Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts

Saturday, 23 June 2018

Seedballs 101

Hey guys!!
So today's post is inspired by a video I came across while surfing on the net. So the video talked about the massive amount of trees cut down daily, and that they had finally come up with the perfect solution - seed balls.

WHY??
Let's take a second to realize, that even though we are all aware about deforestation - effects, causes, downside, everything, and YET we continue to do absolutely, clearly, nothing! Even if we wanted to.πŸ˜‘
However, the solution has come.
Related image
Seed Balls

 WHAT??
Seed balls are basically seeds contained in a ball of clay/fertilizer (not  modelling or polymer clay thoughπŸ˜…).They are also known as Seed bombs.    They can just be thrown around in a deserted area, the clay or fertilizer will  provide nutrition and the seed will grow.


 SOME CONCERNS
 So, even though the seed balls are an awesome idea, I do have some genuine   concerns. 
  1. If too many seed balls cram up in one place, they will not be able to grow properly, or even at all!πŸ˜• So, if you are planning on planting these balls, remember not to throw them all at one place.
  2.  So even though this seems like a glamorous idea, the plant will require water to grow, so if you are planning to make and plant these in the next few days, this is definitely the time because once monsoon kicks in, the watering problem is probably solved! However, if you are making this at a time when monsoon is not near, I suggest you plant these at a place through which you pass by daily. This could be on the way to your school, bus stop, office, or playground.
Image result for seedballs

HOW??
These are extremely easy to make, and require only a few materials.
For this, you will need ~
  • Some water 
  • Some soil
  • Fertilizer/clay
  • Seeds - you can use any seeds. You can buy them or eat some fruit and then use the seeds. I will be using cherry seeds. 

Start by mixing together the soil and fertilizer in equal quantity, or you can also purchase fertile soil. Add a little bit of water so that it becomes dough-like.If it becomes to muddy,add some soil and if it is too dry, add water. Once your dough is in the right consistency, start forming little balls of it.These should be about the size of a coin.Poke a hole in the ball with a finger, put the seed in the centre and cover the hole with more soil. Once all your balls are made, leave them to dry outside for about a day, and you are done!!
Image result for cherry seeds
FUN WITH SEED BALLS
Seed bomb making is a really fun activity to do together as a family, or just in a group of friends.There is fun in every step - start by eating some fruits together, then make these balls, and then go out and throw them out like confetti, because who doesn't like confetti?🎊🎊A fun way to disperse these would be using a slingshot. Seedballs also act as a great gift, return gift, or party favor.

ALTERNATIVES
If you're looking for something else, you can also try making Seed tape or Seed paper, thogh that requires more effort.If you want a tutorial on making Seed tape, then comment down below.

WHY NOT??
Exactly, why not?? While farming requires a lot of work- tilling the soil, sowing seeds, watering, weeding, harvesting and all, seed balls are a much better alternative, where you just have to throw the balls and water them!! Somebody who doesn't know about deforestation and global warming has definitely been living under a rock...😁 Seed balls are so much fun to make, and don't we need to do our bit for the Earth that gives us so much?

 GO GREEN BEFORE GREEN GOES



Image result for sapling growing in hand

Wednesday, 18 October 2017

4 Fun Ways to celebrate an Eco-Diwali this year

4 Ways to a fun Eco-Diwali


Hey guys! With Diwali tomorrow, I am sure you all share my excitement. Diwali is by far my favourite festival, and so it was for many more people, until a few years ago. But now, it is not; all because of the noise and pollution created by the crackers burnt. The smoke released is harmful for our lungs and is an invitation to diseases such as Asthma. The old and elderly, along with the patients suffering from various diseases also get affected by the high intensity of noise.

And in who's name are we doing this? Culture? Diwali? Our religion never taught us to harm not only our fellow living beings, but us ourselves, in the name of 'celebration' and 'joy', and as for Diwali, it was just celebrated to welcome back Lord Rama and Sita back to Ayodhya after spending 14 years in the forest. Now, we have turned it into a nightmare. This Diwali, I encourage all the readers of this post to celebrate Diwali in its true spirit, to burn out the bad thoughts, not crackers.

