Welcome to so sew Sunday (the first of an occasional new sewing feature on Birdz of a Feather)! Comfy lounging is a priority to me no matter what time of year. As soon as my work day ends, I can’t wait to put on the most comfortable clothing so I can chillax for the remainder of the day! Continue reading
We ran into a problem with our kitchen design when we couldn’t fit two pantries along the fridge wall. Due to traffic flow issues, there was no choice but to change the plan. From this angle it looks great! Continue reading
If you were a Boy Scout or Girl Scout growing up, you’re likely familiar with the motto ‘Be Prepared’. My own motto is Keep Calm and Carry the Kit! Today’s post is about being calm and ready – in more ways than one! Continue reading
I have to say that hypertufa planter chairs are my all time favourite DIY upcycle project for the garden! What could be better than a ‘seat cushion’ made of succulents? Continue reading
‘Tis the season for weddings – and upcycled wedding decor! If you are about to wed – or know someone who is – today’s post will give you some creative ideas on how to DIY your own decor for your special day. Continue reading
Resanding with Polymeric sand marks the end of an era at Birdz of a Feather. All good things must come to an end; nothing lasts forever. Today that sentiment is twofold: we’ve updated our logo and are replacing the polymeric sand in our front walkway! Continue reading
Add unique style around your yard and in your home with these 10 outside the box planter ideas! Continue reading
My niece Melissa, aka Knotty Momma Woodworking, has apparently caught the upcycle bug (not unlike her aunt and uncle!!). One day while scanning the online market on her phone, she found a listing for the upper portion of old hutch for only $30! Continue reading
An oak swivel chair has always been on my wishlist. I admired the solid construction of vintage chairs because they don’t build ’em like they used to! Every time we go to an antique market, I’d always point them out to Hubs. He knew I wanted one, so I was pleasantly surprised when Hubs showed up one day with one in-hand! Continue reading
When we built the mancave and craft studio in the basement, double door access was a must have so we could easily move my industrial equipment into the space. We used a sliding door kit elsewhere in the house and were so happy with the result that it was a no-brainer to install a similar system in our basement. This time, we chose to do pocket doors since we were dealing with new construction. Continue reading
Pond maintenance is par for the course if you want to enjoy an urban oasis. Are ponds high maintenance? Yup; but there’s a secret to keeping algae at bay if you continue to read. That will help keep maintenance during the season to a minimum.
Opening up the pond for the season is a dirty job. But somebody has to do it – and thankfully, it’s not me! I’m happy to take my place behind the camera to help show you how it’s done 🙂 Continue reading
If you’re anything like us, you try to complete your inside renos during the winter months so you can enjoy the great outdoors once the good weather arrives. We just finished an accessible bathroom renovation for my Mom, so in this tutorial we’re showing you how to turn an unwanted bathroom light fixture into a planter for the garden. Continue reading
When you’re home & garden DIY’ers that repurpose and upcycle as much as we do – whether it’s a reno or craft project – it only makes sense that we would endeavour to do the same when it comes to our tools! A DIY quilling tool is an easy upcycle that’s within reach! Continue reading
I’ve been spending some long overdue quality time with Hubs this holiday season, so this post comes a day late for our 2018 round up. Looking back on our projects of 2018 has made me realize how much I’ve turned into my mother’s daughter. It’s a strange thing to think all your life that you’re nothing like your mother then suddenly come to the realization that you have more in common than you ever thought. Continue reading
A few years ago, we replaced all our kitchen appliances with Energy Star appliances and are reaping the benefits of energy savings. However, we still have a set of washing machines that my grandmother purchased for me over 20 years ago when I was still single. Given the sentimental value, and the fact that they’re still going strong, I don’t have the heart to replace them. Unfortunately that makes sustainable savings in the laundry room a challenge. They are energy guzzlers; my 1990s electric clothes dryer, for instance, use at least 17 percent more energy than those produced today. Continue reading
If you’re looking for a last minute, but fun and easy, ornament to do with the kids, look no further than this paper holiday ornament from Instructables. I used their blank template and our Birdz of a Feather logo to create this polyhedral paper craft ornament. You need nothing more than a printer, some paper, a piece of string or ribbon and craft glue to make your own.
As you saw in Part I of Waste Not Want Not, in trying to live a more a sustainable lifestyle, it’s important to us to reduce food waste. In Part II, we’re taking it another step further. Along with reducing food waste, we’re reducing water and excess packaging waste to reduce our environmental impact.
In this first part of a 2-part series, we’re showing you how we’re getting meal planning and inventory tracking organized in order to save money. Have you noticed how the price of food is skyrocketing? Now, more than ever, it’s important to reduce our food waste to keep our food budget in check. Afterall, if you’re saving money by reducing food waste, you can ride out price increases!
By the way, there’s a free printable meal planner further ahead to help you with your own food waste management goals!
