Halloween costumes & more dishcloths

Well I finished knitting another dishcloth and started a new one today. This will be part of one person's gift. A matching yellow and natural set of dishcloths. I might be able to make a set of 4, and all from stash yarn.

I also made my 2 year old's Halloween shirt. He is going to be a punk. I bought a black and a red shirt from the dollar store. The large safety pins are from the dollar store as well. I pinned the 2 shirts together, and then I drew on the black shirt with a black sharpie. That gave me the guide lines that I needed to sew the 2 shirts together. I made an anarchy symbol of the front and just rips in the back. After sewing the 2 shirts together, I cut the black shirt in certain areas. Since the shirt was a little long and large on him, I cut up the sides. Then I cut horizontal strips and ties them together. It fits him much better. I also cut the sleeve off of the red shirt and attached it to one side with safety pins. I might do the same for the other side, but I'm not sure.

I also bought a white sheet on sale (there is no place around me that has a used one). My oldest son and his friend are going to be sheet ghosts. I put the sheet on him and figured out where his arms should be. I then sewed the sides of the sheet closed, leaving arm holes for him. This way you can't see under the sheet when he walks or raises his arms. I then just cut out holes for his eyes and mouth while he wore it. Simple.

Zero Waste

In crafting news: I knit one and a half dishcloths today. The rest has to do with the zero waste challenge.

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of my trash (if you really wanted to see it). This is my 2nd week of trying for zero waste. My compost bin is getting pretty full these days. Amazingly enough I have cut back on my non-paper recycling. I filled 1 bin instead of the normal 2 (they collect recycling every 2 weeks here). My trash barrel for today (trash day) had 1 garbage bag which was only 1/3 filled and a diaper genie bag. The garbage bag must have gotten something in it other than plastic, because we were starting to get fruit flies. Thus it had to be taken out. I have been using the washable pull ups on my son when we go out. He wears underwear in the house, and diapers to bed. I switched to a more environmentally friendly diaper, if that is possible. I'm currently using the Diva Cup for the 1st time. I like it. I only use paper napkins if they are given to me via take out. I also only use paper towels when making microwaved baked potatoes, and to soak up the oil when I occasionally use my deep fryer. A cold came and is finally leaving my home without us buying any tissues. The hankies came in handy. Flannel really does get softer when washed.

In eco-crafting news: I am trying to pass on the "green" love for Christmas this year. My main handmade gifts are all about using reusable items vs disposable. I'm making knitted dishcloths, reusable shopping bags, and cloth napkins. I thought about making hankies, but I need to bulk up on my supply first.

Wordless Wednesday

Dishcloths, reusable bags, & craft time

Yesterday I finished knitting 3 dishcloths. One was a UFO (unfinished object), one was started a few days ago, and the other was made in 1 day. Today I finished one that I started last night. I also went through my Lily's Sugar'n Cream cotton yarn stash. I still have a good amount left. I also discovered my stash of finished knitted dishcloths. Well, the ends aren't woven in, but thats a small detail. There are now 15 dishcloths that I can give as Christmas presents this year. I might keep a couple for myself though. People may laugh at the thought of giving or receiving knitted dishcloths, but you will love them once you use them. I know at least 4 family members who like them. I guess its like hand knit socks. I don't have any yet (its on my list of things to make), but I heard that they are really awesome to wear.

Yesterday I cut and began sewing 14 reusable shopping bags. I had a 40% off coupon for the fabric store, and I bought 6 yards of some solid green fabric. What a deal! I cut the fabric in 15" sections length wise. That is the width of the bags. I folded the bags in half and cut 2 1/2" off of the ends for the handles. Next time I'll make it 3". I am not making a lining. I'll have step by step instructions with pictures when I am done sewing them. I sewed the sides of the bags already. I'm working on sewing the handles. Fourteen bags is a lot to make, so it will take me a day or 2 more. I didn't work on them at all today. If I give them in sets of 4, I'll have 3 gifts and 2 bags left over for me.

A reoccurring conversation that I keep hearing is how people don't have time to craft. I have a 2 year old that I have to chase around all day and a 10 year old who I have to drive around. I also have some what of a social life. Lets not forget running errands and cleaning. I am busy. However I make time for crafting. The key to this, for me, is having a portable craft project and a nice little bag to carry it in. Sometimes I'll put my knitting in my purse instead of the craft bag. Portable projects are great. All I need is myself and a few supplies. I don't need to plug into an outlet or use a table. Some portable crafts are knitting & crocheting, drop spindle spinning, embroidery, hand sewing, hand piecing quilts, drawing, etc. Places where I can work on my portable project: soccer practice, waiting to pick up my son from school, doctor's office (or any kind of waiting room situation), at the park, in the yard (while the kids are playing), in the car (as a passenger), visiting someone, at a meeting or a lecture, and while watching tv. Oh, I have been known to spin or knit in the kitchen while cooking. Whenever you are sitting or standing for a nice length of time with nothing to do with your hands.

