What is made from Oil

In the quest to reduce our dependence on oil, many people think only of conserving gasoline. When people discuss the threat of an oil crisis; transportation, and the impact of the of inhibited transportation on our society, are discussed as the primary impact. However, there are many other products we use in our daily life that would be scarce if our oil supply dwindled. Also, the consumption of these products increases each of our carbon footprints. Here are a few:

1. Plastics

2. Synthetic Fabrics: rayon, polyester, acrylic, nylon, etc.

3. Laundry Detergent

4. Soap

5. Cosmetics

6. Hand and Body Lotion

7. Candles

8. Carpet and Linoleum flooring

9. Ink

10. Crayons

11. Chewing gum

12. Deodorant

13. Glue and adhesives of all types.

14. Tape

15. House Paint

16. Building Materials

17. Insulation

18. Tires

19. Shoes
20. Auto parts
21. Nail polish
22. Medications - Aspirin, Antihistamines, Cortisone and the capsules containing medication
23. Food preservatives
24. Shaving cream
25. Toothpaste
26. Eyeglasses
27. Solvents
28. Roofing materials
29. Balloons
30. Umbrellas

Recycling petroleum products is, at best, a partial solution. Plastics can only be recycled a limited number of times. Soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, health and beauty products and many other products can not be recycled.

Corn or plant based plastics are also only a partial solution. Not all of the products named can be made from plant plastics. The environmental impact of growing enough crops to replace all of these products would be enormous.

The bottom line is that the environmental problems of our time are complex and the solutions imperfect. The best solution is to reduce consumption these products, reuse and repurpose what we can, and hope for the best.

Recycling Plastic Bags to Reusable Bags

Check out this video I found showing how to make reusable shopping bags, hand bags, and book bags from disposable plastic sacks. I love this idea and want to try it out sometime soon.

Stress Free and Waste Free Holiday Wrapping

About 12 years ago, my mom and I were discussing the hassle and waste of holiday gift wrap. My mom wanted pretty presents under her tree that matched her color scheme, but, she hated the stress of gift wrapping. We also lamented the waste and the difficulty in reusing wrapping paper and finding boxes from year to year. In addition, we were looking for a way to store blown glass Christmas ornaments that I had recently brought from Germany.

Thinking about these issues, I came up with an idea. That year, I took the boxes we had and wrapped the top and bottom separately in silver and white paper to match my mom's Christmas tree. I then attached wired ribbon to the box lids with staples. This way, the box lids could be removed without undoing the gift wrapping. We wrapped our Christmas presents in the boxes and stored our ornaments in them, ready to pull out the next year.


For the last 12 years, we have reused these boxes; adding a few every year. I love to bring them out and see my favorites. Most of my family brings their unwrapped gifts to my parent's home to wrap in our Christmas boxes. Eventually, I added some homemade gift tags I made from reused card stock and gift wrap scraps. Since the family exchanges gifts with each other every year, we can reuse the same gift tags. We attach the tags to the gifts by tapping them to the ribbons. That way, the wrapping paper doesn't get damaged.


Although the Winter Holiday season is not here yet, I thought I would share this idea with enough time to plan your own stress free and waste free Holiday wrapping.

Reusing, Recycling, and Re-purposing Your Way to an Over-the-top Pirate Party

With the heightened popularity of pirates, pirate parties are all the rage; whether for kids birthday parties, Halloween fests, or as a get together for family and friends. The good news is that you don't have to spend a bundle on disposable decorations to create an amazing party scene. By reusing, recycling and re-purposing stuff you already have, and adding in a generous amount of creativity, you can have a green Pirate Party that won't leave you feeling raided.

This is What We Did:

Below, a narrow deck off to the side of the house became the infamous pirate ship, the Robber's Revenge, piloted by Captain Billy Bones. A market street umbrella forms the ships mast while broom sticks, an old white sheet, and Halloween rags create her spooky sails.

On the ship deck, an old table base forms the stand for the ships wheel. A barrel, hammock, crate, bushel baskets, metal bucket, and telescope case compose the ships cargo. Captain Billy Bones, a Halloween skeleton, is dressed up in a hand-me-down puff vest, thrift store velvet jacket, 20 year old scarf, and one of my necklaces. Some Halloween rats, old chains, lanterns, and pirate maps from previous parties finish the scene.

