Day 49

Ok....I just got off the phone with my wonderful sister and she made me realize that I have been slacking a bit on the blog! I have not slacked on my Epiphany and I have been doing projects but, this whole writing thing has been a bit of a struggle for me recently. I could go on and on but instead I will show you the projects that I have been working on!

So, this first one is an idea that my good friend Amber Rose gave me! She is great at finding cool and interesting projects! These are Terrariums made from reused glass, vases, plates and even the plants are from starts that I had hang'in around the house from some of my other plants!

FYI: Plants are great to have in your house for several reasons...they look beautiful when taken care of correctly, they give you something to do on cold winter days (Yes you have to water them!!) and most importantly they filter your indoor air. This is so important because in the average home the air inside is actually more polluted than the outdoor air:( Scary!! So, they say have a plant for each 100sq ft of your home to keep your breathing air clean and fresh! Also, don't over water because then mold will grow and your air wont be so nice with spores floating around the house. If you do get mold...don't use chemicals to get rid of it, that is just more toxins in the air!

This site has a good article on air filtering plants and info:
www.cleanairgardening.com

Lecture over, here are some pics of a couple of terrariums that I have put together!







In the course of making all of these reused & recycled things, I drive a lot to go to Thrift shops looking for very specific items. I always find what I need but at the cost of burning more gas than I would normally by just going to one store that carries pretty much everything! This is were I ask: Am I really making a difference with my epiphany or am I just swapping one good thing for a bad thing? I do know that I have been trying to get a couple of ideas together and looking for materials all at the same time, keeping my trips less often. There still has to be a better way though!

Thoughts ANYONE?

On to another project!
Remember those cool bags made out of old plastic shopping bags? Well, I made some more.
This one is actually a gift for someone who really wanted one. I made a bag and a little pillow that fits inside.





Well guess that is it for now! I will do my best to post more often! Happy recycling!

Day 31

This blog is dedicated to all of the wonderful, talented and adored people who attended my surprise birthday party!! Yes, I have officially turned 30 and I am amazed at all of the effort and thought that went into my Birthday Party!
So, everyone knows about my epiphany and my party was created with that in mind. All the decorations were reused, even a pinyata that (filled with things that I might run out of over the next 5 months) was reused! Anyway, since the theme of my party was reuse, recycle and reduce many of my friends brought gifts that were made out of reused or recycled materials. Some of the items are new but very eco friendly & hand made! I am so inspired by these tokens that I have to share them with the world - or at least the people who read this blog!
So, listed below are the pics and artist! ENJOY!! I know I am!!









The Candles were home made and the glass was containers were from a second hand store. The top picture is of home made lotion (made of natural stuff, haven't gotten the recipe yet) inside of a container from a second hand store! Love These!!!
The Adored artist is Heather Toliver!



This beautiful plate is made of recycled glass, I don't know who the artist is but the person with amazing taste(who bought it) is Jennifer Jabson! Yes, my gorgeous Sister!!! This piece is currently being displayed on my kitchen table!



The incredible vase was hand made by an amazing man & friend, Eric Burdick! I actually had no idea he was such a talented artist - WOW!!




This super hip bag was made by Lynn Forbes (Bean). This bag fits me to a tee! I love it and will always use it! Again....another amazing artist!




So, mother nature made these beauties! But, they are recycled. The roses came from my friend Paul (I am sorry Paul, I dont have your email or your last name!). We actually spent Thanksgiving with Paul and these were our T-Giving flowers. He recycled them and made them a Birthday gift!! What girl doesn't love flowers on her birthday. Pure Genius!








Ok, I have to admit...these are fucking RAD! Artist: The amazing Skye Richardson! Ya, records!!!!! Super fly bowl and plate made from records! So, now you know what to do with those old Rod Stewart records!




Last but not least, Nicole & Sudd Helzer. This bag and gloves were new but, they are made by a company called "World of Good". All of their products are made fair trade with a unique blend of traditional handcrafts and modern designs. They help support artisans build community and protect the environment.

I have to say again.....THANK YOU EVERYONE! My Party ROCKED! I love you all and you all inspire me to no end!!!! This was the greatest birthday ever!!!!!!!

Day 26

I have been faithful to my efforts as I write this post! I have made some Throw Pillows using the same method as the Tote Bag posted 10 days ago.




