Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Somerville Juice Pouch Notebook Class this week

On Thursday I will be teaching a juice pouch notebook class at the Somerville Library in MA from 3:45 - 4:45.  It is for ages 8 and up, with a maximum of 15 kids.  The kids will learn how to recycle juice pouches, bind a notebook, and make paper beads (for the tassel).  It'll be a lot of fun.  The above pictures are of the juice pouches about to have the sticky straw part removed.  I use De-Solv-It to remove that stickiness from the front, but you can also use Goo Gone.  The insides are cleaned within a week (mostly the same day) after the juice pouches are drunk.  
The above picture is after I had cut and folded the pages of the notebook.  Five folded pages equals a 20 page notebook.  The next step is to assemble the notebook using paper clips, and then hole punching them.  I do all this before hand because I find that the class runs much smoother.  Many adults have trouble using my hole punches on these notebooks, so I do it before hand for the kids.  Then all the kids need to worry about is learning a new book binding technique and making paper beads (which is optional) to use as a tassel.  What is nice about these notebooks is that after they use up all the pages, they can unbind the notebook, insert new paper, punch holes, and rebind it.  Thus recycling this recycled notebook.  Even the paper is made from post consumer recycled paper. 
Here is my little bucket complete with 29 ready to make juice pouch notebooks.  Even though the class is for a maximum of 15 kids, I like to have extras available so that they have more choices.  Also depending on the size of the class, they can make a 2nd one if they want to.  Now all that is left is to thread all of the needles and cut paper triangles out of magazines for the beads.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Photos

Even though I can't share all the fun Halloween items that I've been making this month (not until my swap partners get their stuff in the mail), I can share some of the photos that I've taken recently.

Blocks that my 4 year old set up.
My husband fishing my oldest son's mini golf ball out out of the water. 
His name is Steve.
We went mini golfing this weekend.
My steps.
The spiders are back.
My halloween decorations are out.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Episode 39: Kevin McMullin & Atlantic Green Energy


This is episode 39 of my local access t.v. show called "It's Easy Being Green."  My guest is Kevin McMullin from Atlantic Green Energy.  He talks about using solar power in your home, schools, library, and even on boats using such products as K Shields and solar blinds.  Atlantic Green Energy is a New England company.  Their website is http://www.atlanticge.com/. 

Shhh... Making Halloween Swap Items

I have been very busy knitting, painting, and glueing things for two Halloween swaps that I am in.  I have 4 swap partners and I am co-running both swaps.  I wish that I could share what I'm working on with all of you, but I don't want my partners to see what I'm making them.  One swap is an ornament swap.  Since only 4 people signed up for it, we all agreed to make something for each other.  The other swap is larger and has more requirements.  I have 2 partners in that swap, but one of them is also in the ornament swap with me.  To get in the mood I have already decorated my house with Halloween items.  Yes, I live in the house where there are already Halloween decorations on the lawn, lol.  I haven't sewed in a few months, but I am getting the itch to start sewing some Halloween items soon.  I've been sharing some of my Halloween crafting research on my facebook page.  You can always join to see what I might be making.  The link is on the right hand side of my blog or just look for textiles4you on facebook and on twitter.  

Saturday, September 3, 2011

8 Rainbow Cork Elves

Here are my rainbow cork elves so far.  I can't wait to have the whole rainbow completed. 
I made this little guy last night.  I just had to take a picture of him next to this plant, because of the similar colors.  I'm starting to run out of corks with blank spaces on them (for the faces).  However now I have a few more people who will save corks for me.  I don't drink alcohol, so all of my corks are donations.

ATCs

The other day I was inspired to draw some more ATCs (artist trading cards).
This one is called "The Last Burst of Light."
Watercolor paint & black ink.
This one is not my usual style, but it needed to be drawn.
It is called "Clinging Chameleon."
Watercolor paint & black ink.
I recently did an ATC trade with knityoga (ravelry name) who lives in England.  This is the ATC that I received from her.  Isn't is cool?  I love that she did embroidery / string art on an ATC.
She also sent me 2 fabric postcard that she had made.  I sent her 3 ATC's, 2 originals and 1 photo copy of one.  Some of mine are hard to give up/trade, so I made copies of them on card stock.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Yes, More Cork Elves

I've been busy making more cork elves.  This time with smilie faces.
I finished knitting the red one's hat at the Farmers' Market yesterday, which is where this picture was taken.
Here is the yarn that I have been using:  Bernat mosaic acrylic yarn: Calypso.  I want to make the whole rainbow of cork elves.