Super cute CraftStylish Project - Recycled Dog Sweater

How to Make a Recycled Dog Sweater - CraftStylish by Cal Patch

I just love the project, the sweater and the dog - perfecto!

All this adventure because a yarn shop was closed.

Recycled Bracelet from Green General Store in Easton, MD

Sunday, Easton celebrated its 300th birthday with a nice picnic downtown by the historic Tidewater Inn.  The rainstorms held off and the sky was that super clear and nice blue that we all look for to lift our spirits.  Dave and I strolled up and down the main street looking in shop windows and saying hello to people and neighbors we've meet since moving here. Sadly for me, the local yarn store was closed so Dave pried me away from the storefront and we ventured on until we found the Green General Store with an amazing array of recycled pieces of art, totes, jewelry and bath and body items.  They also offer eco-friendly services for businesses and the community.We had never been in this shop before and was glad to see it open and busy.  Dave spied a rack of beautiful bracelets recycled from magazines for me to check out and I found the perfect one for the fall season at a super low price.  Always an incentive for Dave who offered to actually buy one for me. Whoa - I had to go for it.  Normally, he would be sending the usual death rays my way to encourage me to step away from yarn and accessories.  Anyone else have that happen to them?  Family and friends are often involved in yarn and accessory interventions in the knitting world.

 We turned the corner and walked down the parallel street past our fav coffee spot and sushi restaurant and around the corner and past restaurants that reminded us of birthdays, anniversarys and social events of the past year.  We realized how different the town was as we walked instead of driving through from point A to B.  We came across a historical museum and noticed there was a garden.  We wandered into the bricked courtyard and found a beautiful spot in the middle of town totally quiet and completely surrounded by mature trees and plants cared for by the local garden club.  I knew about the garden club but didn't know about the award winning garden.  It was a wonderful and peaceful discovery and we were the only two people there, which was a strange feeling.  Usually, the town is teaming with tourists and locals and the chance of being alone would be pretty slim.

My suggestion today is to walk instead of drive, seek out new places, and re-visit the familiar to find undiscovered treasures and reconnect with your community. Sometimes it's not just about yarn for a knitter. It can be about living life and discovering how new experiences will influence you.  It's another great way to influence your next knitting project and grow in your knitting life.

And all this adventure because a yarn shop was closed.
Embrace the power of the universal yarn ball wherever you wander.

Marg(hoping you find what your knitting side needs today)

Let Your Eco-Friendly Flag Fly

Our eco-friendly house cleaning kit with handknit and crochet washcloths, recycled t-shirts, baking soda, vinegar, hemp, old toothbrush, and a little eco-flag from CosaVerde for decoration!

We're all becoming increasingly aware of the damage of pollutants in our environment.  As Dave and I travel around, we discover more and more places bombarded with trash as well as pollutants in our food and water.  Over the years, we've been making a conscious effort to recycle as much as possible and try to become responsible about what we're pouring down a drain or products we use to  clean our home.  It's an ongoing project around here.  I also realized how allergic I was to certain cleaning products so I returned to the baking soda and vinegar method I was taught as a child.  That alone saved us money, relieved my allergies, and fit into our plan of being responsible Earthlings. 

I hope you'll try making a kit for your home with recycled items and more Earth friendly products.  Creating a kit is a great way to teach your children and encourage yourself to reach for those friendly products on a daily basis.  It's difficult sometimes with all the advertising that is directed toward us. Some products aren't freindly to the environment despite their claims.  So, that being said, we are trying to do our homework, reuse, recycle, and discover new ways, (some forgotten) to stay on track.  

Here are some places to start if you need help or ideas: Natural Solutions,  Eco Mall, Ecos.com

You might also enjoy:
http://knit1fortheroad.blogspot.com/2010/03/blooming-books.html

http://knit1fortheroad.blogspot.com/2010/03/starch-those-stitches.html

Get creative. Make this project fun and enjoy being an Earthling!

