◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 6

Several years ago I saw some crafts in a museum store that seemed to be made from recycled paper.  I have wanted to make something similar ever since.

This is the result:  a trivet.

I tore out pages of an old fashion magazine and folded them until they were slender strips.  Winding over itself and securing with hot glue.  Adding the next piece.  Glue.  Until the circle grew large “enough”.  Then I cut out a bit of felt from my stash and glued that to the bottom.  Rimmed the edge with some ribbon.

And voila!  One less magazine in the recycle bin.  One less product bought.

I paired it with some bamboo cooking spoons and wrapped it in a kitchen cloth.  One fabulous birthday gift for a dear friend!

Green pledge cards formed "Earth"

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 9

Our Elementary School has been recognized as a “Green School” by our state.  So Earth Day is a big deal.  We have undertaken many projects in and around the grounds to help conserve energy and preserve the environment.  There was an “ampitheatre” installed on the hill to keep the ground from eroding.  There have been trees and bushes planted.  The electricity usage has been cut by changing out light bulbs and turning off lights and computers when not in use.  There are recycling bins for paper throughout the school and for bottles, cans, and containers in the cafeteria.  There has been a switch to compostable paper products for PTA events and annual stream clean-ups nearby.

Today Kate’s class presented a play: “The Great Kapok Tree”.  She was a narrator.  The students also shared pledges of ways they could help the Earth at home with their families.  Some students read recycling essays and  played music too!  “This Land is Your Land”

The end of the year brings, for most, a time of reflection and goal setting.

I hate that.

I guess it’s because I am a rebel at heart and don’t want to conform to what everyone else is doing…  I also don’t do well with keeping New Year’s resolutions and therefore see no point in making them!  And, for the record, I HAVE reflected and set goals this year.  Remember this post?

It felt good to do it then and it feels good now since I am freed to focus on doing them now.  I have a sense of success to start the new year  because accomplishing this list has begun.

One of the goals is to create everyday.  It is becoming easy since I learned to knit.  I constantly have a project going.  For Christmas I ended up knitting 3 scarves, 4 hats, and about 15 washcloths.  I also made several other gifts including my first batch of soap!  I kept only one bar for myself, it’s great, and I look forward to making more.  I also made a set of dinner napkins and printed some photos for dollar frames.  I wrapped many of the gifts in sheet music (from a book Rich had tossed to out recycle) and ribbons rescued from the thrift store.   Creatively using what I had and making what I could.  Very gratifying.

Here’s to all of you who are setting goals.  I hope your time of self reflection is productive and excites you into 2010!

What do you do when the November cold and rain is IN your house because of this?

And This:

You do this:

Bake sweet potatoes

and cranberry bread

and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving!

The end result is a much more energy efficient house this winter AND a tax credit!

I am Thankful for new windows.

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 7

For some reason this year, I was all about Halloween.  I usually put up the spider web and that’s about it.  This year, I reinvented / recycled a bunch of stuff.  I made a mini grave yard from cardboard and paint I already had around the house.   A few ghosts from an old sheet, some stuffing, and a sharpie. The kids’ costumes are all from the thrift store for no more than $5 ea.  I made James’ mustache (felt) and Kate’s parasol (from an old lampshade).

I also decided to spend some serious time carving a pumpkin. (I got the stencil from WWF.)  The kids each carved a pumpkin too.

For dinner we had a fabulous soup I made up using a bunch of the produce from our farmer Ray.  Potatoes, sweet potatoes, leeks, mushrooms, carrot, zucchini, and a bacon seasoning mix.  Yummy!

The neighbors and friends gathered around 6:30 and they were off.  The rain held off to a slight drizzle so that didn’t stop the excitement.  I sat on my front step with a glass of wine, my knitting, and wearing a “Black Eyed Pea” costume (thanks mom).  The treats were flowing!

I think we have enough candy to last for months– and that’s AFTER I ate more than my share!

I taught myself to knit this summer using You Tube.

Really.

I am getting better and have been knitting alot.  It is now the best way I know to pass those hours in the dance studio!  It is there that the conversations and questions are most curious.

With great excitment: “What are you making?”

“A wash cloth.”

“Oh…”  Deflated and confused looks face me.

I launch into an explanation of a friend who gave me one (thanks Amy),  the cotton yarn, the softness, and the fact that my kids love them.   That usually makes them see that MAYBE it could be good.  I am truly an oddball huh?  Don’t answer that!