Off of the ship deck, pirate guests row into Pirate Cove where a treasure chest (cedar chest still half full of pillows) is laden with treasure comprised of old costume jewelry, Christmas tree garlands, colorful cookie tins, various brass home decor items, colored glass bottles, and much more.

Pirate guests also found a table laden with treasure for Captain Billy Bones' guests of honor (adult table). Halloween skeletons and skulls, old crystal bowls, mismatched fine china, candles and lots of treasure complete the scene.


More candles, skeletons, and a fish net complete the scene.

Old metal hanging baskets and paper Halloween skeletons strike fear into pirate guests while old brocade and beaded pillows offer lavish comfort while lounging in the cove. House and outdoor plants lend a tropical island feel to the cove.

After waking the plank off of the back of the Robbers Revenge, the crew (kids) found themselves in Kids Cove where a table was set up for the crew. The table was dressed with a piece of old burlap and a square of red fabric. The crew dined off of reused pie tins for a rustic feel. Prior to dinner, the crew found pirate coloring pages (printed from here on the backs of previously used paper) as well as crayons, colored pencils, glitter glue, and jewel stickers for their use.


Putting Together Your Party:

1. Look online and in pirate books (from the library) for inspiration - there are endless ideas for your party.

2. Look around and see what you have - pirates stole cargo from ships the world round. So, bright colored and glitter items you have that would work in a pirate scene.
- Moroccan, Indian, and Asian home decor items work particularly well.
- Pull out silver and silver plate bowls, trays, and silverware to use as serve ware or treasure. If they are a bit tarnished, it only adds to the appeal.
- Look around for a treasure chest. Any size wooden chest will do from a cedar chest to an old jewelry box. Drape the inside with brightly colored fabric and fill with costume jewelry and anything that looks rich or sparkly.
- Raid the Halloween decorations - Pull out the skeletons, skulls, chains, anything pirate, as well as spooky warning signs.
- Look through Christmas decorations. Many garlands and ornaments also work for pirate treasure.
- Be sure to pull out lots of candles and candle holders. Candelabras and candlesticks in black, silver, gold, or bronze, pewter, or with wood accents work well. Colored glass or crystal also work. Look for beads, bobbles or metallic fringe.
- Make your own decorations using items you have around the house.
- Look for more decorations at thrift stores.

3. See what you can barrow from family and friends - what you don't have, they probably will.

Happy Pirate Partying!

More Denim Recycling

Using additional material from my worn out jeans, I created a Paris themed purse for my niece, Rebecca, for her birthday. This is how I did it:

First, I took the bottom of a leg of my jeans and folded over a cuff. I then cut the bottom of the leg of jeans off about six inches up from the folded bottom. I turned the leg inside out and sewed the leg closed on the non-cuffed side.

I then decorated the purse with Paris themed iron-ons I found at the craft store for a couple of dollars. I added a fluer-de-lis on the back for an extra decorative touch.

I then took a piece of 3 foot piece of chain and wove a yard of ribbon through it to create the strap for the purse. I sewed the strap onto the side seams of the jeans inside the top. Altogether, these items created a fun little girl purse from discarded items, took very little time, and almost no money at all!

Amazing Thrift Store Finds

One of my favorite places to shop is thrift stores. Purchasing second hand keeps usable cast offs out of the landfill, prevents more resources from being used to make new stuff, and offers fabulous saving on almost anything you might want to buy. I regularly find name brand clothing in current styles at deep discounts (usually $4-$6 per piece), I often find vintage items, valuables, and antiques. This week I hit up three thrift stores and found some amazing stuff.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a passion for fine china. Not only that, but I have had a fantasy for many years of owning autumn china. On Saturday, I went to Savers and, tada:

I found this stunting set of vintage fall formal china right out of my dreams. For only $16, I acquired this amazing teapot, sugar, and creamer. I can't tell you how excited I am to have this set.

On Friday, I found this little jewel of a cheeseboard at Deseret Industries. The most amazing part is that I comes from the Blue Danube collection, which I already have. Although this item as some minor wear and tear, it is still a steal at $2.

On the same trip, I also found two more gems. One thing I love as much as fine china are good books. I found this 1944, leather bound, gilded, copy of Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, complete with rough-cut pages and old book smell all for $2.

I also picked up this vintage chocolate brown, classic cable knit, wool cardigan for only $4. This will be a great addition to my fall wardrobe.

