We're all about adding splashes of greenery to small spaces around here, and whether you have a big back yard, a tiny porch, or just a windowsill to work with, container gardening can help you do just that.

The kind folks at Timber Press sent me a copy of Fern Richardson's new book, Small Space Container Gardens, and I have got to tell you, I am in love! The book is all about how to plan, plant, and maintain beautiful container gardens, and she does an great job of demystifying some of the trickier parts of gardening.

Richardson talks you through planning your garden from choosing the right plants for your climate to how to arrange them in their containers and deck out your container garden's space. What really struck me about the book is that so many of her tips are useful for even a back yard gardener. When I read the chapter on using plants to create privacy walls, I ran out back to my husband to show him Richardson's suggestions. Sure, potted bamboo is a great way to get privacy on your patio, but it also just might be the eco-friendly solution for covering up our ugly chain link without the disruption or footprint of putting in a wood privacy fence.

I loved the common sense ways that she talks about choosing your plants and the breathtaking photos of small space container gardens from all over the world. Her ideas are inspiring, and the photos make you want to run to the nearest garden center immediately.

She also includes crafty ways to create containers and accent pieces for your garden, often using reclaimed materials. Even the ones that don't specifically call for reclaimed materials are ripe for upcycling. She offers some ways to make cheap garden center pots super cute, but you could also use her stenciling and painting techniques on containers you find at the thrift store or even ones you already have in your stash.

Whether you're planning a small container garden or want to beautify your backyard, this book is full of helpful tips for beginning gardeners.

Are you guys familiar with Natalie Chanin? She's an indie designer and author of several gorgeous crafting books. Her books and her business, Alabama Chanin, focuses on what she calls "slow design." Slow design is all about creating well-made clothing from sustainable, organic fabrics, and her garments feature gorgeous, hand-sewn embroidery and applique. She also does most (possibly all?) of her sewing by hand.

Chanin's focus on durable, heirloom pieces from organic fabrics is right in line with what we're about, so when the publishers offered me a review copy of her new book, I jumped at the chance! This book, like all of her others, is absolutely freaking gorgeous. She lets you in on her techniques and thought processes with clear tutorials, beautiful photos, and helpful diagrams.

The book talks about the materials and tools you need to create beautiful pieces out of fabric, then gets into some of Chanin's signature techniques, like stencils and embroidery and even walks you through making some basic garments.

I know this makes me a total sewing nerd, but my favorite part of this book was Chapter 3 - Basic Stitches. Even if you think you're a hand-sewing champ, I bet you'll pick up a few handy tips to make your stitch work stronger and more professional-looking.

I highly recommend Alabama Studio Sewing + Design whether you're a beginning seamster or have years of experience with sewing. The book is full of knowledge and inspiration for a crafter at any sewing level.

Thanks to everyone who entered our giveaway for a copy of Wine to Water! We used a random number generator to choose a winner, and the winner is....

Bonnie who's awesome water-saving tip was:

If it’s brown flush it down. If it’s yellow, let it mellow.

We'll get in touch with you ASAP, so that you can claim your prize!

Doc Hendley was more into drinking beers than in water security, but an evening of Googling changed his life.

We talk quite a bit about water conservation here at Green Upgrader, but what we don't talk about as much is the fact that in many developing countries access to clean water is not a given. Wine to Water tells the story of one fellow who's helping increase access to clean water in areas where that vital resource is scarce.

What really struck me about this book is that Hendley doesn't hesitate for a moment. Before learning about the world water crisis, he was content to coast through college, partying in the evenings and doing the minimum to get by, but when he found a cause that he was passionate about, he pretty much leapt into action. I really look up to folks who skip the deliberating and complaining and just do.

The book was a great read, and it takes you through Hendley's journey from a college student in Raleigh, North Carolina to founding and running Wine to Water. The publishers of Wine to Water were kind enough to offer up a copy of the book to one lucky Green Upgrader reader! Here's how you can enter:

• Share your favorite way to conserve water at home.
• Follow Wine to Water on Twitter, and let us know with a comment on this post.
• Follow Green Upgrader on Twitter, and let us know with a comment on this post.
• Follow Green Upgrader on Facebook, and let us know with a comment on this post.

For each thing you do, you can get an extra "name in the hat." Just make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do, so that we can count all of your entries. We'll announce the winner on Monday the 23rd. That's in just a few days, so hurry up and enter!

They do ask that we choose a winner in the U.S. or Canada only and that the address not be a PO Box.

Paper craft can be a great way to give old paper products a brand new life, and what better way to get some inspiration than from beautiful craft books?

