Glass Dharma Drinking Straws

I am officially a member of the "I Love My Straw" group!! As I mentioned in a previous post, I joined an initiative to get restaurants to stop giving out plastic straws automatically, at My Plastic Free Life. Well, as an incentive, David Leonhardt of Glass Dharma Company gave free glass straws to those who wrote letters to restaurants, asking them to change their policies on plastic straws. We were given one free straw for each letter, up to 5 letters. I only ended up getting 2 out in time but it is still really exciting to get even just one.

The straws came in the mail on Thursday and today we finally got around to trying them out. It was macho Man and I that tried them and I like them far more than a plastic straw. I like the way they look, how thick the glass is, the rounded ends and of course that they are reusable and will last a lifetime. Macho Man was a bit of a skeptic when I first told him of these glass straws, but he too is in the "club".

I love these straws!! They are so interesting and by using them, we are saving the use of thousands of non-recyclable plastic straws. I believe I will have to buy more of these and maybe some as gifts...Wink wink. Everyone needs at least one of these straws, so be sure to check the site...and buy one or more :D

I CAN Make a Difference :)

It is always nice to see/hear the result of the changes you are trying to make in this world!

A few weeks ago, I joined an initiative to get restaurants to stop bringing plastic straws to our table, automatically. Actually, not having the non-recyclable straws at all would be the best thing, but baby steps :) I joined this initiative through My Plastic Free Life. What we did was wrote letters to local businesses that give you a straw in your drink, without asking whether you want one or not, asking them to either ask you if you want one or switch to using reusable straws.

I wrote to 2 of my favourite places to eat and I was wonderfully delighted to hear from my brother (his sister in law works there), that one of the places has put a new policy in to place. The servers will no longer bring you a plastic straw automatically, but instead ask you if you would like one. I am really happy about this! Though it may seem silly or so small to some people, it is a big thing for me. First, it shows that one person alone can make a difference and second, I believe that people will opt out of taking the plastic straws when asked. I believe that we don't really think about that straw when we get it and the fact that most people never use a straw at home. Some people don't think to say that they don't need a straw, but if asked, I have a feeling a lot more people will refuse them. I think it makes you think about the fact that it really isn't something needed and you won't miss it if it isn't something you have outside of a restaurant. I know that I never used to think of the straw that came in my drink. I never use straws at home but as soon as that straw showed up in my drink, I used it without a second thought. I have definitely seen the error of my ways :) I really hope that this change will spark more change...Change for the greater good of the planet!!

The Sheets That Just Keep Giving

That's right, yet another item crated from the retro sheets. Miss Z now has an entire outfit and a matching kite...LOL!! Now that is a serious accessory :P

Here is the last item made from the retro sheets.

This is a very simple little apron top. No pattern used, just another winging it type of deal.

Front

Back. The bow is not actually wonky, as it appears in the picture.

The whole outfit, worn on Easter Sunday.

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Re-purpose: Retro Sheets...Again!

Keeping this "reuse, reduce, recycle, re-purpose" segment going, here is the latest!

This is a kite I made, using the sheets you saw turned in to a skirt. There is so much of it to go around, I am still trying to find different ways to use them up. I did make an apron top to go with the skirt, but it is in the wash, so I posted this project first.

I made this kite after doing a bit of research online, to figure out how to make a kite with fabric. Of course, I ended up just winging it. There has been no real wind for flying and now it is raining like crazy, so we'll have to wait to see if it can actually fly. I really hope it does but if not, this one will be hung in Miss Z's room as decor and it will be back to the drawing board for me. We'll see, I guess...please fly, please fly, please fly...

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Re-purpose: Retro Sheets

This is currently a WIP! I am actually taking a quick break from sewing, to type out this post...LOL!

In a previous post, I showed you a picture of a pair of retro sheets that I purchased at send hand stores. Well, they are now becoming a re-purposed/upcycled skirt for Miss Z. It is turning out very well and it is a super simple style of skirt. No pattern, I am simply winging it (yeah, it's just how I roll).

