Button Up

Vacations are just around the corner and organizing jewelry can be tricky, especially small earrings. Put some loose buttons you have lying around in your sewing box or junk drawer to good use.

Take your post backed earrings and put them through the holes of the buttons. Attach the post behind the earring to keep it secure. This method is best used for post backed earrings.

It saves you lots of time from fishing around in your make up bag

or luggage looking for both earrings.

An Eco-Alternative to Keurig Cups

I love that this is a time when entrepreneurs are percolating with ideas. Yesterday, I read an article in my local newspaper, The Morning Call about an eco-alternative to K-Cups. I'm not sure if this is worldwide thing but locally the popularity of the Keurig has exploded despite how costly it is to buy the machine and the refills. Unfortunately, unnecessary waste has also gotten out of control.

The silver lining is a company called Ekobrew which sells reusable baskets specially designed to fit the Keurig. It's a cheaper alternative than buying new cups and you are free to use the brand of coffee you prefer. And you can easily throw the coffee grounds into your compost pail. The plastic is BPA free. Love it!!

To check it out, go to http://www.ekobrew.com/wp/

Happy Earth Day!

I'm excited to tell you that Sunday, April 22nd is Earth Day. I started early today and planted blackberry bushes, currants, and blueberry bushes. While shopping, I refused plastic bags and carried my items out to my car in my hands. My newest change is to replace my toxic cleaning products and only use non-toxic, natural cleaners. I was pleased with the natural smell instead of the strong odor most cleaners have. It makes it more pleasant to clean.

How will you celebrate Earth Day? If we all only did one thing, think of the positive impact on our planet.

Upcycling homes

I recently read an inspiring article in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine about Nancy Welsh who has made it her mission to upcycle homes that otherwise would have succumed to demolition.

"Each house we save from demolition becomes someone's dream home," says Nancy Welsh.

Her non-profit, Builders of Hope, has saved 150 homes so far. They try to keep as much of the home intact as possible and then upgrade them with energy smart features. They've restored single homes and abandoned rental units in six different cities. You can check out her website at http://www.buildersofhope.org to learn more about her mission.

Multi-tasking Kitchen Tool

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter or Passover holiday this week.

We went a little overboard with the food but it sure was good.

This makes me think of some cooking tips I read in Real Simple Magazine about having multiple uses for Jelly Roll Pans. We all have them in our kitchens and they take up a lot of space in our cabinets. But jelly roll pans can be used for so much more than making lasagna. For instance....

• If you are one of those cooks who doesn't mind a little help in the kitchen, this tip will save you lots of time. You can use the larger ones to corral ingredients for side dishes or a few main dishes. Each helper can grab their pan of ingredients and it helps reduce time wasted searching for what you need.

• Pans are great for catching drips in the oven or I fill my glass ones with water when making cheesecakes. This increases the humidity in my oven and prevents my cheesecakes from cracking.

• Use them for making a deep dish pizza Chicago-style.

• It's also an ideal tool to freeze cookie dough or berries for later use.

I hope at least one of these tips help my fellow cooks and bakers out there. The first one helped me the most.

Recycling Beauty

This morning, I was leafing through my grocery circulars and I was pleased to see an Garnier ad about recycling their beauty product packaging. What can I say...it made my day.

Garnier has partnered with Terracycle to make new products from all types of packaging. So if you tend to use a lot of Garnier products, this is the program for you. One thing I really like about Terracycle programs is that it's free to ship. In other programs, it's common to have to pay a fee or at the very least...cover shipping costs to recycle things.

Just note that they don't accept hair spray cans, nail polish bottles, and nail polish remover bottles.

For more information, please click on the following link:

http://www.terracycle.net/en-US/brigades/personal-care-and-beauty-brigade.html

Recycling Landline Phones

At my day job, we have landline phones that break a few times a week. It's a big organization. Anyway, I was horrified to learn that instead of our engineers fixing the phones, I was told to throw them away instead. With the popularity of cell phones, I'm sure that landline phones will eventually be obsolete.

I couldn't believe how few recycling programs there are for landline phones. I mean there's a million recycling programs that take cell phones which is great. Part of the problem is the plastic used for many regular phones isn't recycleable.

I read that Best Buy will take old cordless phones and recycle them.

