A Thank-You and other cool stuff...

First of all, I'd just like to say thanks to Cindi Rose from the Examiner for mentioning Junk Mail Gems in her article a few days ago, listing some of her favorite places to visit online!  I am truly honored.

Cindi also mentions another great blog that I just checked out, called "Blah to TADA!"  I'll have to add this to my blog list too...lots of fun ideas to repurpose those "blah" objects in your life!

Here's something else I thought was cool...this Chinese farmer created a way to heat enough water for three family members to shower every day, using beer bottles!  Water flows through the bottles and is heated up by the sun.  A perfect example of the blending of necessity, resourcefulness, and creativity!
(via SuperUse)

Okay this is a pretty random post, I know, but I'm going on very little sleep this week with a teething baby!  ;-)  I will have a really fun way to recycle your kids' "Happy Meal" boxes coming soon...stay tuned!

A Few Interesting Things...

I love this necklace made from dollar store flip-flop keychains strung together, from Junk Jewelry. Very cute!

...and this great table made from used magazines.  Awesome! It does look a bit like a computer rendering so I'm curious if this is an actual table or a concept.  But, it is very nice. (via SuperUse)

I came across these cool paper lanterns and a tutorial to make them, suggesting them as Christmas ornaments.  But, being in the summertime state of mind, I could so see these hanging in my gazebo, in a porch, or outside in the trees to decorate for a summer bbq...so pretty!

Turn T-shirts into Baby Sleepers

Today I came across this awesome blog called "This Mama Makes Stuff." This tutorial really caught my eye...super awesome baby sleepers made from recycled band t-shirts!



These would make a great hand made baby shower gift as well!

(Check out a previous post for how to make a nursing cover and crocheted bunny blankie, both great baby gifts as well!)

New Blog: "IDMommy"

I realized that I've been posting on quite a few mom-related subjects here on my Junk Mail Gems blog. While I've been able to tie them into the "green" subject matter my Junk Mail Gems fans enjoy reading, I thought that I had enough of these posts and enough new post ideas to start another new blog...



So, today I'd like to officially introduce the latest addition to my family of blogs, "IDMommy: Life at the intersection of DESIGN and MOTHERHOOD." Here I will post on topics related to motherhood, through my unique perspective as a designer and an entrepreneur.

There will be DIY project tutorials. There will be reviews of kids' products that I've tried and would like to try. There will be recipes & kids' crafts. And I'm excited to be soon starting up a rotation of interviews with fellow "MOMtrepreneurs." Learn from other moms and business owners, share your own opinions and advice, and hopefully find some things that will make your life easier in the process!

If you're a Junk Mail Gems fan, a mom, a designer, or an entrepreneur, you may find this new blog of interest as well, which is why I'm giving it a little plug here! So, check it out and become a follower if you'd like to stay up to date on my latest posts! Or, if you're a Facebook user, I invite you to become a Facebook fan and receive updates on new postings that way as well!

(I'll even give you a little sneak preview...tomorrow I'll be posting a tutorial on how to make 3 extremely useful kid/baby items out of left-over ribbon!)

Fun Kids Craft Ideas from Crafty Crow!

I just stumbled upon this super awesome blog today called "The Crafty Crow" that is full of great craft ideas for kids! I came across them because they recently posted a link to my paper chain tutorial. There are many fantastic project ideas that utilize recycled materials! So, be sure to check them out...and feel free to hint at your kids that Mother's Day is coming up!!

I also just saw that they are giving away a super cute book full of 20 amigurumi robot crochet patterns! I am totally going to enter, as you all know I'm into crochet robots lately, and you should too!

"Repurposeful" + Free Junk Mail Gems Magnets!

I just recently connected with the folks at this great blog, Repurposeful. It is full of great ways to re-use everyday objects in new ways! I have a feeling I am going to be linking to them quite a bit in the near future!

Anyway, today they posted about my site, and I've partnered with them to give away a free set of magnets to one lucky reader! So, be sure to go check out the post for details on how to enter...it's easy! And while you're there, don't forget to check out all the great ideas on the blog...you're sure to get inspired to do some of your own repurposing!

DIY Christmas Gifts from Inhabitat

Inhabitat posted some really great DIY gifts yesterday...check them out!
My favorites are these cork coasters and trivets above. I have such a huge stash of corks now, I'm trying to figure out how else to use them! The crochet owls are pretty dang cute as well...


This was an earlier post also from Inhabitat, but are so adorable I had to include them as well:

And don't forget to check out all the junk mail diy projects on my page while you're at it!