I just came across this a site that had this Thomas Edison quote on it -

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."

Struck a chord with me, I guess!

I like this quote from him as well ...

"If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.... "

On the other hand, I had a friend who had a t-shirt that looked like an old 50's cartoon, and it was a women with a slightly shocked look on her face, saying "Oh no, I left the baby on the bus ... again!"

If you have kids, it's really funny ...  

RE: recycling the spiral binding - if it's metal/wire, you could use them as hangers for rustic style Christmas ornaments, instead of thread, string, fishing line, etc. I have a cute wooden ornament that is a snowman, and it hangs from a curly wire that is supposed to be the connection between his two earmuffs!

Marisa - cool idea! 2 things I think of off the top of my head .... (and yes, it's called a jelly roll pan - it's like a cookie sheet with slightly higher sides) ... line whatever you are using with either waxed paper, parchment paper or foil (the foil could actually add a cool texture to the design!) and second, think about how you want to hang it before it cools, so you could make some sort of holes in it while it is still slightly soft.

Along that idea, you would probably use cookie cutters as molds, poke holes in them, and make some sort of sun catchers out of them.

MissRoo, thanks for that link, that looks too cool! I think this is a definite good kid project too (other than the ironing part of course!) - just think, you could do different colors and shapes for different holidays - Easter eggs, Red, White and Blue stars, leaves, - such possibilities!

I think the origami idea is great - I also received a pair of earrings in a box made from an old greeting card - if the calendar is a decent weight stock, I bet you could do that. Also, Megan has a great idea here for old calendars, magazines, etc.
http://megan.scatterbrain.org/notmartha/tomake/marblemagnets.html       for magnets - I can't wait to do this!

Tealights, hmmmm ... have to think on that one! I've let my kids use them to cut out playdough shapes, but other than that ...

UPDATE - same idea, slightly different direction - looks great!

http://www.craftster.org/yabbse/index.php?board=14;action=display;threadid=46

With my kids, we've recycled the crayons - either in regular or mini muffin tins, break up the crayons and put them in the tins (use liners, of course!). I preheat the oven to 350, then put the crayons in, and shut the oven off. Should melt in 10-15 - if not, put the oven on low (250 or so) just for 3 minutes or so. The kids get fun new shapes in crazy colors. I'm thinking of trying to do something like this but with candy molds in heart shapes and maybe a hot bath for Valentines Day favors for school!I'm thinking maybe a waterbath in the turned off oven ... hmmm, I'll let you know!

If you're looking for a good degreaser that's not super toxic, try Citra-solve. I think it might be made by the same people who made Citra-strip. I know our local bike shop uses this. It works good and smells good too!

Has anybody ever gone to the Ribbon Factory Warehouse on 7th Street in Paterson? I think they usually have a big sale on the MLK Jr. holiday weekend, and was wondering if it was worth the trip. Thanks!!!

There's also some great bead stores right around that area as well!!

You might want to try ebay as well.

Hi soclosetostars -

Here's a few - I live in near northern Passaic/Bergen county, so these might be a little far for you, but if you make a day of it, you could hit a few.

Treasures - run by SOS (Save our Sisters shelter)
196 Lincoln Ave, West Milford, NJ

Treasures II - also run by SOS
90 West Oakland Ave, Oakland, NJ

Second Mile Shop of Midvale United Methodist Church
490 Ringwood Ave
Wanaque, NJ
They have very limited hours, so you might want to call them ahead of time.

Chilton Hospital Auxiliary
38 Hamburg Tpke.
Riverdale, NJ

I know of 2 in Montclair - haven't been that way in a while, so not sure if they are still there.

St. Lukes 2nd time Around
73 South Fullerton
Montclair

Center for Hospice Care Thrift Shop
51 North Fullerton
Montclair

The Salvation Army is still in Pompton Lakes, sometimes good stuff, sometimes not. I've been finding I have more luck at garage sales lately - though not many of those this time of year!

Good luck!