Eco Bags

Just In Time For Back To School

These sandwich and snack size bags are made from up cycled chip and bread bags.  It is a simple concept that can make a big economical impact.

Instructions: 

First: randomly poke holes into your bag with a straight pin

Second: lay parchment paper under and on top of your bag.

Third: iron your bag on a low setting from the bottom working your way up to the top

* If using bread bags layer 2 bags onto top of one another for a sturdier bag

Fourth: make a template the approx size you would like your bag to be.

Fifth: fold your bag in half, lay template onto of the bag, and cut around the template

Sixth: cut a strip of velcro the fit on the top inside edge of the bag

Seventh: sew the velcro across the to inside edge

Finally: sew the sides together

 

Now enjoy your inexpensive upcycled eco-friendly bag. These bags are sure to be the talk of the lunch table.

* another tip is when your bag finally gives way, take the velcro out and reuse it in the next bag you make.

Eco- Towels

These eco-towels are a great way to help cut down on the use of paper towels. It has really been an easy and inexpensive way for our family to help do our part.

 

Materials Needed:

* sewing machine

* washclothes / dishclothes /  rags

* 3/4 inch width velcro

* empty paper towel role

* a strong glue

* paper towel holder 

Tips:

To keep costs down I used my left over pieces of velcro from other projects. I also got the washclothes on sale at Kmart. The cost was $2.99 for a pack of 8.

Connecting the washclothes - First remove all tags from the clothes. Then cut your velcro into approx 2 inch long strips. Next cut those strips in half long way.

Velcro Placement Template

lines on the side are to show where the velcro is to be placed

lines on the side are to show where the velcro is to be placed

Cut velcro the length of the cardboard paper towel role. Then glue the rough side and the soft side on opposite sides of the role. Finally secure the velcro until the glue drys.

Lastly attach all of your washclothes together, attach your washcloth chain to the velcro on the paper towel tube, role the washclothes around the tube, and drop your new role of eco towels onto your holder.

Nature Inspired Art

Easy Breezy Nature Inspired Art

I have a subscripition to Better Homes and Gardens. I just Love this Magazine. Anyway on the cover of their  March 2012 issue they had the below botanical prints.  I really liked the concept, but wanted to tone it down a little. I used textured white scrapbook paper as my background. I also used floating frames to display the prints. I do suggest printing a coupon to take with you to your local craft store to apply towards the purchase of the frisket. It is a little pricey ($10.00 - $12.00 a bottle).

                                              

DIY Artwork: Botanical Prints

What You Need

-- Cold-press board
-- Frisket masking liquid
-- Paint brush
-- Silk or plastic greenery
-- Spray paint
-- Eraser
-- Kraft paper or newspaper
(See "Tips for Success," below, for buying information.)

Cover work surface with kraft paper or newspaper. Decide the size and number of frames you'll use for your arrangement. For each frame, cut a piece of cold-press board an inch smaller on all sides than the inside measurements of the frame.
To create the irregular white border on each board, brush frisket along the edges of the cold-press board with an imperfect stroke and let dry. The frisket will prevent spray paint from getting onto the board wherever it is applied. The frisket dries quickly, so you will need to move fast when applying it.

Place silk or plastic greenery on each board. It's okay if the greenery extends past the edges of the edges of the cold-press board because the final result will be more graphic. The greenery should lay as flat as possible. (You might need to manipulate the piece, bending the greenery so it lays flat.)

Spray the board with a single coat of paint. (Nearly any spray paint will work. Practice on a scrap piece of paper first.)

Remove the greenery, and allow the paint to dry, following the recommended guidelines on the paint can for dry times.

Carefully remove the frisket. Start at the corners and use your fingers to begin lifting the frisket off the board.

Use an eraser (a regular pink eraser works well) to remove the portions of the frisket you cannot lift off with your fingers

Affix each print to a white paper backing and place it in a frame.

Tips for Success

-- Cold-press board is a sturdy, textured paper found in crafts stores.
-- Frisket is a liquid similar to rubber cement. Look for it in the model-building section of a crafts store.
-- You can use real flowers and greenery if you wish.
-- When selecting flowers and greenery, keep in mind that some forms will work better than others. The examples on the left-hand side of the photo illustrate what won't work as well. The red roses won't lay flat on the board, and the pink flowers are too wispy. On the right in the photo, the tulip has a thick stem and bold form, and the leaf also has a bold form and will lay flat. Both would work well for this project.
-- Heavy flowers or greenery also work better than lighter items, as they will move around less during spray-painting.
-- Industrial pavement spray paint works well for items that are wispy because it produces a more forceful, directional spray. Keep in mind that this type of spray paint is available only in a limited number of colors.

Paint Resources:
Gloss Purple (purple print), Gloss Watermelon (pink print), Satin Pimento (red-orange print) -- Krylon; krylon.com; Satin Encounter (light blue print), Gloss Tropical Oasis (turquoise print) -- Valspar; valsparspray.com; Traffic Yellow (yellow print) by Seymour -- Lowe's; lowes.com.

More for You

Hello-
I want to tell all you craft lovers out there about a new website I discovered today. If you like to sew, quilt, crochet, make jewelry, etc this is a website you should difinately check out. It seems to be a great up and coming place to go for patterns, workshops, online classes and more. If you want to explore the website, go to www.craftsy.com . I hope you find this new discovery as exciting as I did.

From Candle Stick Holder To Pastry Stand

 This project is an easy and fun way to breath new life into that old candle stick holder you no longer use.

1) I started out with a wooden candle stick, wood circle plaque, and a small wooden circle

2) sand the wooden plaque and candle stick

 Supplies:

* wooden candle stick

* wooden plaque

* small wooden circle  

   (optional)

* strong glue

* sand paper

* primer

* paint

* scrapbook paper

* iron on vinyl (found in  

   fabric stores)

* spray adhesive

* a weight or something heavy

* scissors

* extra paper for a template


 

3) find the enter of the plaque

4) trace the wooden circle onto it

5) put glue on the rim of the candle stick and glue down the wooden circle

6) weigh it down and let it dry

7) now put glue on the wooden circle and line it up on the traced circle on the bottom of the plaque

8) turn upside down, weigh down and let it dry

9) prime the stand and lightly sand between coats

10) paint

11) pick out scrapbook paper and cut a circle to fit onto plaque

12) to make the paper water resistant cut out a piece of iron on vinyl and iron it directly onto the front of the paper. (follow manufacturer's instructions for
further instruction of how to apply the product)

13) add whatever design you want on the edge of your vinyl coated paper. I made a stencil first and then traced the stencil onto the back of the vinyl coated paper before cutting it out.

14) spray adhesive the vinyl coated paper onto the stand

15) cushion, turn upside down, weigh down, and let it dry

16) your done

Enjoy!