Tag Archives: Recycle

3 Easy DIY Garden Projects

garden walkway

A lush garden not only helps beautify your surroundings, but it can be  beneficial in reducing your stress levels. A garden is going to be far more beneficial if you work on it yourself. After all, nothing can match that fulfillment  you feel when something beautiful comes out of your own efforts.

In this article, we present three of the most worthwhile DIY projects that you can do in and for your own garden. They are chosen based on the ease with which they can be done and their relative practicality.

Repurposed Container Gardens

Many environmentalists are making their voices heard nowadays. They say that the earth is slowly deteriorating because of the activities that we humans take part in. When we examine the actual state of our environment, it appears that they really are speaking the truth. So there is a need to respond.

Recycling is a great way to do our part to reduce the amount of trash we produce.  To achieve this, it is as simple as finding ways to reuse or repurpose items that we otherwise would throw away.

If you have an old tool box or an unused crisper just lying around the house, you can actually poke holes in the bottom, fill with soil, and then use it as your own container garden. The beauty that comes out of this project is not only for outside your home; you can use these techniques to accent your interior decor as well.

garden containers

Garden Walkways

There are types of grass that look very pretty. An example is the bluegrass, which can grow lush enough to really cover the ground. However, if you read WikiLawn and other gardening websites, you will learn that grass is very sensitive to foot traffic. Due to the sensitivity of grass, there is a need for you to create walkways, and it’s a project that you can very well do on your own.

garden walkway

All you have to do is collect good gravel and then lay it out in the path that you want. If you are looking to do something more elaborate, you can add tiles that contrast the color of the gravel. This immediately adds an air of sophistication to your walkway.

Wall Gardens

Usually, gardens are filled with flowering shrubs and small trees. However, there are species of plants that look their best when they are elevated or even hung. This is because they have flowers or leaves that cascade down, creating a gorgeous flowing effect. To take advantage of such flora, you can create a wall garden using empty bottles and other light plastic containers. This way, you will not only be able to beautify your environment, you also get to preserve it.

garden walkway

Doing certain garden tasks on your own makes the whole endeavour much more meaningful for you. Sometimes, what matters is not really the outcome, but the process of creating it. This is perhaps the main reason why DIY projects, no matter how time-consuming they are, are so rewarding.

garden

This is a collaborative guest post. The views and ideas expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.


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Curb Appeal Updates: Master Bath Remodel, Let’s Talk About Tile, Tubs, Showers and Niches with a Side of Koi Pond!!!

Curb Appeal LogoWell, the master bath/master bedroom renovation project has officially commenced.  We already had the tile floor demoed and removed  back in the fall.  This week the tile contractor removed the old whirlpool tub, had to tear down the old platform and steps because there was a height and size difference with the new whirlpool.  He then ripped out the rest of the 5 foot high tiled walls in that section.  He is leaving us the shower, sinks and toilet still useable until the whirlpool section of the bathroom is finished. This week that area should be completed and he can start the rest of the demo and reconstruction/remodel.

New Platform Curb Appeal

Now, I thought about recycling the old whirlpool, since it worked and was in good condition but the color a bit dated. I know the components like the pump etc could be offered for a small fee or free via Craigslist or Freecycle, but what about the tub?  What could I do with that?  That is when I got a great idea.  I wondered if I could use it as a Koi pond.  I went downstairs and did some reasearch and indeed I could. It can be covered with a heavy-duty pond liner and set into the ground.  So that will be saved and we’re going to take you through that project as soon as the ground thaws.  Please tell me that as we brace for yet another snowfall that we will experience spring soon! Now lets talk about the tile, this is some of the tile we choose for the bathroom.  It was shipped straight from Italy and was delayed in customs, but finally arrived.  The pictures don’t do it justice.

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Tile 1

The colors are a gold/ivory color and the wall tile is a subway style, the floor has the same tile  but in 12″ by 12″ squares and then the gorgeous mosaics will be installed near the top in a 2 row width and finished with a row of the bullnose subway tile.

schluter logo

 

Niches, niches, who has the niches?  We do, and we have lots of them thanks to Schluter Systems and their prefabricated shower niches.  We will be using these in more than just the shower!  The largest niche is going in one of the walls surrounding the whirlpool.  It is a full tiled to the ceiling wall and will have the 12″ by 28″ niche installed with the subway bullnose tile and the mosaics in the back that will make it pop off the wall.  It also has a floating shelf that will be set midway and tiled.

Schluter Shower Niche

 

Schluter Shower Niches

 

Schluter Shower Niches

 

Installed Schluter Shower Niche

 

Floating Shelf Schluter Shower Niche

I thought it would be a great accent as well as useful storage that was handy for bath products. A shower niche is an ideal spot to keep shampoos and soaps in a tiled shower. Building a fully waterproof, properly sealed tiled shower niche can be a detailed and time-consuming task. Schluter-Systems has developed four prefabricated and completely waterproof shower niches that are ready to tile. Made of Schluter®-KERDI-BOARD, the shower niches are completely compatible with surface applied waterproofing systems, such as the Schluter®-KERDI and KERDI-BOARD shower assemblies. All four shower niches feature a 1/2″ (12.5 mm)-thick by 2″ (50 mm)-wide integrated bonding flange that sits perfectly flush with the surrounding wall area. The larger sizes include an optional prefabricated shelf that can be installed at any height to create separate compartments within the shower niche.

