Happy New Year's Eve!

 

This poster from handz is a great reminder for 2011. I hope yours is your best year ever! Cheers!

Wordless Wednesday: Droplet

Eco Monday: Six of Ways to Recycle Jars and Lids

Team Eco Etsy has done a fab blog post about some fun eco-friendly ways to repurpose. Be sure to check it out here.

What do you do with glass jars to repurpose them?

Pirate Party, anyone?

Are you looking for a fun theme for an upcoming birthday party? Or a we have cabin fever party? Well, the cottage industrialist maybe just the site to help you get it done. 


They have everything from invites to pirate hats that you can download and print. There are cupcake wrappers, thank yous and buried treasure envelopes too!


They have it all figured out and it's all cute, downloadable, printable and free!

Eco Monday: How do you add WOW to your gift gift wrapping?

Anne of Modest Ambition has some fab suggestions on how to add WOW to your gifts while still being green. Check out her whole article here.

What do you do to wrap your gifts while still being green? Happy Wrapping!

Eco Monday: Reusable Cutlery

 

Reusable Cutlery -- brilliant! This roll up set can be easily stashed in your bag for those take away moments.  It will fit in your lunch bag. Save plastic cutlery by bringing your own along! :)

Some of my most recent creations...

Article in the Dallas Morning News Today!

The Dallas Morning News ran an article about me and my recycled products today! Check it out here. Thank you to Freelance Writer, Rita Cook and Photographer,Michael Ainsworth!



Cheers!

Enter to win...

 

Cosa Verde's 10 Days of Nice makes it possible for you to win this necklace for someone you love! December 19th is the last day to enter! Check out all the details here.

Aargh, nothing better than pirate snowmen! :)

These gift tags are so freakin' cute! You can download and print your very own free for personal use set by clicking here.  Happy Tagging!

Wordless Wednesday: Dough Ornament

Eco Monday: Wedding Rings

This site has a fantastic selection of eco friendly, recycled gold bands and engagement rings.

They even have a great program where friends and family can donate their unused gold to be recycled into your wedding bands and engagement ring. I think that's a great way to let your loved ones contribute to a very sentimental piece of jewelry!

Come Visit the White Rock Local Market

I'll be at the White Rock Local Market today from 8a-3p! Come by and check it out. There will be lots of vendors -- everything from food to arts and crafts. It's a great opportunity to get your holiday shopping finished up and support the local economy. Rumor has it thtat the Green Spot next door has fab breakfast tacos!

702 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, TX 75218

Etsy Dallas Blog: Holiday Garland Tutorial & Giveaway

The Jingle Bash 2010 was decorated with some beautiful felt garland. The team blog has a fab little tutorial on how to make it yourself. If you're not a crafty-natured person, there's also a giveaway to win the sample garland. Check it all out here!

Wordless Wednesday: Winter

EcoMonday: 10 Days of Nice

http://cosaverde.com/blog/

Would  you like the opportunity to win cool green prizes for friends or family? Well, you're in luck! The cosa verde site will allow you to do just that! Check it out and nominate someone you love!

Saturday Search: Eyelashes

I love this sweet giraffe with lots of eyelashes by daniellebarlowart.

Happy Saturday!

Wordless Wednesday: Glass Pendant

http://www.etsy.com/listing/35436385/julia-fused-glass-pendant?ref=sr_gallery_29&ga_search_query=etsydallas&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=2&order=&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title

Eco Monday: Reusing Paper

Be sure to check out this great article on yahoo green about what kinds of things you can do with paper like junk mail and magazines. There are some great ideas with links to tutorials!

Eco-Chic Gift Guide on Etsy

Stuff Your Ruck Sack!!

In case you're wondering what a ruck sack is, it's a back pack in American English. Why the vocabulary lesson? I learned about a great site I'd love to share with you! 

The site stuffyourrucksack.com has tons of lists of charities and NGOs that are helping specific groups of people all over the world. If you'd like to help them, you can read about them and what they are doing and what they need. If you have a little extra room in your luggage, you can take a few things to them from their list. Many groups will let you set up a tour to visit them and drop off supplies while you're in the area.

