UPDATES*WIPS*THOUGHTS

Showing posts with label recycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recycling. Show all posts

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Weekly Updates

Okay, better late than never right.  It's been one of those weeks where time just gets away from you.  I have been busy getting ready for a new to me vintage/craft show as well as a new to me vintage show.  And I've been playing with my new Kindle Oasis.  A bit of a learning curve considering my old Kindle was a Kindle Keyboard.  Liking it so far though.

Quick updates on the personal front, lost another 4 tenths of a pound (knew I should not have had that snickers mini bar, but sometimes you just got to have that chocolate), walked 11.08 miles, and added 75083 steps to the total walked.

I have started another rag rug, and am getting ready to do some bottle lights and trying to figure away to use up some empty creamer containers (the to go kind you get at fast food places) a friend gave me several hundred she had been collecting.  I hate to throw them in the trash.  I am thinking there should be away I can attach them together to maybe make a wreath or some kind of ornaments or something. 

Also in the process of turning a lot of small cupless saucers and dollar tree bowls and votive holders into pincushions.  I sell them for good money and get to use up lots of scrap yarn and left over polyfill. 

Well time to get back to work.  Will try to check in earlier next week.

Monday, March 12, 2018

My first attempts at a toothbrush rug

As promised I have photos of my first two attempts at a modified amish toothbrush rug will be included in this post.  One is round, and one is ovalish.  Never could get the hang of making an oval, it always ends up being closer to a square. 

Neither rug is perfect, but they will work for what I wanted them for.  As pads under a couple of large plants on the front porch.  And all they really cost was some time cutting old t shirts into strips and then looping them together.  With a little practice I can see myself making a few of these to sell at some upcoming craft shows I am doing later this year.


This is the round one, it is just about 2 1/2 feet

and this is the oval one it is about 1 1/2 by 2 1/2 feet
Like I said not bad for a first attempt.  And I have lots of oversized  t shirts that are way too big for me now, so I have lots of raw material to use for others. A great way to upcycle some old clothes and get get some nice useable rugs.  I think I might try a basket next though.  I can always use more storage.

Monday, February 26, 2018

Amish Toothbrush Rug

Okay, I researched how to make an Amish toothbrush rag rug.  I tried the way everyone was showing, and hated the way it looked.  Decided to modify the process and lose the length of material you work over.  Love the new look, and it seems to go faster for me.   Also using a safety pin, instead of the "special" tool you supposedly need.  And instead of regular cotton material, I am using old cotton t-shirts.  The regular material tends to shed too much for me.  I know there are ways I can slow or prevent the shedding, but I really don't want to have to take the extra steps.  And the t-shirt material seems to wear better.  I am currently only working in the round, but plan to try rectangular, and oval rugs as well.  When I get a chance I will be taking pictures and posting them.

I am also going to try and use strips cut from sweat pants and sweat shirts.  Not sure how or even if they will work, but worth a try.  I have a ton to get rid of now that I am losing weight.

On another note, does anyone else take advantage when walmart has a clearance on t-shirts for only $1.00 each.  I was at one of the four walmarts I typically shop at (depending on which part of town I need to go to that day) and they had womens t-shirts and tanks on clearance for $1.00 each.  The only color left was white, but I bought several of the largest sizes just to be able to cut them up and use them in rugs, baskets, and chair pads.  Its almost time for a local thrift store to run a sale, all the clothes you can fit in a paper bag (large sized) for $5.00, limit 2 bags per person.  I plan on stocking up on sweaters, jeans, and t-shirts.  I use the sweaters either to take apart and reuse the yarn, or to make pet beds and pillows from.  The jeans become quilts, lap throws, and throw rugs.  And the t-shirts of course become rugs, pet pads, baskets, chair pads, and shopping bags.

Love to be able to turn old worn out clothing into useable, pretty items.