It was a pinch me moment to see my article being published this month in GreenCraft magazine. I love the byline, "creating today. preserving tomorrow"! Yes, recycling is more than a trend, being green is a way of life.
I grew up green- really I did. My mom was cutting up torn panty hose and using them to hold up her tomato plants in her garden. The green mesh berry baskets sometimes would train a new seedling to stand tall. You should of seen what she made her scarecrow out of-lol. Let me paint the picture for you. His name was Zulu and he was a witch doctor, with metal canning jar lids for his eyes, torn fabric and raffia for his skirt. Some kind of wire for his arms and backbone and tin cans for his hands. He was wild looking and the talk of the neighborhood. Mom had a railroad tie garden with a chicken wire gate.
On holidays and birthdays there were also green touches: candles made out of milk cartons, a coat hanger Christmas tree for a holiday table, and my first Barbie doll cake was made out of a special round stainless steel bowl. I think it took three hours to bake, but there was no way she was spending that much money on a special pan. She also used Vaseline to extend her beauty products, long before anyone else did. In our basement, she had a special shelf, just for glass jars. She saved them for homemade pickles, jelly and terrariums.
I grew up green- really I did. My mom was cutting up torn panty hose and using them to hold up her tomato plants in her garden. The green mesh berry baskets sometimes would train a new seedling to stand tall. You should of seen what she made her scarecrow out of-lol. Let me paint the picture for you. His name was Zulu and he was a witch doctor, with metal canning jar lids for his eyes, torn fabric and raffia for his skirt. Some kind of wire for his arms and backbone and tin cans for his hands. He was wild looking and the talk of the neighborhood. Mom had a railroad tie garden with a chicken wire gate.
On holidays and birthdays there were also green touches: candles made out of milk cartons, a coat hanger Christmas tree for a holiday table, and my first Barbie doll cake was made out of a special round stainless steel bowl. I think it took three hours to bake, but there was no way she was spending that much money on a special pan. She also used Vaseline to extend her beauty products, long before anyone else did. In our basement, she had a special shelf, just for glass jars. She saved them for homemade pickles, jelly and terrariums.
You might remember my Memory Lace Catchers I made from Crystal Light lids.
It is an amazing issue! I am thrilled to be part of the magic~ Thank you Andrea Rangno, for your generous spirit, during this process! Here is a preview of just some of the unique crafts you can find inside this issue.
What is your favorite way to be green?
Comments
I'm very proud of you.
Luv, K
I'm making a memory quilt(wip)for younger daughter. I've always recycled glassware, fabric or ceramics, and vintage clothes. I like that tailored cup holder!
I am so THRILLED for you.
Your artful creations always deserve to be gracing the pages of Stampington & co publications.
Your lace catchers are positively darling.
Wishes
Lynne
My wife reuses plastic containers for all sorts of things.
http://fabulosityreads.blogspot.com/
xo,
abby
I went to local thrift store and bought kids clothes and cut them up to make the stockings. I also bought a rabbit fur collar from a former kids coat and used it to trim one of the stockings.
They came out AWESOME! And the kids were thrilled. They were very Dr. Suess like....
Michael-YOU are so clever :D I remember seeing those stockings and loving the Dr. Suess inspired shapes~ How wonderful!!! I know the blogger was thrilled with your gorgeous creations~ I am a thrifter, too! I love that you shared this~
Renee-Thank you! It is a great issue-ideas will flow when you look at it. My daughter wants to make the Love wire message for her room! I love the mini garden idea for my winter windowsill ;D Thank you Renee-I look forward to seeing what you are cooking and crafting!!
Abby-Thank you! I will email you soon~ I haven't been able to get online for the past three evenings~ Last night was the worst~ I hope the sun is shining in your neck of the woods and you are making time to craft~ xo
Wendy-Thank you so much! I had fun-I am trying to make things for my store and finding the sun does really inspire! You are sweet~
Hope the sun is out in your day!
I love that you embrace the world in this way and what you shared about your lovely wife~ :D
Guilie-YOU might be able to find a copy on ETSY: http://www.etsy.com/
Some businesses share older copies and will ship to different countries. You can also go to www.pinterest. com and type in green crafting-to get ideas! Here is a board I like:
http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=green%20crafting
Yes,I know this company sells digital copies, but for now only one GreenCraft issue. I am sure this will change:
http://www.e-crafting.com/issues.php?publication_ID=674470249421
They are like books-so many ideas!!
You are so sweet-Thank you~ @>----
Alex-Thank you ;D I do remember you sharing your wife did use dryer sheets, too! I love it~
How beautiful it would be ;D
There is a book out now that you reminded me of: Glaciers
http://www.amazon.com/Glaciers-Tin-House-New-Voice/dp/193563920X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375638821&sr=8-1&keywords=Glaciers
It is about a gal in Alaska and her love of thrifting and glaciers!
Go peek ;D Thank you for sharing~
You are sweet~
Dezzy-Thank you! Yes, you might need a lovely green velvet Hollywood Spy wired sign ;D
Thank you~ I look forward to seeing more of your lovely offerings~ YOU should do a book :D Thank you @>----
DG-Thank you! OH, I do hope you will share your creation with us~ I would love to see it~ Your daughter will love it~ What a wonderful, sentimental gift it will be filled with cherished memories :D
Kerry-Thank you! Yes, I think this might be my favorite issue ;D Green holds a special place in my heart~ Thanks again~ :D
Susie-I love this! How amazing-she was green gifted! I think poets n' writer are green. The way they use words to share new insight~ YOU are green Susie ;D Thank you for all you shared!
Congratulations! I'm going to have to find this issue and get out my crafting supplies!
I can see you creating! Have fun~
Your daughter will probably love the same greencrafts, as my gal ;D
Thank you~
It's amazing how much creativity is unleashed by "going green"! Those pictures say it all!
I love arts/crafts and did lots of sewing when I was younger... the machine needs to be dusted off and oiled, before I can even think of getting back to it...
Writer In Transit
Vicki-Thank you~ I do know this, lol
;D Your lace books are gorgeous-dream worthy! :D
SUPER DUPER congrats to you, and I hope you frame the cover on your wall and send tons of copies to friends/family :)
Ps.... I turn green the most on St. Patrick's Day - is that bad? :)
You are sweet-thank you Mark! I do have a copy to send home to my mom. She is the original green gene in my family rainbow~ Now, I am craving Lucky Charms-lol!
I'm going to start my newsstand hunt tomorrow. If I find a copy, I'm going to buy it and post pics on my blog. :D