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!