I picked up an excellent book at the library the other day called Making Your Home Sustainable: A guide to retrofitting. This is an Australian book, written by Derek Wrigley (a retired architect based in Canberra) and has been recently revised and republished.

There’s a whole wealth of information in this book about retrofitting your house to make it more environmentally friendly, reducing your bills in the process. Everything from the more expensive options like installing solar, to free options for renters, like insulating your roof with polystyrene boxes from Woolworths! I’ll write more about some of his more innovative ideas when I’ve finished the book.

One idea that I found really interesting was his way of making use of the heat generated from the back of the fridge. His diagrams show the modifications that are possible to the space around the fridge to make the most of this heat.

By adding some shelves or a rack above the fridge and some simple, makeshift walls to direct the flow of hot air, he created a drying rack for fruit or to warm dishes or an extra place to dry clothes.

He also describes a system where you can vent this hot air out of the house during summer and then close the vent in winter to keep the warmth in, or, if your fridge backs onto another room, vent the air into an adjacent room. It’s not a lot of heat, but every little bit helps.

What I really like about this idea is the innovative way it takes the potential downside of a household item (the heat generated from the rear of the fridge) and turns it into something useful, saving money in the process.

I’ve written in the past about how we dry washing on the hot bonnet of the car when it’s parked in the garage, and how we put our clothes airers in the kitchen when I’m doing any baking, to take advantage of the heat given off by the oven.

I’ve also read about how others use the heat in the car when it’s parked in the sun to dry fruit or how people convert the bottom stair in an inside stairwell into a drawer for storage.

This out-of-the-box thinking is a great way to use the things (and the space) we already have rather than buy another item to do another task. It’s all about seeing things with different eyes and being solution-oriented rather than problem-focused. Young children do this naturally everyday.

I’m now on a mission to investigate how I can use other things in the house in ways they may not have been meant for.

What are your ideas for using everyday objects in ways they may not have been intended?

Have you read these articles?:

1. crafting for baby – a few non-essential items
2. What Are The Actual Savings Of Turning Off The Lights?
3. homemade all purpose cleaner

Making Christmas decorations as a family lends a special touch to the occasion – decorations have sentimental value rather than just being something plastic and purchased. Crafting your own decorations is also a way to extend the Christmas joy beyond a single day, especially if your children are old enough to be involved in the crafting.

While it’s tempting to create ‘the perfect Christmas’ with all the bells and whistles, I’ve decided that we can start small with sparse decorations and craft more each year.

When it comes to finding inspiration, websites like Pinterest and Craftgawker are definitely great places to waste a few hours find inspiration. Below are just some of the wonderful things I found on these sites as wells as around the internet.

While looking for decorations, I came across the ancient Japanese tradition of Temari: making balls out of thread in gorgeous patterns (pictured above). This is not a casual craft but involves a lot of skill and dedication. The results though, are absolutely stunning! For information about this craft you can find some interesting Youtube videos here and here as well as tips, directions and patterns here, here, here and here.

Paper tree @ Milo Made	Button wreath @ Martha Stewart	Felt Houses @ Poopscape Projects
Yarn wreath @ Better Homes and Gardens	Felt ball garlands @ According to Kelly	Scalloped paper ball @ Laura Wears
Paper snowflakes @ Ellinee	Soft drink can star @ Milo Made	Monogrammed ornaments @ MADE
Tree ornaments @ Marvels and Jambalaya	Yarn balls @ Sew Wrong	Outdoor light decoration @ eHow
Paper ornament tutorials @ Etsy	Button decorations @ Childhood 101	String balls @ Simple Mom
Mini fabric Xmas trees @ Lemon Tree Creations	Wine bottle display @ Cleverly Inspired	Jersey and wool felt stocking @ Prudent Baby
Christmas card wreath @ Michaels	Felt snow balls @ Purl Bee	Paper garland @ Hambly Screen Prints
Paper wreath @ Pure Green Designs	Paper snowflake wreath @ How About Orange	Paper ornaments @ Design Sponge
Christmas ornament @ Little Blue House	Toilet roll ornament @ Michele Made Me	Felt covered balls @ Better Homes and Gardens
5 Toilet roll decoration ideas @ Paper Crafts	Felt ornaments @ Domestic Fluff	Felt star ornaments @ Purl Bee

Have you read these articles?:

1. handmade Christmas decoration roundup
2. 54 Handmade Christmas Decoration Projects
3. gifts for men–12 weeks of christmas crafting roundup

While teenagers may be hard to craft for, the men in our lives can be even more difficult (to craft for, that is). To the male readers of Frugal and Thriving, it would be great to hear what gifts you like receiving and whether you like handmade gifts of not.