Marg (happy to be on the blue planet)

H is for ecoHome: An A-Z Guide to a Healthy, Planet-Friendly Household (Eco A-Z Series)

Grab Your Bag and Go!

Kid pouches from Envirosax

Spring has sprung, well almost. It's time to think about changing project bags and utilizing those wonderful and luscious spring colors to brighten your  mood and make your new vibrant tude hum.

Here come the bags!

Envirosax has a bag for everyone in your family!.  Grab a few and go.

madbird on Etsy.com has beautiful handmade project bags and fun colorful organizers. Crochet Today featured the crochet organizers in the Jan 2010 issue. Take a look.  You're going to love what you see.

Knitter's Carry All Bag is just right for projects or everyday use and is currently on sale at KnitPicks at a super price.  Choose from pattern choices Soothing Dots or Red Floral.

I like to donate my project bags from seasons past.  If you aren't using them, it's time to send them out into the world.  You can also opt for recycling the material to make your next crafty project for the home.  Think of the possibilities...a new project bag, perhaps?  Visit sites like CraftStylish for ideas and tips on restyling, reusing and recycling items.

Put a spring in your step, projects on your hooks and needles and you'll look and feel so much better.

Spring on!

Marg (getting ready for a pattern roundup, coming soon)

Gifts to Make Magazine 2008 from Craftstylish

Craftstylish Home Decorating Ideas Volume III


Craftstylish - Quick Stuff To Make, Summer 2008 Issue

It Takes a Village of Etsians!

Packages wrapped with vintage, recycled and reusable paper, fabric and crafty pendants, buttons and other items that can be reused.

Presents are gettnig wrapped today to send in the mail. Everything was wrapped in vintage, recycled, upcycled, reused items from Etsy or crafty things that I had on hand. Most of the presents were purchased on Etsy or handmade from patterns in my own Etsy shop, margknittinaround making this one of the most handmade, eco-friendly holidays so far. I chose non-traditional colors rather than the usual green and red and incorparated the handmade theme with owls and butterflies for a more hipster.

Here's a list of Etsy artists who contributed to my wrapping party and wonderful holiday gifts for my two lovely stepdaughters.

Tinker & Crab

Margknittinaround

snowy652

smockpaper

thecraftpantry

fongstudio

Have a happy hipster, indie and earth friendly holiday!

Marg (living in the fast craft zone today)

Weave your yarn stash away!

Hello all those who seek stash solutions...consider this option.

Loom in a Tube

Loom in a Tube books and kits will have you up and weaving your stash away into interesting projects for you and your home. Weave your yarn or yarn and beads and expand your talents. Either way, it's a win, win for you. The folks at Loom in a Tube help you with instructions for begginning weavers and include the materials to get you going. The loom can be put away mid-project in the tube for safe keeping no matter where you are. Portable and easily used in your lap or if you need to stand it up, there is a stand available. Storage is a breeze. As always, compare the price of this loom with others and choose the best for your needs. I have found many to be bulkier with less info and materials to provide.

Tight warps ahead! Ok, at least I didn't say warp speed ahead, although I was tempted.

Marg (totally obsessed with birthday cake today)

Buy a bag, save the world...

Three bag options to consider, today, that will help you help others and the environment.

The first option is Purse of Hope brought to you by Juxtaposie The mission is to help victims of human trafficking and forced prostitution. One feature of these bags, that I really like, is the Acholi Beads which are incorporated into each handle and embellished by Northern Ugandan refugees. The shop also offers a Purse of Hope mug if you aren't into bags and you can still show your support for the wonderful work that is being done. The goal of Kristen Hendricks, the founder of Purse of Hope, is to create awareness and show that "Ordinary people can and do change the world everyday".

Plug in with the Juice Bag from Reware. It's a solar bag for the busy business person, student, and basically anyone on the go! Knitters included. It's easy to use and created in the US. Hooray! Basically, the panel on the bag is solar and there's a handy built in car lighter adapter socket that is universal so you can use it with your phone, PDA, or MP3. Sunlight on the bag equals electricity while you go about your busy day.

