We asked our fans to submit photos of their creative projects - either practical or artistic - and offered $10 in The I.D.E.A. Store bucks to the person whose project received the most "likes" by our one-year anniversary on Oct. 1. We received about a dozen entries, and in the end, two of them - both very different spins on doll-related themes - generated so many thumbs up that we awarded TWO prizes. Taking the honors: Jim Rowland (posting an entry for Melissa Mitchell) and Holly Spinner.

Here are the winning entries and descriptions submitted by their creators:

Melissa writes: "The Punch-A-Tune organ toy was an early The I.D.E.A. Store find. Most of the parts, in fact, are from the store inventory (tea strainer "hat"; circuit-board wire "cuffs"; and black, feathery fru fru that covers the backside). The head and arms are from a deconstructed Salvation Army find. Probably a good thing my Mom is no longer with us to see how I've reused her crystal-bead bracelet. The beads are strung on an elastic cord, making it a perfect fit; no adhesives needed!"

Holly writes: "I made a few Halloween costumes that fit American Girl Dolls. This one is a Hershey Kiss. I crocheted the cap, hand stitched and machine stitched the top, and hand made the tutu bottom. All of the materials came from The I.D.E.A. Store. The materials include: brown yarn, brown scrap sheer polyester material, tulle, silver 'fancy' yarn, sew-on snaps. I was even able to use the ribbon that The I.D.E.A Store used to tie the material for purchase! I used the white ribbon for the "kisses" tag and straps on the top!" Holly also noted that two of the costumes were to be featured for sale at her Farmers' Market booth last month.

We hope to feature some of the other über creative entries in upcoming newsletters. We'd love to see some of YOUR creative re-use projects using materials purchased at The I.D.E.A. Store as well. Also, don't forget to share photos of your favorite finds. Post projects and finds on our Facebook  page or send to melissa.mitchell@the-idea-store.org. 

So, whether you want to be the fairest fairy of them all, the creepiest critter on the block, the belle of the ball or the prize-winning creative genius at this year's Halloween party, The I.D.E.A. Store might just be the place to find what you need to get your freak on. Of course, our inventory doesn't typically include traditional, pre-made costumes (though we do sometimes receive donations of masks and other accessories). But those of you with creative bones - in other words, most everyone who shops at The I.D.E.A. Store - will find all sorts of alternative materials needed to make that special Halloween costume or mask for yourself or the kids. Also, check out our constantly changing stock for all the supplies you need to create your own ghoulishly festive décor. We almost always have plenty of fabric, paint, markers, adhesives, decorative paper, poster board, foam, springs, fasteners, wood and assorted do-dads and gee-gaws!

When we need to replace an appliance at our house, we purchase the most energy-efficient one we can afford. The ENERGY STAR program helps us narrow the choices. 

The mission of this nearly 20-year-old federal program is to "help us all save money and protect the environment through energy-efficient products and practices." The presence of the ENERGY STAR logo on products means they meet strict energy efficiency criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Energy. You don't have to compromise on quality or features. 

By purchasing ENERGY-STAR-qualified products, Americans in 2010 saved nearly $18 billion on utility bills and reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of what would be produced by driving 33 million cars.

What types of products are ENERGY STAR eligible? About 40,000 products qualify within several categories, including computers, electronics, appliances, heating and cooling units, lighting and fans, and building products. In fact, entire homes can receive the ENERGY STAR stamp of approval, as new-construction homes and other types of buildings featuring ENERGY STAR products may qualify. A wide range of commercial appliances help businesses save energy and money, too.

Among appliances that qualify are refrigerators, dishwashers, freezers, televisions, dehumidifiers, A/V equipment, battery chargers and cordless phones. Energy-efficient heating and cooling units include air conditioners (both central and room), boilers, vent fans, furnaces, water heaters and heat pumps.  Decorative strings of lights, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent bulbs, light emitting diodes (LEDs), and some lighting fixtures also meet the ENERGY STAR standards.

Building products to seal, insulate, and roof your home, and windows, doors, and skylights will be especially good at helping reduce your power bill as well.

This fall, you may be shopping for a new furnace. Those that have earned the ENERGY STAR logo will be about 15 percent more efficient than other standard furnaces. Depending on the furnace you choose, you may be eligible for a rebate through your energy provider. 

My husband I just purchased a new gas water heater that earned the ENERGY STAR. It cost a bit more up-front, but between the mail-in rebate we can get through AmerenIP and the savings on our Ameren gas bill, we'll come out ahead. Instant rebates are also available through Ameren on ENERGY STAR-qualified products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs. 

As an additional benefit, we help advance energy-conservation research and technology by manufacturers when we buy their energy-efficient products. 

For more information about eligible products and rebate opportunities, visit www.energystar.gov.

What's missing from our fall line-up of 'funshops' and open studios? YOU! Again this month, we're offering you the opportunity to get together with old friends or meet new ones and learn some new tricks. There's still room for you, but you need to register at least 24 hours in advance of each session. Next up: "Book-making with Discards - Sewn Binding," Paper-making with Discards," "Bead-making with Scrap - Paper and Fabric Beads" and "Re-purposed Pieces for New Jewelry Creation."

All funshops are on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. See the website for details or pick up a brochure at the store. You can also sign up online or at the store.

"Deconstruction!" and "Reconstruction!" open studios continue in October, too, on alternating Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon. More info is available here.  

The Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation saw a need in the community to accomplish several things: 1.  Support the arts and arts education, 2.  Support environmental education in our communities, 3. Impact the environment by reducing the rate of waste disposal, 4. create a place for everyone to have access to quality materials and 5. Support itself in light of the difficult economic times.  So donate your discards and shop re-use.  Its about making a difference!

 www.cuSchoolsFoundation.org