Upcycled T-shirt scarf

I finally stood my ground on one of hubby's shirts.  The man lost 80 lbs. . .almost 6 years ago. . .and he still wears some of the same t-shirts as he did then.  They were ratty old t-shirts then, you can only imagine, right?

So the deal was, if I could give the shirt another life, he would agree to handing it over.  Well, I found another life form for it. . .but I went ahead and took liberties while he was at work.  You understand, right?

I know I should feel maybe a tad bit of guilt. . .but check out this awesome new scarf!

This is a SUPER easy project, no sewing required.  Took me a little over an hour, and that was in between three different storybooks.  When your two yr. old wants attention. . .give it or pay the price.

So to start your new scarf, first choose your colors.  I went with the worn-out black shirt, a gray shirt, and a red shirt.  You could even make these using school colors.  So grab some shirts and a pair of scissors, and let's get started. . .

Start by cutting the hems off.  Put them aside so we can use them later.  

Then cut the shirts into strips about 3/4″ wide. I cut 10 strips from each shirt for a total of 30.

My piles of cut strips.

Then give each of them a tug, a nice big stretch, and then start wrapping them around your hand.

29 more times.  It helped me to have them all lined up by color ready to go.  

Now take the hems, and cut them into about 5" sections.  

Use the 5" sections to tie your loops together until you have one long chain.  

Eco- Resolution # 10 - air dry clothes

I promise I didn't forget.  Between rain and the remodeling of the kitchen. . .

So, I have posted before on my clothesline.  Have I mentioned before how much I LOVE it.  I love hanging my clothes out to dry. . .that is when it is not raining.  This is where I appreciate the modern marvels - like dryers.  Can you imagine how much laundry would back up if I didn't get to it on rainy days?  Maybe that should be an eco-resolution?  Less laundry.  

http://tricksofthefamily.blogspot.com/2012/03/spring-fever.html

Anyhow, so what works, what doesn't.  

I hear it both ways with the towels.  Some hate them scratchy, some like the extra exfoliation.  I don't mind it.  One option could always be to through them in on an air cycle shortly after bringing them, so they have that soft-just out of the dryer feel.  But again, it's all preference.  

Clothesline- I prefer a plastic coated wire.  This keeps a metal wire from rusting and getting on your clothes, but still gives you the durability and strength of a wire line.  A rope doesn't cut it.  You will replace it in one year.  Cheaper and less time consuming in the long run to go with the wire.  

Clothespins- Wood are fine.  But you will have to replace them if they are kept outside.  I keep mine outside :/.  I have a bag that hangs on the line that they sit in.  It's convenient   I also have plastic pins- these are the best and last longer.  

So why do it?  The dryer is a HUGE electricity consumer.  So save the coal from being burned and save your wallet at the same time.  Plus, it is a good excuse to be out in the yard for at least a few minutes and this is good for everyone.  Usually my son comes out with me, he plays while I am able to get some housework done.  Everyone is happy.  

If you use a clothesline, why do you do it, and what keeps you doing it?  If you don't use one, and are unsure of something, then let us know your obstacle. 

Stationery card

Spooktacular Greetings Halloween Card

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Eco-Resolution #9 (oops)!- Local Food

Wow, so the eco-resolutions I missed were some of my favorite!

#6 was cloth wipes instead of paper.  Well those who have had dinner in our house or have stayed any length of time with us know we gave up paper towels, and napkins long long ago.  I know it sounds scary. . .and I get questions all the time.  But after while, you don't even miss it.  Plus, you save a TON of money on something you just throw away anyhow.

We all have those towels that start looking a little dingy right?  Well, to keep my nice towel supply looking nice, I make a point to turn those old towels into cleaning towels.  Even cleaning towels have a life limit, so don't worry you will not be over run by cleaning towels!

Old flour sack cloths, flannel sheets, and t-shirts make awesome glass cleaning towels!

#7 was no TV.  Unfortunately, July was probably a month were I felt like we watched more TV than ever!  I know we probably didn't, but the one week we were in Ft. Laurderdale staying in the timeshare, the TV was always on in the morning before we left and it was always on in the evenings just before bed. Of course the rest of the time we didn't watch any, but it just seemed like a lot.  For me anyhow.