My friend, Mel, is working at Village of Hope in Grabouw, South Africa. They are in need of children's football kits, netball equipment, Disney DVDs, children's games, and coloring books. So if you're headed that way, please toss a few of these items in your ruck sack and drop them off.  The Village of Hope or any of the other organization on the  list would be delighted to have your help. Please pay it forward.

Black Friday Sale!

Just for my blog readers this Black Friday, here's a an extra special deal! Get 10% off your entire order in my shop (excluding postage) by using this code in notes to seller 10BLACKFRIDAY.

Happy Shopping!

Consider this while doing your holiday shopping...

With it being the biggest shopping day of the year, you've made a shopping list, a budget, and a mental list of places with great sales you want to check out.  But before you go bouncing out the door to get your shopping done, think about these things...

-where is what you want to buy coming from? country of origin?
-what kind of labor is being used to make that item? adults or children?
-is the person who made that item being paid a fair wage?

With these thoughts in mind, please consider shopping local and supporting the US economy. Try supporting the mom and pop shop in your area. Think about shopping the area craft fairs for gifts for your family and friends.

I discovered the Products of Slavery site today and found it sad to see how many places child labor or forced labor is being used. Please be thoughtful when you do your shopping.

Wordless Wednesday: ventilated

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48863761/ventilated-etched-copper-brass-sterling?ref=sr_gallery_22&ga_search_query=connection&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes[0]=tags&includes[1]=title&filter[0]=handmade

Saturday Search: Jingle Bash 2010

Are you ready to Jingle? Bring your holiday shopping list and get your shop on!

Today at the Palladium in the Lone Star room from 2-8p. Click here for deets and to get a map!

Wordless Wednesday: Beautiful

Jingle Bash: Bag Sneak Preview

So, this year the Jingle Bash Goodie Bags are gonna rock even more than in previous years! In addition to the goodies that are always inside there's more...

This year, they are printed in one color and they come with a little embroidery kit so you can sassy them up any way you'd like!

There are only 50 bags each year and are given to the first 50 shoppers to show up at the Bash. So get there early and grab a bag -- they always go fast! All the details are here.

White Rock Local Market

Today the White Rock Local Market will run from 8a-1p today and will have local food, local goods, art, earth friendly goods, clothes and more. There will also be music by Wattson Electric from 10:30-1.

The market is at The Green Spot Market & Fuels at 702 N. Buckner Blvd., Dallas, TX 75218. Come by and check it out. I'll be there with earth friendly frills from La Alicia.

Wordless Wednesday: Fiction Pendant

EcoMonday: Water as a Gift

As the holiday gift giving season gets closer and closer, I have been exploring the options that are out there. This site is great and allows you to get involved in helping to bring clean water to developing nations.

We all know someone who seems to have EVERYTHING. Donating in their name as a gift would be a lovely gesture while helping others. $20 can provide clean water for one person for 20 years!Wow!

Saturday Search: Partridge & Pear

I love the sweetness and whimsey that this card by iamfish offers as a holiday greeting. Happy Saturday!

Close Knit: A Must See Event!

Saturday, November 6, 2010
First United Methodist Church of Coppell
420 S. Heartz, Coppell, TX

Admission $5
Event starts with a Fashion Show at 2pm

Close Knit of First UMC Coppell benefits Metrocrest Social Services

Check it out!

Wordless Wednesday: DNA Tee

EcoMonday: BankNote Jewelry

Great Green Goods had an article on these beautiful pieces and I had to share! These are necklaces made out of banknotes! The colors, textures and shapes are fabulous! Be sure to check out the rest of the article here.

Happy Halloween!

I went to a great Halloween party last night! Today, I'm taking it easy. I made some spiced apples earlier and decided I'd share the recipe. It's super easy, very delicious and can add great flavors to lots of meals.

