Ideas for Using Leftover Easter Candy

After receiving a plethora of Easter candy from relatives, neighbors, friends, and the Easter Bunny, it’s easy to understand how one might wish to never see a jelly bean, Peep™, or chocolate again. You may be even thinking of tossing those plastic eggs.

Yet, think re-use instead of heading to the garbage can. Most of the candy is freeze-able, even Peeps™. Save your bounty of goodies/plastic eggs for recipes, craft projects, and more. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Re-using Chocolate

Re-using Malt Balls, M & M’s,™ and Reese’s Pieces™

Re-using Plastic Eggs

Re-using Peeps™

Don’t forget those little candies and jelly beans can also come in handy the next time you’re make gingerbread houses. Do you have an idea you’d like to share on re-using your holiday bounty? We’d love to hear it!

Single Christmas Light Hack

Don't throw your light strand away if part of it is broken. Save some of the lights for single use. Image courtesy of Education.com

Don’t throw your light strand away if part of it is broken. Save some of the lights for single use. Image courtesy of Education.com

A quick and easy tip for those struggling to get every pumpkin lit. Education.com offers a tutorial on how to turn one light bulb from a broken strand into a battery-operated one for a prop. I’m gonna have to try this. If you do before I get the chance, shoot me an email and maybe a pic of how you used a single light. Thanks!

Repurpose Holiday Decorations

From Halloween to Christmas

I often make at least one new large Halloween prop a year. But there is often a sadness that occurs when I place my artistic endeavors in storage; especially since many times it had taken weeks to create.

This was the case a few years ago with my 16 foot pirate ship made from wood pallets. The week after Halloween passed I didn’t have the heart to tear it down.  So I turned it into a Santa ship and took Davy Jones away. I filled the ship with an enormous bag of toys with Santa at the wheel.

Seeing Props in a Different Light Continue reading

Using Old Books for Seasonal Props

No Need for a Pumpkin Patch

Another cool project to make out of recycling books. Photo courtesy of Jean Knox at Instructables.

When I ran across a photo of a pumpkin made from a book at My Sublime Blog without a tutorial, I knew I had to take the time to track it down.

I found the directions at Creations by Kara and one even more in-depth at Crafting Mom. The photo which compelled me to begin the search can be found on the post Awesome DIY Projects I Can’t Wait to Try.

While searching, I also ran across some other great ideas for recycling books such as making a wreath out of old sheet music books or phone books.

At Studenthacks.org they show ten great ways to repurpose old books into things such as lampshades, iPod cases, and tell you where to trade them or give them away.

It is suggested that before you begin to cut up or give away that old book, you might want to check the value of it at Bookfinder.com.