The preformed shower niche provides installers with increased speed during installation, combined with complete waterproofing dependability. The corners of a traditional shower niche are the most challenging area to waterproof and can be very susceptible to standing water and mold growth. With pre-sealed niche corners this challenge is completely eliminated. The niche complements an already wide array of preformed shower components available from Schluter-Systems, including shower trays, curbs, ramps, and benches. All of these components help installers build waterproof and vapor tight tiled showers more quickly and effectively than with traditional construction materials.

The shower niche is available in four different sizes and we have all of them so we will show you how they not only function so well in the shower but we will install them in areas you might not think for some great design option.  For instance the install in the tile wall by the whirlpool and we also plan to install two in the tiled wall above the new vanity to hold soap and other frequently used products neatly off the countertop.  We will of course be also using one of the larger sizes in the shower as well as one or two of the smaller sizes.  We will take you through the progress of the installation of these great products.  To see more about the niches or anf the other great products from Schluter, just visit their website and be sure to follow them on FacebookTwitter and YouTube.

 


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GlassDharma, Glass Drinking Straw Review & $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway!!!

GlassDharma Logo

Glass straws may sound strange to you at first, but if you are trying to go green, they will make sense.  Think about all the plastic drinking straws that get used once and are trash.  It adds up and while it may not be something that you will find in fast food or other restaurants, it is something that you can start in your home.

Glass-Straw-Fairy

GlassDharma makes glass drinking straws made exclusively of BOROSILICATE GLASS – the strongest commercially available.  Using a formula provided by Corning, Inc., their straws are annealed under computer controlled conditions.  The temperature and ramping rates dictated by this formula are crucial to reducing residual stress in the glass and give it the highest possible levels of resistance to thermal and physical shock.  The straws are also designed not to have a weak point that would invite breakage.  GlassDharma  takes great care during the development of their designs, production processes, the monitoring of their kilns and quality control procedures making their straws the most durable on the market. This is what defines GlassDharma as the industry leader.

I received a variety of glass straws from GlassDharma to review, they also sent me the brushes to clean them which are so helpful in making sure the straws are squeaky clean and fresh to use again and again.  They are strong and they do feel much better than cheap plastic straws and they also give an elegance to ordinary smoothies and drinks.

dharma

 

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GlassDharma glass drinking straws are:

  • Made of borosilicate tubing and is the strongest glass commercially available.
  • Annealed to Corning, Inc. specifications (a process that strengthens the glass).
  • Made of glass which does not leach ANY TOXINS into your food.
  • Created with the beauty and elegance that only glass can give.
    You’ll feel like royalty – with a touch of ‘glass’.
  • A great environmental addition to your kitchenware.
    Great for hot or cold drinks, microwave and dishwasher safe!!
  • Covered with an unbelievable Lifetime Guarantee Against Breakage.
    Means that if they ever break, they’ll replace them – Free,Hand-made in the U.S.A.
  • Buying from GlassDharma means that your dollar is not going off-shore – it stays right here in the U.S.A.

 

GlassDharma is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a $25 Gift Certificate to GlassDharma!  Thank you GlassDharma for the review products and for sponsoring this Green Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

GlassDharma $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Cangles’ Fashionably Green Eco-Friendly Jewelry Review & Give-Away!!! {Give-Away Ended}

When I connected with Cangles a few weeks ago, there was no doubt who would pick out the items for review.  This jewelry made from recycled beverage cans was right up my daughter’s alley.  First, she loves that fact they are made with recycled cans, second, she loves to wear flower accessories in her hair and third, she loves earings.  So, she picked the Arizona Tea Large Flower Hair Clip and the Fresca Three Tier Flower Earrings to review.  She was home this weekend and I let her have them, she loved them.  They are trendy, cute and very green in more than one way.

Cangles’ fashionably green eco-friendly jewelry design and construction is based on the 3 Rs: Reusing, Renewing & Recycling.  Cangles makes affordable,  fashionable & fun eco-friendly jewelry by hand from recycled aluminum. Every aluminum can that is recycled saves an amount of energy equal to one-half a can of gasoline. Cangles hand tools all of their jewelry: hair clips, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. As part of our sustainable, Earth-friendly philosophy Cangles donates a portion of each sale to several eco-responsible charitable organizations.

Cangles makes bracelets, necklaces, earrings, hair accessories and military tribute/support jewelry.  Cangles takes care to eliminate any sharp edges, so you may wear their jewelry in total comfort.  It is lightweight yet durable. The cuff-style bracelets hold their shape yet allow for gentle squeezing at the ends for a snug fit.

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So do you think this recycled jewelry is pretty cool?  Than you will be pleased to know that Cangles is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win a $30 Gift Certificate for Cangles!!!  Thank you Cangles for the review jewelry and for sponsoring this awesome give-away!!!

Cangles $30 Gift Certificate Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry: Go to the Cangles Website and let me know another item you like.  Leave your answer in a comment on this post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries-Make sure to leave a separate comment for each one or they will not count.

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

3. Subscribe to Mommy Ramblings by email and leave me a comment here that you did.

4. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  (You can do this every day for an extra entry, just make sure you leave a comment.)

5. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  (You can do this every day for an extra entry, just make sure you leave a comment.)

6. Post this give away on your Facebook status and leave me a comment here that you did.  (You can do this every day for an extra entry, just make sure you leave a comment.)

7. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.  (You can do this every day for an extra entry, just make sure you leave a comment.)

8. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends August 28th  at 12am EST.  Winner will be selected by Random.org.

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