Lowe's Recycling Challenge

This month I am getting a free late pass from everyone. It took a Hurricane to prevent me from getting this project up on time. This Lowe's Sponsored Challenge is a recycling challenge:
Pick some old objects from around your home or garden and add some new items to create a welcoming project for your home.
Since I am window box obsessed around here....and my current end of the year, after the hurricane window boxes look like this

I thought this might be just the place to add a bit of welcome charm. 
Last winter, I was inspired by the peacock, 

I decided to add a bit of whimsy to my window boxes.

I would say that some of this would be a good place to start with recycling...wouldn't you?
This year, my inspiration is this...gold, black & white

Via

When I updated the recessed lights in my bedroom with smaller LED lights, these cans were leftover

I was sure I could make something out of them....I just wasn't sure what....until now.

A quick trip to Lowe's for some additional supplies like my favorite black spray paint

gold spray paint

Super industrial outdoor black duct tape

Some outdoor LED lights.....like these

and a fancy extension cord like this one

I spread out everything all over the driveway and began to recycle

Please come back tomorrow to see how all of this gets assembled. I am working in real time on this one, and need to wait for dusk to show off the lights.

In the mean time, I don't know if you realized that the Lowe's Creative Ideas page has projects under $50?

This Paper Tube Decorated Flowerpot idea really fits the recycling theme. 

I will definitely be making one of these!

How do you give your home a welcoming approach?

**Here is part 2 of my Window Boxes**

Danny Seo

I am always in awe of Danny Seo. He is an environmental lifestyle expert, author, and television personality.

He is so creative in his endless search for ways to upcycle objects into beautiful and functional works of art. Here are some of my favorite projects of his. This throw that he made from random scarves loosely stitched together.

Using duck tape to reinforce regular canvas bags and turning them into beautiful indestructible shopping bags

Using newspaper to wrap a bottle of wine

Old raffle tickets to wrap a box

Paint chips for ID tags

Painting an old tray with chalkboard paint

He is a genius. If you are looking for some inspirational crafts, here are his craft videos for Michaels. Now I am feeling a big guilty about throwing some things away.....how about you?

Don't Chuck that Holiday Card

Yesterday, I was "tweeting" with Beckie, from Cubicle 57. She was asking the question, "how long do you keep your holiday cards?" Well, If you are a "potential craft project" hoarder saver, like us...as she pointed out to me....the question is really "how many years do you keep your holiday cards?" Thanks for the post inspiration, Gurl!

If at all possible, keep then out of the landfill and repurpose them into one of these many crafty ideas...

Make a Holly Leaf Wreath

Source & instructions

A fun Gift Tag

Source & instructions 

Small Holiday Box

Source & instructions

Card Cones to fill with candy

source & instructions

Monigram Labels

Source & instructions

Holiday Gift Bags

Source & instructions

Christmas Card Puzzle House

Source & instructions

Christmas Card Pointsettia

Source & instructions

Holiday Place Card

Source & instructions

Wine Gift Tag

Source & instructions

Do you have a favorite? Would you make any of these? Is your paper shredder running?

Mulching & Recycling... the easy way!

I love the look of fresh mulch. So crisp and clean. In fact, I do all my own mulching. The workout is great and I am very particular on how it gets done. Not to mention the fact that I have a tremendous amount of WEEDS!

 It would be extremely labor intensive if I had to pay someone to weed all of this before putting down mulch. So, many years back, I read an article about recycling newspaper in the garden. Combine that with mulching, and you have a winning combination.

 First, lay down a heavy layer of newspaper (4-5 sheets thick). I use all of the paper, glossy section as well.

 Next, don't skip this step, wet the newspaper. This keeps it from blowing away when you dump the mulch on top.

 Finally, bring on the mulch!

Admire, and then on to the next part of the garden.