Where Does the Time Go?

Seems like Christmas was just here and now Easter has come and gone. It does not seem possible. Perhaps it has something to do with all the snow and cold we have still been getting in April. I am more than ready for Spring weather!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter and other holidays you might celebrate at this time of year. If your family received Easter cards, consider creating magnetic bookmarks with them. I wrote instructions at Christmas but Easter cards are also fantastic with beautiful religious scenes, crosses or cute little bunnies and chicks.

See how easy the bookmarks are to make with these instructions.

Recycle Valentine Cards into Magnetic Bookmarks

Wow, another holiday behind us! If you need an idea for what to do with those Valentine’s cards you received, consider turning them into magnetic bookmarks. I published instructions on eHow.com at Christmas, but any greeting cards work well. In fact, the small Valentine cards that kids give to each other are perfect to use for a young child’s project. The cards require little or no cutting and only take seconds to fold and add the magnet. So quick to make, they work well for groups of young kids too. They will need very little help (if any) and be so proud of their accomplishment.

Also, this would be a good time to recycle the leftover Valentine cards from earlier years sitting in the closet. How many of you saved the cards with the idea of using them the following year but forgot all about them and bought more? Dig them out now. See how many have plain hearts and Valentine words you can creatively trim away. Turn them into magnetic bookmarks for Mother’s Day.

Ready to get started? See the instructions HERE

These magnetic bookmarks were made with Christmas cards

This Crazy Weather Is For The Birds! NOT!

About a month ago, it was well below zero for a week. Lately, we have been teased with 50F degree weather but yesterday it dropped to zero again – within a few hours. Weather patterns around the world seem to be getting more erratic. Humans are definitely affected in many different ways by the crazy weather but we find ways to cope. Whenever the extreme weather is causing extra hardship to our daily routines, I cannot help but think about the hardship that wildlife must endure. I come home at the end of the day to a warm home, prepare a warm meal for my family, and sip warm coffee or tea as I watch the wild birds through my kitchen window feasting on wild bird seed from a homemade bird feeder. It warms my heart to help in little ways that I can.

In these tough economic times, many people feel that they cannot afford to think about the wildlife – even the little wild birds. I think we can’t afford not to think about the wildlife. Each creature on this earth plays a role in the fragile balance of our ecology. Mother Nature is sometimes cruel enough, but since mankind has also upset the balance of our ecology, destroying habitats and food sources of our wildlife, do you not think we owe a little helping hand whenever we can? I have shopped for bird feeders on numerous occasions and every time, I am in awe at the prices ranging up into the hundreds of dollars. We manage comfortably on a modest budget. We certainly would not be in a position to help our feathered friends at those prices. Frankly, I do believe it would eliminate the potential from most of the population.

A couple of years ago I discovered a clever little gadget that makes it affordable for most of us to feed the wild birds and enjoy the rewards of bird watching too. As an additional bonus, it helps the environment by keeping some of the plastic soda bottles out of the landfills. If everyone made just one, think of how many bottles would be put to good use instead of using energy to be recycled or filling up landfills that are already overburdened with garbage. You can make this wild bird feeder for less than $5.00. I have written an article to show you step-by-step instructions. Once you see how quick, easy, and inexpensive this project is, I hope you will begin the rewarding experience of helping our joyful feathered friends for many years to come. Please visit again to share your bird watching experiences. May your day always begin with the gift of a song bird.

How To Make a Quick and Easy Wild Bird Feeder With a Reused Plastic Bottle