Below are some ideas for gifts for men from around the net.

Magnetic Fridge Clock @ Dollar Store Crafts	iPad sleeve @ Sew 4 Home	Leather Wallet @ Art of Manliness
Personalised tie @ Martha Stewart	Tool tub @ Sew 4 Home	Custom cap patch @ Just Something I Made
Beer coasters @ Handmade Mommy	Pegboard organiser @ Martha Stewart	T-Shirt quilt @ Craft Stylish
Felt notebook pouch @ Instructibles	Pocket knife wallet @ Only Knives	Leather glasses case @ Design Sponge
Nuts and bolts @ Martha Stewart	Pistachio brittle @ The Kitchn	Roasted spiced almonds @ Better Homes & Gardens
Men’s hoodie @ Craft Stylish	Knitted jumper @ Pickles	Men’s scarf @ Cotton and Cloud
Key ring @ Instructibles	Gadget case from tie @ Luvin the Mommyhood	Cuff Links @ Martha Stewart

Have you read these articles?:

1. gifts for teenagers–12 days of christmas crafting round up
2. gifts for children – 12 days of christmas crafting round up
3. handmade Christmas decoration roundup

Teenagers can be difficult to buy for and even more difficult to craft for (especially boys) and I have to admit that collecting ideas especially for teenagers was somewhat difficult.

If your teenage recipient is tech-oriented, there are plenty of accessories below that you can craft for their gadgets.

Leather journal cover @ Craft Stylish	iPod arm band for running @ Roubidou	Notepad cover @ Lark Crafts
Bead bracelet @ Morgan Made It	Jewellery pendants @ Mich L. in L.A.	Bi-fold wallet @ All Wrapped Up
Ribbon hair band @ Bugs and Fishes	ID wallet @ All Wrapped Up	Laptop sleeve @ Amelia and Atticus
Laptop sleeve @ Design Sponge	Journal cover @ Smashed Peas and Carrots	Leather CD case @ ECAB
Kindle Case @ Crafting a Greener World	Fabric covered notebook @ The Thrillz of Hillz	Suede iPod case @ Martha Stewart
Messenger bag @ Punkin Patterns	Make-up bag @ Sew Like My Mom	iPod cover @ Handmade by Heidi
iPad case @ Fresh Lemons	CD visor @ Instructibles	Ribbon lanyard @ A Spoonful of Sugar
Leather wallet @ Skip to My Lou	Tri-fold wallet @ Zipper Teeth	Pineapple quilt @ Instructibles

Have you read these articles?:

1. gifts for children – 12 days of christmas crafting round up
2. gifts for men–12 weeks of christmas crafting roundup
3. for the home–12 days of christmas crafting round up

I realise now that many of the links I used in the keeping young kids amused round up were meant for this post. Oh well. Double the links.

Some of these websites have many more ideas than just the ones I linked to, so have a browse if you’re inspired to. The Twelve Days of Christmas site has a whole host of matching craft stuff for dolls as well as the bassinet for instance.

Stuffed Turtle @ Make it – Love it	Football Softie @ Living with Punks	Play silks @ Make it Perfect
Tree blocks @ Twig and Toadstool	Kid’s wallet @ Ameroonie Designs	Critter blanket @ Flamingo Toes
DIY baby blocks @ Creative Jewish Mom	Dinosaur softie @ Little Black Teapot	Felt gnomes @ Wee Folk Art
Memory game @ Chez Beeper Bebe	Crayon roll @ All Things Heart and Home	Play mail @ Lu Bird Baby
Mail box @ Ucreate	Handmade doll @ Martha Stewart	Waldolf doll @ Dollar Store Crafts
Doll’s bassinet @ Twelve crafts till Christmas	Tool belt @ Paper and Cake	Roll-up kitchen play mat @ Balancing Everything

Have you read these articles?:

1. gifts for teenagers–12 days of christmas crafting round up
2. for the home–12 days of christmas crafting round up
3. gifts for men–12 weeks of christmas crafting roundup

Welcome to the first instalment of the 12 Days of Christmas Crafting Round up. I know, October is a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but if you’re going to be crafting any gifts, it’s much easier and less stressful to start early.

Below are some tutorials, ideas and inspiration for home decor type handmade gifts.

