Need a small gift bag? Save yourself a trip to the store, and make one out of an envelope. This simple project takes five minutes tops, and produces the cutest little gift bag, or party favor bag.
Have old candles that won’t light? Melt them down, and use the wax to make these pine cone fire starters. They make starting a fire a cinch, You can use them indoors (in your fireplace or woodstove), or outdoors (in your firepit or campfire). These make awesome gifts or party favors, so you may want to make extra.
Whip up a quick pair of pajama pants from a vintage sheet. This is an easy beginner project, and you can usually get several pairs out of a single flat sheet. Since this tutorial uses a pair of your favorite pajama pants as the pattern, they’re guaranteed to fit you perfectly. Make a pair for yourself. Then, make matching pairs for your kids.
Tired of having your lettuce go limp and slimy on you? Then, it’s time to change the way you’re storing it. Make yourself a lettuce crisper bag, and your lettuce will stay fresh days longer. This simple project takes 10 minutes tops, and only requires you to sew four straight lines.
If you’re seeing this post, it means we’ve found something new. Click to check out our latest curb find, and see the other amazing things we’ve rescued from curb piles over the years.
Once you see all the things you can do with eggshells, you’ll never throw them away again. Here’s how my family uses eggshells in the garden and around the house.
This soap saver bag makes bar soap last longer. Instead of sitting in a soap dish, where it never really dries out, this mesh bag allows your soap to dry quickly. So, you don’t have to deal with that soapy sludge at the bottom of your soap dish, or settle for using a soft bar of soap – all of which adds up to less soap waste.
Working towards a zero-waste kitchen? Here’s how to make reusable sponges from things you have around the house.
Up your gift wrap game. These reusable drawstring gift bags will save you money and time, while helping the environment.
These reusable sandwich wraps are so easy to use, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with plastic sandwich bags. Just place your sandwich in the center of the wrap, fold in the sides, and the Velcro will hold them securely in place. Then, open the wrap back up at lunch time, and use it as a placemat. These have a food-safe lining, and are both wipeable and machine-washable.
Up your leftover game. These reusable covers are the perfect size to go over open cans, drinks and other small containers that don’t have lids. They can also be used as decorative jar toppers for gifts. Just stick one on top of a jar of home-canned goodness, to instantly turn one gift into two.
Make a couple of these reusable casserole covers, so you never have to wrangle with plastic wrap again. They have an elastic band, ensuring they go on and off easily, and a food-safe liner that’s wipeable and machine-washable. Basically, they’re better than plastic wrap in every way.
These reusable elastic bowl covers are a great alternative to plastic wrap and foil. Just slip one over any bowl that doesn’t have a lid, for an easy way to store leftovers. I designed these to be both easy to clean and food-safe. Make a few for yourself. Then, make a bunch more to gift. These covers solve a problem that everyone has.
This maxi pad pouch gives you a discreet way to carry pads, and keeps them from getting lost, or unwrapped in the bottom of your purse or backpack. It can be made from fabric scraps, and would make a thoughtful addition to a stocking or Operation Christmas Child shoebox.
Tired of spending money on dog toys that your dog destroys in minutes? Here’s how to make a sturdy, long-lasting tug toy out of old t-shirts. This simple, no-sew toy is the perfect project to keep your hands busy when you’re watching TV.
Take your zero-waste lunchbox set up to the next level with one of these lunchbox silverware placemat rolls. Just slip your silverware and cloth napkin in the designated pockets; roll it up, and tuck it in your lunchbox. Then, unroll it at lunch time, and use it as a placemat.
Here’s how to make reusable sandwich bags that are food-safe, easy to clean and built to last.
Sewing kitchen towels is a quick and easy project, and a great way to use up your fabric scraps. Make enough to restock your kitchen. Then, make a bunch more to give as gifts.
My family made the switch from paper napkins to cloth napkins 18 years ago, and we’ve never looked back. If you’re looking to make a similar change, or simply need some cloth napkins for a special occasion, you’ve come to the right place.
Thinking about transitioning away from paper towels and napkins? For most of our married life, we’ve had a paperless kitchen. We made the switch to save money and protect the environment, but along the way we discovered a way of doing things that we just like better. Here’s a look at our system.
Hi, I'm Erin
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