Anywho, I must get back at it, so that I may finish it up before bed time. Pictures to be posted before I end my evening :)

Okay, all finished and I LOVE this little skirt!! The two sheets together look fantastic.

First, here is a refresher of the sheets I posted previously:So cute and retro :)

Now, here is the simple but super sweet skirt:I love these fabrics (sheets) so much, that I am planning to make a little apron to to go with this skirt.

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Re-purpose: Egg Cartons

Ah yes, egg cartons and their many uses! There are so many great ideas of what you can do with egg cartons. Here is what we did with them today.

Caterpillars:This one was a lot of fun because it involved cutting, painting, pipe cleaners

Spring Flowers:Miss Z says that these flowers smell SOOOOOO good! Tee hee...So sweet!

Color Sorting and Counting:
This idea was something I came up with when Miss Z was about 2. She used to love sorting the colors and counting the pieces. She still takes it out sometimes and plays with it on her own. This is actually a double re-purposing, as the circle pieces are made from a cereal box!

We have one more thing to do with the egg cartons, and that is to start a few plants in them. From what I gather, you can transplant them in to your garden, still in the individual cups...Cool :)

Toilet Paper Bunny Tutorial

First, let me just say that I am very sorry for the wonky pictures turned on their sides. I didn't realize they were like that when I uploaded them and now will have to wait until I go to my Mom's again to fix them...My connection is super poopy!
Okay, let us begin!Supplies:
Cardboard toilet paper rolls (without the toilet paper...LOL)
Paint brushes
Paints
Cotton Balls
Bunny ear pieces (made from recycled bits of paper - I made these myself)
Paper bunny faces (also recycled paper - Made by me)
Googly eyes
Glue

We also used a little Styrofoam container that I sometimes use to put Miss Z's paints on when she is painting.

1. Paint the tubes, which ever color you like. Once we painted all the rolls we were using, we waited a few minutes for them to dry, it doesn't take long.

2.Glue ears on to the roll.

3.Now to glue on some googly eyes...jiggle, jiggle!!

4. Don't forget to add a bunny face with nose, mouth and cute little whiskers ;)

5. Last but not least, where would Peter Cotton Tail be with out his cotton ball tail...LOL! I put a small amount of glue on the back of the roll, put on the cotton ball and then pinched it firmly to the roll to ensure is was secured.VOILA...Wonderful bunny creations :)

Some Rescue Animals, I Rescue Pants

Yes, you read that right! I rescued a pair of pants today, from an unnecessary trip to a landfill. A lady in my building offered a pair of pants to Macho Man and unfortunately, they were not a fit for him so I told her she should donate them and someone else would make use of them (they were practically brand new). It seemed as though donating would be too big of a chore because she looked at me a bit odd and said that they would simply be put in the trash...GASP! How could I let those perfectly good jeans end up in the garbage, when someone could get good use of them? Why would I let them go to the landfill to lay for who knows how long? Just crazy talk I tells ya...LOL :) I put my hand out said that we would gladly take them and find someone who would fit in to them or donate them if not.

I know that maybe donating items can be a chore, as the items sometimes sit for a long time before you can make it to the drop off, but it really isn't that big of a chore. I am a serious procrastinator and I know very well how long things can sit, waiting to be donated and how much space things can take up. It may seem like a lot of hassle, but it is really worth it! Someone will get use of the items you no longer need and you can save things from ending up in our landfills. Sometimes, you don't even have to make it to a drop off, there are places that will come and pick up your unwanted items for free...FREE! It doesn't get easier than that. I mean, if you are going to bag it all up and toss it to the curb on garbage day, then why not bag it up and have someone come pick it up to make use of these items that still have a lot of life left in them?

Come on guys, let's help the Earth out by passing on good clothing and other gently used items and not throw them in the trash. You won't just be helping the planet, but maybe someone else who really needs it ;)

It's All About the Earth

Earth Day is rapidly approaching and though it should be Earth Day every day, I thought it would be a fun thing to do and share with you some recycled/eco-friendly crafts and activities. Of course, this is something I will continue beyond Earth Day as well.

