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Being Green

Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman, that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't ...good for the environment.
The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment f or future generations."

The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."
 She was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were truely recycled.
But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags.
But too bad we didn't do the green thing back then.
We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
But that young lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
But we didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint.
But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?
 

good for the environment.
The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in my earlier days."

The young clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment f or future generations."
She was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day.
Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were truely recycled.
But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Grocery stores bagged our groceries in brown paper bags, that we reused for numerous things, most memorable besides household garbage bags, was the use of brown paper bags as book covers for our schoolbooks. This was to ensure that public property, (the books provided for our use by the school) was not defaced by our scribblings. Then we were able to personalize our books on the brown paper bags.
But too bad we didn't do the green thing back then.
We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks.
But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.
Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throwaway kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy-gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry our clothes back in our early days. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing.
But that young lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.
Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used wadded up old newspapers to cushion it, not Styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.
But she's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.
We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.
But we didn't have the green thing back then.
Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 23,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest burger joint.
But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?

How to be a Panda

If you ever wanted to learn the ways of the Panda, here is your chance.  Added this cute bag to the etsy shop. 

The Salinas Slut

I started this doll because I did not have any projects on deck.  As with the other dolls I have made, I get to the face, add the eyes and then loose interest, so she has spent the last 3 months kicking around the house and showing up in various places with out a mouth to voice any protests.  Pour thing.  She has been stripped naked, drug around by the dogs, and posed and photographed in inappropriate positions.  She has been through hell-Kinda reminds me of my childhood.  So we are having a couple of young-ins come to visit this week so I thought I would finish her up and send her off to a respectable family.  Here is her final portraits all 'dolled up'.

Tatted wallet

I had a crochet version of this Mimi wallet but it met with an unfortunate accident. So it gave me an opportunity to work on my tatting. Here is what I came up with.

Patriotic wreath for Summer.

Grab a styrofoam wreath and red, white and blue yarn and start wrapping. Easy as can be!

Totes, Totes and more Totes!

Recently a friend and I were asked if to participate in a small craft fair.  The offer was made after seeing these bags.  While my friend was not keen on the idea at first (but being a good sport) we are going to give it a go.  I was ready to jump in head first.  I have been making tote bags, crocheted head bands, with more book bags in the works.  Since so much effort has been put into making all these items I decided to open an etsy shop.  Here are few of the totes we have come up with.

 

In an effort to keep things organized I decided to make an oh so craft bulletin board. 

I have loads of step by step pics to share about the process of how it all came together.  I will share that next time. 



Crocheted Sun Visor for Nissan Versa

Every morning on my drive home I fight (unsuccessfully) to keep the sun out of my eyes.  During one of these mornings I came up with a wonderful idea to crochet a visor that goes the length of the windshield. 

I linked up 16 motif's and added a top border.

I inserted the strip between the window and the roof panel.

It came out really cute and work just how I had hoped. 

Another debate on Copywrite law-sigh.......

It makes me so mad when people start popping off about copywrite issues without knowing the facts.  This rant was prompted by someone removing a tutorial for a pattern that his common knowledge.  The pattern is out there a hundred different ways and you can post a tutorial about anything you like as long as you do not copy the pattern verbatim. The author of the pattern owns the rights to their written words and pictures used, not the product produced from the pattern.  Once you purchase a pattern (or download a free) pattern you have purchased all rights and freedoms to do as you will with it.  Consider this-if you purchase a book on how to build a bookshelf.  You read the book, follow the directions, purchase the materials, and build a bookshelf.  That is YOUR bookshelf.  The author of the book can not tell you what to do with the bookshelf.  Once you read and learn how to build a bookshelf that KNOWLEDGE is yours.  You can go and build and sell 200 bookshelves if you like.  You can teach anyone you want how to make that same bookshelf.  You can go and teach bookshelf building workshops at the local YMCA if you were so inclined.  Back to the original book.  Now that you are an expert shelf builder you no longer need the book that started it all.  What to do with it?  Well if you listen to the pattern writers of the world, you should apparently destroy all evidence of its existence.  However, If you have done some research (which I have done plenty) on copywrite law, you know that since you purchased the book, it is now yours to do as you please.  You can pass it on to a friend, donate it to a library or sell it in a yard sale.  That’s right I said you can resell it.  BECAUSE IT’S YOURS.  You wouldn’t let your college professor tell you what you can do with the knowledge gained from his class would you?  God I hope not—If you would let me know-that is a whole different blog posting. 

So now all of you pattern writers out there who are getting all pissy about this blog post I understand how much work goes into writing patterns, I have written a few myself.  I also know many of you rely on the sale of your work as your income; however this does not change the law. 

I am open to hearing your opinions and discussion even if you don’t agree with me.  Before you go posting irate messages and comments, please for the love of God, do some research about copywrite issues.  I would love to see your comments- However- since this is my blog, I am the only one allowed to spew ignorant rants and raves.  If you are making a statement about copywrite law please back it up with facts and a source.

If you are interested in reading more about this topic, HERE is a great reference point. 

If you need official info you can find it here http://www.copyright.gov/.

Sewbe Wan Kenobi

Yay! Finished the Book Bag.  I made this bag more as a sew along to help Robin advance her sewing skills.  We both love the way they came out.  I am a bit jealous of her fabric choice though.  When she picked it out in the store I thought it was too bright for my tastes, however once it became a bag, I love it. 
Here is my bag

 

  

 There is a great tutorial for this bag you can find here.  

Here is a sample of Robins fabric.  To see more details on her bag you can read about it here.

So two things I learned from making this bag

   1.  When using a fabric with directional pattern make sure you buy extra and be prepared for a little extra sewing.

   2.  You can't always trust an Asians math!

Busy sewing........

I busted out the sewing machine last week.

When I saw Sweet Verbena's 'Its a Cinch Bag' I loved it!  She made hers out of a jersey material it is so cute that I had to make one.  Now she does promise a tutorial is coming soon on her website, however I could not wait.....









 Here is my version

 I found a couple of remnants at Walmart and knew they would look great as this bag.  The fabric is a canvas material of some sort.  It is quite sturdy. 

The lining is made up of scraps from old clothes.  I used iron on interfacing to firm it up a bit.





My next project is a book bag that I am making with my friend Robin who is learning to sew.