Spring cleaning & where to offload/upcycle unusual items so they can be used again (if you dont want to recycle or dump at an op shop)

There is no time like the present to do some decluttering. I always recommend finding someone you personally know who could use what you can't. That way you know it won't sit in an op shop collecting dust. Why not organize a swap picnic where everyone brings their unwanted random items. However not everyone will want your cast offs so here are my recommendations if you don't know anyone who could personally use it nor want to rely on recycling.

(I have made easter chicken wings out of scrap fabric, a produce bag & handkerchiefs out of baby muslim wraps).

 

(I have even cut up old clothes to make pajama pants for Kobe & even a cooking apron, small fabric scraps can go in the compost).

• Flannel pajamas- cotton rounds (for cleansing) or covers to wrap sores then paper tape.
• Old clothes- tshirt bags or if still in good condition dress up box or dish cloths.
• Sheets to cleaning rags.
• Baby blankets- sew into produce bags.
• Old costumes/dress up clothes to school kindy or pre-primary.
• Muslin wraps- fairy wings, capes (thanks Sam for the idea:)), produce bags, handkerchiefs.
• Old towels- again to animal shelters. There was an outbreak of parvovirus a few years back at an animal shelter so they had to burn all the bedding. They were so grateful to receive.
• Buttons/ wool- school or local craft groups (some are advertised in the local paper you just need to drop off).

• Egg cartons to Fruit loop (in Pickering Brook). Time it for fresh fruit or a lunch at an eatery. They do have a cafe onsite too.
• Empty clean jars to a bulk food shop like Wasteless Pantry in Mundaring.  Wasteless pantry has also put a call out for empty essential oil bottles. Although I took a stack to the school as they had a call out for jars. I have some lovely friends (thank you Louie & Haelee) who keep their empty Moccona jars for me, I'm mad for using these to store flour & pantry items.

• Books- host a book exchange, or I saw a bookswap at Dome café & my local library, plus Save the children host an annual massive book drive.
• Magazines to school art or kindy (double check first).
• Newspaper- school art class or cleaning the BBQ. I give my Sunday times newspaper to my sister for a second read.
• Gift cards; upcycle to gift tags.

• Tyres to DIY compost. Its what I do to deal with extra fruit/veggie waste. I now have a worm farm too (thank you Kaysey for the worms:)).
• Any stall holder at your local market would happily take any unwanted plant pots.
• Broken plates- mosaic project (you could jazz up a plain plant pot).

• Toys- community playgroup.
• Puzzles- good condition ones to Kindy or Preprimary.
• Stuffed toys- the hardest to get rid of. I wouldn't recommend to a dog shelter as they are easily ripped up then go to landfill. I have reused the stuffing from my pregnancy body pillow for a bean bag. I have had to store the bean bag away until I am certain Dylan won't drown in it.
• Pet toys- good condition rubber toys to animal shelters. It would brighten up the day to any neglected animal.

• Canned food- Foodbank or Ayla are desperately chasing some tin goods for their hampers. (Racheal your amazing for your beauty donations:))
• Personal care products- Again Ayla are chasing some for their hampers.

If all else above fails; advertise on Gumtree or Facebook what you have to give away.

I hope this helps to save items out of landfill & if you have any more ideas please share in the comments below.

Happy Tuesday friends!
Grace

Some simple tips I do to cut down on wastage at fairs & festivals

Organization the night before is the key. If you pack everything just before leaving or morning of you will definately forget something.

Ideas to cut back on wastage are;
*Cloth bags, so compact once folded to bring. Plus you never know when you may buy something.
*Cloth napkins, say no to paper napkins. This isn't easy at an ice cream stall though.
*Eat everything to avoid food waste or bring a container to haul leftovers home.
*Pack snacks for the little ones. It will save you impulse buys. (They will still whinge over the sweet treats on sale).
*Bring container to receive food.
*Keep cup or ceramic cup for beverages.
*Byo egg cartons if you buy local eggs.
*Bring stainless steel straws.
*Avoid buying packaged goods. Say no to food/ produce wrapped in gladwrap.
*If you know there is a drink fountain at the event, utilise it. Even top up your reusuable water bottle.

I pack my "Byo cutlery set". This is such a saviour; some napkins (or a teatowel), stainless steel cutlery, stainless steel straws, & bibs. I wrap all the cutlery with the napkin & tie with some ribbon (ribbon was given to us in a gift but any tie would work fine). And usually a container/ plate to purchase food with an extra bag to haul dirty dishes home in. I packed this to a food truck event last week, we still ended up with foil & a plastic fork (as I walked away to order at 2 foodtrucks hence I didn't see them preparing so I couldn't say no to foil or fork;() so I washed both with the foil being recycled & the plastic fork to go to utensil drawer (eventually this will go to landfill when it breaks from usage). I brought the coke can for Luke from home as a family member brought us a carton when I was explaining to her if she bought cans over bottles, the aluminium is infinitely recycled. She drinks soft drink like water so I was trying to hint at using less disposable bottles used. The message was misread:(

 

 

If this list is too overwhelming, don't fret just do a couple things off the list which you feel comfortable with & gradually add.

I would love to hear your waste free festival tips so feel free to share in the comments below.
Happy Thursday friends!

Grace

Quiet time after school activities

Ok so you cant associate quiet time with most kids (including mine:)) but I thought I would share some activities we do to keep these munchkins asking for ipads & tv when they are bored (which is mostly Kobe as Dylan is too little for ipads & tv although he loves Teletubbies).

1. Construct a maze using furniture, trees & a ball of wool. I set this up one school holidays at my mums house. I kept rearranging it every time Kobe completed it. You could easily set this up inside with the dining table & couches.

 

2. Its mega hot here & if you have the energy to take the kids to the beach after school to chill then this activity is the one for you. Burying dinosaur treasure (or anything really) at the beach. I previously made this pirate map that goes perfectly with this activity.

 

3. Ice fossils. This is a super easy activity that just requires you to place some toys in a container of water then the freezer overnight to set. Kobe unleashes his inner destructive child & thus this activity does not last long but is super fun!!!

 

 

4. A good old fashioned activity, all you need is a blank wall outside & some sidewalk chalk then let the little artists loose. Plus the rain cleans it. Yippee!

 

5. Boxes, seriously what kid doesn't love to play around in a box? You can get them free from Bunnings. One day I will build that box ice cream parlour for the kids, until then they can use their imagination.

 

6. Help build a DIY cake emporium (Kobes description). He is mad for these Trashpack figurines so to keep him busy I helped him build a fancy place for them to hang out. I found the mini bins at the markets (& clearly I was more excited that this cake emporium has a recycle & compost bin).

 

7. One for the "Wheres Wally" fans. I hid a sticker of him somewhere different everyday of the school holidays.

 

Feel free to add your favourite kids activities in the comments below:)

And for more ideas, a friend of mine posts fun learning activities on Teacher mum facebook page.

 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Grace