Adopt a zombie

These felt zombie ornaments by Reclaimed Rubbish are zombie enough for Halloween, yet cute enough to adorn any Christmas tree. Made from felt and stuffed with upcycled bits of fluff and love, each zombie has a personality of its own derived from the object they consumed their stuffing from. They are a favorite for kids who prefer a less scary version of our unfriendly flesh eating friends. Each will come with a birth certificate so you can get to know your new undead friend.

Adopt yours today! 

Upcycled kitchen toys

The perfect way to teach your kiddos environmental awareness is to upcycle kitchen containers.  Empty spice vontainers, lemon shaped juice containers, and macaroni and cheese boxes not only show them to reduce-reuse-recycle, but they get to learn how to be adults by mimicking you with the actual products you use.  Kids learn best through play, so give them great tools to use.

There's not much cuter than listening to your little one cook and talk like you do. 

Why are parents pushing kids?

Today I read something:
Pearlman: Parents, why are you pushing kids?

And finally it validated what I have been feeling for so long. My instincts tell me not to enrole my kids in every activity on the planet, but society says they will fall behind if I don't.

I say, let's start a revolution against selling our kids to consumerism and perfection and just be. What do you say?!?

When is my child old enough for needle and thread?

There are many thoughts on how old a child should be before you trust them with a needle, but teaching the concept can begin during toddlerhood.

As soon as a child starts grasping things with their thumb and pointer finger, introduce simple lacing toys. Don't expect to be able to explain how to do it and have lacing pros. Instead, let them fumble through it and get a feel for cause and effect.

As they get older, you can upcycle some great things into lacing tools. Cut shapes.out of old maps, laminate them, punch holes around the edges, and string an old shoelace through the holes. Cut a cereal box up and punch holes around the edges. Punch holes in old greeting cards. The possibilities are limitless.

Once they become lacing pros, it's time to move up to yarn, yarn needles, and plastic mesh.  Again, don't expect a masterpiece. The process is the important part, not the product.

Before you know it, they'll be ready for the real thing. There's no need for expensive craft kits. Just get an embroidery hoop small enough for them to maneuver, some embroidery floss, and a tapestry needle.  Cut a piece from an old tee shirt just big enough to fit in the hoop. You will probably have to thread it the first 100 times, but let them try until they ask you to do it. If they feel discouraged, remind them that it takes a lot of practice. When you thread the needle, tie a knot around the eye so the thread doesn't come off a million times.  Tie a knot in the end of the thread, and show them how to pull it through the fabric. Again, this is a process-not-product activity.

It's never too late to get started, and you'll be giving them a valuable gift that goes far beyond poking a needle through an old piece of tee shirt.

Trust me, you're gonna love it!

Sidewalk chalk fence

Mid summer can bring on the boredom blues. You've thrown every activity at them you can think of, and they just smile and keep on coming.

Spur some creativity and reclaim that boring wood fence lining your back yard by handing your kiddos a bucket of sidewalk chalk. Let them turn your fence into a work of art!

It's washable, renewable, cheap, and a great conversation piece for your next bbq.

Want bonus points? Get out there and create with them! It's less trying on adult bodies than sidewalk art, and your babies will love you for it!

Trust me, you're gonna love it!

Bubble art

What you'll need:
1. 1 straw for every child
2. 1 small bowl for every child
3. Bubbles or dish soap
4. Liquid watercolor paint
5. 1 needle(adult use)
6. Butcher paper

What you'll do:
1. Use needle to poke through straw 1" up from the bottom so kiddos can't suck soap into mouths.
2. Put small amount of bubbles or soap in small bowl
3. Add a few drops of liquid watercolor
4. Place butcher paper down on table or even on the ground in the driveway
5. Place bowl on top of paper
6. Give child straw and let them blow bubbles.

Many timea this project does not produce useable art. It's process focused rather than product focused.

Trust me, you're gonna love it!!

June Craft Challenge

Alright, after a few freaked out emails from our readers, we have decided to ease up the craft challenge a little bit as we get started.  What does that mean?  More directed rules, less thinking, more crafting. 
Here are the rules for June's craft challenge:

1. This is a paper craft, but you are not limited to using only paper.
2. You must incorporate your favorite quote in the entire world.
3. You must give it to someone you love after you have taken a few pictures(no more than 5) of the process and emailed them to reclaimedrubbish@gmail.com with a 200 word or less explanation of how and why you chose to do what you did.
4. Bonus points are given if you also include a picture of the person you give it to with their gift.

All entries must be emailed by midnight Pacific time on June30th, 2012. 

 The winner will be announced no later than July 15th, 2012.

Happy crafting!!