January Crafts

Recycled CD Snowman

Project Supplies:

• discarded CD
• juice can lid - head
• chenille stems – one brown, one red
• two plastic eyes
• small piece of orange craft foam or felt
• three buttons
• white spray paint
• black permanent marker
• small piece of fabric or yarn to use as a scarf
• two small pom poms
• glue gun

Project Instructions:

•         Spray paint the CD and a juice can lid on both sides in white paint. Let dry.
•         Glue the eyes, and a small triangular piece of craft foam for the nose, to the juice can lid. Make a series of dots with black permanent pen to represent the snowman’s mouth.
•       Cut a length of red chenille stem to fit around the top of the juice can lid, extending down a little less than halfway. This is top of the ear muffs. Glue a small pom pom on each end of the chenille stem to finish the ear muffs.
•      Glue the completed snowman head on top of the CD.
•       Tie yarn, cord or a small strip of fabric around the neck as a scarf.
•       Cut a brown chenille stem in quarters. Take two pieces and twist one around the other to form a stick arm, as shown on the photo. Repeat to make the other arm. Glue the arms in place on each shoulder area.
•       Glue three buttons down the front to finish. If desired, add a loop of cord to hang.

Polar Bear Pancake

•      1 large pancake 
•      2 small pancakes for the nose and ears
•      a grape nose
•      chocolate chip eyes
•      light dusting of powered sugar!

Jack-O-Lantern Decorating Tips!

October means it’s time to carve pumpkins and decorate our front stoops with jack-o-lanterns. Whether they’re scary, silly, or simple, they can add a lot of festive autumn character to our homes. However, they can present their own set of challenges, particularly if you decide to make yours with children. Organic Authority has put together a great list of pumpkin carving tips and tricks to help you make amazing decorations safely and effectively. Happy Halloween!

1. Bigger pumpkins are easier to carve, but before you grab the largest specimen, inspect the rind.

2. A lighter color means softer flesh that’s easier to carve in detail.

3. Any bruises, cuts or soft spots can mean the pumpkin’s already started rotting — a bad sign if you want it to last more than a few days.

4. Give your pumpkin a lift. If it’s heavy, it’ll probably have thicker flesh. It should feel somewhat light, meaning it’s nice and hollow inside.

5. You’re only as good as your carving tool. A boning knife — sharp, thin and pointed — is a good choice for carving small details.

6. For cutting out the lid, you might want a larger carving knife or even a serrated knife.

7. If you’re carving with kids, don’t just hand them a deadly weapon and let them start hacking away with it. Pick up a pumpkin carving set that includes a safety knife designed for small hands. Your health insurance provider will thank you.

8. Here comes another of Halloween’s greatest moments: Reaching inside a pumpkin and pulling out a handful of gooey guts and slimy seeds. But wait! Don’t just throw that away. Rinse the seeds and toast them on a baking sheet. Sprinkled with seasonings, they’re a perfect snack.

9. Scrape the inside of the pumpkin completely to expose the light-colored flesh, which reflects more light.

10. You can use a large spoon or ice cream scoop for scraping — or if you’re feeling daring, try an electric mixer on medium-low speed.

11. If you’re going for high art, print or draw your design on paper first. Then lightly trace the design through the paper and onto the pumpkin with the tip of your knife.

12. For a more extemporaneous approach, sketch your design directly onto the pumpkin with a dry-erase or water-based marker.

13. It can be surprisingly hard to keep a candle lit inside a dank gourd. Make sure you provide enough oxygen to feed the flame by leaving the lid ajar (cut it at a steep angle to help with this) and by cutting “ears” or air holes in the sides and back of the pumpkin.

14. Avoid a pumpkin inferno by placing a tea light inside a pint glass.

15. Want to keep your Jack indoors? Sprinkle his insides with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves and he’ll double as an autumn air freshener.

Staying Cool in Summer

The Dog Days of summer are officially upon us, and we are all in search of ways to beat the heat. Nearly 85% of American homes and apartments (including those at WoodsEdge) are air conditioned, but those of us who lack the luxury or are simply looking for a way to reduce our energy use are constantly looking for ways to cool off that don’t involve an air conditioner.  Below, find a list of the most effective ways to stay comfortable until autumn without touching your AC.

     1.   Cool Down Your Bed Before Tucking In

Those of us who know the struggle of trying to get comfortable enough to sleep in extreme heat will appreciate this tip! Store a rice bag or a water bottle in your freezer during the day. About a half an hour before bed, take it out and wrap it in a plastic bag, and tuck it underneath the covers. You will remain cool enough to drift off to sleep comfortably.

2   2.    Use Fans Properly

Fans can provide a welcome breeze on a stifling summer day, but if they aren’t used properly, they can actually make your efforts to cool down more difficult. Be sure that your ceiling fans are spinning in the right direction, so that they are circulating air down instead of pulling it up. At night, placing one fan facing in to your home and another facing out through an opposite window will create a wind tunnel effect that will dramatically cool down your home.

3   3.   Eat Cold Foods and Stay Hydrated

Soaring temperatures can sometimes reduce our appetites, but eating the right foods can help to keep us hydrated and a little bit cooler. Snacking on foods such as watermelon, popsicles, salads and gazpacho will not only be refreshing, but will also reduce your need to turn on your oven or stove, which adds to an already warm environment.  Drinking ice water or other cool drinks will help you to restore fluid lost while sweating in the heat, and will help you maintain a safe body temperature.

4   4.   Take a Cool Shower

Standing under a stream of cold or cool water will reduce your core body temperature and help you remain more comfortable. Even a quick rinse will make a difference. As an added bonus, you’ll feel better after rinsing off that sticky summer residue caused by sweat and salt.

5   5.    Turn Off the Lights and Unused Appliances

Leaving extra lights turned on can make more of a difference in the temperature of your home than you may realize. Only turn on lights that you absolutely need in order to prevent excess heat from accumulating. Additionally, all those extras that are sometimes left in the outlets (phone chargers, DVD and BlueRay players, toasters, etc.) can make an impact on both the temperature and your energy bill. Unplug anything you’re not using, and you’ll feel the difference.

6    6.   Wear Loose, Breathable Clothing

Natural fabrics, such as cotton, allow the skin to breath more freely and don’t trap heat against your skin as many other synthetic fabrics do. Skip your clingier clothing during warmer months, as well. The tighter the fit