Etched glass votive @ At Second Street	Ribbon trimmed tea towels @ Sew 4 Home	Scrap pot holders @ My Girl Thursday
Modern tea light holder @ The Polkadot Chair	BBQ hanging towels @ The Silly Pearl	Tile shell art @ C. W Frosting
Tile message board @ Tater Tots and Jello	Fridge pocket @ The Ideas Room	Resin coffee storage jar @ Dollar Store Crafts
Tissue box holder @ Design Sponge	Sofa caddy @ Sew 4 Home	Mug Rug @ In Color Order
Cereal box coaster and trivet @ Green is Universal	Wipe-able place mats @ Little Bean Workshop	Kitchen aid cover @ Heart of Mary
Reverse applique placemats @ The Purl Bee	Coffee plunger cosy @ Bugs and Fishes	Casserole dish carrier @ Little Birdie Secrets
Cloth napkins @ Prudent Baby	Scrap paper memo box @ Homework	Wine barrel lazy susan @ Lil Blue Boo
Slate serving tray @ Pizzazzerie	Stash basket @ Purl Bee	Sewing caddy @ How Joyful
Recycled hanging organiser @ Small Fry & Co	Denim foot stool @ Michelle Made Me	Toy animal planter @ The Thrillz of Hillz

Have you read these articles?:

1. gifts for children – 12 days of christmas crafting round up
2. gifts for teenagers–12 days of christmas crafting round up
3. kitchen towel tutorial round up

I’m always on the hunt for ideas for keeping the little fella amused. Many ideas that I come across are a wee bit old for him, but I bookmark them anyway for later. With so many bookmarked, I thought I would just have to share some!

I’m big a fan of simple toys and activities that enhance creativity rather than toys that do all the playing for kids (although toys that go beep and play music are good for an over-tired toddler at the end of the day, as an alternative to TV).

I also like toys that are frugal (and handmade toys are a bonus for mum’s creative outlet – if we have the time, that is). Some of the ideas below are quick and easy while others will take a little bit more time and effort on mum and dad’s part. Many of the sites have lots of other great ideas besides the post I’ve linked to, so have a meander through them.

Playdough is a winner in our house. Rather than cooking your playdough, an easy alternative is to use boiling water straight from the kettle and mix with a wooden spoon before kneading once is cools down enough to handle. I find a little goes a long way. I halve my recipe and then keep half in the cupboard for back up – it lasts for ages and less means less ‘in play’ means less ground into the carpet .

Finger paints @ Homemade mammas	Felt fishing game @ Just Another Day in Paradise	Felt car play mat / house @ Cook Clean Craft
Hanging tent @ Kojo Designs	Big picture scavenger hunt @ Pass the Cereal	Homemade highways @ Activities for Toddlers
Toy bags @ Zaaberry	Dolls house from drawers @ Nice Girl Notes	Super capes @ Serving Pink Lemonade
Magnetic quilting blocks @ Chalk in my pocket	Rainy day jar @ Home Grown Mom	Homemade chalkboard paint @ The Idea Room
Puppet Theatre / Shop @ Skip to my Lou	Toy grill @ Ohdeedoh	Toddler exploration bottle @ Cratzine
Post box @ Lilla a	Box ideas @ Declutter Organize Repurpose	Playdough recipe roundup @ Quirky Momma
Egg Carton Ideas @ Fur Lined Toilet Seats	Button ideas @ Activity Mom	Moon sand @ Play Based Learning
Quiet book ideas @ The How To Gal	Sensory board @ Play at Home Mom	Homemade workbench @ Ohdeedoh
Bath soap crayons @ Kiboomu	DIY Kitchen @ Cotton Candy Castle Photostream	Sensory Balloons @ Play at Home Mom
Shower curtain play mat @ Filth Wizardry	Name Soup @ House of Baby Piranha	Musical instrument roundup @ The Crafty Cow
Sensory tub ideas @ Counting Coconuts	Goop @ Making Memories with your kids	Bath paint @ Meet the Dubiens
Rainbow sensory box @ Share and Remember	Homemade doodle paint @ Delaware County Moms	Galaxy Playdough @ Fairy Dust Teaching

Have you read these articles?:

1. tip tuesday – starting a craft box for the kids
2. 50 Free And Almost Free Holiday Activities For Kids
3. one man’s trash…

I read this tip in an old magazine a few months ago.

Back in the day when I was single, ‘cashed up’ and debt free, I used to subscribe to a few cooking magazines. Several years of monthly mag subscriptions add up (to over 100), so I’ve been slowly going through them one by one, tearing a few of the recipes out and either recycling or donating the rest of the mag (depending on how many recipes I kept).

Ah, the cupboard space I’ve gained!

