How we made a custom palapa

by on June 1, 2012
in repurposing · 10 Comments

As a renter, it is necessary to choose your battles. Unsafe oven? That’s definitely worth complaining about. Backyard shade broken? A bummer, but not a deal-breaker.

When we casually mentioned that the aged canvas had ripped off its frame in a windstorm last year, our landlord didn’t express the smallest interest in replacing it. So, we just dealt with it. We have other shady spots in our yard so other than being an eyesore, it wasn’t that big of a deal.

But then David had an idea… a way to use it as shade again without spending any money on replacing the cover. And, giving our outdoor eating area a nice, beachy feel.

Read on to see how we made our own palapa.

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Homemade Peppermint Foot Scrub {and Three Other Uses for Peppermint}

by on May 11, 2012
in personal care & beauty, repurposing · 34 Comments

Written by contributor Stacy Karen of A Delightful Home. 

Peppermint is one of my favorite herbs because it is easy to grow and has so many uses.

Well known as a digestive aid, peppermint is also a powerful energizer and useful in treating headaches and fatigue.

Today I’d like to share four simple treatments that include this this beneficial herb.

 Invigorating Foot Scrub

This peppermint scrub provides a slight tingling sensation that will revive and invigorate tired feet. It’s very quick and easy to prepare and would make an excellent gift.

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From the archives: homemade strawberry freezer jam

by on May 4, 2012
in repurposing · 9 Comments

Editor’s note: I’ve been home-bound with restless, unwell little ones for the last two days. We woke up Wednesday morning, planning to surprise our almost five-year old daughter with a trip to Disneyland, and instead found her sick with a stomach bug. Suffice it to say, my week has not gone as planned.

As I was been dreaming of enjoying the spring outdoors, I recalled this post from (hard to believe) two years ago. Our editor-at-the-time, Katie Fox, shared this delicious recipe with us– I’ve made it myself, so I know! Looking for a Mother’s Day treat? This jam would be perfect. Enjoy! ~Nicole

I spent Mother’s Day weekend up to my elbows in strawberries. On Saturday, our family went out to a local you-pick berry farm and spent a couple of hours harvesting the sweetest, freshest, most delicious strawberries that I’ve tasted in a long time. I wanted to get enough berries to make strawberry jam and strawberry fruit leather, and still have enough left over to freeze for smoothies.
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Turn an oversized t-shirt into a boatneck tee {tutorial}

by on April 23, 2012
in repurposing · 23 Comments

Yesterday my husband and I were honored to take part in something called Compassion Sunday. Some of you may have been reading along last year when Tsh chronicled her trip to the Philippines with Compassion International over on Simple Mom. This is an organization close the heart of my family as well, as we’ve been sponsoring a child for several years.

Compassion Sunday was simply a day set aside to tell our church family about Compassion and what they do, changing the stories of children around the world. We shared our experiences and set up a table of packets where people could sign up to sponsor a child.

So what does this all have to do with a t-shirt tutorial? 

Read on to find out!

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Eight ways to reuse glass jars around your home

by on April 18, 2012
in repurposing · 53 Comments

Written by contributor Emily McClements. 

After Stacy’s post last week about reusing and repurposing tin cans, I wanted to follow up with some ideas and inspiration for one of my favorite things to reuse around my home — glass jars.

The great thing about glass jars is that you can get them basically for free, if you keep all the jars your food comes in. Spaghetti sauce, salsa, pickles, and condiment jars can all be kept and repurposed for all kinds of different uses around your house.

I also love to find glass jars at garage sales and thrift shops. I have found brand new canning jars for as cheap as ten cents per jar, as well other great glass storage containers. I rarely pass up an opportunity to snag a glass jar or container for a good price, because I know I will be able to find a use for it somewhere around my house.

Here are eight of my favorite ways to repurpose and reuse glass jars:

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