Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Glitter Origami Elephant Ornament Tutorial


I hate wasting wrapping paper.  You know when you cut the paper to fit a present and have a little bit left that is too small to wrap another present?  This is the perfect use for it: origami elephant ornaments.

Make these cute origami elephants this holiday.  I made a few to put on my stocking hangers and I also make some for our Christmas tree.  Origami ornaments are the best because they are cheap, they pack up small and they can be cute too.  

To make this ornament I used gold glitter wrapping paper scraps.  See my video tutorial here.

These little elephants are so cute I may keep them up year round.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Steps to Cutting Your Carbon Footprint



With the threats of climate change forever present in the world we live in, it’s important that we each make a difference by reducing our personal greenhouse gas emissions. Saving on energy, water, and electricity can not only slash your bills, but it means you’re doing your bit for the environment. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are a few steps on how to cut your carbon footprint.
Go Organic
We’ve all been told from a young age how important it is to follow a balanced diet packed full of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, however, many of us are still consuming tons of processed food which requires trucks, ships, planes, and trains that use fossil fuels to transport goods from A to B. To reduce your carbon footprint, going organic and purchasing locally sourced food can make a huge difference.
Reduce Energy Use
Another great way to cut your carbon footprint is by taking notice of how much energy you’re currently using each month and finding ways to lower your consumption. Adding insulation to your home, performing an energy audit, as well as sealing your cooling and healing ducts can help do your bit for the environment. 
Switch Off Appliances
If you live in a busy household, it’s likely that you will have all sorts of appliances that are running simultaneously. Whether it be laptops, PCs, the washing machine, or cooker, it’s important that you switch off appliances when they’re not in use. Before you head to bed, make sure that appliances and electrical items are either switched off or unplugged. Once you begin to take action, you will notice a decrease in your energy bill.
Embrace a Minimalist Lifestyle
There are lots of things that you can do to cut your carbon footprint in your day to day life. Decluttering your home and donating any unneeded belongings to charity, as well as buying, borrowing, or renting used clothing can help when it comes to leading an eco-friendlier way of life. There are also lots of electronics, furniture, and house decorations that you can purchase second hand which are as good as new. Not only will you be saving money, but you will be more environmentally aware too.
Drive an Electric Car
If you face a long commute to work each day, the amount of gas your car uses can be pricey. Another great way to cut your carbon footprint is by choosing an electric car. To get more of an insight into the models available, sites like Carmax haveplenty of reviews on vehicles such as the 2019 Nissan LEAF, which is regarded as providing terrific EV power in a compact package. 
With climate change showing no signs of slowing down, it’s important that we’re all as carbon neutral as possible. Making minor lifestyle changes may not seem like much in the short-term, however, the more of us who take action, the more chance we have of saving the planet. What changes will you make?

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