What I am loving about reusing these bags to make functional items is that there is no waste. For example, I use the scraps from the pillows and bags for the stuffing in the pillows. How great is that!!

This last weekend Bob and I spent some time with another couple who really do their part in trying to live sustainably! They recycle, reuse, thrift, compost, buy local, they even have a motorhome that runs on propane! Anyway, we got to talking about this blog of mine...and we started discussing consumerism and how it is really great that there are more products and materials out in the world that are considered "Green" or "Eco" but what about the stuff that we already have here on planet earth? Should we just toss out all the bad things, put them in a landfill? Or should we use what we have till it literally desinigrates and then we can make and consume materials that are more friendly? Should we dilute or toss things at full strength?

Day 16

So, this project was inspired by a good friend and amazing artist - Heidi Rettig www.heidirettig.com. Heidi has been giving me interesting ideas to incorporate into my epiphany...

I just want to say that I greatly appreciate all of the ideas and info that everyone has given me! It has made this project more interesting and I am inspired by everyone that has contributed!

You know those annoying plastic bags that you get at the grocery store? It almost seems like the cashier doubles up on the bags that one day you forgot to bring your own! Its like a punishment for being forgetful of your conscience effort to reuse your own grocery bags. Well, you don't have to feel bad any longer. There are wonderful and creative things you can do with all that dreaded plastic. This is my first try and its a little rough but as the months go on we will see how many different items I can make with this method of reusing and recycling plastic bags.

This method is called fusing plastic. You take your plastic bags and iron them down to create a very sturdy and pliable material. From there you can sew these pieces together to make anything!! This is the web site that I got from Heidi for directions:
blog.craftzine.com

So, Here is the first of my efforts...it's a tote bag!





Stay tuned, there will be more soon!

Day 6-15

I have not posted lately...! Although I have been successful in my endeavors. My Halloween project went off without a hitch, yet I have not posted the pictures yet because the pictures are inside of my neighbor's camera and I have not gotten them out yet... hee hee! He told me that he would email them soon. Paul, if you are reading this EMAIL ME THE PICTURES...pretty please! I will tell you that Bob and I were a famous couple from the Flinstones... I am sure that is a hard one to figure out!
Anyway, I have done another project. It was a good one. I have this lamp that Bob got for me 7 years ago for my birthday. I love the lamp but the shade on it was falling apart and it really didnt look so great anymore. I searched around for a new (new to me) shade at thrift shops but I couldnt find one that I liked. So...I made my own. I made some paper out of old "SHOTS" magazines (Shots is a photography publication that is quite good but, I never look at them anymore). To do this you shred the paper, stick it in the blender and add water, blend into a pulp & pour out onto at screen (I found a couple great window screens at "Pak-it", a used materials center). Then you press the excess water through the screen. The paper came out a light grey. By the way, it takes a couple of days for the paper to dry completely. I used the old shade as a templete for the new shade. To add a little bling I cut squares out and placed some nature photos I took in the square holes. If none of that made sense - here are some pics!




So, that is it for now! I will post the Halloween pics as soon as I get them!
I have another project that I am going to start today or tomorrow! Will post when complete!

Day 3-5

Yes, I am still working hard at my new way of living! My project for the week is going pretty good (Halloween costumes)! I need to sew the costumes now - I don't have a sewing machine so I am going to borrow my friend's. I also needed thread to sew with, Luckily I found a couple half used reels of thread (thrift shop) that should be enough. Although my art project for the week is working out, I have stumbled upon some other issues -

• Once my Simple Green runs out what will I use to clean....? I don't want to go out and buy new cleaning supplies with their packaging and what not. A good friend of my suggested using more natural supplies like, vinegar, baking soda, newspapers. If anyone has more ideas let me know!!
• Last weekend we used our last sponge. Bob (my husband) asked if I would get some more.
  I told him I couldn't. So, we are now using crotchet dish clothes that his G-ma made for us years ago! Why haven't we used them all along?
• We are also on the last of our paper towels! I cant buy more so, I guess I will use some left over used fabric from the costumes to make some napkins and dish clothes!

I am sure that throughout these next six months I will be running into all sorts of things that I normally would just go to the store to solve. I think that living this way is going to bring out some more interesting topics other than just living used and consumerism....at the moment I feel that convenience is a major issue! Not in a good way!

