Action Pack Extras

Family Apothecary | Eco Home | 8 ways to freshen your home

by kath_red on November 14, 2012

in Action Pack Extras, Home+Decor, Newsletter

Due to computer issues (broken computer, back up damaged), this issue (and a whole lot of other things that I am too depressed about to discuss) has been delayed. I apologise to those waiting for this issue to come out and I could kick myself for a whole big list of things I could have done differently a couple of weeks ago. Lessons I have learned – stop procrastinating – back up computer regularly – use an external hard drive – be in control. Ack! Good things about no computer though – I have had to let go of some anxiety – what I just could not – can not – control – some lessons indeed! So go and back up your work right now … go!

For many weeks now I have been working on the next edition of Action Pack Magazine – this one is for EVERYONE not just for kids, and I know my whipup audience will especially love it. Family Apothecary – 50+ pages of salves, lotions, balms and crafty projects!

  • LAUNCH DAY IS TOMORROW!

Did you know you can make your own air fresheners and deodorisers for your home using all natural ingredients?

1. JARS OF HERBS

Fill jars with fresh herbs, lemon rinds, orange slices, cinnamon sticks etc, top up with water and leave in various spots around the house to gently scent your home.

Have fun experimenting with different combinations: Lavender, rosemary and lemon; orange, star anise and cinnamon; lime and thyme; Pine needles and bay leaves.

2. SIMMERING FRESHENER

Add fresh herbs and spices, (think cloves, cinnamon sticks and orange rind) to a pot of simmering water and let simmer for a couple of hours. Top up with extra water as you need it. {Try some of the combinations from the Jars of herbs above.}

3. BAKING SODA ABSORBER

Place baking soda in an open container in your refrigerators and bathroom to absorb nasty odours.

4. LEMON FRESH

Dissolve 1/2 a cup of baking soda in 2 cups hot water, add the juice of a lemon, and pour into a spritz bottle and use as spray air freshener.

5. THE MATCH TRICK

Light a match for a few moments to soak up bad smelling gases (useful in the toilet) in the air.

6. VANILLA FRESH

Mix a couple of teaspoons of vanilla extract with 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup of baking soda, and use to wipe your fridge, works in the bathroom too!

7. HERBAL CARPET DEODORISER

Sprinkle a cup baking soda mixed lavender essence over your carpets. Leave for half an hour and then vacuum.

8. FRESH SHOES

Deodorise shoes — in a jar mix 1/2 cup of corn starch (corn flour) with 1/2 cup of baking soda, add a few drops of tea tree oil and clove oil. Put the lid on and shake and mix. Add a few teaspoons to smelly shoes at night.

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Family Apothecary

by kath_red on November 1, 2012

in Action Pack Extras, Newsletter

For many weeks now I have been working on the next edition of Action Pack magazine – this one is for EVERYONE not just for kids, and I know my whipup audience will especially love it. Family Apothecary – 50+ pages of salves, lotions, balms and crafty projects!

As a bit of a teaser, while I put the finishing touches on this issue, here is a project extract — How To Make Healing Salves. These are so amazing … you will love these. The pic below links to a downloadable PDF page.

In the magazine I have included quite a few variations and different recipes for this project, plus hundreds — yes there are hundreds — of recipes, tips, variations and ideas for cleaning up your home and health the natural way! It is coming out early next week. Anyone with early requests – let me know!

This Action Pack will be perfect for gift giving this season, it includes quite a few pages of printable labels, perfect for all sorts of things.

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Introducing {Action Pack} Double Trouble Packs

by kath_red on October 7, 2012

in Action Pack Extras

Double Trouble and Mega-Pack Bundles

10% discount coupon: “APBundleINTRO”

 Head on over to our SHOP and grab a bargain

Mega 5-Pack :: Action Bundle

This Action Bundle includes:

  1. Go Tribal issue :: 20+ pages of tribal inspired recipes, crafts, weapons and games.
  2. Sticks & Stones :: 20+ pages of outdoor inspired art, craft, recipes and games.
  3. Mad Scientist :: 20+ pages of science potions and experiments.
  4. Beeswax & Paper :: 20+ pages of origami, beeswax and outdoor projects.
  5. Great Outdoors Mega issue :: 60+ pages of outdoor cooking, games and adventures.