Go Green By Buying Second Hand

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to go green is to buy second hand. This not only keeps discarded, but usable, items out of landfills, it conserves the resources needed to make and transport new items. Second hand items are usually offered at deeply discounted from their original prices. Try purchasing at least some of the items you need and use second hand.

Thrift Stores: Offer a variety of clothing and household items at deeply discounted prices. It is unusual to find an item over $10. Most price points are $6 or less. I have found a variety of valuable, vintage, and antique items at thrift stores in the past. I also regularly find name brand clothing in current styles. In the Salt Lake City area, try these stores: Deseret Industries, Savers, Thrift Town, and Salvation Army.

For Teen Fashion: For the more discriminating teen tastes, try stores that specialize in current teen fashion. I have found that these stores accept items that have been in the mall within the last two years. The prefer items that are less then a year old. You are sure to find something to suit your teen at these locations: Pib's Exchange, Plato's Closet, and

Fashion Addiction. Also, these shops will buy items that your teen has outgrown or will no longer wear and exchange them for cash or store credit.

For Women's and Men's Name Brand and Designer Fashion: For higher price point items, try Name Droppers.

For Furniture and Home Decor: The Finer Consigner features gently used furniture and home decor in all styles. They offer some great buys.

Also, be sure to donate, consign, or sell your discarded useable items. Someone else out there will probably want them.

Denim Recycling

What do you do with jeans that are too worn to wear? Faced with a couple pairs of jeans that were unwearable, but unwilling to just throw them away, I created a few fun new items. First, I used the top of a pair of my jeans, paired with a broken leather belt, to make a hobo style handbag for myself. I cut off the jeans just above the leg and sewed the bottom closed. I then cut off the bottom hem of the jeans and sewed them together to create a drawstring. I gathered the sides to shape the bag and added my belt that the buckle had broken off of for a strap. The front and back pockets have come in handy for my cell phone, car keys, and lipsticks.

I then used fabric from the leg of my jeans to create a handbag for my 12-year-old niece for her birthday. I selected a strait piece of fabric from the leg of my jeans and stitched the bottom closed. I then stitched around the top opening of the bag leaving room for a frayed edge. I then added the cute Fleur-de-lis iron-on that I had on hand and sewed in a section from a broken belt for a shoulder strap.

I also created a small play purse for my five-year-old niece for her birthday. Wanting something little girly, I selected a smaller segment of fabric from the leg of my jeans. I stitched the bottom closed and hemmed around the top of the bag. I then used a section from the inseam from my jeans to create a strap for the bag. I selected a cute red vintage button and used a fabric scrap to create a button a loop closure. I then hot-glued on a silk flower and leaf as decoration.

Still having a lot of fabric still available from my jeans, I created a book cover for an old poetry book using denim from the leg of my jeans and an old button.

Using the leg from a second pair of jeans, I created a wine bottle gift bag. I cut of the bottom of a leg from the jeans and stitched the top closed. I them folded over a cuff from the bottom of the jeans and had a great gift bag.

I still have a considerable amount for material left over from my old pairs of jeans. So, there will be more fun craft projects to come.

20 Reuses for Tin Cans

We all have them in our cupboard; the tin can. This innovation in food preservation not only allows a quick and easy food resources, but produces a lot of waste. With the amount of resources used to make a single tin can, why not give some of the cans you use an extended life before tossing them in the recycle bin.

1. Garage Organizer:

Tin cans can be used to organize your workbench. Sort nail, screws, and other hardware by size and type and size into tin cans. Also use tin cans to store tool like wrenches and screwdrivers.

2. Bathroom Organizer:

Use tin cans in the bathroom to as toothbrush holders or to hold makeup brushes and eyeliners. Tin cans can be wrapped in paper, wallpaper, or fabric or painted to match your decor.

3. Utensil Crock:

A large soup can or coffee can can be used in the kitchen as a utensil crock next to the stove. You can wrap the can in paper, wallpaper, or fabric or use it bare to match your decor. Try filling the can part way with beans, rice, or sand to prevent tipping.

4. Pen and Pencil Holder:

Use a soup sized can as a pen and pencil holder either at home or at the office. Tin cans can be used either bare; wrapped in decorative paper, wallpaper, or fabric; or painted. For the office, try wrapping the can with a paper featuring your company logo. At home, reuse paint or wallpaper to match your decor. Tin cans can also be filled with rice, beans, or sand to prevent tipping.

5. Vase:

Tin cans can be used as vases either at home or for special occasions like weddings. A decorated tin can filled with flowers can also make a special gift.

