Giveaway alert! Enter to win a prize package from YouCanMakeThis.com valued at over $50 in downloadable patterns.

Do you make any of your own holiday gifts?  I always have big dreams of making lots of fun homemade gifts for friends and family but I usually end up with just one or two by the time the busy holiday rush is all over.  Last year I was fairly proud of myself for making my daughter a complete set of felt food and a few doll outfits, diapers, and accessories.  Not sure how much I’ll actually accomplish this year.

Where do I get my inspiration and directions to make my projects?  As you well know I’m a Pinterest addict so I do find a lot of projects on there.  If I’m really looking for something specific though I know I can usually find the pattern and directions at YouCanMakeThis.com.  I found this website a few years ago and it actually inspired me to buy a sewing machine and re-teach myself how to sew.  You can download a pattern (some are free, while others are available at varying prices), have it delivered to your email immediately, and begin sewing (or crafting) while the inspiration is still flowing.

They are always running specials and promotions for free e-books and patterns with your purchase.  I love getting their emails because they always send you a page full of inspirational projects.  It really is motivating to get on their mailing list.  I actually save some of my favorite emails to reference at a later time when I’m feeling crafty.

And guess what?  Many of the projects I can create with found items around the house.  Did I ever tell you that my stash of t-shirts is growing.  My husband is a t-shirt whore (seriously the man must have a new message tee anytime he see’s them on clearance at Target) but his love of them is usually short term.  I mean how often can you wear a t-shirt that says “Tank you very much” and has a picture of an army tank on it.  Anyways – I save all his ‘retired’ tee’s and use them to get crafty with.  It’s a great way to upcycle them and give them a second life.  I’ve also used thrift store finds like pillowcases and sheets too.

Go check them out and see what types of fun projects you can find for you and your family.  I’d love to hear what project you’d like to make first.  Would you keep it for yourself or gift it during the holidays?  If you get a chance to visit them in the next hour you still may be able to catch some of their Cyber Monday specials with pricing as low as $5 for a TON of patterns.

To learn more:  YouCanMakeThis.com (affiliate link)

Disclosure: I received two fabulous e-books for this review with some great holiday inspirations and patterns. I haven’t even had a chance to begin sewing the projects but I’m excited to make some cute doll outfits from the “Sew Boutique for Dolly” e-book.

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Giveaway alert! One lucky reader will receive a mumi & bubi Solids Starter Kit (TM).  Details at the end of the review.  ECO-ngratulations Shelley!!!

Have I ever mentioned that my daughter will eat A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G? At 2 years old she’s no longer a baby and eats a healthy variety of foods (along with some not-so-healthy indulgences).  She’s always had a healthy appetite and we never had a problem introducing new foods to her.  We started introducing solids around 5-6 months (which is later than we introduced solids with her brother) and avoided most of the prepared baby foods.  As I did with her brother I felt it was important to feed her homemade baby food, most of which were the pureed versions of what I prepared for the rest of the family.

One of my favorite websites for baby food recipes was Homemade Baby Food Recipes.  My go to baby food was mashed avocado – one that both of my children loved.  The one challenge I had with making our own baby food was how to store the puree.  Most vegetables would yield more than we could eat before it would spoil so I would have to freeze batches of puree.  Instead of investing in the popular baby food storage trays I simply used ice cube trays.  However, most plastic ice cube trays are loaded with phthalates, pvc, and BPA – that leach toxins into our food.  Ice cube trays are bulky and don’t have lids either which can create additional challenges.

I wish mumi & bubi were available in the US back then.  mumi & bubi is a New Zealand company that has recently made its way to the US.  The mumi & bubi Solid Starter Kit (TM) allows parents a safer alternative to ice cube tray food storage.  The Solid Starter Kits (TM) are phthalate free, BPA-free, and PVC free. The square freezer trays come with stackable lids.  Each space saving tray holds 21 cubes of puree – each 1 oz in size.

I decided to try using the Solid Starter Kit (TM) at home to store vegetable purees that I would sneak into our family meals.  I also used them to freeze chicken stock.  The trays were simple to use and constructed from a high quality plastic.  They freeze well and wash up well.  The cubes easily slide out when frozen.  Now – the only challenge that remains is how to store the cubes in my freezer once I remove them from the trays.  My current method is either 1) baggies, or 2) plastic storage containers – neither of which are very sustainable or non-toxic.  You can keep them in the storage trays but that makes it difficult to reuse them until the cubes are used up.

Buy It! The mumi & bubi Solid Starter Kit (TM) is currently on sale for $25 with free shipping (retail price $29.95).