 Double Trouble Pack :: Science

This pack includes:

Double Trouble Pack :: Outdoors

This pack includes:

Double Trouble Pack :: Holidays

This pack includes:

Double Trouble Pack :: Crafty

This pack includes:

  • Seeds & Beads — 20+ pages of beading projects and recipes for the garden
  • Sew & Tea — 20+ pages of sewing projects and recipes related to tea.

Double Trouble Pack :: Cooking

This pack includes:

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Hurrah for women

by kath_red on June 22, 2012

in Action Pack Extras, Newsletter

Lorraine from Ikat Bag sent me a lovely letter this week about the creativity series which I just had to share a snippet of with you all.

I am so, so awed by the guest posts in this series you’ve got on whip up. I mean, really, really awed … All the women you’ve invited to be part of your guest series are such rich personalities — and have such unique stories. Almost all of them relish running off the beaten path and into the great unknown, pioneering new territories … those stories moved me … Hurrah for women (and their men and children that put up with their madness)!

Hurrah for women indeed! To all of you wonderful people, readers, crafters, women (and men too), who go about their daily lives doing wonderful things, taking chances, raising children and living their lives in a meaningful purposeful way. Hurrah for all of you!

Some of the latest posts in this series of creativity: Cultivate an appreciation for the slow mastery of a craft from Katie at foxflat. :: Blair from wise craft gives us a preview of her crafting space and process :: Creativity requires risk and vulnerability from delia creates :: Memories made creating together from the family at Se7en + 1 :: Lara of Ink & Spindle steps outside the rat race :: Chawne from Completely Cauchy explains her creating process as mistakes becoming opportunities.

Action Pack Family cooking 2012 edition is out: Get your copy HERE.

  • In this issue there are 30 recipes – all tested and tasted by kid chefs – Orlando and Otilija.
  • Plus we have included a crafty how-to-sew a chef’s hat as well as a convenient printable recipe card section.
  • As well as this we have a included cooking essentials like how to separate eggs, make bread and butter and lots more besides.
  • Action Pack guide to family cooking is divided up into sections:breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner, bread + butter, and dessert. And each recipe is rated ‘super easy’, ‘easy’, ‘medium’ or ‘bit harder’.
  • Plus there are baking tips, safety advice and a kitchen conversion chart.
Cooking is a great skill to have. If you can be confident in the kitchen, know how to use a knife safely and to be careful around boiling liquids and hot flames, then you are well on your way to becoming an independent and capable person in the kitchen and in life. This Action Pack: Family cooking, will help cooks of all ages to become confident in the kitchen.

Our whole family had such fun making this issue – lots of taste testing and experimenting in the kitchen, lots of yummy weekend lunches! Hope you enjoy and tell your friends!

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10 things to do during school break

by kath_red on April 17, 2012

in Action Pack Extras, Kids Crafts

Are you on Spring break? Autumn school holidays? Yet? We have just started 2 weeks of school break and don’t have any particular plans. Going to just take it one day at a time. 

I printed out a copy of our Action Pack Magazines so that we have them on hand – the kids love to access these and just get creative whenever the mood strikes. It can be annoying for them and me if they have to wait for me to organise their activities for them. Letting them be creatively independent is so freeing for us all!

Here are ten things we will be doing these holidays:

  1. Bake a cake + probably some cookies too :: Download the recipe to make the Lavender and Lime Poppyseed Cake recipe. {From issue 2 of Action Pack magazine for kids}
  2. Go for a long family bike ride and picnic.
  3. Visit the Art Gallery or maybe the museum.
  4. Do a science experiment together :: Download the instructions to make a teabag rocket. {From issue 3 of the Action Pack. – or grab a copy of the Science edition of Action Pack}
  5. Get the craft box out and make something with recycled materials.
  6. Go to the park and play a game of soccer.
  7. Use the sidewalk chalk to draw on the pavement and play some sidewalk games. {Great chalk ideas in the Chalk + Cheese edition of Action Pack}
  8. Go for a walk in the mountains and make some ephemeral art {some great ideas in the Sticks + Stones edition of Action Pack}
  9. Make some origami boats and sail them in a stream ::  Download instructions to make a wax coated origami boat. {From issue 1 of the Action Pack}.
  10. Getting into the garden and doing some planting and pruning. {Some great ideas in the Seeds + Beads edition of Action Pack}

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For more kids craft, creative ideas and activities go to the Action Pack website

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