Recycle, be green and get great Items!

Mays' newsletter hit my inbox today from Doy bags.
If you don't know what Doy is then you are in for a treat!

http://www.doybags.com/index.html

They are a co-operative based in the Philippines and use recycled juice cartons and other items that would just be thrown away and turn them into desirable bags, belts, picture frames and more.

I initially found them after a bellydancing friend had a fantastic orange juice bag. I loved it so much i asked her where she got it and i then went online and bought my own bag in a different style but in red apple.

SO please check it out!

Yayness

YAY my first items have now been listed on Etsy!
Just a couple of things to start with though, the clothing and other stuff will be coming later on.
For some reason it takes me ages to list items, maybe because i'm not used to it yet.

Ready to list are:
Pale blue gingham bar apron
a set of zakka owls
2 pairs of mini kokeshi

I was always curious as to how body shape has changed over time and with a couple of vintage patterns in my hot little hands i spent some time typing up the charts so people could also compare.

List goes from modern sizing backwards:

I was about to upload the pictures to the owl making tutorial and i remembered that i had seen another tutorial on Moonstitches Blog.
Moonstitches has done a better job than i ever could, so check it out here:
http://moonstitches.typepad.com/photos/tutowlrial/index.html

paper kokeshi

paper kokeshi
Originally uploaded by tigerluxe

I saw this on flickr while looking for designs to paint on some kokeshi and thought it was a lovely cross between a kokeshi and the washi no ningyo that i made a while ago from a japanese book.

It shouldn't be too difficult to make a cross between the two with the tecniques.

Zakka Owls

I looked everywhere for a book mentioned in someone elses blog and couldn't get hold of one. So i decided to try making my own from the descriptions floating around the internet and some pictures as no one else seems to have posted any to try.

I'll upload in process photos tomorrow.

Photobucket pattern pieces scanned in at full size on a4 paper.
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l132/maggotgroves/owlpattern.jpg



You will need scraps of fabric for the tummies, outsides and base.
A bit of embroidery floss for a beak.
Two buttons for eyes.
Stuffing!!!

Cut one of each pattern piece out of contrasting fabric. Here i have used some navy wool scraps and some white synthetic felt.

Sew one side from a to b then pin the other side and sew from c to b.

Next sew up to the point from b to d, making sure that the stitching is strong if handsewing or go and oversew if using the machine.

Trim the seam allowances on the curves and close to the point d.

Turn the right way out, rolling the seams between your fingers to smooth out and make the point beak like...


Fold over the point gently and put a pin in place to make a rough face shape. Embroider 3 stitches for a beak and fasten off inside.

Draw around a 2p piece out of thick card and a circle of fabric with a 1 cm seam allowance for the base. This can be the main owl color or the contrast. gather the disc of fabric around the base and fasten off tightly.

Stuff the owl as firmly as you like and with a running stitch gather up the base to make a puffy little body.


Sew on the base with tiny stitches placing it centrally and holding it in place all the way round. Fasten off and put the needle through the body of the owl and snip to leave the end inside the body.

Sew on Buttons for eyes and then you're done!!!


Now make 2 more for a small line of your own little zakka owls.


Marvel at your handywork :D

Recycling is easy for everyone.

I'm always on the look out on cheap ways to save money and recycle.
On an Etsy newsletter today it had a link to this blog:
http://transcanadaetsyteam.blogspot.com/2009/04/earth-day-preview-eco-friendly-products.html

Fantastic ideas to be green that couldn't be easier!

Now if only i could find a supplier for Eco-fi felt and recycled bubble wrap in the uk...