Dumpster pool [Recyclart]

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]

If your impression of second-hand things is dull and dowdy, take a look at these vintage finds from Etsy.

From left-right and top-bottom: vintage ANDREA PFISTER suede clutch; VTG 80’s ITALIAN Teal leather SNAKE SKIN Avant Garde OTK Over Knee Boots 6.5; Authentic military uniform, with all the bells, pins and whistles; The Anita Pallenberg Cape; Vintage 70s 80s Oversized SLOUCHY Sweater Cardigan S M; Dropwaist Velvet one shoulder Dress with Fortuny Mary McFadden Style Pleated Skirt; 80s LANVIN One Shoulder Art Print Maxi Dress; Chunky Cable Knit Cardigan with Wood Buttons, sz. L; Captain Jack vintage lightweight coat

Here’s  a head’s up on a new, exciting opportunity from the Sierra Club that could just be The Best Internship on Earth. One lucky young person will get to spend this summer travelling around the US to Sierra Club’s outdoor youth programs, including Inner City Outings, Volunteer Vacations, and Building Bridges to the Outdoors.  The intern will video-blog about all of the outdoor adventures that he or she will have (backpacking, rafting, hiking, etc).   As the cherry on top, the selected intern will receive a $2,500 stipend and be outfitted with $2,000 worth of gear from The North Face and Planet Explore!

No previous outdoor or video experience is required. Applicants just have to be between the ages of 18 and 25 and have a real passion for exploring, enjoying, and protecting the outdoors.  The internship is open to U.S. Citizens, permanent residents, legal residents with a valid work permit, or holders of a valid work visa.

More application info here.

The rest of them are here.

chandeliers [artwork by marin camille]
Recycled works by Marin Hood [Recyclart]

The designs are silk screened with water-based inks onto 100% recycled cotton tote bags by Eco-Bags.

This will probably be my last Carnival of the Green post, because I’m moving away from blogging to explore other creative pursuits. So, all nostalgic, I was looking back through EcoStreet’s archives at Carnival of the Green #13 that we hosted back in February 2006. It seems so long ago, and yet the Carnival of the Green is still going strong.

Last week it was hosted by the lovely Jeffrey over at The Fun Times Guide to Living Green, and next week you’ll find it at Project Earth.

At home
While it doesn’t seem like a green post at first, Case Ernsting writes about Modernizing the Home Office, wanting us to keep one phrase in mind when redesigning : Simple. Modern designs focus on simplifying interior designs and staying natural and using eco-friendly materials are included his strategy.
For a round up of eco-gadgets and energy saving in the home, check out Ethical Superstore.
When Brenda Pike ended up with a broken thermometer and mercury all over the place, she turned to the EPA for advice on how to clean it up safely. Here’s how.
We know plastic bags are not so great for the environment. But did you know the plastic clips on bread bags can actually be lethal? Here’s a way to keep bread fresh without any plastic at all. Fake Plastic Fish gives us Bread: Buy it, store it, keep it fresh without plastic.

At the shops
Ethical Superstore challenges Fair Trade fatigue and reminds us not to give up the Fair Trade fight, just in time for Fairtrade Fortnight.

At school
Associate Degree looks at 50 Big Ways that Schools Are Going Green in the US, despite budget cuts.
Angela Martin presents Teaching Green: 100 Tips, Tools & Resources for Every Kind of Classroom.

In the garden
Natural Health Ezine takes a look at some great tips for growing your own blueberries this year..
Jess Lundie writes about Seed Saving, Garden Planning and Stupid Questions at Openly Balanced.

In the wild
The recovery plan for the endangered Santa Cruz Fox has been a success, with the fastest recovery of any endangered animal in the U.S. Read about it on http://sallykneidel.com.

Out there
Vihar Sheth discusses Planting Our Seed across the known universe.

Bye for now, folks! And may the green be with you.

During the recent UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen our world leaders failed to agree on a climate deal. But we all know it’s not only up to them and there are plenty of things that we mere mortals can do to make an impact on climate change. As consumers, we need to take responsibilility for our own actions. Here’s one way to do something – do 30!

The ‘I do 30′ campaign encourages people across the world to turn down the temperature on their laundry to reduce co2.

Visit their website to find out more about the campaign and become a member of their Facebook group to join the other 12,000 supporters of the ‘I do 30′ campaign to see what positive impact you can have on our planet.

It’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the right time of year to cook up a brew of solar tea. Remember, your kettle is one of the biggest energy vampire gadgets you’ve probably got, so change the way you make your tea this summer? You’ve heard of slow food, this is slow tea.

Step 1: You’ll need a big jar or wide mouthed bottle.

Step 2: You can make teas with all sorts of herbs, whatever you have on hand. I used 4 rooibos teabags and 2 springs of fresh mint. Bung them into the jar and fill with cool filtered or tap water.

Step 3: Place the jar in full sun and leave for as many hours as you can wait.

Step 4: Strain and drink warm, or chill for iced tea. Sweeten with honey if desired.

mini Christmas tree

Make miniature Christmas trees from a few twigs, or make a bigger tree with thicker branches and a threaded rod on a base, that you can decorate like a traditional Christmas tree with garlands and balls. Make recycled stars and baubles for your tree too.

mini Christmas tree [esprit cabane]

wintry stars

In the past, glass bottle bases were recycled to make tiles. Today, we can recycle the bottoms of plastic water, juice or olive oil bottles into twinkling stars with just a pair of scissors.

These transparent Christmas stars reflect light from every direction and make beautiful beaded garlands or hanging decorations suspended from a bit of wire.

wintry stars [esprit cabane]

creative Christmas balls

Make these fun balls yourself out of aluminium cans. They’re perfect for decorating your home-made tree with, or any other tree for that matter.

creative Christmas balls [esprit cabane]