6. Flower Pot:

You can use any size can for a flower pot depending on the plant you are growing. Soup size cans are appropriate for small flowers, herbs, or cactus. For anything else select a medium size can or larger. Punch at least 3 holes in the bottom for drainage using a hammer and nail. Fill with potting soil and plant. If you like you can decorate your flower pot by painting it, covering it in fabric, glitter, ribbons, seashells or whatever you desire.

7. Drawer Organizer: Use small tin cans like tuna and cat food cans to organize an office drawer. Separate paper clips, rubber bands, thumb tacks, binder clips, and other office necessities into individual cans. Cans can secured to a reused piece of cardboard cut to fit the drawer.

8. Luminary:

Use tin cans as pretty luminaries for summer or for fall and winter holidays. Tin cans can be punched with nails to form whatever pattern you desire. Create flowers or geometric designs for a summer patio. Try stars and fireworks for a Fourth of July fest. Make jack-o-lanterns or spooky scenes for Halloween. Use snowflakes, stars, or messages of peace and joy for the Holiday season. Make a few luminaries to decorate or enough to line a driveway or walk. Find instructions for making your own luminaries here.

9. Organize Paint Brushes: Use a large soup can to store paint brushes in the art studio.

10. Ice Bucket: A coffee sized can makes an excellent ice bucket. Simply cut off the top and fill with ice. Your ice bucket can be decorated to match your decor.

11. Buddy Burner:

Buddy Burners are an emergency preparedness essential or a fun method to heat food while camping. Reuse a tuna or cat food can, cardboard, and old candle stubs to make this fun craft. Reuse a coffee size can to make a stove. Find instructions for making your own buddy burners here.

12. Remote Control Holder: Are you tired of always looking for the remote? Tin cans, in a soup can size or larger, can be used to hold the remote controls on your coffee table. Find a can that all of your remotes will fit in, decorate to match your decor, and leave it on the coffee table. Place the remote controls in the can and you will find them when you return.

13. Penny Bank: An excellent craft project for kids. Find instructions here.

14. Umbrella Stand: Take four #10 cans (coffee can size) and cut the ends off of three of them. Cut the top off of the fourth can. Hot glue the cans together end to end placing the fourth can on the bottom so the unopened end serves as a base. Cover the cans with fabric or paint them to match your decor. You may want to place a rock or other weight in the bottom to prevent tipping.

15. Bread Pan:

Cut both ends from a #10 can (coffee can size). Use your favorite bread dough recipe to make enough dough for one loaf of bread. Make sure the can is clean inside. Grease the inside of the can and place your bread dough it it for its second raising. Allow the dough to raise until double in size and then bake according to your recipe instructions. The can will create a round bread loaf. Or, for a tin can cake, click here.

16. First Aid/Emergency Kit:

Use an old Altoids or other small tin box and fill with band aids, small bottle of rubbing alcohol, cotton balls or swabs, matches, water purification tablets, or other items for an easily portable first aid/emergency kit. The tin box will keep the items inside dry and protected. Keep your first aid/emergency kit in your purse, glove box, or desk drawer.

17. Sewing Kit: Also using an Altoids or similar kit, fill with sewing needles, thread in various colors, pins, extra buttons, and safety pins for a purse, glove box, or travel sewing kit.

18. Slug and Snail traps:

Use a soup sized tin can to make slug and snail traps for your garden. Bury all but the top inch of the can in areas of your garden frequented by slugs and snails. Fill the can half full with beer. The slugs and snails will be attracted to the scent of the beer and crawl in and not be able to get out again. Once they are stuck, they will drown.

19. Christmas Ornaments: Using the lids from juice concentrate cans and biscuit cans; punch a design into the lid with a nail and hammer. Try stars, snowflakes, wreaths or Christmas's messages. Use different size nails for more intricate designs. You can also paint the lid for a fun, festive pop of color. Punch a large hole into the top and string a ribbon through for a hanger. Once the ornament is hung on the tree, the Christmas lights will shine through.

20. Tin Can Games: Tin can bowling, kick the can, tin can telephone,or whatever else you can dream up.

Don't Litter

I don't think this requires an explanation. Also, pick up trash that others leave behind and recycle what can be recycled.