I already have some fantastic ideas and tutorials I have found online. There are just endless possibilities when recycling/re-purposing old items. I will use materials from our recycling bin, items found in the yard, second hand clothing and whatever else I can get my hands on, that needs a new life :)

Keep your eyes peeled for the segments titled, "Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Re-Purpose" and "Earth Loving Activities". Hopefully you will be inspired to join in and try some earth friendly crafts too!!

Do you have anything planned for this Earth Day, or just everyday activities/crafts that are Earth friendly, you may like to share?

What Will They Be?

I have been collecting materials and used clothing, in preparation to make a summer wardrobe for Miss Z and this is what I have purchased thus far:

Some shirts and a jean jacket that will remain a jacket but with a few touch ups. It needs to be taken in and I want to add some crazy color and patches.These skirts were a great buy at only a dollar a piece. The two sheets are super sweet and it is funny how I found a matching set.. The yellow sheet was purchased at a local secondhand shop but the pink sheet was found quite a ways from home. My family went on a mini-vacation and when we arrived to this tiny town, I saw something that caught my eye...A SECONDHAND SHOP!! Of course I can spot the only tiny secondhand shop in this town...LOL!! I had to stop in and take a look. I looked over just about everything and when I decided I was finished, I headed to the cash when I walked by this pink sheet that looked super familiar. I picked it up and hmmmed and haaaaaed over it when I realized, it was the same as the yellow sheet I had purchased at home! I had to get it, it was just meant to be :P I mean, Macho Man couldn't possibly argue this purchase. I have a pretty good idea of what will come of these sweet old sheets!

It is just a matter of time before these items become lovely (I hope) pieces of clothing. I plan to use the tutorials I posted in a previous post as well as winging it with a few things. I am thinking of making a few of my own patterns. We shall see how this all plays out.

Recycle Crafting

I was trying to think of different crafty things that I could do with Miss Z in the theme of Spring/Easter and came up with a really good idea! I noticed that we have quite a few cardboard toilet paper rolls in the recycling box and I am always looking for inexpensive craft supplies, so what better place to find them? I am planning to let Miss Z paint them, add faces and bunny ears to the rolls...Easter bunny toilet paper rolls...Woo hoo!!! Nothing like some good ole crafty recycling :) I hope she likes the idea and it all goes well. I will be sure to post pictures of what she creates.

Anywho, this made me think of what other recycling ideas there may be for these cardboard rolls. I found a few links that I thought would be fun to share, and maybe some of you may be interested to try ;)


Toilet Paper Roll Wreath

TV Pixilator Light Show This is funny, but looks like fun to try out.

A mixture of Ideas!

Overwhelmed!!!!!

It seems I feel this way, any time I need to pick up groceries. I know you do what you can, but there is so much to consider when buying your food...Organic, non-organic, market, grocery store, dirty dozen, processed, non-processed...Is this a healthy choice? Can I get him to put the chips back?

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!! There is just too much in my brain, for a simple grocery trip :(

This also applies to making better choices for Miss Z. I want to be sure that she not only eats better foods, I want to ensure her brain is healthy and that I am teaching her well, that she has healthy and safe toys to play with. So.Much.Pressure.Head.Exploding.

I think these things are also brought on by my lack of support and understanding. Though Macho man is great and I love him, I often feel completely alone in my plight to live a healthy, crunchy, hippie lifestyle. I am sure there are many that have to also take their partner kicking and screaming, I would just love to hear what you do in these situations! In my area, I have been in contact with virtually no one that shares my views and hopes for a healthy family life. I get looked at very strangely, when I tell the lady at the cash that I am refusing to take home plastic bags, I was once poked fun at for doing my best to be eco-friendlier, I was even giggled and ewwwwed at when I told a person that I cloth diapered Miss Z. I just don't get it!