Our son is 2 yrs. old, and we decided before he was born that we would not encourage TV.  This was easy for my husband in the beginning, but has become a bit more difficult I think as time has gone on.  Only because my hubby loves to watch it!
I on the other hand wouldn't blink an eye if we got rid of it tomorrow.  It is such a waste of time for me.  I was able to cut cable for us almost 7 years ago, but that is about as far as it goes.  Our son doesn't watch much, maybe 30 minutes a whole month.  Our reasons are a whole blog post themselves, so I won't go there.

So why would no TV be an eco resolution?  One they burn energy.  Two, I would pay money on it, that the TV could be proven to be the cause of so many changes in our culture, one being kids playing inside.  Sure we all enjoy the comfort of our homes, but children who are kept inside do not connect with the world the sacred, part of our beings, if they don't go outside.  What does this do long term?  I think we are often seeing the results of what this does long term. . .what we do to our food supply, our bodies, our landscape.

#8 was green transportation.  Oh how I wished for a more reliable mass transit system in our area.  There is a bus system, but you would need to wake up at 0'dark thirty to get to work, walk most of the way, and then plan to get home early because it doesn't run into the evening.  Not very practical for most working folks. . .hmmm, and we wonder why it is hard for people with out cars, and material values to get ahead sometimes.  I regress, I am lucky enough to live in a small community though where I can walk to many things.  We walk into town (~a mile), and do most of our grocery shopping, can walk to dining, movies, our local playhouse, soda shop stand (yep, we even have one of those), and many other things.  We used to ride our bikes more, but now with our son, walking is easier.  Now that he is a wee bit bigger he is able to walk more too!  I do only live a block from where I work, but because daycare is 10 min. by car and not safely walk-able, I have to drive.    This summer though, while my husband was home with our son, I walked.  It was glorious.  Sadly, people stopped in the neighborhood to see if I needed a ride. It was nice they were being considerate, and courteous, but it was sad that it seemed so out of place for someone to be walking. . .and I don't get dressed up for work. . .so I couldn't have looked to out of place.

If possible, and can be done safely, I urge you to take a look at what you can walk to, say within a mile radius, and just do it.  It's good for your health, the pace of the world slows down a bit, you save some gas money (maybe for new clothes if this gets those last five pounds off), and you will burn less fossil fuels.  Save the dinosaurs!!!  Just kidding :).

Okay now on to #9!  Local foods.  Well, we went and picked apples locally.  Love apple season!  I have made applesauce, apple crisp, and my son has wanted an apple a day. . .literally ever since he was able to pick the apples himself.  Plus, what a great lesson it was about where apples come from and how they are grown.  Farmer's Markets are popping up every where these days.  Check them out!  You get a chance to meet the farmer. . .wouldn't it be nice to know the people who grow the nourishment that goes into our bodies. Plus, you know you our helping your local community and saving those dinosaurs again by not having all of your food trucked in. Here is a great site to find local produce, meat, cheeses, and even niceties like flowers! http://www.localharvest.org/

Good luck with #9!  Can't wait to hear how it is working for you!

Fabric flowers

I was looking for a homemade birthday gift for a sweet little girl and came across these.  What is sweeter than flowers for a little girl?  They are super easy to make!

These I put on a little barrette.  You could add any embellishment- I found some cute pearl buttons to sew on.  

I had some upholstery fabric that I thought might look neat for some fall decor.  But it didn't come out quite as nice.  Maybe with a wood button in the center it would look better.  A few of these on a grapevine wreath could be fun?

Here is another one with more upholstery fabric.  Because of it's thickness it is a bit harder to work with.  You need to have some pins to keep it together before the glue dries.  But I like the way this one came out much better.  

Here is the link with a tutorial that I used.  

http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2010/09/fabric-rosette-tutorial-extravaganza.html

Have fun!

It's been awhile

I know, I know...it's been awhile.  Summer took hold of our family and took us for a spin, and well, in the end, they are my priority.

We have some catching up to do, and I promise our eco-challenge will resume come September.  I hope everyone has enjoyed their summers so far!

We have already been able to enjoy some cooler temps here.  This is my favorite time of year, when it is still warm and comfortable for walks, but the evenings are cool enough that the air is off and windows are open!  I felt inspired (plus I have had these leaves cut out for a year now), so I got to my first fall craft.  The fabric was scrap fabric I had, and I used leaf silhouettes found online.  You may want to find ones that are local to you...there are dozens of silhouettes out there.

I stitched them all together haphazardly, using a rough twine.

Eggshells to get rid of slugs

Use your used eggshells on your plants to help keep those pesky slugs away.  Here was some dill that was being devoured by them.  After putting the eggshells out you can now see new growth!