Here you are folks, a random assortment of things you can make for people you love. Things that are better than things you can get in shops because: a) they’ve been made locally, b) they’ve not cost you much, and c) they’re made with love.

1. Pony Tyre Swing
What child wouldn’t love one of these? Instead of spending a fortune on a swing from a shop, just recycle an old tyre off your car, add a few nuts and bolts, a bit of elbow grease, and Bob’s your uncle. A pony fit for a prince or princess, whichever applies. Here’s the pattern and full details on how to make it.

2. Blooming Recycled-Tyre Planter
Here’s one that the moms, girlfriends and wives will love, I know I would, and another way to recycle one of your old car tyres. Again a bit of elbow grease is required, but the results are worth it. The instructions mention it being easier to do out in the warm sunshine. At this time of year you may need to warm the tyre up next to a radiator (make sure you don’t make dirty marks on the carpet). Pictures and instructions here.

3. Recycled Blanket Slippers
Who doesn’t like a comfy, warm pair of slippers? An old woollen blanket will make these cute slippers for your granny, husband or mum. Sewing skills required. Full tutorial from Sew Green.

4. Frame it
There’s no better gift for a grandparent than a photograph of a beloved grandchild. Take a picture, and frame it in a fancy frame made from recycled corrugated cardboard. Here’s how.

5. I am a plastic bag
Get rid of all the plastic bags cluttering up your under-sink cupboard in the kitchen and give your best friend, sister or mom a really cool shopping bag all at the same time. Eat your heart out Anja Hindmarch! Crochet this large plastic shopping bag.

6. I am a plastic bag too
A bag with dads and brothers in mind. This messenger bag is made by ironing plastic bags together to make them thicker, and then sewing them together to make a bag with style.

7. Have we forgotten anyone
Here’s a special something for man’s best friend, or your feline friend too. And a way of getting rid of all the odd socks that build up after the washing machine eats one of the pair. Make your pet a comfy, warm bed out of old socks.

If you haven’t got a crafty bone in your body, keep your eyes open for our green and ethical xmas gift guide, coming to EcoStreet sometime this week.

I used to sleep on a pallet bed when I found myself a young single mom living in London on a small income and in need of a bed. For a few pounds and some help from a friend with a van, I got 12 old pallets home for a double-sized bed for me and six for my son’s single bed. A couple of affordable Ikea mattresses completed the picture.

Lori Danelle’s taken the pallet bed idea a step further and made a toddler bed, complete with casters, headboard, foot-board and side-guard. She’s posted a full tutorial online. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

{DIY} Toddler Pallet Bed [Lori Danelle]

It’s Go Green Month at Sew Much Ado, and there are some great tutorials there for green creativity.

Refashioned Tutorial: Toddler Ruffle Skirt – turn an adult t-shirt into a cute toddlers skirt.

Jen’s Cloth Diapering and Doubler Tutuorial – make your own reusable nappies.

There’s also a composting tutorial if you’ve been thinking about starting and aren’t sure how.

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For full instructions on how to make a bird’s nest, visit Growing Up Creative.

If you make one, please post a link to your image in comments, we’d love to see your works of art.

How-to make a bird’s nest [Growing Up Creative]

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Piper and I have been sowing seeds for winter vegetables this afternoon. It’s fun to do with children of any age when outside is stormy and wet, and inside is a much nicer prospect. Northern hemisphere folks sow summer veg for a school holiday activity.

Learning to grow vegetables is a valuable and important life skill.

10 Easy Steps

1. Find something in your recycling that will make a suitable plant pot. Suggestions: bottom half of plastic milk bottles, yoghurt pots, bottom half of egg cartons.

2. Fill the receptacles with compost. Get organic compost from your local nursery/garden centre or use sifted homemade compost.

3. Plant seeds. Suggested for winter: Swiss chard, spinach, some lettuces, some carrots, onions, peas.

4. Water.

5. Admire.

6. Put in a sunny window.

7. Water daily or when dry.

8. Wait.

9. Harvest.

10. Eat.

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What makes this WALL-E robot project so perfect is that in the movie he’s the guy cleaning up after us humans who leave the planet in a jolly big mess, so why not have him clean out your recycling bin at home too. You can see exactly what was used and how to make your own WALL-E robot out of stuff from your bin at Kitten Muffin’s blog, Filth Wizardry (note to self: file as something cool to do for the upcoming school holidays).

Home made recycled WALL-E [Filth Wizardry]

[via elephantjournal]

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CAPE TOWN – Here’s something really worthwhile to do on Tuesday’s public holiday. I’m going because I like to make a contribution to keeping places that I enjoy in good nick, and because I want to teach my children that being a member of a community is a give and take process.