The fine folks at STC Craft were kind enough to let me check out a couple of their newest paper craft books: Modern Paper Crafts and The Repurposed Library. They also shared a pdf project from each book with us, that you guys are welcome to snag and use to your hearts' content!

Modern Paper Crafts

This book doesn't specifically focus on eco-friendly paper craft projects, but with a little bit of creativity, you can green up most of the projects inside. Here are a few tips:

• Try using junk mail and old books and magazines in place of the origami and decorative paper that they call for.
• Instead of card stock, cut a piece to size from an old cereal or beer box.
• Opt for eco-friendly glue, like EcoGlue, where you can.

What I really dug about Modern Paper Crafts is that not only do they provide beautifully illustrated projects, but each section focuses on teaching you a useful paper craft technique. The project they've shared from this book is a tutorial to make your own treat boxes.

The Repurposed Library

Now this is a craft book that's right up our alley here at Green Upgrader! The Repurposed Library features 33 craft projects that you can make with old books. You can raid your own bookshelf or hit the thriftstore for materials. Just take care when you select your book for crafting. You don't want to start cutting and gluing something that's valuable!

The project they shared from The Repurposed Library should appeal to you seamsters out there! They show you how to turn an old book into a brand new sewing box for organizing all of your sewing supplies!

They've also got a gorgeous trailer for this paper craft book. Check it:

Have you guys spotted any cool paper craft books lately? I'd love to hear your faves in the comments!

Why Should I Recycle? By Jen Green

An author named Jen Green has made it easy (and super affordable at $6.99 each on Amazon) to teach our kids how to go green. She has a series of books, "Why Should I...?" illustrated by Mike Gordon helping to answer those non-stop questions that kids always ask. These books not only say how we should go green but really help to explain to kids in an easy to understand way why we should. These books are aimed at 4-8 year olds but I think the age range could be stretched a little either way. My nearly three year old would definitely love these books and they may even help to answer some of those persistent questions! These books are definitely going on her birthday wish list.

The four books included in this "Why Should I" series are: Why should I recycle?, Why should I protect nature?, Why should I save water? and Why should I save energy?. Each book shows what would happen if we didn't recycle, save nature, save water and save energy. The illustrations show overflowing garbage dumps, litter, broken branches in the forest, what the world would be like without trees or birds, without water or power. They manage to illustrate these situations while not creating nightmares in kids or making them feel overwhelmed. Instead, the illustrations explain in detail why these this need to be preserved and protected.

Why Should I Protect Nature? By Jen Green

Kids are always full of questions of why, what and how. These questions often revolve around what the parents are doing themselves or what they see in the world around them. As the world, I hope, is slowly becoming greener, kids are beginning to ask more and more questions surrounding the issues of sustainability and environmental awareness. These books will help parents to answer some of these questions.

Why Should I Save Energy? By Jen Green

The stories contained in these books are short and entertaining. There is even a parent/teacher page at the back to help you speak to your child further regarding environmental issues and using these books in the most effective ways.

Both reading and role modeling are two of the most important things that a parent needs to do with their child. These books will stimulate both areas of growth and provide a way for you to teach your child your green ways.

It's getting chilly in New England! What is better than curling up with a blanket, mug of hot chocolate and a good book. This winter I'm going to be buckling down and re-reading some of my favorite "green books", and picking out some new ones to expand my horizons. Feel free to add to the list.

For full disclosure, I have a bit of a problem. I'm addicted to books. After I determined that books were comprising the majority of my discretionary spending (and the majority of space in my bedroom...5 full bookshelves), I decided to shift to a more sustainable method of reading: taking full advantage of my local library. It was here that I came across a bit of a problem- how do I find what to read? And so, working with my local librarians (it required a quick conversation and a list), I devised a quick project to organize all of my favorite books in one place.

For a Quick Project in your own town, take a little bit of initiative and head to your local library:

Green Books: Consider creating a Green Corner in your library. With a little help from the librarians, organize a shelf with all of the environmentally themed books in the library in one place. Make a challenge checklist of green reading and encourage all library members to participate over the winter. (In many cases this just requires a little bit of initiative. Most libraries already are looking to highlight sustainability).

Some of my absolute favorites include: 'Natural Capitalism' by Paul Hawken, 'Biomimicry' by Janine Beynus, 'Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson, 'Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things' by William McDonough, 'Green to Gold' by Daniel Esty and Andrew Winston, 'Animal, Vegetable, Miracle' by Barbara Kingsolver, 'The Omnivore's dilemma' by Michael Pollan, 'The Green Collar Economy' by Van Jones, and really anything by Bill McKibben.