Recycling - Jen Style

For those of you here in Infantry Barracks, Ft Leavenworth, you know that recycling is a hot topic. No one can say why some areas of post have curbside pickup and others do not. It's an ongoing mystery. I'll be honest. If it were curbside, I'd completely comply with recycling. But if I have to put my nasty trash in my car and drive it somewhere, well... not quite so motivated. So I reduce as much as possible - no bottled water, no newspaper subscription, reusable grocery bags. But I do have a collection of plastic bags, nonetheless. Some I reuse - as trash can liners, packing material, cat litter duty and such. But still, they seem to multiply. So I got crafty on those bad, non biodegradable, landfill prone monsters!

Here is my new back door welcome mat:

Like that? It even has a stripe!!!!

Up close you can see that it is crocheted from Plarn - plastic yarn - formerly my stash of shopping bags.

You have to use a big ol hook, like the red one below.

Here it is in its actual location. Now I know it looks silly but let me explain. You come up my fire escape, I mean terrace, to face the door from the left. But the door will open toward you. So you have to step to the right to enter. The rug is in the exact spot you must stand so as not to whack yourself with the door. Sometimes we need a reminder, or else we might send ourselves or careening backward down the steep stairs of doom.

So what have you recycled in an interesting way? Not repurposed, actually recycled - turned it into something new entirely??? Consider yourself challenged!

Wall Art

Once upon a time saw a cool catalog with a wall art idea in it that I really liked. Just simple squares of color or designs grouped together. Well I had no idea how to craft this until I saw this website:

http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/05/using-ballard-designs-as-inspiration.html

With new found craft talent, I proceeded to create my own. Since I had a big wall to deal with I deviated from the 9 square, to a longer different shape. I used a bunch of scrapbook paper I already had, some spray adhesive, some sanding blocks, some ink and paint for the edges and Voila! Easy art. I am thinking about using some kid print papers for kids rooms, hanging theme with coordinating ribbon. I'll keep ya posted!

A Magic Pillowcase

Recently I found some interesting instructions for a Magic Pillowcase.  The magic is basically that with one sewn line, you get a three piece pillowcase with all inside finshed edges that you then can sew right up.  It is super fast and easy.

So, today I decided, in honor of the Rick for Independence Day, to make one myself to send to him.  Here it is:

 

Pretty cool!  Might have to incorporate some embroidery on one of these...

Happy Independence Day!  If you know a Soldier, or Soldier's family, say Thank You!  If you are a Soldier, or a fellow Military Family - Thank You, and God Bless!

Sunday Craftiness

Here are some Independence Day crafts I have been up to this Sunday.  First up is a tablerunner from some patriotic and coordinating fabrics.  I think I am going to make a bag from the 2 printed fabrics later on.   The tan one has tiny flag-like images and the other is a muted blue with stars.


Here are my towels: 

I like the fire cracker one a lot.  It looks great because it has lots of stitches and is well defined. 






Here are some items the kids helped on, the holiday tree - which we keep up all year and decorate it seasonally, and they each made a star wreath, but some are still drying. The tree still needs more stars, and it does have red, white and blue lights but they just don't show up in daylight!  We are working on a star garland, but it involved glitter (always a mistake), and may never be dry enough to actually hang up.

More Rick and Jen in NYC

Since today is my 12th anniversary, I think I will show some more pics from our NYC no kids mini vacay!

Here we have Rick pointing out the bust of his ancestors, I guess.

We saw Chicago together. Rick isn't too into musical theater, but he humors me on occasion. It was a great show. I also saw God of Carnage with James Gandolfini, Marcia Gay Harden and Jeff Daniels. It was hilarious.

I wanted to take pictures everywhere, and here is one outside the

little PD right in Times Square. There are NYPD everywhere

in the city, and they are very helpful!

We spent lots of time at Ellis Island which was very interesting. I learned a lot. I especially enjoyed the walk through rooms where you could trace the path of immigrants from arrival to approval. I recommend getting the headphones for the self tour if you ever go. I didn't, and regret it. Its too hard to listen on the little phones with lots of other people wanting to listen as well.

The immigrants brought all sorts of things with them, but my favorites, of course, were handmade crafts and heirlooms. These are examples of needlework, both artistic and for daily use. Amazing, to think, it was all done, stitch by stitch, by hand.

Coffee Crafts

Here are a few things I have been working on this weekend. I am trying to cute up my kitchen with some colors and accessories.

First off, let me show you my favorite kitchen appliance:

My Keurig coffee machine. Also, my favorite coffee mug. :)

Ok, so on to things I actually crafted. First off, an ode to Laura, I painted this giant mug and used some rub-ons to make it match my kitchen:

My favorite color of blue, a big wooden spoon - more on that later. LOVE IT!!! Thanks for the big cup, which was a birthday gift from the Debi.

So, then I used my new toy and embroidered some towels to match:

So altogether, my little coffee nook:

Isn't it fabulous! Who doesn't want a hot cup of coffee to start the morning after seeing this????