Staples will take your old landline phone and you get a discount to buy another one. http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/products/110508/merch12185/index.html

Donate to charities who can use the phones for fundraisers or their office. Also thrift shops might take them as well.

Lastly, check out your local municipality to see if they will take landline phones. Many will have electronic recycling drives a few times a year so be sure to find out when the next one is.

My Heroes

These two guys are my heroes. I just read an article about their innovative idea of creating alternative styrofoam packaging materials from mushrooms in Oprah Magazine.

While they were in college, both guys were working on developing a new type of glue for a class project. Eben Bayer rememered the sticky white substance "mycelium" that is found in old wood piles. He thought why not use it as glue? Their teacher encourage them to go with it. They tinkered with the idea and eventually they created a new product.

After graduation, they started Ecovative Design. Working with big accounts with Dell and Crate & Barrel; they now have a large facility that takes food by-products from surrounding farms. They grow the fungi and let it digest parts of the husks before baking it. The result is a new product that can replace our dependency on Styrofoam.

Their ultimate goal is to rid the planet of harmful materials and create something that can be beneficial to the environment even if it happens to become litter. Check them out at http://www.ecovativedesign.com/

Give your prom dress another whirl

Spring cleaning is just around the corner and I'm sure there's a cocktail dress or a gown that you haven't worn in ages. I had a beautiful red gown that I wore for one event and it's been in my closet for 12 years. After coming to terms with the fact that I won't be able to fit into it, I was ready to let go.

Someone at work was doing a similar prom dress drive and I donated my dress because it happened to be a convenient location for me. My dress had a classic cut so it's still fashionable.

Wgirls.org is located in quite a few major cities so if you are in need to purge your closet, you can contact your local chapter. They will take dresses, clutches and purses which will go to underpriviledged girls who are attending their prom. Proceeds also fund anti-human-trafficking efforts.

You can go to http://www.wgirls.org if you are interested in donating a dress. I must say that after I dropped off my gown, I was surprised to feel a rush of happiness because I knew it would make a young lady's night be extra special instead of being hidden away in my closet.

White versus Brown Coffee Filters

No doubt that coffee grounds enrich your compost with the essential Nitrogen element. However, a debate on whether to compost white versus brown coffee filters is often sparked. White coffee filters are bleached. Although I've read on many websites that the bleach has dissipated from the filter by the time it makes the compost pile, I tend to be skeptical about that because I don't see a scientifically based explanation on exactly how that happens.

If you want to play it safe, you can use brown coffee filters or better yet the built in gold coffee filters in which there is no paper waste. I try to buy the brown coffee filters that come in cardboard boxes rather than the plastic wrapping to be mindful of packaging.

I then tear them into strips which can be a messy process. It allows the paper to compost more quickly. I try to blend them in the compost rather than let them sit on top because as the filters dry, they can fly away.

If you need to add more Nitrogen to your soil, consider contacting a local coffee shop. Offer to drop off a clean 5 gallon bucket and figure out an agreeable pick up schedule. Make sure to label the bucket clearly with you name and phone number in case you need to pick up sooner than expected. I bring a tubberware to work and take the coffee grounds from the coffee maker and add that to my compost.

There are lots of little ways to make a big positive impact on our environment. Ask yourself what can you do?

Did you know?

Did you know that you can compost real cork from wine/spirit bottles? So you can enjoy your drink without guilt unless you are drinking a brand that uses the plastic cork stoppers which cannot be composted or recycled. A lot of local wines still use cork but I've noticed that the bigger brands used the plastic ones.

Taking a interesting class

I'm really excited because I registered for a 3 hour furniture refinishing class at one of the local community colleges. It's on the last Saturday of this month and I can hardly wait. I need more storage space for china and entertaining supplies. I see so many beautiful cabinets and lowboys in Goodwill and the Salvation Army but I'm nervous about purchasing them because I'm not confident that I can make it look professional. This class is for refinishing furniture that is damaged, scratched, etc. In this economy when people have to be frugal, this will be the best $40 I've ever spent.

You don't have to pay a lot of money for good style. You just need to have good taste and the knowledge to make it happen.

If you need some new pieces of furniture in your home, check with your local colleges to see if they offer a similar non-credit class.

1 Billion

Is the total number of online pledges for Earth Day. Are you ready for April 22? What will be your random green act of kindness to our planet? Switch to LED lights, create a compost pile, plant trees, a garden or create a special recycling program in your community.