SO.  Here is it just a few months later and I have met many who can knit and many who can’t and a few who would like to learn.  Enter Maria.  She has mastered crocheting but never learned knitting. Last week  I, me, who has been knitting all of 5 months, showed her how to knit!  This week she was waiting for me to come in.  She had knitted a bit, and had some questions!  Crazy!  I only had to show her a few times.  She’s a quick study!

Meanwhile, I have been using You Tube again.  This time for something called the Magic Loop which allows you to knit in a circle using only the circular needles and not any dpns (double pointed needles–whatever they are!)  It’s hard.  But I am convinced that I can get good at it with more practice.  I have started a little something as a gift–assuming it comes out right!

wash...

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 4

I spent hours today with wet hands.  I cut and peeled countless apples.  I even have a “gizmo”, but the misshapen apples proved too much.  I had to cut out the yucky parts on every single apple before tossing it in the pot.  My hands found a rhythm; wash, peel, cut, toss… I even listened to more of the audio book while I worked.  I took a few breaks to rest my hands.  My goal was to peel and cut all of the huge haul before I had to leave to take Kate to dance class at 5…    I did see a single layer of apples in the sink, and then a stainless steel patch!  I didn’t make it.  I gave up and put the rest in a bowl for another time.

The end result is fantastic!  Seventeen pint jars of apple sauce!  WHOOO HOOOO!

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 8

Today I drove out to my brother’s house.  It’s about 45 min. from me.  He and his family aren’t there now, they are on vacation.

I had hoped to take a few friends to a farm for fall apple picking, and maybe still can, but for now, an unkempt, but fruitful apple tree for free!

I took a lesurely morning…walking Shadow (with a coulple of doggie friends) and then puttering around the house.  I packed my lunch, camera, and an audio book and hit the road.

The fall colors are slight and sporadic and today was so humid, I think it should qualify as a summer day!  But I am a fall advocate so I was not hindered!

I was a bit discouraged when, upon arrival I did NOT find the apple picker by the fence as promised.  Careful digging revealed it under the grass and weeds!

I picked.  I took pictures.  I drank a lot of water.  I hauled a couple of boxes of apples to the car.  As I’d decided to leave, the front garden caught my attention with tomato plants still laden with fruit.  I grabbed another box from the car and picked a few tomatoes–enough for more spaghetti sauce!

So thanks Bubba for the free produce!  I promise to share the results!

I have realized that I do a lot of things that are “green“. I either forgot I made the change, or it seems so normal now, that I just take it for granted.

This weekend we had a BBQ for some of the teachers from our Children’s Ministry Power Hour. We didn’t buy a bunch of paper goods. We used silverware and glasses and cups from our cupboards and compostable plates. I learned about them from the elementary school were my kids go. It is a certified “Green School”. The PTA has helped that effort by having compostable paper goods at events they sponsor. I set up a “Think Green” area. It included a plastic bin of soapy water for the silverware, a bin for cans and bottles, a bin for the compostable plates, and a bag for trash. When all was said and done, we did not even fill one bag for the landfill!

Many of the guests were interested in the garden and compost; we had a “tour” and they were a bit freaked out by slugs and caterpillars. But also amazed at the rich dark soil from the bottom of the bin! Our backyard is full of “green”: Compost bins, clotheslines, a garden, an electric mower, a shade tree for the deck and house.

I have been gradually making changes.  Now I am taking a challenge.

I am focusing on the lunch boxes for the kids.  No trash!  I am hoping that will get them more on board at home too!  Will let you know how it goes.

Today’s writer’s workshop fits right in with what I’ve been thinking about lately.

The Prompt:

Share with us something you made by hand.

Creating something out of nothing is the name of my game.  As I work to simplify, the natural “green” way is to reuse, recycle, and reinvent.   I am excited to find thrift store knitting needles, yard sale fabric remnants, and outgrown kids clothes in my basement that can all be remade into wonderful things.

With these things come so many more ideas for things that are useful and new.

Dance Skirt made from the over-layer of an outgrown dress.

Giant Wash Rag knitted from leftover cotton yarn into a huge square for Hubby’s face.

Rug for the laundry room floor.  My first completed knitting project made entirely from yarn in the craft box.

Apron made from a towel found at the thrift store and a scrap of cotton in my stash!

Napkins to match my dishes/ kitchen made from scraps from the curtains over my kitchen sink.

Produce Bags made from a remnant found at the thrift store and some string already on hand.

With less than 5 months until Christmas, I am not sure I can make handmade gifts for everyone on my list, but I am thinking I can try!  The ideas are endless.  The cost is much more realistic.  The love…priceless!