Upcycled Grocery Bag Purse - 4th and Final Update

Here is the finished product! I made the handles a little longer than I first had in mind because it's such a good shape for a small shoulder bag. I used a tye dyed material for the lining and handles and made the drawstring out of a striped fabric. Not too bad for some grocery bags!

Now on to the next project.....

Ye Olde Rehoboth Beach, DE Post Cards

I woke up today feeling a little bummed out. Cloudy, rainy weather, not enough energy to be productive, but not tired enough to go back to sleep. To make things even worse, I'm not going to the beach any time soon..... and that would depress anyone!

So, I thought I would dig out my old Rehoboth Beach, DE post cards I've collected over the years to try and cheer myself up. I've gathered about 25 old postcards in hopes of someday either:

A) Thinking of an interesting way to display them or
B) Thinking of some kind of craft for them that doesn't involve cutting them up.

Neither one of those things have happened yet, but in the meantime they're fun to look at. Unless your vintage post card has been sent, it's probably not going to have a date on it. This website has some great info to help you date it:

www.postcardvalues.com/postcardage.htm

Surfs up!

Good Reasons NOT To Shop..... Adopt!

Giuseppe & Farrah with 5 good reasons to adopt!

1) We come with all age appropriate shots!

2) We're already spayed or neutered, or our fee will include getting fixed when we're old enough.

3) HALF of dogs who enter shelters are euthanized.

4) Mystery mixes are just plain cool, but about 1/4 of us are purebred.

5) We might already be trained! Adopting an older dog increases your chances that we're already housetrained (and we might even know a trick or two). Talk to the shelter workers.

And finally....

6) It's true! We know you saved us. You totally get extra licks for that!

Ok, so that was 6 reasons. We're dogs... what do you expect?

Recycled Grocery Bag Project - Update #3

This project keeps getting better and better!

Not only does double crocheting this material give you a straw beach bag feeling, but it gives itself it's own shape when stitched together. Sewing the sides together gave it an oval shape and sewing the bottom shut gave it a flat base for standing up. Perfect for a small purse!

Now for the lining and embellishments.... the fun part!

Eco-Friendly Felt.... Does it work the same as wool felt?

Eco-friendly felt, it's not just for vegans anymore! Made from post consumer plastic bottles, it's brightly colored, inexpensive and easily found just about anywhere that has a craft department.

But can you needle felt with it? Yes! Scratchy? Nope! I have made jewelry out of it and I'm able to wear it all day with no problem. So if you're allergic to wool, this would be the felt for you. Here is a doggie pooper-scooper bag holder that I made using recycled felt. Loops onto your leash handle and attaches with velcro.

Upcycling Plastic Bags: Update!

Crocheting with plastic has been interesting. The first row or two takes longer than yarn, but after some getting used to it's no problem at all. The key is using a large hook (I wouldn't recommend anything smaller than an N) and keeping your stitches loose.

On the bright side, it's turning out much better than I thought it would and I've decided instead of a grocery tote, I would make a little lined purse! The lining (shown on picture) will be made from old curtains and the button is also recycled from a sweater I felted. I have to put some thought into the handles, so stay tuned!

Followers...

Where can I get some....

Upcycling Grocery Bags

My newest project is crocheting used grocery bags into reusable grocery totes. After cutting the bags into strips and looping them all together, I'm ready to start crocheting!

This project has been Farrah approved.

This Is Why You're Fat! (The book) By Jackie Warner - Day 1

Today is my first official day on this program. I have to say, I'm pretty impressed by this book so far (I'm about half way through it). It explains how chemicals and sugar can throw hormones out of whack and mess with your metabolism and tells which foods to eat to get everything back in line.

The foods suggested are simple and I was surprised how much you're allowed to eat. She even gives you two treat meals a week! That means you can go out and eat anything you want on the weekend, as long as it's under 1,500 calories. You can't beat that. The exercise is doable.... if you like that sort of thing. 20 minutes of cardio 5 times a week, 30 minutes of strength training 3 times a week. Not as enjoyable as sitting on the couch, but still, not too horrible!

All in all, I think this book was worth the $10 spent for it on Amazon. Now time to tackle that elliptical.....

My first post! What's on my mind today, you ask?

1) Itchy dogs and trying to find new and improved ways to hide flaxseed oil in their food.

2) My new project, crocheting reusable grocery totes out of grocery bags. (more on this - along with pictures - tomorrow)

3) My new eating plan/exercise routine that I will be starting tomorrow. (also more on this tomorrow). Detoxing from sugar and processed foods! Look out, organic spinach, here I come!

4) The Chinese food that will be delivered shortly..... to be eaten tonight in celebration of tomorrows detox.

5) Updating my Etsy.

6) Finally, still trying to decide what I should be when I grow up....