I know that I have a tendency to take on too much at once and worry, it is just hard when I want to do so much to make this world and life better but feeling like what I do is never enough. I guess I just need to look at things in a different light and as soon as I figure that way out, I will be okay! I think I just need to find a few people that are on the same mission as myself. I know you are out there...Now is the time to share people :)

Okay, that was some strange kind of rant :P

Deoderant Review

WoWZERS!!! This is amazing and I LOVE it...Yes, I LOVE this homemade deodorant!!

Not only was making it fun and simple, it works so well. My armpits feel dry and there is no stink, even after sweating it up today! I think there may be one more test to be done, and that is to work out for an hour at the gym and see how it holds up. I have to say though, I have complete faith that this will do just fine. It is so great to know that I am now using natural deodorant, with nothing scary in it and I made it myself! Woo hoo :P Who knew deodorant could be so exciting...LOL!

For those of you who are thinking of trying this, I urge to do so NOW!!!!!! It is well worth it. This stuff is far healthier than store bought, chemical filled junk. Even if you weren't planning to try it and you just happened to see this post, you really should give it a shot;)

This stuff is so good, I think it deserves yet another link:
"Coconut Oil Killed My Stink" homemade deodorant recipe.

Woo hoo for Homeade Deodorant

There is something very liberating and satisfying about making your own care products. Knowing that you aren't lining the pockets of big company (that doesn't care about it's customers) and that you aren't coating your body with toxins! I really like knowing what the ingredients are and the fact that I can pronounce them.

So, I made myself some lovely deodorant today and I really like how easy it was to make. It took no time at all. I decided to go with the "Coconut Oil Killed My Stink" recipe. Such a funny title :) This was a very easy to follow tutorial and though I used this recipe, I opted to not add any essential oils, this time around. I wanted something plain and basic, to start off. I will admit, it was really hard to convince myself to not drink the melted coconut oil...LOL. It just smells soooooooo good! The tin that I recycled, is a perfect fit!


Anywho, I didn't get any pictures of the process, even though I said I would. I just forgot to get a battery charger, and I was too impatient to wait. I will take a picture or two the next batch. I know there is no need for at least a few months, to make any more but I think having more than one scent to choose from everyday would be nice. I think I will add the tea tree oil and something else, the next time around. Now, if I can just get Macho Man to embrace the homemade godness of this deoderant!

My Pits Shall Stink Another Day

Okay, it isn't that serious, I still have plain old baking soda! I really did want to make some deodorant and try it out, but this day did not go so well and now I am plain lazy. I was looking around a bit though and found a few other blogs/sites that have their version of the homemade deodorant. I was thinking it would be nice to add some essential oils but unsure if it would change the consistency. I was browsing some blogs and found a link for THIS recipe! Right before I found that one, I found THIS link that shows you an easy way to store your deodorant in an empty "store bought" deodorant container. I believe that link may also have a recipe. Now, I think storing it that way would be sweet, but I haven't bought deodorant in almost a year.I figured it was a good one to share though.

I am really hoping to make some deodorant tomorrow and get a battery charger, so that I can share some pictures of the process :)

Homemade Show and Tell...Again

I wanted to share another homemade item...or two!


Here are some recycled goodies I made for a crafting raffle that I joined on Craftster. We had to make something, using recycled/re-purposed items only. I came up with a coffee mug cozy made from recycled wool sweaters, and 2 journals made with a Weetabix box, recycled paper bags from a scrapbook store (that no longer gives the handy sized paper bags, but now gives poopy plastic bags) and are also covered in recycled wool sweater pieces!

I really liked the turn out of these crafts and it was very hard to let them go, but I am sure they are loved in their new home :)

I've Done it...

I have become the crazy lady at the table!

