Brummet's Conscious Blog

-- Christmas Wrapping Paper Woes -- A great way to reuse wrapping paper and paperboard boxes is to create beautiful, and reusable, gift bags and gift boxes.  The term paperboard boxes refers to cereal, cracker or pasta boxes and the like. For the suggested gift-box project you can also use shoe boxes or any similar box with a lid. Alternatively you can build your own boxes simply by taking a larger box, undue all the folds and lay it flat on the working surface.  Simply design the box according to the dimensions that you require – all you need is a little know-how, a ruler, pencil and a sharp craft knife or scissors and some glue. Be sure to allow the glue to cure, once the box is constructed, before going on to the next step. To make seasonal gift-bags , wrap a paperboard box as you would a gift, except you need to leave the top open. Fold the top inch or two of the wrapping paper over the edge of the top of the box, and glue in place. Punch two holes at the top of t...

-- Quote of the Day -- "Not everything that counts can be counted. And not everything that can be counted counts." Albert Einstein -- Wood Alternatives -- Some of you may remember that on Nov 20th I interviewed John Vere on the topic of wood stoves, burning responsibly, how to cure the wood, how to purchase wood from suppliers, and how to reduce contributions to global warming. During that interview we also discussed some amazing innovations for reusing things like fruit pits (cherry, apricot, etc) and other waste products (grain hulls, etc) to create pellets - an alternative burning resource for woodstove owners. I would like to mention today that there has also been a new innovation for wood alternatives, not for burning but for construction! Waste wood and recycled plastic fibers along with a few other patented additives – are now being used to create a product that has the appearance and workability of wood but is stronger, water proof, warp-free, and also mold, pest and ...