"Its Easy Being Green" Episode 6 Back To School

I'm a little late posting these show notes. The three 10 minute videos from this episode are now on my youtube channel. The link for the channel is in the upper right hand side of my blog.

I would like to thank Abbie for coming on the show and helping me make a juice pouch notebook. She helped to show how easy it is to make one of these notebooks.

To make an easy to sew juice pouch notebook, you will need:

-scissors

-5 pieces of paper cut about 5" x 7"and then folded in half to be 5" x 3 1/2"

-embroidery floss cut to be about 15" long

-a tapestry needle

-2 paper clips

-2 clean juice pouches

-a hole punch. I prefer one that makes small holes.

1. Sandwich your paper in between 2 juice pouches. Have the folded side of the paper flush against one side with the juice pouches.

2. Paperclip the 3 layers together. One paperclip at the top & one at the bottom.

3. Hole punch along the folded paper side. I like to make 4 to 5 holes.

4. Thread your needle and begin sewing the 3 layers together via the holes that made. Start at the back of the top hole (hole #1). Move the needle from the back through to the front of hole #1 leaving a long enough tail on the back side (for tying later). Then work your way down, going from the back to the front of each hole (hole #2, hole #3, etc). At the bottom, go through the

bottom hole a second time. Now work your way back up, the same way as you did before (hole #3, hole #2, etc). Now you can tie a know with the 2 ends of your thread at the top hole. Add charms or beads or just tie a bow to finish it.

5. When the paper is all used up, take out the thread and the paper. Now replace the paper, repunch the holes, and repeat the steps.

Here is a link on how to sew a larger notebook.

Here is a link on making the pencil pouch.

You can watch the youtube videos (episode 6.1, 6.2, & 6.3) to see the show again.

I will post how to make a juice pouch lunch box at another time. I need to make a new one and take pictures as I go. In 3 weeks the how to make a juice pouch purse will air on channel 8 where I live. In 4 weeks that episode will be posted on youtube.

My 1st Give Away!!!!!

Yes I am giving away a juice pouch purse. What's the catch? You have to come and be an audience member of the next show that I tape. Sorry to anyone who is not local. The juice pouch purse that I made on my last show (which will air in 3 weeks) will be the prize. The above picture is the unfinished bag (which is now finished).

The next show will be taped on Friday, November 13th at 7pm. Where? The telemedia studio which is located in Parker Middle School in Chelmsford. Members of the Chelmsford Recycling Comity will be there to talk about recycling in our town. I would love to have an audience there to ask questions to the panel. It is a 30 minute show. I will be taping 2 shows that night, and you are more than welcome to stay for both show tapings. I don't know what my second show will be about just yet.

Preparing for the taping of "Its Easy Being Green"

Today I really needed to prepare for the taping of 2 of "Its Easy Being Green" tv episodes. The first taping is an interview with Maryann Geiser from Around The House, a remodeling and home repair company that she runs with her husband. She is going to talk about how you can make your home more environmentally friendly. The 2nd show taping will be making a juice pouch purse. I spent this week cleaning the sticky straw part off of several juice pouches. I then timed myself making a purse, with pre-assembled parts for the show. It usually takes me about an hour to sew one of these purses. The show is only 30 minutes long, so I needed to make sure that I could complete the project in time. I need to run out to the store to buy a zipper, but other than that, I am ready. Above is the bag that I made today while I timed myself.

If you watch the show, then you have heard the music played during the opening and closing of the show. The music was generously made by the band Wednesday Night Militia. They will be preforming for Rocktoberfest on October 24th at 119 Gallery in Lowell, MA. You can also watch some of their preformances on youtube.

In an effort to throw as little in the trash as possible, I've been saving the plastic Coke and Pepsi wrapper that is around their plastic bottles. I folded them in half, opened it up, and then folded the ends to the center. I then folded it in half again. I lined 4 of them up today and sewed them together using a zig zag stitch. This would make a cute punk like wrist cuff. I think that I might keep adding to this one and make a container out of it.