Re-purposed & Re-imagined: T-shirt Tote

A deceptively simple idea and one I just had to try myself. I'm in constant need of bags and I'm not keen on buying paper ones or even the reusable grocery bags. My issue with the grocery store bags is they are emblazoned with the store logo, so I feel kinda weird going to a different store and handing over a bag without their logo.

I've also recently changed my shopping habits, so I'm often at the Farmers Market or at a local store where I buy in loose bulk. I like the idea of having various size bags for separate produce and smaller bags that tie off for nuts, grains, etc...

I've found a couple of websites with instructions and suggestions that I'm going to try out:
Instructable "Fastest Recycled T-Shirt Tote Bag"
Instructable "No-Sew 10 Minute T-Shirt Tote"
Ecouterre Produce Bag

New to Me Skill - Rug Making

My plan was simple to make a hooked rug, but all the instructions online specified a specific type of ribbon, a special hook and fabric.

I didn't want to spend additional money on a project I might not continue, much less complete. So I compromised creatively.

I had a crochet hook that fit a latch rug canvas and I had lots of fabric scraps that I could rip into ribbons. The canvas I purchased on the cheap from a yard sale for a buck.

Not having a clue what design to do or even where to start, I consulted My-Good-Friend-the-Internet and was overwhelmed. I couldn't find a simple design or instructions. Thinking the largess of the canvas was intimidating me, I cut out a mostly square section.

Because the grid pattern looked like that alphabet paper I used as a kid, I decided to do an "E". I probably chose that letter because it's the first initial of my fairy goddaughter's name, whose "this many" and holds up two curved fingers widely spread.

From the "E," I created a simple design that allowed me to experiment with different shapes like, squares, circles, and zigzags. I was pretty happy with the results and very, very, very glad I started small. I think I'll give this one to E and I've already started another one for my cars obsessed nephew.

I don't know if I have an innate skill or if its not as hard as the internet instructions made it seem, it seemed pretty easy to me but tedious. Basically, I used the crochet hook to pull a loop of fabric ribbon up through the canvas from the bottom. Then I moved on to the next square and repeated the action until the pattern ended or I ran out of ribbon, then I left a tail sticking up through the canvas and started again with a new ribbon. Once a section was complete, I trimmed all the tails down and they disappeared into the rug.

I like this style because I'm using scraps of fabric that would otherwise be thrown away. You see the blue area in the rug picture below. That's actually a mixture of two different fabrics. They both were dark blue with a light blue pattern. One pattern was floral and the other was waves. However, when ripped into strips you couldn't tell that they were different.

Like I said before, it's work. I definitely plan to stick with the small rugs right now, especially if I'm doing a pattern. I'll let you know if I decide to tackle something larger.

Feeling Inspired - "Our Tiny House Inspiration"

Through a random search, I came across Bryce and Mel's video regarding "Tiny House Inspiration" (see below).

Unbeknownst to me, I was already following their Pinterest page "Tiny House Inspiration." I like the way they've put together their story through social media. It's taken a huge commitment from them to tackle a project like this and record many of the steps. I feel good just keeping this blog up to date!

Anyway, their YouTube channel and website have so much more information, so check them out.

Me & My Stuff, Parting 2

My load of small stuff - cloths, kitchen, bathroom, camping.

When I moved in 2011, I discovered that adjusting from 1800 square feet to 800 square feet was not as hard as I expected, especially once the boxes and books were evacuated (See Me & My Stuff, Parting 1) . There were, however, several thing that really annoyed me in a teeth gritting sort of way.

• The walls. A small space should not have walls.
• Cooking in the kitchen was also very bothersome. It was a galley style that opened into a central hallway. 

 I lived in the apartment for 2 years. The rent skyrocketed after the first year but I stayed put because I'd found the place I wanted to move to - Downtown. They had studio apartments between 500 to 550 square feet located in Downtown area, a block away from a rapid transport station.

It was perfect. Problem was it had a 98% occupancy rate at all times. It took me a year to get in, but I did in 2013.

I didn't have a lot of things to pack up this time since half my boxes last time were books and those were gone. This time most of my small stuff actually fit in my car in one load. I was so surprised! (picture Macaulay Culkin's "Home Alone" face).

This time, there was a furniture issue. I was not going to be able to fit all my furniture into a 500 square foot studio.

I called around to various family members to find out if anyone wanted anything I was thinking about getting rid of. Only the harvest table went back to my parents.

I couldn't exactly hold a yard sale in a apartment, especially one that was gated, and to be honest I was not that impressed with the last one. Instead I decided I would let friends and people in the apartment complex know I was getting rid of some furniture for a price. I did much better than a yard sale because I was able to sell things over months rather than just one day.

The daybed that looked like one of those hospital beds from Madam Pomfrey's ward, went to a family across the hall whose daughter was graduating from her crib. 

 The chair that was originally a burnt-orange velvet was positioned too close to the hearth and suffered fourth degree burns which resulted in it being recovered in a burgundy crushed velvet. When my uncle saw it, he stated "it looks like it came from a house of ill repute." Appropriately,  I thought, the chair was sold to a friend for her boudoir.  

The bookcase my mother and I painted together with a shimmering summer gold inside and the outside was a lovely copper patina, was sold as well. I loved that bookcase, but I had no books.

It's been years since I sold these pieces of furniture but still remember them because of the memories associated with them. I once thought that if I got rid of them that I would be discarding the memories as well. I've just proven that's not the case, the memories are still there and just as strong as before. Maybe even stronger because I don't have the things anymore.

 The remainder of my furniture including bookcases which were given to a teacher and some smaller antiques that I sold to a used furniture store. I sold fewer thing than I did in the 2011 move yard sale but walked away with more money. (There's a lesson to be learned there, I'm sure...)

Afterwards, Me and my stuff moved into 500 square feet without a U-Haul! Whoohoo!

Feeling the Need for Escape

There are some days when going to work, going to school, going home in the city are last places I want to go. I wish I could hurl away all my responsibilities, hit the road and hide among the trees.

This image came through my Facebook feed this morning and I think it best describes how I feel. I don't know what Tom Fonder calls this comic strip but I don't think it needs a name. It's eloquent as is.

TED Inspiration - Dee Williams "Dream Big, Live Small"

Dee Williams is a remarkable woman who changed the course of her life. Her opening line is a great motivator when considering how much "stuff" you actually need.

" I want you to take a second and think about what new purchase, what item, would you want to hold in your arms as you die... Can you imagine how our consumer patterns would change and how small our houses would shrink if we asked those questions a little more often." - Dee Williams

Re-purposed & Re-imagined: Chris McMahon

Chris McMahon's painting

Chris McMahon's deviantART site states, "I buy other people's landscape paintings at yard sales and Goodwill and put monsters in them." With a tagline like that, I had to take a closer look.

You can see his process for different paintings on his blog Involuntary Collaborations.

I like seeing people step outside the box and re-imagine what other people have thrown or given away, especially when it involves monsters and trolls.