I will be growing and tending to my seedlings for a vegetable garden. Today, I gave a friend extra seeds I had from last year's harvest because she said she wanted to grow cantaloupes. You can pledge on http://www.earthday.org/2012 and/or please leave a comment to share with us how you will make a difference on Earth Day. We would love to know.

Can't Wait

I am currently participating in one of Terracycle's program by collecting Bic Pens, Highlighters, Sharpies, and plastic tape dispenser rolls. http://www.terracycle.com/en-US/brigades/writing-instruments-brigade.html.

We use these all the time at my job and I am making special canisters to hold these items. Here was an easy way I created them. I took the canisters and used a sheet of 12" x 12" scrapbook paper. I had to trim a little bit off the top. I taped one side on the canister then wrapped the paper around to the other side. I taped the seam. Then I printed the sign and taped it to the front, leaving the seam in the back of the canister. Volia!! A canister than can better accommodate long writing utensils. Can't wait to bring them to work.

Plant a Tree Non-Profit Opportunity

If you happen to live close to New York City or in the surrounding areas, this

non-profit will provide you with an opportunity to roll up your sleeves and hit the dirt.

You can register for volunteer opportunities to plant trees in local NYC communities. If you don't live in NYC, you can make monetary donations and/or you can plant trees in your local community and contribute the number towards their million tree goal.

For more information, you can click on www.milliontreesnyc.org.

Organic Willow Tea

I just read this great tip from Horticulure Magazine. Listen up if you are a serious gardener.

Did you know if you take cuttings from your garden, you can make a natural tea to help them sprout roots?

Follow the steps to make your own willow tea:

Step 1: Cut a healthy branch from a willow tree. A branch approximately 1/2" in diameter and 6 feet long will yield 1 cup of tea. Depending on how many cuttings you may have you can gauge how many willow branches you will need. Please don't use branches that have fallen to the ground.

Step 2: Cut the branch into 3-4" pieces. Put the pieces in a large pot and add enough water to just cover them. Cook at medium-high for 20 minutes. Afterwards, turn off the stove and leave the pot where it was overnight, undisturbed.

Step 3: Remove the branches and put the tea into a glass or plastic container. You can refrigerate this tea for up to two months. When ready to use, use equal parts water to dilute the tea for your garden cuttings. The tea can be used in place of watering from time to time until the roots are established.

Conclusion: The willow bark contains a natural rooting hormone which help your other plants to establish their rooting system.

The tea should NOT be used for human consumption so clearly label the bottle that is being refrigerated.

Cleaning doesn't have to hit a sour note

A part of me is mortified to show how dirty my microwave can be but I wanted to share a great cleaning tip I got years ago. Sometimes, I have a small amount of white vinegar left in the bottle. You can also use red wine vinegar or cider vinegar. I pour 1/4 cup of the vinegar in a mug of water like the one in the photo.

I microwave it for about 2-3 minutes. It creates a high humidity inside which softens caked on food that is really hard to scrub off. When it's done, I reuse the vinegar/water concoction. I dipa rag in the mug of vinegar/water then proceed to wipe off the mess.

It makes cleaning really easy and less frustrating. Plus, I feel better that it's natural and there isn't any chemical residue to possibly get in my food while it's cooking.

Tunes 4 the Troops

If you've recently upgraded your iPod, what do you do with the old one? What do you do with all the CD's you've got cluttering your space? What do you do with the DVD's you have now that you have Netflix streaming?

Tunes 4 Troops (which is run by The University of Tennessee Tech) collects these items and sends them overseas. You can even become a satellite coordinator in your community. Click on this link for more information http://www.tunes4thetroops.com/faq.html

Here are the types of items they collect:

New/gently used CD's, DVD's

iPods/MP3 players

iTunes gift cards

Games

Game systems

No VHS tapes or CD's, Games, DVD's that are copied illegally. You can send CD's and DVD's without the plastic jackets.

Donation and shipping costs are also tax deductable. It's cheaper to use flat rate shipping boxes to ship game consoles. Great way to show your support of our troops.

Step up to the Plate

Got baseball equipment sitting around your garage or basement just collecting dust? Maybe your kids have outgrown their little league bats and balls. Well you can dust them off and donate them.

Pitch in for Baseball is a program that takes gently used or new bats, balls, and gloves then gives it to kids in impoverished communities all over the world.

