because at times we all need another mom's view...

Coffee Grounds for your Garden

For those of us who don't drink coffee, stop by your local coffee shop and ask them for their leftover coffee grounds. This reduces waste going to the landfill as well as adding nutrients* to your compost pile or directly to your soil. Most chains offer grounds for free but don’t sort out the filters. I only compost the brown unbleached filters, which most coffee shops now use.

*Most of the acid is removed in the brewing process so the grounds are only slightly acidic.

flaxseed meal instead of oil, butter or eggs

Don't have eggs? Mix one Tablespoon flaxseed meal with 3 Tablespoon water in a small bowl. Let sit for 2 minutes then add to recipe in place of 1 egg.

Want to avoid oil or butter? 3 Tablespoons flaxseed meal instead of 1 Tablespoon margarine, butter, or oil makes your baking healthier.

I like to use flaxseed meal in everything I bake because it is so good for you.

Tips:
Keep flaxseed meal refridgerated or frozen for longevity after opening.

Sprinkle a couple tablespoons onto your cereal, pancakes, or oatmeal for added fiber (4g), protein (3g), and antioxidants.

Matching Gift Bags for Cheap

Materials:
Wrapping Paper
Tape
Scissors
Gift Bag (make sure it coordinates with wrapping paper)
Ribbon Optional

Directions:

1. Cut the patterned design out of wrapping paper, in the picture it was circles.

2. Tape the wrapping paper cutouts onto the bag, in the picutre there is a row of circles at the top and one in each of the bottom corners.

3. Cut out a rectangle of wrapping paper to make a tag for the bag. Tie on with ribbon or just tape it to the bag.

Tips: Cut out more circles and tape them onto wrapped packages for gift tags or just a nice 3D effect.

Go to the dollar store and buy your bags for cheap OR go to after holiday sales and stock up when wrapping gear is 75% - 90% off.

If you don't want to buy a bag, reuse one that was given to you earlier and decorate to match wrapped gifts. Or just decorate a previously used bag with paper scraps to create a "new" bag.

Thanks for the idea Aunt Deb!

Alphabet Letters

I made this super cute set of alphabet letters as Christmas gifts for my niece and nephew. I got the idea and tutorial here. Chez Beeper Bebe always has very wonderful and crafty sewing ideas.

I followed her tutorial but did change a few things.

1. I used 100% organic bamboo batting so if it was sucked on it wouldn’t have any toxins.

2. Instead of new material scraps I used outgrown clothing from the children. I cut around the stains and it makes me smile to see their old pj’s put to good use.

3. I didn’t put magnets in the letters. She warns about the magnets and small children and I am giving the letters to small children so I omitted them.

4. I enlarged the letters so my finished letters are between 4 and 5 inches tall.

5. I didn't cut out the insides of the letters. I thought it would be too difficult so I just sewed the inside lines.

6. I matched the material that spelled out the names to make it personalized.

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