So, I will be posting the specifics & pics of my costume project on Thursday! I hope they turn out!! They will be made of all used materials! I am excited to share them with everyone.

Day 2

So, last week when I was walking a dog. I left the house with 2 gloves on my hands, a hat on my head and a tennis ball in my pocket. The walk was great and I actually lost track of time because Wyatt (a sweet, sweet puppy) and myself were having such a wonderful outing. When it was brought to my attention that Wyatt's hour of fun and play was up and we were not even close to his house, we bolted back to his neighborhood. Once I had dropped off Wyatt and was on my way home I realized I no longer had 1 of my gloves, my hat or the ball!? Although it is up setting that I would so easily loose articles of clothing, it is even more upsetting to me that I could loose my hat. I have this thing with hats. Not only do they help keep me warm and fuzzy, they work as a security blanket for me. Its odd and weird but once I get a hat that I like, I wear it all the time. I feel more comfortable with a nice hat hugging my head and keeping me safe from all that is wrong in the world. So, keeping up with my project of not buying anything that is new or unused. I had to find myself a hat that would keep me safe all winter long. For Day 2 I went thrifting! I found not only a wonderful hat that seems to be made for me and my head alone, I also found some great materials to work on my project for the week - Halloween Costumes! I cant tell you what the costumes are going to be yet but I will tell you that I am going to be using all used stuff to make them! Thrift Shops are a great place to find used materials at a fraction of the price of new materials!
Now after all that...here is the hat! Which I am loving and wearing as I write!
Did I mention it was only $1. What a deal!
If you have never seen me before dont be scared or worried I always look that way!

My Epiphany - Save the Planet!

I have never felt that there was reason for me to blog. I don’t do anything overly interesting and I don’t feel that my daily life is anything to be sharing with the world. I’m just not that interesting! You are probably asking, "why then is she blogging now?"
Well, as of recently I have decided to make a resolution. With careful consideration and a lot of thought I have decided to save the PLANET! Well at least do my part to HELP save the planet.
We all do things on a daily basis to contribute to the desecration and survival of life, as we know it here on earth. We all have good and bad tendencies that affect our planet and society. We are all aware of the scientific studies and the environmental concerns that our current way of life creates.
Another issue that I feel worth mentioning is, consumerism. We all have our moments of trying to keep up with the Jones’. How much do we buy and waste just to be like everyone else? How many things do we buy that we really don't need? Are we buying things that could be made of different materials?
This all got me to thinking...what am I doing? I ride my bike, I buy local, I recycle but what else can I do?
After long consideration I have decided not to buy anything for myself unless it is used, recycled or handed down from someone else. I do want to make clear that I will be buying new food and toiletries. I have this thing against recycled food and hygiene products, I am not a bird after all and I don’t know anywhere that I can purchase a used bottle of toothpaste. This whole endeavor will encompass clothing, furniture, pet supplies (leashes, collars, toys, not food), household items and art supplies.
You ask, "art supplies?" Yes, I am going to be working on new art projects that will be based on using mediums that I find, are used or are recycled. This is where you, the blog reader comes in. I want help with this! I need crafty ideas and smart interesting subject matter to work into my upcoming projects.
I have decided to have this way of life run its course for 6 straight months! After, I will assess and see if living purely on used or recycled material is do-able. Throughout these next six months I will be posting all sorts of stuff from my purchases to art. Please join me and share your ideas, suggestions and anything that comes to mind!

By the way, my name is Rebecca and I will be sharing the next six months with you!
If you want to share this blog with other people, please do! The more the merrier!

Xmas should be interesting this year!

Day 1 starts today October 24 2008 & will end April 24 2009.

Day 1

I have to admit, day 1 has been pretty smooth! Nothing like quitting a nasty habit or cleaning a grease trap. I have successfully made it through the day without buying anything new or unused. I also started a new project. STAMPS. I collected several different natural elements off the ground while I was walking a client today (I work as a dog walker and a web/graphic designer). Leaves, branches, flowers, etc...When I got done with work I made some stamps. Using my natural elements, ink and paper I stamped the paper with the elements that had been dipped in ink. Once the stamps were dry I folded the paper into a box. I think will use it for a gift box instead of buying new wrapping paper or gift bags.
Check it out!