It’s been fun. Reading through those recipes again, being inspired to cook new ones. And I’ve shrunk shelves full of recipes to two folders worth.

Anyway, here’s the tip I read: recreate a sandwich press by toasting your sandwich in a fry pan and place a plate on top, weighed down with a tin of tomatoes or what not.

Similar result without another electrical appliance cluttering the benches (although I admit that the toaster we were give gets almost daily use).

Have you read these articles?:

1. an alternative to the usual plastic sandwich bags
2. tip tuesday–making peanut butter and honey more efficient
3. tip tuesday – tricks with onions

This tip comes from Julie in the US. Thanks Julie, for sending in your great frugal tips.

Cruising a thrift shop, I picked up 2 nice dinner plates (each different).  One of the ideas I just came up with I want to share because it is FRUGAL AND THRIFY TOO!

I am buying a somewhat large scented candle to place in the centre of the plate, and surrounding it with homemade cookies (biscuits?) to bring as a hostess gift to a party, and the other to have around to use in the same way for a BIRTHDAY gift.

Picking up plates and/or bowls is super at thrift store/jumble sales.  How often do you have to retrieve a plate or bowl after bringing over food to an occasion! Now you can just tell the hostess or group of keep the plate and pass it on to the next person, when they need a plate for goodies.  WIN-WIN!

Another thrifty idea is a tea towel as the wrapping over cookies or breads instead of the regular cling wrap – a nice little hostess goodie for her to keep. I do this when I cover stiff cardboard with aluminium foil, then ‘gift wrap’ that with the tea towel.

This is a great tip. Having the plate to pass on at the next get-together is a great idea. You can also collect mis-matched plates as serving plates. What I really love about the way the Japanese set their table is that no plate matches! They select crockery for its individual beauty and the table is an eclectic array of crockery.

“Wabi Sabi is a theory of Japanese aesthetics in which imperfection and transience are considered the touchstone of beauty…it embodies the spirit of perfectly imperfect” [source]

Have you read these articles?:

1. tip tuesday–family gift wrap
2. tip tuesday – free ribbons
3. tip tuesday–clean your drains chemical free

We were at the garbage tip a few weeks ago when we came across a HUGE mountain of discarded wood and a big sign, written in angry red paint that said ‘NO SCAVENGING ALLOWED.’

It was a travesty to drive away without bringing home at least as much as what we were leaving behind (which was garden waste, by the way. At least they turn that into mulch, which we can then buy back ).

In that mound there were old fence palings, hundreds of pallets, old wardrobes, broken tables and all sorts of assorted wood pieces, just waiting to be reclaimed and tended to with a little TLC.

DH is pretty handy with woodworking, he has made a few tables and furniture pieces in the past, and my mind was racing at all the lovely new furniture we could have in our home, knocked up from a few old (and free) bits of scavenged wood.

Google doesn’t help matters.

I’ve spent hours drooling over repurposed furniture. I thought I would share some of what I’ve come across. Many of these links aren’t tutorials, but pictures of what people have built, meant to inspire rather than instruct.

Apparently, upcycling pallets was all the rage a while back. Seems I’m behind the trend. Oh well. Here are some instructions on how to handle pallet wood, and this is a YouTube video explaining how to work around the nails. And to be on the safe side, this article warns against using pallet wood.

Garden work table @ Root Simple	Garden Planter @ Instructables	Potting bench @ Grow Damnit!
Pallet table @ Pierson Park Community Garden	Compost Bin @ Landscape + garden Design	Patio table @ Today’s Nest
Crate on wheels @ My Simple Home Life	Coffee table @ Esprit Cabane	Day bed @ Casa Sugar
Pallet bench @ Design Sponge	Pallet headboard @ Lovely Crafty Home	Painted pallet coffee table @ MAKE
Pallet book shelf @ Relic Interiors	Pallet chair (video) @  MAKE	Kid’s bookshelves @ Little Lucy Lu
Plate rack @ Apartment Therapy Re-Nest	Pallet work desk @ Funky Junk Interiors	Chalkboard shelf @ Too Much Time on My Hands
Mini Pantry @ The Creative Collage	Coffee table @ noe pa hjertet	Dining table with instructions @ Re-Nest
Pallet garden @ Life on the Balcony	Pallet feature wall @ Mom and Her Drill	Pallet reading bed @ Ashely Ann Photography
Pallet planter @ Esprit Cabane	Pallet chairs @ Materialicious	Pallet rocker @ Instrucables

Have you read these articles?:

1. repurposing and upcycling junk roundup
2. diy pillow cover tutorial roundup
3. Roundup: knitted dishcloth patterns