When hubby and I first got married, we had to furnish our first apartment…mostly from Target. When we moved into our first house, a bathroom cabinet didn’t survive in tact. But I didn’t want to throw it away, thinking I could use the boards for shelving or something fun.

Using handles from our kitchen cabinet makeover, and the cabinet door, I made a cute little tray to use for future parties or to transport goodies from kitchen to table.

Here’s how:

After removing the cabinet hardware, filling the holes, sanding it down, and giving the door a fresh coat of paint, I taped the top to create some colored stripes.

Next, I used some paint samples we had when deciding on a color for our office/studio, alternating between two different colors.

Next I spray painted the old handles from our kitchen cabinets black (including the screws)

Last, I put it together! What do you think?

I came across The Nature Conservancy website on Arbor Day, and they have a wealth of information about endangered nature and wildlife around the world. Right now you can plant a tree for only $1 in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Wouldn’t this make such a nice gift for mom, or another upcoming holiday or birthday?

Eco-diversity is so important to the health of our earth, and trees are paramount to that eco-diversity. The Nature Conservancy reminds us that this forest stores huge amounts of carbon dioxide and releases oxygen - only possible when forests are in tact. Take a peak to learn more. And click here to learn about endangered areas near you.

Simply Give cards and N designs accessories will be on sale this Saturday, May 2, just in time for Mother’s Day. Why not stop by and take a peek?

Perhaps pick-up a gift set of handmade cards, or a beautiful piece of jewelry for mom - or another event you have coming up this summer.

The Hostess: Amanda

Where: 113 Pembroke Street, Apt #2, Boston 02118 (Between Tremont and Columbus)

When: Saturday, May 2
Stop by anytime between 2-5pm

Our home office is one of the last rooms we tackled after we moved into our home a couple years ago. For many of us, the office tends to be where things pile up, so here’s what I did to get started containing all those small items.

The silver cart and white drawers are perfect for holding small office or craft supplies. Take stock of what you have, sort, then contain. I turn trash, like chocolate boxes and mason jars into storage containers. Last, label what’s inside. The tags on the silver drawers remind me (and more importantly, my husband) what’s inside without having to open them. They’re neatly tied on with recycled ribbon. I used similar colors in the labels I made for the white drawers to tie it all together. It helps to keep color themes within a room the same. I’m also not tempted to buy some cute office organizer that doesn’t go with the theme.

Here’s what I keep in each:

• Camera: the camera itself, mini tripod, cord for uploading, laptop camera, and mini-camcorder
• Glue: glue sticks, craft glue, elmer’s, Mod Podge
• Tape: packing, scotch, double-sided, masking, foam layering,
• Office: push pins, paper clips, rubber bands, post-it’s, extra pens, stapler/staples, binder clips, tape dispenser, label maker, 3 hole punch
• Scrapbook: paper, stickers, embellishments,
• Sew: mini-sewing box; thread, sewing machine parts, buttons, scissors, pinking shears, notions

Obviously, how you break things down would depend upon how you use something, and what you use alot (I use ALOT of glue in my card-making)

It’s the season for bridal and baby showers. If you’re hosting, don’t break the bank and use what you have to create a canvas for your cuisine. I love the cake stands made by Craftynest’s repurposing of vases and plates or platters. Plus, they add height to a full table.

Two weeks ’til Mother’s Day! Consider buying handmade this year.

Bud Vase by Pigeon Toe Ceramics

Peppermint & Tea Tree Foot Therapy Lotion by Willow Moon Soap

Bracelet by alexkeller

Have some free time this weekend? Want to get your hands dirty?

Check out all these fun projects by maya*made….and spend some time outdoors to inspire your next project!

Love this DIY altoids tin turned travel candle by Design Sponge…and if you’re not up for handmade candle-making, an empty tin, would be perfect for carrying jewelry, or hair pins, or…the possibilities are endless!

My friend and I were discussing the challenge of finding fair trade clothing this weekend. Honestly, I rarely buy new clothes, and when I do, it’s usually at the same store. I hadn’t really thought much about fair trade clothing, although I have been trying to buy more fair trade at the grocery store. I only buy fair trade coffee, and have been learning about how my purchases of bananas, sugar, chocolate, and cut flowers affect farmers around the world where perhaps labor laws are not as tight.

Sometimes it can be overwhelming to know how to make a good purchase choice in this complex world. So, I did a little research, spurred on by my weekend conversation.  Not many choices, but these two companies take care of their employees.

Fair Indigo “is committed to finding the best fair trade factories and ensuring that our high quality clothes are produced by workers who are paid and treated fairly.” Cute dresses here.

American Apparel: They say, “It comes down to this: not blindly outsourcing, but rather knowing the faces of our workers and providing them the opportunity to make a fair wage.”

Really, though, the best thing we can do is to live with less, or buy secondhand instead. What do you think?

Celestial Seasonings and Trees for the Future has partnered together to plant trees around the world. Learn about Celestial Seasoning’s sustainability efforts and plant a virtual tree in April, and a they will plant a real tree!

It’s that simple.