Win It! One reader will win a complete mumi & bubi Solid Starter Kit (TM).  To enter you must visit mumi & bubi and tell me which recipe you would try first if you were the winner.  Leave your answer in the comments below as a mandatory requirement for this giveaway.

Extra Entries!! Leave a comment for each extra entry.

• Follow mumi & bubi on Facebook and leave them a comment on their wall telling them The Eco Chic sent you.
• Follow mumi & bubi on Twitter.
• Sign up for the mumi & bubi mailing list on the front  page of their website.
• Follow The Eco Chic on Facebook.
• Follow The Eco Chic on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway.  (Ex. @TheEcoChic is giving away a @mumiandbubiusa Solids Starter Kit  http://bit.ly/e3rrCl ) – max 5 tweets per day.  Leave a link to your tweet in the comments below.
• Blog about this giveaway and leave a link in the comment below.

Contest is open to US residents over the age of 18 who complete the requirements listed above.  The contest will end on April 8, 2011 at midnight (ET).  ECO-ngratulations Shelley!

Disclosure: I was provided with a mumi & bubi Solid Starters Kit (TM) for review.  All opinions in this post are my own.

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Giveaway Alert! Win a $10 gift certificate to spend at Picnic Basket Crafts on Etsy.  ECO-ngratulations Zealandsmom!

Is anyone else addicted to Etsy?  It’s my inspiration to dive back into my artsy crafty self and create!  (Of course with my 2 kids and a full time job…and a blog…I don’t really have the time!)  Etsy is a worldwide site that allows creative people to make handmade goods for the rest of the world.  My favorite thing about Etsy is that everything is made with love and passion from people just like you and I. 

One such person is Tiffany, owner of Picnic Basket Crafts.  Tiffany creates eco-friendly decadent products for your body, home and baby.  Tiffany creates an amazing line of body products that would make a great at home spa day!  Just add a bottle of wine and some good friends and pamper yourself with her Facial Scrub or Foot Soak. 

Cloth diapering mama’s will love Tiffany’s Cleanse and Moisturize Mist for your cloth wipes…the fresh scent will take away the worst poo stink from your babies behind!! 

Like to clean; try one of Tiffany’s eco-friendly mop pad that fits nicely onto your swiffer.  These pads can be used over and over again…is it lame that I would really like one of these for Christmas? 

Tiffany takes eco-friendly to the next step with her shipping packages.  When my package of samples arrived it was nicely packaged inside an old cereal box!  It was so cute!  She also packed some of the samples in paper bags (re-purposed I’m sure) that were stitched neatly to finish off the edges. 

Website:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/picnicbasketcrafts
Blog:  http://www.picnicbasketcrafts.blogspot.com/
Coupon:  Use coupon code Eco Chic Blog and save 10% off your purchase at Picnic Basket Crafts.  (Wait for an adjusted invoice before paying.)

Win It!  Win a $10 gift certificate to use at Picnic Basket Crafts.  To enter, visit Tiffany’s shop on Etsy and tell me what you would spend your gift certificate on.  Leave your comments below (mandatory entry).

Extra Entries:
-Enter any of my other Eco-Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways (Leave a comment telling me which one’s you’ve entered.)
-Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect
-Subscribe using Feedburner or other reader (Leave your email addy)
-Add my button to your blog or site (Leave a link to your blog)
-Blog about this giveaway and the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide  (Leave a link to your blog)
-Share this giveaway with your friends (Leave me a comment telling me how)

Giveaway open to residents of the US over the age of 18 yrs old.  Must leave a comment for each entry with a maximum of 10 entries total for this giveaway.  Giveaway ends December 10, 2009 at midnight (EST).  Entrants must leave their email to be contacted if they are selected.

LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS HERE TO ENTER!

ECO-ngratulations Zealandsmom!

More from the Eco-Holiday Gift Guide.

*This post was sponsored by Picnic Basket Crafts.

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Giveaway Alert!  One lucky reader will win a 3-pack Safe Spray starter kit.  All readers are winners with a coupon code from Safe Spray!  ECO-ngratulations Krina! You WIN!

By now you all know how much I ‘love’ to clean and my reasons why I’m totally exaggerating!  Traditional household cleaning products (especially anything with bleach) make it hard for me to breath so I leave the heavy cleaning to my dear sweet hubby.  I do love him so much for tackling that horrid shower of ours. 

