shops, garage sales, etc. you can look for that G you need, or that Z that's required to cap it all off.

via Spearmint Baby

Craft TuesD.I.Y with Lisa Lopez: 5 Finishing Touches for Your Thanksgiving Meal

As we all scurry about to serve up a Thanksgiving feast and host friends and family this Thursday, here are five easy and frugal finishing touches to add to your celebration -- sometimes the smallest details can make the biggest difference!

Materials You Will Need:

• Scratch paper- look for festive colors, you will only need small pieces, along with festive stickers
  
• Mixed nuts in their shell
• Small pine cones
  
• Glitter- gold works best
• A bit of paint- brown, orange or yellow will do
• Glue
• Clothespins- one for each place card
• Letter stickers- or a pretty pen to write the names of your guests
• Ribbon

1) Serve yummy non-alcoholic drinks for your young guests and as a fun alternative for adults and designated drivers. Find a variety of delicious non-alcoholic drink ideas at Marinelli's. I made the Martinelli's Mimosa pictured above.

Ingredients: 2 ounces of Martinelli's organic sparkling apple cider, 2 ounces of orange juice, 1/2 of a lemon. Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher, then sugar the rim of your glass and pour. Garnish with an orange slice. Instead of using expensive glass charms, I simply tied a pretty ribbon around the glass and added a festive confetti leaf.


2) Make easy and elegant place cards using scratch paper and clothespins. To make these place cards, attach your festive sticker to the left hand corner of your place card and either write the guest's name or spell it out using letter stickers. Cut your paper, then you can layer it on top of several other colors of paper. Paint your clothespin and sprinkle glitter on it. Clip your place card onto the clothespin so it stands upright.


3) Make your own favor boxes filled with treats by decorating recycled boxes with easy to find items. To make the favor box, simply get a small recycled box, I used an old jewelery box -- cut some of your scratch paper to cover the lid. Glue it onto the lid top. Sprinkle some glitter onto nuts or a small pine cone. Glue ribbon, pine cone and nuts, in any variety you would like, to the box top. Place a paper cupcake liner inside the box and fill with chocolate or other treats.

4) Arrange reusable "to go boxes" for your guests. We all know the downside of not hosting the Thanksgiving dinner means sometimes going home empty handed -- and missing one of the best parts of the holiday -- the leftovers! If you are hosting, it is a nice touch to have "to go" containers available for those who might want to sneak an extra piece of pie, or some turkey for a midnight sandwich. Put sticky labels out so guests may label what they are taking home.

5) Play Thanksgiving Pictionary. Use scratch paper to write down Thanksgiving terms, (ie: turkey, pilgrim, giving thanks, etc.). Get out your sketch pad and have a festive themed game for everyone to enjoy!

Have a safe, wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving. And be sure to re-visit my special Thanksgiving kids' table craft ideas and Thanksgiving Gratitude tree centerpiece for even more finishing touches for your celebration!

Carton Chic Play Cash Register

This sweet cash register would be the perfect complement to Olivia's green grocery store! 'My bio little market' by Carton Chic is made in workshops in France of 100% recycled compact cardboard. It includes accessories: coins, sushi tray, milk and organic cupcakes. (Quite a combination of things!) Ring me up!

Eco-Friendly Stockings for the Whole Family!

Now that you know the best green stocking stuffers to get for your kids, it's time to pick out some adorable eco-friendly stockings to stuff! These colorful, cheery stockings from Etsy shop rikrak are handmade and handcut from durable, ecospun felt which is made from 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles! Who knew a plastic bottle could be reborn into something so beautiful to be treasured for years to come? rikrak offers a wide assortment of sustainably designed stockings, from chic and elegant to bright and kid-friendly. There's truly something for everyone!

Non-toxic Lolly ChalkMat Placemat Keeps Tots Entertained During Mealtime

Want a great way to keep your tot tuned in to the Thanksgiving meal? If you can't create a separate kids' table filled with entertainment, bring the fun to the main table with a Lolly ChalkMat! Created by Grace Paik, a mom of three, when her home kitchen renovation lasted six months and she had to keep her children occupied in restaurants, the ChalkMat proves yet again that necessity is the mother of invention!

Lolly ChalkMats are BPA, PVC, and phthalate free, eco-friendly and reusable. They come in a variety of whimsical prints (airplanes, damask print, owls), and they may be easily rolled up and toted to restaurants. One side of the Lolly ChalkMat is a placemat, and the other is a chalkboard that may be drawn or written on to keep kids occupied. The mat features a small pocket for storing chalk, so it is always readily available. Chalk may be easily wiped off to provide a clean slate.

Dust free chalk is recommended for use with Lolly Chalkmats. Be sure to check out the biodegradable butter chalk and chalk crayons made from sea shells (!) as the perfect accompaniment to the ChalkMat, also available at Jaq Jaq Bird by Sam & Bellie.

7 Eco-Friendly Stocking Stuffers for Green Kids!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care -- in the hopes of being filled with awesome, green toys! Here are 7 eco-friendly stocking stuffers your kids are sure to love!

Little Sapling handcrafted maple wood cars and bridges with walnut wheels. They plant a tree for every toy purchased via Trees for the Future.




Optrixx - Classic, vintage and mod cameras with kaleidoscope lenses!


Snowman and gingerbread hair clips made of hand stitched felt.



Custom, personalized rubber stamp mounted on maple wood.

D.I.Y recycled crayons!


Maileg Mice - Mouse and baby mouse in a box.

A Fairy Door - for year round magic and imaginative play! Everyone should have a fairy door!