Coat Hanger fairy wings

Okay, this is a classic that everybody else except me already knew how to do. I'd always hear people say that they made fairy wings out of coat hangers and old tights, but I didn't really get it. Luckily, when Elisabeth decided to be a butterfly for Halloween, I found this great video tutorial. Ours aren't done yet, but they're looking pretty good so far!

Toilet Paper roll owls

Check out these cool owls that I came across today at the frugal family fun blog! Cute!

Recycled Halloween Projects

As I perused the internet, I saw lots of great Recycled Toys ideas for Halloween! Here are some of my favorites!

The Long Thread had some great ideas:
Paper bag paper mache pumpkin bowls

Aluminum can and glass jar jack o lanterns

A sweet mobile of bats from the Long thread

Skull lights made from milk containers, electrical tape, and little lights from dollarstorecrafts.com (This website really rocks, by the way).

And, of course, Martha came through for us with this cute one: Aluminum can jack o lantern luminaries!

I want your ideas

So, recycled toy ideas are really fun- we all know that! But, sometimes it gets hard to think up and create them on a regular basis for this blog all by myself. But, I know that YOU all have your own fabulous recycled toys projects. I was thinking, wouldn't it be so much more fun to get other people's ideas?!

So, Please, I would love to receive some of your ideas of projects that you've done. Send me an e-mail with the project, what materials you used, how you did it, any other details, and some pictures. Maybe we could even have some spiffy contests down the road! Sound like fun?  E-mail me your ideas of recycled toys at iowawildflowers@gmail.com. Fun!

PS- I did my first guest post today at 320 Sycamore, all about how awesome it is to live in Iowa. Head on over if you think you'll enjoy it!

Recycled pillow box favors from Skip to my Lou

You have to check out this totally cute tp roll idea! http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/08/31/recycled-pillow-box-favors/

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!