Creatively Green is the blog of freelance writer, avid crafter, and La Mamma Verde (the green mom), Wenona Napolitano. This blog features everything about her creatively green life from green crafting to eco-gardening, green parenting and green living in general. You will also find articles on writing, being a mom writer, and see guest posts from authors. Full of green musings, eco-product reviews, book notes, eco-friendly crafts and so much more.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
5x7 Folded Card
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Get Crafty with I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas by Anna Getty
I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Gifts, Decorations, and Recipes that Use Less and Mean More by Anna Getty is a great book that covers how to green Christmas better than any other book I’ve read on the subject in the way that if offers tons of hands-on advice and projects, and that’s what I love most- the DIY projects and crafts.
I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas is full of tips, expert advice, crafts, recipes, decorating ideas and pretty much everything you need to make the holidays more eco-friendly.
The holidays are always a little bit stressful no matter how well you plan or prepare. When money is an issue it can get really stressful. One thing I really adore about I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas is that so many of the crafts for gifts and decorations are made with items I have lying around the house. So I can make decorations and gifts without spending a dime.
This book is really filled with crafty DIYs, projects and decorating ideas. It could almost be listed as a craft book there’s so much in it.
The crafts I love the most are the: decorated matchboxes (page 70-71), the salt dough ornaments (page 90-91) these are so very country Christmas I love them, the old fashioned cranberry and popcorn garland (page 104-105), the cute little twig stars (page 106-107), t-shirt potholders (page 134-135) of course I’ll pass this on to my mom since I don’t sew, the vintage button clutch (page 136-137), and the bottle cap refrigerator magnets that are so super cute for kids to make (pages 142-143).
And the recipes sound so yummy: roasted acorn squash soup with Parmesan and crispy sage, stuffed mushrooms, artichoke dip with baked pita chips, mini apple strudels with brown sugar whipped cream (my mouth is really watering over that one), pumpkin gnocchi with browned sage butter, pumpkin butter and tamari roasted pumpkin seeds, chai hot cocoa with whipped cream (have to try that one)…and so many more.
These items listed above are just a sampling of the crafts and recipes this book has to offer in addition to all the amazing advice that doesn’t preach but offers honest and traditional old fashioned style charm to help return Christmas to the love and joy that it originally was.
This book can help you have the type of Christmas you’ve always dreamed of without the stress, hassle and worry of commercial sparkle and false joy. Plus it’ll help you craft a green holiday season like never before.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Two Moons of Sera Cyber Monday Giveaway
Two Moons of SeraBy Pavarti K Tyler
Pavarti K Tyler's novel Two Moons of Sera is a Fantasy/Romance and will be released in a serial format beginning this fall. Her next novel Shadow on the Wall is scheduled for release in early 2012. Shadow on the Wall is Book One of The SandStorm Chronicles, the saga of Recai Osman — businessman, philosopher, Muslim and . . . superhero.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Holiday Crafts Roundup
Nothing says the holidays like handmade goodies and the web is filled with fun, amazing, easy and sometimes green ideas. Many of the crafts can easily be made eco-friendly by using items you already have on hand or switching items out for more eco-friendly supplies.
Here are some of my favorite holiday crafts that I’ve spotted:
This Christmas table display found at Better Homes and Gardens is bright and cheerful and so easy to make. You take Christmas bulb ornaments and place them in a square glass vessel then tie with a ribbon. Voila! Very pretty and pretty easy.
Also possibly very green. I know I have ribbon, extra Christmas ball ornaments and maybe even a glass dish lying around somewhere.
Here’s another gorgeous example of a holiday craft that can be made green. What crafty chick doesn’t have a jar full of buttons somewhere? I know I do and I don’t even sew, but I love buttons. And this button tree is absolutely adorable.
This one also came from Better Homes and Gardens. You’ll find plenty of other festive and easy holiday craft ideas there. Including some great ideas for DIY holiday wall art.
Here’s another easy DIY holiday idea that has the potential to be green. Aframed Christmas tree made from ornaments, a picture frame and some wire. I know I have an unused frame and extra Christmas bulb ornaments that could quickly be turned into something similar to the photo above.
Better Homes and Gardens has a whole section of quick DIY holiday wall art to make.
AllYou.com also has a great roundup of handmade holiday crafts including this cute button wreath. It’ll match the button tree. I can see I’ll be decorating with buttons this year.