If you are a gym teacher or a little league coach, this recycling program hits home.

Maybe you know someone who would like to collect these items within your community and start a drive, go to http://www.pitchinforbaseball.org/html/index.html for more information.

Linens

Spring cleaning is just around the corner and maybe your linen closet could use some updating. Maybe you want to change the color of your towels and/or bedspread.

Old towels make great rags to use for heavy duty cleaning. I use hand towels and wash rags for cleaning my floors. Yes, I clean my hardwood floors the old-fashioned way...on my hands and knees.

But if you have comforters you aren't using anymore and towels in good condition...consider contacting your local animal shelter to see if they could use them. Also check out local pet rescues on http://www.petfinder.org to see if they are in need of linens too. Many times animal rescues will list their needs on Petfinder. You can send them an email to see where you can drop them off.

Etsy Seller's Clever Upcycling Idea

What pretty flowers!!! But look closer. These flowers are made from t-shirts. Tania Prosser created her Etsy shop "Fairy Shadow" around this clever concept.

Early on, her parents inspired her to be creative and she finds working with her hands to be a rewarding experience. Her father was a professional sculptor and her mother sewed for her family.

Fairy Shadow has other upcycled items besides flowers. Sneak a peek at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/fairyshadow?ref=pr_shop_more

Recycling Pens, Markers, Highlighters, Etc

I've been a member of Terracycle for several years now starting with raising money for The Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League. I used to send boxes upon boxes of plastic coke bottles to raise money for them.

Now I am involved in collecting pens, Sharpie Markers and Highlighters from work when they get dried up. It's an easy system and you can raise money for your favorite charity. What I like about Terracycle is that you can print a pre-paid label and shipping the items doesn't cost you anything. A lot of recycling programs can get expensive because they don't cover shipping expenses.

It's really easy to get started and register. And besides writing instruments, they collect all sorts of packaging that normally can't be recycled. So you might want to check out their website to see what things you can contribute.

http://www.terracycle.net/en-US/brigades.html

Loved Twice

I saw this non-profit mentioned in this month's Oprah Magazine. Loved Twice is a non-profit that accepts gently used baby clothes for mothers who can't afford them. They are distributed through social workers in hospitals, shelters, and clinics to helped disadvantaged children.

There are a lot of drop off centers in California but you can also mail clothes to the organization. I have a ton of bibs that my daughter has recently stop using so I'm sure this organization would put them in good use because they are still in great condition.

There are locations throughout the US that you can mail the clothing to which might be closer to you than California. Please go to http://lovedtwice.org/how-to-help/give-clothes/ to find the nearest location to you.

Taking Credit

Credit cards, bank cards, store rewards cards, and hotel room cards can be shredded or tossed. But as long as they aren't laminated, they can be reused. I saw the following tips on www.creditcards.com. They can be useful as cable organizers. If they feel flimsy, then glue a few of them together to create more support for heavier cables.

The next one I really liked was to trace a guitar pick with a sharpie on a plastic card then cut out the design with scissors.

For more ideas on reusing cards, you can go to http://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/8-crafty-ways-recycle-reuse-credit-cards-1273.php

New use for dryer sheet

Although I do hang my laundry outside most of the time, sometimes, I do have to use the dryer on days like today when we are having snow. I was lucky this week because our temp was mild and it was sunny.

My point is... I do end up having to use dryer sheets when my bounce bar eventually disentigrates.

I can't remember where I learned this tip but dryer sheets are great at removing nail polish. The only problem is that it doesn't absorb nail polish remover very well and if you add too much, it will drip down your arm.

I just fold it as tight as I can and dip it in some nail polish remover. A small amount will go a long way. The texture of the sheet really does a great job removing the polish. Just designate a container in your laundry room to put the sheets in after removing the laundry and grab one when you need it.

Donating Backpacks

My family uses backpacks for all types of reasons. My kids use them for school. My husband uses a few for hiking. He has one for hiking for a few hours and a bigger one for overnight trips. I used a small one when I was travelling in Slovakia last summer. I have a bigger one for my good camera and photography equipment.

That's a lot of backpacks. I found a few programs that are willing to take gently used backpacks.

The American Birding Association takes adult sized backpacks for their scientists to use in the field and carry equipment. The address is Birder's Exchange, American Birding Association, 4945 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80919 or you can visit their website for other items they need donated. www.aba.org. I was having trouble with their "items to donate" link.

