Looking for Sustainability ideas

I thought I find a way to keep costs down while still trying to stay eco-friendly. Trying to keep striving for sustainability. This a record of that journey.

Sometimes blunt and straight forward then sometimes sarcastic

This frugal crunchy hipster single momma is doing what she can to save Mother Earth while not breaking the bank!
Showing posts with label upcycle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label upcycle. Show all posts

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Sure if you say so...

It seems like the popular thing around here is to carry a tote bag as a purse.  Not the over size things but open top bags.... Many of my co-workers are carrying them and now my young ladies....  I am getting on the bandwagon and making me one from "fake leather"  material, cause I like tons of pockets and long handles. My purse is falling apart and I need a new one.  I can't find one I like. You know it is always the time you can't find one you like. You always see ones you really like when you have no  money!!  Ok so I did see one online I liked but..... really don't have the extra $250 for a purse. Paid 6 dollars for the material. 

I made Miss Animal Rights a grocery bag from a bright red t-shirt of hers... She has been carrying a  tote bag with the Twilight logo on it... But it is black and now her uniform is all black.  She is getting a little tried of all black.  She saw this and decided to make this her purse!  So in all black with a bright red bag many people have commented on her cool purse.

This is kinda how I made her purse.



Now with all the comments she has a idea. She said I could buy a bunch of  Cleveland Browns tees. I get to make a bunch of these bags and she gets to drive all the way to Cleveland and tailgate party before the Browns games and sell these tote bags.We will split it 50/50. Of course I said huh? I get to do all the work and pay for the materials and you get to drive and sell??? She was like she pays for gas and I pay for shirts. I really don't think that is 50/50 work and expense...  She looked at me and said MOM we'll go to the goodwill stores and places like that.... We pay what a couple dollars for the shirt make a tote bag and charge $25....

Of course I want to change the tote bag a little to make it look more like a tote bag. She is not going for it wants to stay just like her bag..... Well we haven't found any Brown shirts yet.... Really have NOT been to the goodwill stores yet either... giggles.... oh well looks like we have some ideas for holiday gifts for some friends

ivy

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Speaking of Fall

Just looking around the web today and found this wonderful tutorial ok a couple of tutorials. Making boots out of sweaters. Number one is embroidery designed sweater boots.
I really don't like the whole embroidery thing. Then I find this blog... Happy Together . She even made some boots for her daughter. With ideas on how to make a pattern to help you sew up a great pair of boots...

Off to try this out...

ivy

Monday, April 5, 2010

Ideas in Action

I saw this cute bag (well kinda cute bag) at Wally world the other day and thought I could make one like that. Then I remembered I had a string bag with a rip. I thought I saved it for the handles to make another grocery bag but I couldn't find it.  So I found this under my car seat. It shrank in the washer.  The pink ripped one got that way from the washer.  SO I thought why not fix this one too.   I can't stand the small handles and they don't fit over my arm when I have my winter coat on so that's why it found its way to under my car seat.  I didn't like to use it.


  
The bag I saw had a string bag outside and a lining inside. I almost used that material that is under the bag. Then I slept on it. I got the idea this morning to use a old t-shirt. The t-shirt will stretch just like the string bag does. So I went looking for a t-shirt. Nope, none in the goodwill box. But I found a ripped sweater. Yes that will work too.

I cut the top of the sweater right below the arm holes.  I sewed that  shut and used a french seam to make it stronger.  I pined the bottom (now the top of the bag lining) to the opening of the string bag.  I sewed around the bag. Giving the handles a X reinforcement  so they will be stronger and not rip with too much weight.

It doesn't look very big does it?   Doesn't look like much but I like it... I had to sew  on long handles and like the long handled string bags. 

Here it is in use with ketch-up, 2 boxes, 2 litter of pop. jar of peanuts and a can of chips with more room!! .


ivy

Sunday, August 23, 2009

List of things to make

Ok maybe it is a list of things that I think would be cool to make. I don't have a dumpster in my backyard but wouldn't it be cool to have a swimming pool made from dumpsters. I really would love to make a window farm. . I think it just the time I am not looking forward to...

But I really loved the truck farm A film maker has a farm in the back of his Dodge Ram truck that he drives in Brooklyn, New York.

So I think after the window garden the first project I might actual do is make my own hammock


I also found a project that I really could do. Solar Jars or Moon Jars. But I would not buy a new solar light. I have had some break and my dad is trying to fix them. Plus he was wracking his brain - that's my dad's dads'speak for you, to make something to put on the patio table. So I show him the lifehacker page and well guess I am not making a Solar Jar or a Moon jar.... my dad is talking about making it. I will post a picture of it after he makes it... One for me and one for him.

Why not dream big? I saw this nice minibuilding. built with earthbags. Looks like a hobbit studio. to go with my hobbit house.
ivy

Saturday, August 22, 2009

I finally did it

So friends have told me for years I should sell my tote bags. I kept saying I would maybe one day set up a "shop" on those sites to try to sell them. I finally did it tonight, the sad thing is it is almost 2 AM now....... But it was fun. Check out my new site Selestial Creations!
ArtFire - Buy Handmade - Sell Handmade I have a mini veiwer in the side column of this blog, so you can see some of the things I sell.
ivy

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