Recycle Artwork into New Designs

Here's the perfect project to get you off your computer & enjoying some hands-on creating!

Ever wonder what to do with all of the art work your kids make at school? Are you running out of wall space to hang it all, or do you have boxes & bins over-flowing with drawings that you can't bare to part with? I do!

Here are just a few of my favorite watercolors done by my daughters.

I decided to take a Zen approach to my issue....cutting little pieces of each of the paintings to create one collage. This way I could view a little of each one, or at least feel that they were represented. The result was a piece of art not only created by my daughters, but myself, as I patiently leafed through the paintings, cutting and arranging to make a cohesive piece.

Next, I'd like to try a combo of their paintings, drawings, and writing....stay tuned!

Living in the Tao of the Seasons (my logo design)

THERESE SIBON, M.S., LAc., is a licensed acupuncturist with private practices in New York City and New Paltz, New York. She has also led classes at SUNY New Paltz, teaching RNs (registered nurses) about acupuncture, complementary medicine and how they work with western medicine. Therese teaches seminars in New Paltz, NY and New York City on self care, Chinese Medicine and living in the Tao.

Therese's blog Living in the Tao of the Seasons has a wealth of information on health and well-being. You will find many lessons, recipes, and even a pattern for a hot water bottle! Subscribe to her blog today!!

Re-Purposed "wrapped-up"

My daughter was invited to a birthday party for one of the boys in her class who is turning 11. I knew I wanted to wrap his gift (gift certificate to local book store, Inquiring Minds) with Re-Purposed materials, but I wanted it to look a little less "green" and a little more edgy. I got my inspiration from a bag my husband brought home from the liquor store (he should know better!).

I then headed to the garage and poked around and came across some gray plastic netting I found. The color was a perfect match to the gray stripes on the bag.

I wanted a contrast in color, so I headed to my daughters crafting materials and found blue duct tape. The result was quick and simple, but I think it will stand-out.

Almost FREE EcoWrapping

My daughter inspired me when she brought me this beautiful bouquet she collected from the yard. Pussy Willows, a sure sign that Spring is around the corner! (yes, that is snow holding the bouquet together).

So, for my next "wrapping" I will Reuse a brown paper grocery bag. This bag from Stop and Shop actually has a nice printed graphic, it has a "hand-stamped" texture in person. The cloth bag is from a set of organic cotton pillowcases I purchased from Target. I've Reused the bag to hold the hand-made artist book I purchased as the gift.

Now going back to the Pussy Willows. I put the cloth bag in a recycled box and wrapped it with the brown paper bag. Then, I used jewelry wire to connected the pussy willow twigs and wrapped them around the wrapped box. 

The brown twigs and the brown paper needed a little color for contrast, so I added-in some green moss. Once this is dissembled, the pussy willows and moss can make a nice natural accent on a book shelf, table, or framed in a shadow box.

My Studio Designs

My Studio is where I create. I love to bring a creative twist to all aspects in life, be it designing an identity, wrapping a gift, or decorating a cupcake. I guess you can say I have a love for the tactile experience.