Green your Wedding

With wedding season rapidly approaching and brides-to-be planning their nuptials, I decided that it would be timely to post suggestions on greening you wedding while saving money. Here are my tips:

Engagement and Wedding Rings:

Previously worn engagement and wedding are widely available for a fraction of the cost of new. A wide variety of previously worn rings are available on websites like Craigslist or E-Bay or in local consignment stores. Or, check out vintage and antique rings like these. By choosing previously worn rings, you are not only saving money, but also resources by reusing rings that

Or, consider having rings made from recycled gold. GreenKarat, will make wedding rings from gold submitted by you and your family. They offer a registry which allows family to send in old, unwanted, gold jewelry for use in your rings. If enough gold is send, then your rings are free.

E-invites: Although e-invites are generally considered tacky for wedding invitations, consider them for bridal showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and any other pre-wedding events. As and added advantage, e-invites can include a link to your wedding site, blog, or registry information. E-invites save money and are eco-friendly simply because they skip the paper and the delivery miles.

Invitations: Invitations and envelopes without metallic printing and lining are more easily recycled. Also, skip the double envelop. The inner envelop really serves no purpose other then wasting paper and increasing the weight of your invitations

Or, make your own paper by recycling newspapers or used office paper. Flower petals, seeds, tinfoil or bits of ribbon can be added to homemade paper to create a unique look. Homemade paper can then be printed on a home printer.

Location: Plan locations for your ceremony and reception as close to home as possible. That way, you will minimize the travel time and expenses for your guests.

Limit your Guest List: The fewer people you invite, the fewer invitations you send out thus saving paper, envelopes, and postage. You will also have fewer people attending the ceremony and reception. That means that you will be using less food and fewer drinks for your reception.

Use Bridal Registries: You have heard the horror stories. Newlyweds receiving four toasters, six hand mixers, and no blender only to search the state for a store that will return the excess gifts. Many stores offer free bridal registry services. Using a bridal registry not only saves your guests the time and energy of shopping around, it reduces duplicate gifts and helps insure that you only receive the items you really need. With a registry, you can chose not to register for the items you already own. Already have a great set of cookware? Then don’t register for another. There is no need to waste energy and resources replacing perfectly good items.

Rewearable attire for the wedding party: It was a running gag in 27 dresses that the main character could rewear all 27 of her hideous bridesmaid dresses. And, lets face it, most bridesmaids dresses really aren’t rewearable unless we start throwing grown-up proms. Purchasing special occasion wear for weddings that will hang unworn in a closet is a waste of energy and resources; not to mention money. When deciding on what the bridesmaids, groom, mothers, fathers, groomsmen, flowergirls, and other members of the wedding party will wear,consider whether the items you chose are really re-wearable. When doing so, consider the individuals lifestyle and style of dress. Does the person go to church? Then look for something that can also be worn on Sunday. Can a mothers outfit convert to a business suit for a working mom? Can items be dresses down for a more casual look? Can they be paired with other accessories to be worn to the office?

Previously Worn Wedding Dress: Wedding dresses use a tremendous amount of fabric, resources, and energy to produce. They are also very expensive for a one-time wear item. However, there are an abundance of adds on classified sites like Ebay, Craigslist and KSL.com advertising previously worn wedding dresses for sale in current or vintage styles. Most are at steeply discounted rates and have only been worn once or twice. Deseret Industries usually has a selection of current and older style gowns, often for under $50. Or, consider wearing your mothers or other family members wedding dress. Not only will you save money and resources, but you will add to the sentimental value of the dress.

Reception Décor: There are many things that can be repurposed or borrowed for your reception décor both helping the environment and saving money. Consider the following for your floral centerpieces:

Tin cans, either bare or covered in a decorative paper, can create an urban contemporary look.

Use tin cans with pretty or interesting labels.

Or, consider covering tin cans with fabric, birch bark, or anything else you can think of to create a unique look.

Canning jars or brown glass bottles filled with wildflowers are excellent for a country or english garden theme.

Or, consider using canning jars for tea lights.

Terra Cotta pots filled with flowers can create a fun garden look or add a touch of rustic charm:

San Pelagrino, Izze Soda, or Coca Cola bottles used as flower vases, create a fun retro feel and a casual party atmosphere. These bottles are fun displayed in rows or clusters with single floral stems (also saves flowers).

Cut crystal vases that your mother or grandmother already have create a classic look. They don’t all have to be the same shape or size for your table. Consider borrowing vases from friends and relatives if your family doesn’t have enough.

Or borrow simple glass vases from family and friends.