Feb 14, 2010

Simplify Sunday 2

Plus Giveaway!
 
 As I mentioned last week, I love quilting and sewing and beading and generally crafting so much that I have acquired a lot of stuff supplies over the years. To top it off, I'm better at starting projects than finishing them. So I have lots. Make that lots of stuff. In the interest of simplifying my life, I'm trying to use things up and share them with others who can use them now instead of trying to use them myself SOMEDAY.

So during the Olympics, I am using up my yarn with lots of crochet. Now most of these have to be small (like the cute doilies above, pattern from Crochet Today) because my yarn stash consists mostly of single skeins. In the end, it's mostly eye candy to me. So far I have 6 of these little cuties. (Above, though, I'm going for the Olympic look.)

GIVEAWAY TIME

 To giveaway today, I have Betz White's book Sewing Green. Last year I won one in a giveaway at The Long Thread, and then someone gave me another copy. So, I'm passing my extra copy along to one of you, lovely readers. This is filled with some great projects that make great use of our resources, as well as great gifts. Really, it's a great book. For Christmas, I made several produce bags for my anti-plastic bag friends. They were easy and fun.

To enter the giveaway, just leave a comment by Tuesday, noon (central time). Share with us your favorite recycle/upcycle idea--something SIMPLE that makes better use of our resources. Or tell us something green you would LIKE to do. Wednesday 8 am central I'll announce the winner.

And check back next week--I'll have something else to share with you in another giveaway. For now, the Olympics beckon!

Gratitudes
  • Home to watch Apolo Ohno win a medal.
  • Hot fudge sundae for Valentine's Day.
  • Nearly 20 years with same SWEETIE

6 comments:

jlk said...

I use old glass jars, like for baby food, to put my used sewing needles in. That way I don't get stabbed throwing out the trash.

I really hope I win. I've been eyeing this book for awhile.

Crafty Maine Mom said...

I wish I was a better recycler but I do have lots of cloth grocery bags and I often forget them in the car. My idea would be to provide some really ugly cloth bags for everyone at the store and if you forget yours one week your take an "UGLY" bag. If eventually everyone remembers to bring them back to the store we would save a lot of plastic bags.

Karen said...

You know the tiny, tiny strips you get when you sqaure up your fabric? I save them in a bag and use them as plant ties.

Lisa said...

ooh! I LOVE the ugly bag idea! Thanks for the generous give away chance! We have stopped using wrapping paper - it is so much fun using handmade and recycled items (fabric, magazines) to make a gift look special and garbage free!

Debbie aka Marblesbestfriend said...

I love to upcycle old clothing. Old blue jeans become denim quilts; sheets are sewn into reusable grocery bags; an old denim jumper was sewn into "new" dungarees for my toddler nephew. Using cut up old undershirts and cotton panties as dust cloths is one of the simplest ways we recycle.

Debbie aka Marblesbestfriend
clutterbat at yahoo dot com

Rae Ann said...

I buy the Costco cookies not only for the cookies, but the container as well. When emptied, I use them to store all the pieces of my latest projects that have just been cut out. I love them to store my rick racks, ribbons, and threads as well!
Thanks for the great giveaway! I also am having a fun "GIVEAWAY"... be sure to stop by and check it out!
Love your blog!