Envirosax, one of my "go to" bag options, has a new line of bags for Fall called La Boheme that I know you're going to like. Still the durable, soft and fun bag that you love with a new look for the season that is a tribute to the Art Nouveau movement It's a wonderful market bag, knitting bag, and travel bag. I keep one or two in the car for bag emergencies.

That's the bag alert for today. Celebrate the power of a great bag, reuse, recycle and give others a helping hand. Voila, you are now a crafty, stylish and eco-friendly diva.

Now it's time to knit-share-go grab a bag!

Marg (probably setting a world record w/ how much I can get into an Envirosax bag)

I'll take a bag with that art, please...

It's apparent, by now, to all of you who read my blog, that I've been obsessed with bags, art, crafts, reusing and recycling since my art school days and the obsession is growing. I thought you might like to share in my love of art and really cool bags today. I came across The Limited Art Edition from Freitag. Their bags are recycled exhibition banners from the finest contemporary art museums.

The Messenger Bags are also worth a peek.

Be sure and go by their Concept page to read a brief explanation of what and how their products are made - you will be empressed by this Swiss company. They make their bags from sturdy and used truck tarpaulins, car seat belts, airbags, and bicycle inner tubes.

Quality, art, and recycling all in one bag!

Hope you've enjoyed this brief look in to my version of bag heaven.

Marg (car parts have a whole new meaning for me now)

BIRTHDAY BRIGHT AND ECO RIGHT!

Birthday Basket for Dave





Today is all about using what you have. We're having a birthday soon at our house and we're keeping it simple. This year, due to the move, a lot of items that I kept on had for wrapping were recycled or given away. I managed to pull some things together to brighten packages and use up every day items. Wrapping was quick and easy with smoothed out tissue of varying colors and decorated with a swatch of bulky yarn and a decorative cardboard top that said Happy Birthday which survived the move.










For cards, the dogs and I made one together - with a hodge podge of stickers, paint, small left over stock paper glued together and of course yarn and a tiny dog bone to tie it all together. Brown being the predominant color - the dog's favorite of course!





all the dogs favorite things + smooches for Dave

and a messy paw print for authenticity!
















punch hole/yarn and doggie biscuit keep it all together







This year I decided to collect some funny quotes about aging that fits Dave's personality and sense of humor. This one was made with computer birthday paper that I've had for awhile. You can also use plain paper and decorate it with whatever computer programs you have.













Next, I collected all the items and put a nice scarf in the bottom of a basket that was part of a craft show exhibit, added a remnant bow and there you have it!


Fun, easy and inexpensive to pull together. Birthday wrapping sessions are a great way to practice reusing very usable items, saving your money, and still have a great looking package. Include friends and family. Pool your resources and have more choices - swap ideas and enjoy the community of creativity. Teach your children about reusing and recycling and you can share it together. Some very ordinary things look extraordinary with a little color, embellishment, and a dash of glee - so give it a try...you'll be plesantly surprised.



Enjoy you new adventures in recycling, re-using, and making some fabulous fun!



Marg (considering new gleeful adventures!)

BIG SALE ON MARGKNITTINAROUND ON ETSY!

SIGNED COPY OF KNIT 1 FOR THE ROAD IS ONLY $5 + shipping

ALL PATTERNS ON SALE!

GRAB YOUR ECO-FASHION FIX HERE!

Where can you grab your fabulous fashion, art and recycled crafty pull tab creation for a worthy cause fix all on one site! EscamaStudio - that's where!

There's even a fashion video with a cameo appearance by Chris March of Project Runway, Season 4. Learn about the fantabulous Brazillian designer Ronaldo Fraga and see his boundary busting haute couture collection.

You will also hear a short interview with Francisca and Chica Rosa, the creative heads in Brazil in the video and learn how creating fashion from pull tabs helps the women in their community.

