Book Review: The Big Green Book of Recycled Crafts and Sewing for Children

I'm not actually endorsed to advertise any books (yea, I wish!), but I thought I'd start passing on really great books to you now and again. This book was full of really great ideas! Not all of them are for kids, but they're all great. Faux stained glass from produce baskets, beautiful flowers from old aluminum cans, checkerboard from old jeans, TV tray made into laundry hamper... there's lots of fun stuff and templates for everything in the back.

Now, being a really cheap, "let's not waste our resources" kind of person, I naturally checked out this book from the library. I highly recommend this method of reading. Public libraries are awesome (although I've never seen one so awesome as the one we have here in Iowa city). Here's my method of craft book "shopping" with a little help from the public library:

1. browse amazon for your favorite topics, paying close attention to the "you also might like" section
2. Write down the titles you're interested in
3. Look them up in the library catalog and  A. get them if they have them or B. request them for purchase from your library. (aka, suggest the library buy it so you can read it)
4. Enjoy!

I have never been turned down a book request from my library unless it contains removable patterns that could be lost or destroyed easily. Seriously, try it!  All sorts of great free books at your fingertips!

Here is my most recent Library requested book:

It is a really awesome book with great ideas about getting kids sewing. And, yes, there are plenty of recycled toys ideas because many of the items are made from discarded clothing.


Okay, now I'm going to sound just like a PBS commercial: So, friends, enjoy these and many, many other wonderful books at your own public library! (for free :)

WINNERS!

So, for the winners...

I decided to be old fashioned and  print out the entries and draw them out of a hat. Since there were two winners, I had each of my kids draw out a paper- I figure they were the least biased because they can't even read yet :)

And the winners are.... (drumroll, please!)

Amy Jean and Andrea!

But, as a surprise, I have a present for EVERYONE who entered! I will be sending a digital copy of the boy doll pattern for FREE to everyone who entered! That way you can make your own! When you make them, please send pictures so we can all see your cute dolls! Thanks for all of your support! Congratulations, winners!

PS- I have e-mailed the "runners Up" prize already. If you entered the contest, but didn't get a runners up prize yet, it's because you didn't tell me your e-mail address. Please e-mail me (iowawildflowers@gmail.com) so I can send one to you, too!

squirt bottle squirt toy

This is really an easy repurposing. Just wash out an old empty plastic squirt bottle that held ketchup, strawberry syrup, pancake syrup, mustard, chocolate syrup, etc. Then fill it with water and they make great little squirt toy (especially if you don't want your kids too much around play guns).  As you can tell, they're really fun! Don't forget to enter the contest. One more day!

paper plate whirligig

Don't forget to enter the Contest to win free toys!

here's an easy craft that they did at a local arts festival here.

Time needed: 10 min.
Skills needed: scissors
Materials needed:

• paper plates
• scissors
• decorating material (paint, glitter, etc.)

Instructions:
1. Cut the paper plate in a spiral, starting at the side.
2. Decorate.
3. Punch a hole in the center.
4. Poke a knotted string or yarn strand into the hole
5. Hang and enjoy!

Second place and a prize for you, too!

Dear Friends,

Thanks for all of your support in the Iron Crafter competition! We won second place! As a celebration, we will be having a giveaway! Also, to celebrate, we finally put up a button you can grab and put on your website!------>

For the contest, There will be two winners. Each winner will choose one of the following prizes:

1. A set of four felt bottle cap cupcakes

2. An already made magnetic paper doll toy (you pick boy or girl!)

Here's how you enter: 

Make a comment, specifying which prize you would prefer and your e-mail address. If you put our new button on your site, or if you have another link to Recycled Toys from your site, you may enter a second time by leaving a second comment. We will close the contest on Friday the 18th when two random winners will be chosen!Thanks again!

PS- to put the button on your blog, go to the layout and add an HTML gadget. Just copy and paste the text from my text box on the right column-------->     into your HTML gadget box. Then save and test it to make sure it works!

CONTEST CLOSED... STAY TUNED FOR WINNERS!

Last chance to vote...

Magnetic paper doll toy BOY

Thank you, friends, for all of your votes in the Fireflies and Jellybeans contest this week. There is still one more day to vote so please vote if you haven't! (I'm currently in second place!)

I had my little "Lucia" magnetic dolls at church the other week. Our best friends were sitting on the pew in front of us and I let their son, Alex, play with Lucia and he loved it! That's when I decided that we really needed a version for the boys. This one is less centered around mix and matching outfits and more about all the fun things he could do or become! I hope y'all enjoy it as much as we have!

This is also the beginnings of my first Etsy shop, over here --->
Hopefully we'll get some more items listed soon! 

Thanks again for all of your support! There may be a special celebration in order tomorrow!