The Aspire, Inspire Foundation in California has a program where they donate new and gently used backpacks to kids who can't afford them. Their website is http://www.aspireinspire.org/backpack.html.

The Orphan Outreach Mission gives gently used backpacks to children overseas. Their website is http://www.missionbackpack.org/faq/.

These are just a few of the programs available. You can choose which one works best for you. Your local thrift store, the Salvation Army, and Goodwill will also take them.

Tag...your it

Last year, I challenged myself to only throw one bag of garbage a week. The rest, I either recycled, repurposed, donated, sold at a garage sale, or composted. Whew!

This year, I will share with you all the little things I did to achieve that goal because making gradual changes helped me make them a habit. It took me a few months of pausing when I was about to throw something away and thinking about what I could do with it besides throw it in the garbage. This was no easy task especially since I had one baby in diapers and another toddler. Sometimes, I would overthink it and practically drive myself crazy. Hopefully, I can spare you that overwhelming feeling and keep it simple.

Let's start with an easy task that anyone can do. You know how clothes have several tags attached. I removed the tags from new clothes and recycled the paper tags. You can't recycle the stickers on the leg of pants, plastic tags, or the little plastic piece that attaches the tags but at least they are smaller than the paper tags.

I would also throw the hangers in my hamper that I keep for items I intend to donate to Goodwill. They can always use hangers. Same goes for dry clean hangers. You can recycle the paper that is attached to the metal hanger and either donate to Goodwill or recycle the metal. Whichever is easier.

Eco Gift Wrap

As I mentioned before Valentine's Day is coming and there's always birthdays throughout the year. Mother's Day and Father's Day will be here before you know it. Put the fun back in gift wrap.

I found this great article that gives options for wrapping gifts that are eco-friendly and frugal too. http://world.edu/worldedu_posts/8-ecofriendly-gift-wrapping-ideas/ One idea that stood out for me is to use paper shopping bags as the base of the gift wrap and adorn it with newspaper or the comics.

Wrapping gifts with the comics appeals to older boys and men, who can be challenging to shop for not to mention, difficult to find wrapping paper for. When I mentioned this, my husband actually recalled a gift he got wrapped in the Sunday comics and said he thought it was great.

If you have map brochures or old maps not being used for anything useful, they make great wrapping paper too. Be creative...have fun with it.

It's almost Valentine's Day

It's February and I just created this cute video clip for my Etsy store to celebrate Valentine's Day which is just around the corner. Hint, hint.

Seriously, I know some of my followers also have Etsy stores too. This was the first time I used Animoto to promote my shop. It didn't take me long to figure out how to use the tools and it was pretty easy to do. And you can't beat the fact that it's also free. I was even thinking about using for family photos too. It's also a fun way to send your loved one an electronic Valentine.

My Animoto Video

Easy bathroom upgrade

I found this beautiful glass decanter at Goodwill a few weeks ago and I decided it would make an elegant addition to my bathroom. I'm always on the lookout of finding pretty containers to hold my toiletries. This decanter is perfect for holding my mouthwash and it only cost me $1.99. Not bad for an upgrade.

If getting second hand containers make you cringe...I tried to put it in my dishwasher but the shape of the decanter made it difficult to get the corners clean.

I created a solution of Chlorox and water then filled it to the top. I let the solution sit in the decanter for a day before rinsing it out. I also made sure that the topper didn't have cork. It should be either glass or plastic because cork is porous which would be difficult to clean thoroughly.

New uses for ice cube tray

Everyone has some of these lying around the house not being used. There are lots of uses for these. It's great for watercoloring if you are a kid or an adult.

Another good idea is when you have to put furniture together or work on a project that requires lots of small screws, studs, tacks, etc. You can separate how much you need using an ice cube tray. It's easier to quickly grab it when you need it and you don't have two hands to fumble with the packaging. Arrrgh, that difficult to open plastic pouches are so difficult to open without scissors.

For moms, you can use them to separate little hair clippys or ties. They are shallow enough to be easily stored in a bathroom drawer. I like this idea because my daughter wears two pony tails and I don't have to dig to look for a matching set. It's all right there. So it's a time saver for me in the morning when she gets ready for school.