Here is a list of a few ways how you can celebrate an Eco- friendly Diwali this year:

1. Go traditional on rangolis this year

Skip the artificial colours this year and opt instead for organic materials like pulses, leaves, flowers, twigs, pebbles, and even seashells. This will also give you an opportunity to go to a local park or garden, exploring and collecting different things.

2. Try balloon crackers

Is the 'pop' sound and glittery sparkles all you burn crackers for, then, this one is for you.

Take a balloon and fill it with glitter or confetti using a funnel. Now fill the balloon with air. Tie a knot and you are ready!Pop these balloons for a glittery surprise!

You can also fill larger balloons with toffees and candies and gift them to small kids or even adults with a sweet tooth and they will be sure to love this.

3.Pop air packets

If you have been shopping online from sites such as Amazon and Flipkart, you probably know what I am talking about. Take the air packets, which are just a larger version of bubble wrap that come with the packages delivered to you to protect the item you purchased. You can jump on these to pop them and even involve small kids who would totally love the idea of these air crackers.

4. DIY things

Not only will this keep you occupied (And for a good reason), but this will also help save money. Instead of spending a fortune on decorative diyas, torans/bandhanwars, and other such items, try making them yourself this year.

Buy plain diyas and paint them to jazz 'em up. You can also recycle old things and DIY your way to amazing knick-knacks. For example, use your old bangles to make a tealight holder. Stack them one on top of the other making creative patterns, and stick them together using super glue or a hot glue gun.

Use old CDs for their rainbow shine and stick beautiful stones or pearls on them. Hang or stick them outside and admire the beautiful reflection they give of the shining diwali lights. You can also give it a go at making your own confetti by cutting shiny wrapping paper or just plain colourful ones into small bits. If you want to go totally Eco-friendly, try using recycled paper for this.

This is just the tip of the iceberg and you can have limitless fun without resorting to sound and environmental pollution. You can try packing or making your own gifts. You can also search online for more such craft ideas or use your own imagination. I hope you have a blast celebrating eco-Diwali this year!

Here is a challenge...convince five people to celebrate eco-Diwali with you this year and you will be doing noble work on a pious occasion this year. Please do share your ideas on fun ways to celebrate eco- diwali in the comments section below.


HAPPY DIWALI !!!!!



Wednesday, 4 January 2017

How to make New Year Resolutions


New Year resolutions……well, not an easy list to make when it’s the end of a year and a beginning of one while you’re so excited. But hey, worry not because I’m here to help you. 

Here is how you can make your New Year resolutions easily

MAKE A RESOLUTION THAT YOU WILL ACTUALLY FOLLOW AND MAKE IT EASY

Many times you make tough resolutions and leave it like that. End of story. Each time you go through your list, you think it is hard to do so you just leave it alone and at last, it does not get accomplished. So, in order to prevent that, have a short, sweet and simple resolution

DO NOT RUSH FOR TOO MANY

Don’t rush for 20 not-so-good resolutions when 4-5 resolutions will do, just as long as you follow them ; )

MAKE A CREATIVE ONE THAT YOU HAVE A KNACK FOR

Just ask yourself, ‘You can make thousands of resolutions, but will you have the same spirit and energy level for each one?’ Didn’t understand? Let me give you an example-
If you look through your list, and see one resolution, you leave it for another time looking for a more interesting resolution, but no, you should have a resolution that at the moment you look at it, you jump off your seat and think, ‘this seems interesting, let’s do it right away. ‘

 DON’T AIM FOR BIG RESOLUTIONS

It isn’t a necessity to make a resolution that will have an impact on your whole life,

Even a small resolution like, do so and so craft , or visit so and so place, should be more than enough.


SOME IDEAS

Lastly, here are some ideas for New Year resolutions that you can follow:
  • Go Eco-friendly and use only paper or cloth bags
  • Make DIY pom – poms
  • Keep a personal journal or diary
  • Visit _______ (your dream destination here)
  • Pick up a hobby
  • Do yoga / exercise
  • Lose weight
  • Read more books
  • Join any workshop / summer camp / classes
  • Make a bucket list and tick something off




Thanks for reading my post. I will be back soon. Until then, HAPPY NEW YEAR and happy resolutions :-)