Read how collecting and donating pop pull tabs can help the Ronald McDonald House Charity.

There's even a crochet tutorial to help you learn how to make your own creations with pull tabs.

What a way to start the day. Art, craft, recycling, charity and fashion! It's going to be a great day.

Marg (dreaming of the possibilities)

AGAIN WITH THE FREE SPRING PATTERNS!

More spring patterns that have caught my eye.

One knit or crochet ;), one to crochet and one to recycle from a t-shirt...And free - check'um!

Vogue Knitting Summer 09 Knit or Crochet Rose Choker

Hannah's Crocheted Cotton Chenille Spring Ruffle Scarf

Spring Scarf from old t-shirts

Dream it, make it and LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

Marg (feeling a cool breeze and lots of sunshine today)

March on in to Monday with your crafty self.

Leave it to CraftStylish to give you fresh ideas, patterns, and get your creative mojo going. It's March. It's Monday. Let's get going.


Here's an article by Mary Ray called Do You Need a Little Extra Creative Support? on Craftstylish (Sewing/Quilting)that you might find interesting.

Another from the recycle, reuse dept. from Jennifer Stern (fashion), The 2009 Prom Dress Recycle that will definitely get you motivated on a Monday to check your closet for items to donate.

A pet favorite! Knit a Mutt Mitt: Dog Washing Made Easy by Tina Hilton (knitting) and Craft for Cats: Two Yarn-Scrap Toys for Your Feline Friends , also contributed by Tina Hilton.



You can also add your own gallery of projects - just create an account. How cool is that?

These are just a few projects to ponder. There are plenty more on the site, so do add it to your favs and get crazy crafty. Reuse, recycle and get ready for spring.

See you on CraftStylish!



Marg (margknittinaround on CraftStylish)

ECO-WRAPPING TREASURE HUNT!

tissue, fabric paint, yarn, clear glitter

felt, beads, fabric paint, cloth wrapping, combined yarn and cloth strips in bow

Trader Joe's bag and handle(the kids favorite place to shop) collage of characters, and cartoons geared for their kid humor, and yarn

Scarves wrapped with yarn and metallic (wired) bow and stitch marker atttached - hand made note. What better wrapping than the colorful scarf itself?!

Handmade notes on inspiration for scarves. It's been my experience that people like a little story or blurb to go with their knitted item.

ADVENTURES from my eco-wrapping treasure hunt...Yesterday, I was totally caught up in eco-wrapping presents for friends and family I didn't have the mental strength to blog - I know - can you believe it? I'm making up for it today and sharing my crafty recycle, reuse wrapalicious creations. so there - i confess - i got totally swept away by holiday craziness. keep in mind that these were created for each personality - witty and hip tweens n' teens to 50 is the new 30 crowd.

I hope you'll consider recycling and reusing items on your packages this year. It's a great way to spread awareness and teach kids about the importance of recycling. You can even make it a family project! Use kid energy, imagination and make amazing holiday gift wrapping. Send them on a hunting expedition for useable items and share in the creation.

Happy Holiday Knitting, Crocheting and Crafting!

Marg (enjoying all the cards and messages from Knitters for Obama cardswap on Ravelry)

SHRUNK? RIPPED? WHOLE LOTTA UGLY?

VISIT FUN, FABULOUS KNIT1FORTHEROAD.COM for knit/crochet fun, links, resources, and updates!

If you have any three of these problems with an old sweater, it's definitely time to recycle and reuse! In my wanderings, I found a great tutorial from Neauveau Fiber Arts that shows how to recycle your old sweaters and make new ones. Give it a whirl and see a fabulous creation come to life. Even if you don't have a sweater in sad condition, you can always find one in the thrift store that needs sprucing up or updated. Save a sweater! Go Green!

Recycle, Reuse, and Rock It - You Awesome Knit/Crochet Star!

Marg
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