Etsy Seller Upcycles Vintage

Meet Jene...a creative driving force behind upcycling vintage clothing and accessories. She graduated with the Florida State University's Apparel Design Program. She hand picks vintage clothing and updates it with a little twist. She puts the fun back in fashion.

Her creative philosophy is "the best joy in life comes from spreading the gift of crafting."
You can check out more upcycled designs at her Etsy store.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/WearTheCanvas?ref=pr_shop_more

Hairy Situations Solved

Did you know that human and animal hair is compostable?

So every time you pull the hair from your brushes, you can throw it in your

compost bin instead of the garbage.

I have a Bernese Mountain Dog who sheds like crazy. When I give her a thorough brushing, I put it in one of those netted bags you use to wash lingerie. Or you can use any bag that has holes in it. Be creative.

In the spring time, I hang the bag on one of the trees in the woods. The birds use the soft dog hair to line their nests for their babies. Bernese Mountain Dog fur is super soft so it's perfect. My husband used to do this when he brushed his Newfoundlands. He gave me the idea.

Another laundry tip

I got this tip from Oprah Magazine, believe it or not. Jeans can easily attract odor even if left on the floor for one day. One easy way to refresh them without having to throw them in the laundry would be to fold them up and place them in the freezer for an hour.

I would advise thawing them out before putting them on but that should make them smell better. But it does save on energy of having to wash them multiple times.

Size does matter

Last year, my goal was to only throw away one bag of garbage for the whole week. One way I was able to accomplish this was to make recycling very easy for me, a busy mom of two small children.

I used to go to Weight Watchers and I learned that if I eat my meals on a small plate, I could control my portion size and still feel full because visually, my portion "looked" bigger than it really was.

I applied the same principle to recycling. The bigger bin holds my recyclable materials and the smaller bin is the garbage. I also have bins in my bathrooms for garbage and recycling. Once a week, I empty them. The volume of what I recycled as opposed to what I throw away is enormous.

Make recycling easy for yourself. Keep your receptacles in places that makes sense for you to use them upstairs and downstairs.

Another use for outdated business cards

Recently, I changed my business name from Nature's Touch Crafts to Nature's Touch Boutique. I wanted to add what I sell on my new business card and change the website name. This meant I needed to reorder my business cards. I still had a small stack of my old business cards.

I could recycled them which would probably be the easiest thing to do. But I thought of another use for them. I had a business card holder that wasn't being used for anything. I don't know about you but I have a tough time keeping track of all the username and passwords that I have. And you know that experts recommend that you don't use the same username and password for all the websites you are subscribed to.

If your card is blank on the other side, you can write the website name, your username and password then store it in the business card holder. I keep them in alphabetical order by website name but you group them any way that is easiest for you as a reference. Keep it in your laptop bag or by your computer so they are always on hand.

Bonus: You are recycling and being organized too.

Achieving Zero Waste Part II

Don't forget to carefully label the bag and store in a cool, dry place until the fall. I keep mine in the basement.

Then, I took the dirt and added it to my compost bin.

Check with your recycling center to see if they will recycle the pot. Another use would be to save it for your spring seed planting. I plant a veggie garden every year and this sturdy pot would be perfect to reuse.

My mother-n-law has a perennial business and is always in need of sturdy pots like this for her seedlings. I keep them in the garage until there is enough of them to drop off. Her customers often return their pots after planting the perennials in their garden. Perhaps you have a local garden center who does the same thing. It might take a few phone calls but then you know for the future where to drop them off.

The packaging is a lime green plastic material that is very sturdy. I will clean it with soap and water. Let dry. It is the perfect color to wrap a small birthday gift or Easter gift. I will use the gold string to tie the gift.

Voila! No waste and better yet, I saved some $$ buy creatively reusing what I have.

Achieving Zero Waste

My beautiful tulip bulbs I bought from my local grocrey store died. A lot of people tend to buy plants like daffodils, tulips, and lilys in the spring especially for Easter.

This morning, I thought it would be a good idea to challenge myself to achieving zero waste with my purchase so that people can see the possibilities of reusing packaging.

So, I took a paper bag from a recent purchase my husband made at the hardware store. I carefully cut off the stems and flowers then put them in my compost bin. I used a blunt knife and loosened the bulbs. There was a dense root system in there.

I put the bulbs in the bag for storage to plant in the fall. Here is a link to storing bulbs and tubers if you haven't done this before. http://http://www.planandplant.com/storing-bulbs.html