Macho man and I went out for date night, last might and our appetizer arrived at our table, I noticed the sour cream and salsa were served in tiny little plastic containers. Instantly, my mind went to the question, "Do they recycle here?". I am sure I could have asked, but even if they yes, that doesn't actually mean that they will really be recycling these things. I have recently found out that many businesses in my area do NOT recycle! In fact, there are a few places that have gone out of their way to provide lovely recycling receptacles that have different slots, so you can sort your waste and recycling in to the proper slots but they don't actually recycle any of it. They go out of their way to have everything separated, but at the end of the evening, they just throw it ALL in to a garbage bag and off to the landfill it goes :( How does that even make sense?

Okay, a bit of a rant there! Back to the story at hand. So, I wondered about the recycling and decided that I was not going to leave it to chance, and proceeded to wipe the little plastic containers out (once they were empty) and shoved them in to my purse! That's right...IN.MY.PURSE!! I don't care how weird or crazy that I may seem, I can't have perfectly recyclable/reusable items being thrown in to the trash on my account. If I had thought things were going to come in anything plastic, I would have opted out, but there they were! I was thinking about putting them in with my recyclables but thought of something better. I am going to hang on to them and use them to hold paints for Miss Z, when she is crafting! This way, they will have more than one use and when they become broken or we no longer have a use for them, I will recycle them.

This also has me thinking that there is more that I need to be doing and that I need to make more of an "eco-effort". I think that when going out to eat (which we rarely do), we need to come up with things that we can do to avoid extra waist. Here are some ideas that I have come up with, so far:

bring cloth napkins
ask for nothing served in disposable dishes or find out
bring utensil rolls (in case there are disposable utensils)

Anyone have some ideas that they might like to share?

March Change

One Small Change Be sure to check this link out...Join in...Be the change!

I have decided to join and add my eco goals! I have so many eco goals that I have set and followed through with, as well as others that I am working on. Why not share them with others? Why not get ideas from others, as to what I need to change, in order to lower my carbon footprint? I can think of no reason not to :)

So, on to my change for this month...eliminate my use of disposable feminine hygiene products! I will be making pads myself, this month. I have never made these before, but my sister has and they don't seem to unreasonable to do. Wish me luck ;)

A Party Fit for the Planet

My little girl turned three recently and of course we planned a homemade party for her. I knew I wanted her party to be as eco-friendly as possible and it turns out, that is really quite easy. We not only went eco, but we also went with healthier choices! There were no disposable decorations, no plastic or paper dishes to be thrown away and no useless plastic toys, in plastic bags and only the equivalent of one half of a small shopping bag of waste!! I am so proud of myself, for sticking to it and getting everything done on time and making so much myself.
Fabric Banner. Made from pieces in my scrap bin.
When reading a few other blogs and sites, it was made to sound as if it was going to be super expensive, but I found the opposite! I used materials I had on hand, to make the decorations and my mother and I went looking at the local secondhand shops, for dishes and cutlery (7.00). I also used some pink fabric I had, as table cloths. I didn't do anything to the material, besides ironing it and once the party was over, I washed the fabric and put it right back in to the mix for later crafting!
Japanese paper balloons that I learned to make, the night before the party and felt hearts and stars.
For food, I made turkey wraps(using real turkey I baked the day before) and veggie wraps, lots of fruit and veggies, cheese and crackers. I also made hummus and a Greek dip from the cookbook, Deceptively Delicious. I bought lentil chips and rice chips for dipping, instead of potato chips. There was no pop, but instead, we had apple juice with just apples and a fruit juice made just of fruit, no added sugars. Oh, and the cake was supposed to be vegan, but things just would not go my way :( I made Coconut Cake from the Eat, Drink, Be Vegan cookbook, but only half of what I made, actually became a part of the finished product. I made the cake three times, and the first time was amazing but the second and third...Not so good! I forgot the sugar and it didn't cook right. I was so disappointed that when I was STILL baking, the day of the party, I had to cave and use a crappy boxed cake mix *hangs head in shame*. It was then iced with whipped cream (whipped myself) and garnished with strawberries. Everyone had a good time and appreciated the healthier food choices!
Tasty cake! Nothing fancy, but super yummy!