In the past my hubby can attest that I have tried to search for homemade recipes for cleaning.  I’ve mixed up my vinegar with other household goodies to make general purpose cleaners.  I’ve used hydrogen peroxide to clean the mildew in our horrid shower.  I prefer using simple, homemade cleaners because they reduce our impact on the environment and are healthier for us.  While using these homemade recipes is great I struggle with finding the recipes (and remembering what recipe I used last time) and remembering what is inside all of those bottles under my sink.  Did you know that there are some materials that you really don’t want to mix together (ammonia and bleach for example) because they can actually be quite deadly? 

Then I heard about U-Mix-It Safe Spray, a company that sells empty spray bottles imprinted with different homemade recipes for cleaning.  What a great idea!  Safe Spray takes my problems and turns it into an easy solution for cleaning my house.  Safe Sprays plastic bottles are made in the USA with HDPE #2 plastic.  The HDPE plastic is made with up to 25% recycled milk cartons.  Check your empty bottles you have at home…where did they come from?  

There are 3 different bottles to choose from; 1) Household Cleaning, 2) Garden, and 3) Veggie Wash.  You can purchase the bottles individually ($4 each), in a 3-pack starter kit ($13 each), or as a complete set (a 4-pack with extra recipe card) in the Green and Clean Home & Garden Kit ($20 each).  While I’m not going to share with you the actual recipes I will tell you that the recipes on each bottle include; all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, shower cleaner, insect repellent, aphid control, anti-fungal, and a veggie wash. 

Want to stock your pantry with the ingredients to make your own cleaners but not sure what to buy?  Here are a few tips:

Baking Soda – acts as a mild abrasive

Vinegar – used for both general purpose and as a glass cleaner

Borax -  used for general purpose cleaning

Lemon Juice - used as an anti-bacterial agent, as an antiseptic and for bleaching

Tea Tree Oil- used as an anti-bacterial and anit-fungal agent

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) – used for general purpose and bleaching

The actual recipes include other household products and how to properly mix and use them to obtain the most effective cleaners.  Trust me when I tell you that the recipes are wonderful!  Sure you can find most of these recipes online BUT it’s so much easier to just pick up a bottle and have the recipe right there printed on the bottle.  As a busy mom I want a product that I can grab and use without having to search for a recipe online.  Easy Peasy, as my son would say!

Want another reason why you should buy Safe Spray?  Safe Spray donates $1 from each Green and Clean Home & Garden Kit to The Water Project.  The Water Project is a non-profit organization that provides relief to communities around the globe who suffer from lack of clean water.  A portion of your money (Safe Sprays $1 donation) will go directly to Africa (and other areas) to build wells that provide drinking water for a developing nation!  That’s pretty powerful!

Go Green Shopping!  Take your money and invest in a Safe Spray set of bottles and help The Water Project at the same time.  I can’t really think of a better way to spend a twenty-dollar bill.  Safe Spray is offering a coupon code good for 10% off your purchase at Safe Spray from today until 11/20/09.  Just use coupon code Eco Chic at checkout and put some change back into your wallet!

Win a 3-pack Starter Set!  One of you lucky readers is going to win your very own starter set from Safe Spray.  To enter you must go visit Safe Spray and tell me one of their 7 reasons to start making your own homemade solutions.  Leave me a comment below and be sure to include a valid email address with your entry.  ECO-ngratulations Krina! You WIN!

Bonus Entries!
1) Follow @TheEcoChic and @SafeSpray on Twitter.  Leave a comment below with your @name.
2) Tweet about this contest once daily.  Be sure to include @TheEcoChic and @SafeSpray in the status along with a link to this contest.  Leave a comment below with a link to your tweet.
3) Become a Fan of The Eco Chic and Safe Spray on Facebook.  Leave a comment below telling me you did so.

Contest ends Sept. 18, 2009 at midnight (EST).

Leave your comments HERE to enter this contest!

Contest Closed!

Safe Spray!  Helping communities reduce waste, prevent pollution and protect watershed…one household at a time!

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I wanted to wish all the mothers (and motherly type people) a very Happy Mother’s Day!  My day was spent away from the fancy restaurants and away from all the fancy gifts and store bought stuff.  My son is only 5 so I don’t think he really ‘appreciates’ what I do for him yet…but my hubby certainly does.  They let me stay in bed this morning while the two of them cooked me breakfast.  My present was a breakfast cooked by the best men in my life, a handmade card (complete with coupons), and a flower picked from the garden.  The coupons were for little things my son could do (or get some help doing) like 1) wash my car, 2) snuggle time, and 3) clean up his room himself.  I have to say my hubby was quite creative at the last minute!  The rest of the day was spent spending quality family time.  What else could the EcoChic (Eco-Freak to some! LOL!!) ask for?  Nothing!  Today was perfect.

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