An Environmental helper… Let’s Clean Green!

With the start of a new year, I have a few things that I have consciously made a decision to improve on… One of them being the amount of trash that I throw out.  I decided that I was going to do my part to reduce the amount of waste going out of my home and to recycle even more (by making that conscious effort) and having my children help with this as well.

One of the things that I have also made a conscious decision about is the clutter that has taken over my home…  I am no longer keeping things that I do not need, have not used, and really don’t care for…  It is a difficult task sometimes to part with things, but I AM DOING IT!  2012 is my year of great change!

One of the things that I noticed I was doing was creating a lot of waste with my swiffer duster and swiffer floor refills.  While these are great, I don’t like all of the chemicals that are in the cloths, so I went out looking for a way to make my own cloth and create less waste in the environment.  I came across the following two sites that have some great tutorials on cleaning clothes that are Re-usable with your swiffer duster and swiffer floor mop.

The Swiffer Duster has always been one of my favorites, and as this tutorial shows you, you can have a re-usable duster in about 30 minutes time.  Plus, if you have some old flannel shirts laying around for donations, you can use them to create this item.  You will be saving money on refills, and will be throwing out less trash as well.

The swiffer for the floor can also have a homemade cover – I found one at this blog which has nice step by step directions on how to create it.

I spray my Homeology floor cleaner (which by the way is all natural and safe for the environment and children) on the floor of my kitchen and bathroom, and wipe away! Then when the pad gets dirty, I just replace it with the extra one that I have on hand.  That way I can continue to clean while the other one is in the wash!

 

I have read some people make their floor wipes from old dish towels, which would work great, or even micro-fiber towel that can be picked up at the dollar stop or “One Spot” at Target.

The above floor wipe was made with polar fleece, I have made mine from micro-fiber towels.  The micro-fiber towel really picks up the dirt with the floor cleaner.  I would love to see your projects that you have created, and hear about how you are helping to reduce the clutter and I hope that I have inspired you to “Clean Green”!  Happy 2012~

Cute recycling idea, just in time for Halloween!

I was scouring the internet today and I came across a super cute idea of a way to re-use your old Gold Canyon candle jars.  Don’t throw them away!!!  Make them into a cute Halloween project with your family!  This activity will work best with 5 ounce, 16 ounce and 26 ounce candle jars.

This is the finished project that we want to achieve…

These cute pumpkins were found on the website www.skiptomylou.org a great website with lots of fun activities to do with kids and family.

You can make these with a few simple supplies, many that you many have on hand at home already.

SUPPLIES:

- Tissue paper in orange and white

- Black construction paper

- modge podge or Elmers glue

DIRECTIONS:

Remove the candle label from your candle jar, sometimes the labels will peel off easily, sometimes you have to soak them in hot soapy water to get them off, so try peeling first, and if that does not work, a soak in hot soapy water for about 15 minutes will help remove the label.

Once you label is removed, use a sponge brush to paint on a layer of modge podge or elmers glue.  Place pieces of tissue paper over the glue and over lap them so that all areas of the jar are covered.  Use the foam brush to apply more glue/modge podge as needed.

Once done applying all of the orange or white tissue paper (pumpkins or ghosts) cut out pieces for the eyes and mouth from black construction paper.

Adhere the eyes and mouth and then coat the entire jar with another coat of modge podge or glue.

Allow to dry, then add a tealight for a cute treat that can line your sidewalk or driveway when those little ghouls come to visit you on Halloween.

pictures from http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/10/10/halloween-votives/

Long lost friends

It has been forever (well not really forever) but a long time since I have blogged on here and I have been missing it!  Things have been super busy with my family – Britney is playing fall Volleyball and has double headers each weekend.  Travis and Torri are busy being their typical selves… chasing after each other, whining about what the one has that the other doesn’t and on occasion loving each other and actually getting along.  They are all growing up much too fast!

Don received his scuba certification over the summer and is looking forward to Christmas break to go diving again.  He has even planned a trip with a co-worker to dive over spring break – This has been a dream of his, so I am glad he can check that off of his list of things to do.

For myself – I have been busy with school and my Gold Canyon business.  I keep in touch with many of my Prayer Child Families and am excited to have been able to assist several more families over them summer.  I know that these families are grateful for the help that they have been provided with!

As the Monthly newsletter from Gold Canyon came out this past week, I was caught by the fragrance blend of the month The featured Blends name is called Cuddling by the Fire.  That is something that my family did this weekend during the cold rainy weather.  I didn’t want to have to turn the heat on yet, and I love the fragrance of the fireplace.    I have included this scent blend in this post so that you can see what is included.   Since many of you who follow this blog are Gold Canyon Candle lovers, it is always fun to see these blends!  Maybe you have a blend that you have created and named something fun and would like to share with us.  As there are so many blends that can be put together!

So cuddle up next to the fireplace with a loved one, hug them and enjoy the time together, with or without any words, because we all know that Cuddling by the fire is something that is enjoyed not only by ourselves, but by our furry friends as well!

Featured Blend : Cuddling by the Fire

Like the warmth of snuggling by a crackling fire with a loved one, this warm blend wraps you in a sophisticated swirl of musk and vanilla rum.

·        White Pumpkin (16 oz.)

·        Vanilla Rum (5 oz.)

·        (2) Autumn Walk Tealights