Autumn Spiced Apples

1/4 c butter
4 large Granny Smith apples
3/4 c turbinado sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp of Mexican vanilla
dash of salt

1. Peel, core and slice apples.
2. Melt butter in a large pan over med/hi flame.
3. Add apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and vanilla.
4. Sauté 20-25 minutes (or until they're tender). Stirring once in a while to prevent burning.

5. Turn off heat and allow to cool and store in an air tight container in the fridge.




These are fantastic and have tons of uses. They are great over oatmeal in the morning, they make a great dessert with cookies or ice cream, they are yummy with pork chops and the list goes on and on!

If you make these, let me know how you use them! :)

Wordless Wednesday: Camel

EcoMonday: Gobble Gobble

These turkey placecard holders are so cute I can't stand it! They are made by fellow Etsian carriveau -- her cleverness is just too fun!

Can you totally see these all around your Thanksgiving table? They would be great as placecards or a a spot to post what you're most grateful for this year.

With turkey day about a month away, how are you decorating your table this year?

Wordy Wednesday

So, today we're taking a break from Wordless Wednesday because I have something fun to tell you. This is the "one month to go" count down to the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash 2010. I hope you marked it on your calendar and are planning to come by -- it's gonna be really really fun! Get all the details and a map here.

Eco Monday: Sustainable

I love this great photograph from fellow Etsian MollysMuses shop. The textures and composition are amazing. And of course, I love that it has a green message too.

Be sure to check out the rest of her shop for other great photographs. They make great gifts!

Feature Friday: Modest Ambition

 

This Friday I'm featuring Anne of Modest Ambition. As many of us are beginning to think about our holiday shopping lists, I encourage you to check out Anne's shop on Etsy. She has fabulous snuggly items from scarves to shrugs. I am particularly fond of her bobby pins. Don't you think those would be a great stocking stuffer?

Have you completed your Christmas shopping list yet?

Wordless Wednesday: LabRats

Fellow Lab Rat SukiRose made these great earrings as a part of her play on words series. Be sure to check them out in her shop along with her other fun creations!

Tuesday: New Item!

I really like this new piece for fall! New in the shop today Eco-Chic Camel Pin for Fall with Garnet Ribbon!

OktoberFest at the Gingerman (Uptown)

The highly anticipated Oktoberfest season is almost upon us. Live music, LOTS of gravity cask Oktoberfest beers from across the state, LOCAL ARTISTS and more. This event is free.

Come join the fun on October 9th, 2010 from 2-5:30pm at
The Ginger Man
2718 Boll St, Dallas, TX 75204

It's today! I'll be there with my La Alicia earth friendly frills and so will my Etsy Dallas teamie, Patricia of Karma Crochet. We'll be set up in the parking lot of The Gingerman. stop by and check it out!

Saturday Search: Narwhal

I love these knitting narwhals! They're fun, cooperative and whimsical. Be sure to check out the other fun things in the shop with sadlyharmless. Happy Saturday!

Wordless Wednesday: Aviator

Eco Monday: Sugar Free Earth Friendly Halloween

  
This scary ghost necklace and earrings set which will keep you celebrating Halloween all year long is also recycling.  These eco friendly Halloween bobby treats can be found on Etsy here - recycled as well. Another fun option this cute miniature bunny will fit in your pocket and last longer than a lollypopmade from natural wool and cotton.

Happy Halloween!

Saturday Search: Letter Press

Sweet notecards from Colorbox Designs, a clever Etsy Dallas member and designer.

Getting ready for Halloween

 This year, with the thought of a healthier Halloween celebration in mind, here are a few calorie free treats.

Candy Wrapper earrings are fun, eco-chic and earth friendly. There are no calories, no cavities and can be found here.

Candy Corn lip balm. I didn't know this existed but a quick search on Etsy can find all kinds of fun alternatives to sugar for your Halloween celebration.

This Tiny Pumpkin Crown is adorable and would be perfect head wear for all those fun activities leading up to the big day.

With the epidemic of childhood obesity, please consider focusing on things other than candy this Halloween.