Photo credit: Millstone Cafe website

We enjoy spending time at the Millstone Cafe and Farmstall at Oude Molen where you can get the best breads, quiches and pizza in town, as well as such delicacies as chocolate beetroot cake. And while you enjoy your cake and sip on a creamy cappucino, the kids get to play in this terrific tree-house .

Photo credit: Millstone Cafe website

Or in this little playhouse.

The place has a very homely feel to it, the staff are warm and friendly and it’s a great place for families or for kids parties. There are even pony rides next door. Millstone Cafe and Farmstall is open from 9-5, Tuesday to Sunday.

Pia of Mother City Living paid Oude Molen Eco Village a visit a few months ago, read about it and see her photographs here.

Reggie of Grains of Sand reports that Oude Molen Eco Village is under threat by developers, which is another good reason to support Tuesday’s clean up and the Oude Molen businesses.

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The frizzle sizzle toy stove/cooker (above) and the splish splash sink (below) are made by rafinesse & tristesse from recycled olive oil and other tins.

They make stuff for grown-ups too. Take a look at these tin tuffet stools.

They’re available in selected shops in Germany, Switzerland, England, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway.

[via: CRAFT:]

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If you’re a parent, watch this, you need to be educated. This new film, Consuming Kids, pushes back against the marketing industry that bombards our children with messages about what they “need” from the word go. It’s an unscrupulous industry by all accounts (but we already knew that, didn’t we?) that uses manipulation and sneaky tactics to get our children to consume, consume, consume. But don’t take my word for it, watch the trailer.

If you’re in the US, you can see a screening of the whole film if you can get to one of these venues:

NY Association for the Education of Young Children Conference | Brooklyn, NY | May 1
Museum of Fine Arts | Boston, MA | May 20
International Communication Association Conference | Chicago, IL | May 24
Union for Democratic Communication Conference | Buffalo, NY | May 28-31

“This film is a damning indictment of an advertising industry whose only concern is brainwashing kids as early as possible, no matter what the consequences. The film’s powerful images that back up the experts’ claims are jaw-dropping. And if you think it’s all up to parents to protect their kids from the onslaught of corporate marketing, this film will convince you otherwise. Consuming Kids should be viewed by anyone who has kids or cares about them; in other words, everyone.”
- Michele Simon, JD, MPH | Author of Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and How to Fight Back | Research and Policy Director of the Marin Institute

[via @thegoodhuman]

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The Sunjar was invented by designer Tobias Wong, and designed to use energy saving low voltage LED’s powered by a super-efficient solar panel inside the frosted jar. Recharge the Sunjar during the day to enjoy a warming relaxing orange glow during the evening and night.

The Sunjar is watertight and has no trailing cables which makes it suitable using inside or outside. This would also be amazing to use when camping, especially in a tipi.

£17.95 from Ethical Superstore

For the kids

Mr Robot Head is an electronic toy with no batteries. Every parent’s dream, and better for the environment.

Wind him up and rise to the challenge. Try to move the wand along his antenna from one end to the other without touching the sides. Touch the sides and Mr Robot Head with will flash his eyes and buzz his disapproval.

This is how we can give children the toys that they desire without adding to the landfill problem. Mr Robot Head will entertain and engage any young child as well as develop hand eye co-ordination and fine motor control.

£14.67 from Ethical Superstore.

For Inspector Gadget

The Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player is one of my favourite gadgets ever and Stephen Fry loves his too.  It’s a wind-up (and rechargeable) music and video player for watching movies or music videos, listening to mp3 music files or tuning in to the radio, any time, anywhere. It has 2Gb storage (about 500 songs), and you can add to this with plug-in SD cards.

The eco wind-up system means that you”ll never run out of power or waste environmentally harmful batteries – one minute of winding gives up to 40 minutes of play time.

£99.99 from Nigel’s EcoStore. There’s a new one out too, called the Revolution, from Ethical Superstore for £129.99.

For yummy mummies
Figs & Rouge Art Nouveau inspired organic skincare packages it’s natural products beautifully. This Figs and Rouge Luxury Garden Collection includes a 50-hour candle, 300ml Marigold and Mandarin Body Lotion, 250ml Juniper Berry Shower Wash and a vintage style seed pack.

The set is free from parabens, synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals. All fragrances are also 100% organic with natural blends of vintage garden aromas. It comes tissue-wrapped in a beautiful gift bag and the hand-poured jasmine and sweet geranium candle is contained in a handmade ceramic glazed pot. When the candle is finished, sprinkle the Figs and Rouge seeds into the pot to create a garden. Suitable for vegans.

£28.00 from ECOutlet.

For your New Year’s Eve party

A solar powered disco ball for indoor and outdoor use will have you feeling like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever over this festive season.

Get the party going and get dancing!

The solar disco ball needs direct sunlight or a spotlight.  It is approximately  15cm in diameter.

£25.00 from Biome Lifestyle