DIY Travel Play House using a Recycled McDonald's Happy Meal Box!

Okay, so I promised you a new tutorial on how you can recycle your McDonald's Happy Meal boxes...here it is!  I have created pdf patterns that you can download for free over at my design site.  Check out my step-by-step photo instructions at my IDMommy blog!

Ignore this little Ronald telling you to throw away your box...

...and make a little house out of it instead!

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!

Recycled Kids' Art Project: Cereal Box Puzzle!

I have another fun recycled kids' craft for you over at my IDMommy blog...a tutorial to turn your old cereal boxes into puzzles!  :-)  Check it out for a fun rainy day activity!

Turn Canning Jars into Sippy Cups with the EIO Kids Cup!

Here's another great green kids' product idea.  MOMtrepmreneur Kathy Haskell of EIO has designed this product that turns canning jars into sippy cups, while helping kids learn to drink from a REAL cup.  Very cool!

Recycled Kids' Art Project: Used Magazine Collage!

Okay, I'm mooching off of myself again, but I thought this would be a good post to share here on my Junk Mail Gems blog too!  I used to make collages all the time when I was little.  Here's how you and your kids can have fun turning old magazines into art too!

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!

DIY Retro Clock Bottlecap Magnets

I just love these magnets for two reasons.

1) They are made from recycled bottle caps (and you all know how much I like to recycle!)
2) They feature graphics inspired by some awesome classic clock designs that I have always wanted to purchase but cannot afford.

Check out the great tutorial on How About Orange for complete step-by-step instructions, as well as the downloadable graphics!

Man, I have a gigantic bin full of bottle caps just SCREAMING to be used for this project, not to mention a stack of artwork from my kiddo to display.  Now I can have little reminders on the frig of the clocks I'd love to purchase some day when I strike it rich! (after we sell our house and I can start hanging art on the frig again, of course!)

(via Cut Out & Keep)