Zero-Waste Crafting: a handmade journal

This post is rather fitting as I’ve just started a creative writing course with Tammy Strobel @ Rowdy Kittens. She recommends that we use a journal throughout the course to help with the writing process.

My process for this was roughly like so: I saw Tammy’s post on Facebook, and how she loves new journals. Then I thought how nice would it be if it was a custom design. This led me to Etsy to explore handmade journals. One of the sellers mentioned coptic stitch as a binding method, so I looked it up. I found this great tutorial and thought “I could totally do that!”

So, I set about making a practice journal, just to get the hang of the binding. I must say I’m pretty happy with the result, considering the materials were things I had around the house, that I had saved for crafting. This journal cost me zero pennies to make, and I’m very pleased with it. The design on the front is a sketch of this wallpaper. I used my trusty Crayola colouring pencils to colour it in!

 



 

 

This journal is now home to new blog ideas. I will definitely be making more, as the coptic stitch binding is very satisfying and nice to look at, too. I'll admit this isn't entirely made from to-be-waste, but it has turned an otherwise drab notebook, and old card dividers into something special!

What do you think?

Zero-Waste Crafting: cereal box mad!

I am on a 6 month no spend challenge (Apr 1st to Sept 30th), and also an avid crafter. Not being able to buy materials (except for gifts), I have the added challenge of crafting with materials that I already have in the house, or using something that would normally go to waste.

I actually find it a lot of fun to turn an item destined for recycling or the bin into something new. There is something very satisfying about it. To test and encourage resourcefulness, I will be sharing my ideas for zero-waste crafting and hope to show you that there are many things that can be done with items found in most households.

Plus, it saves money on materials, and reduces landfill a teensy-weensy bit (which can only be a good thing).

 

First up - cereal and food boxes

We go through many many food boxes in this house, at least 2 cereal boxes per week, and at least one smaller box (tea etc.). All it took was a few weeks of saving all the food boxes in the house, and over a couple of sessions, I created these:



 



 

 



 

The idea came from here. Jen's post has a great tutorial on measuring up the boxes, cutting them to size, and covering them with paper. I made sure to cover the whole box, so I can either use them freestanding, or arrange them in a shoebox (see above photo). I used shoeboxes as surrogate drawers, as I don't have any to store my stationery in.

 

I did a similar thing for my socks and underwear, but didn't feel the need to cover them in paper. They are hidden away in my chest of drawers anyway. I now have a very organised drawer, and the dividers make it easier to put things away. I will save you having to see my underwear though! ha. Here are some of my socks instead:



 

 

So, if you're looking for some excellent drawer dividers, I suggest saving up some cereal boxes! You can get two dividers from one box, if you close both ends. This way, you save the resources required to recycle the boxes, and precious pennies required to buy ready-made drawer dividers!

 

Have you re-used cereal/food boxes? What do you use them for? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

 

Thanks for reading!

 

A crocheted t-shirt rug

 



This little project of mine has been started a total of 3 times, and I finally settled on using a pattern, and a 12mm crochet hook that my partner bought me.

The pattern (in Simply Crochet, issue 4), suggested using DMC Hooked Zpaghetti , which is basically recycled t-shirt material (about £8 for a cone). It just doesn't feel right to buy t-shirt material, when it is so easy to come by at home and in charity shops etc. Since my intention was to recycle various materials, t-shirts etc. I ploughed on with using a variety of things I could find round the house. This was not a project to spend money on. I originally saw the idea somewhere on pinterest, and immediately rescued 4-5 tops from the bin.

The original idea had me crochet a long chain, and then somehow try to stitch the chain into a circle. Not fun. I then found a pattern to basically crochet the whole thing in the round, got halfway, procrastinated a bit (+ran out of material), and then my new Simply Crochet magazine turned up just in time, complete with a perfect pattern, prompting me to unravel the thing for the 2nd time.

 



 

 



 

I was attracted to the scalloped edges, and the variety of stitches involved, compared to just single crocheting until the rug was big enough. It got to a stage on attempt #2 that I was winging it and not very pleased with the results, having lost count of the stitches several rounds previous.



Combined with my latest decluttering efforts, and the fabric that I'd already cut into strips, I ended up with enough to finish the rug according to the pattern. Here is a list of things that is in it:

- 4 cotton t-shirts

- a cotton chemise from M&S that was too big

- strips of old bed sheet

- a stained long blue cardigan

- several hours worth of finger knitting

- some fleece pyjamas that I found terribly uncomfortable

- and some of an old jersey single bedsheet

It was awesome to recycle all these things that weren't serving my wardrobe into a rug. There are many different materials, some less preferable than others, but in zero-waste projects, you gotta use what you got!

It isn't in any way symmetrical, or even (different fabric weights/thicknesses), but it has a story attached to it. I can identify each bit of clothing and material I put into this rug. I rather like the uneven, multi-coloured rows.

If I was to do this again, I would stick with t-shirt material. It's the kind that is a bit stretchy, and when you cut it in strips, and stretch it, it curls in on itself and creates a beautiful yarn. The chemise, blue cardigan and the jersey bedsheet were my favourite to work with.  Learn how to make t-shirt yarn here 

The bad blogger in me didn't take pictures of the process, but once I'd finished the pattern, the rug did not sit on the floor evenly, instead choosing to rebel into ripples. In response I grabbed the iron, filled it with water, and steamed the rug while stretching it out and pulling it into shape (blocking it). I put it on medium setting, full steam, and emptied the water tank. It worked wonders, and now the rug sits flat! I didn't want to wet-block it because it would take an age to dry. Steaming it worked incredibly well and I'm happy with the result:

 



 

 



 

I have now consolidated 9-10 different objects into one rather colourful addition to our living room. All the scraps, and offcuts once I'd woven the ends in have been passed onto a dear friend who is making a rag rug with hessian. Zero-waste indeed!

 

Over to you

Have you made things out of recycled materials? Have you tried making t-shirt yarn? Want to join me on my zero-waste crafting adventure? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

 

 

Focus on the essentials

 

Focus on the essentials

This is one of the minimalism mantras. You will find references to it here, here.

I’ve read lots (hundreds) of articles on minimalism, simple and intentional living. The core principle of minimalism is to cut out the superfluous so you can focus on the important.

I’ve recently gained an extra evening in after finishing my counselling course. While I’m still between courses (photography or writing next), I’ve decided to dedicate a fixed period of time for crafting. I’m the queen of excuses when it comes to working on a project in a whiny sort of voice in my head;

“oh, the sewing machine is ALL the way over theeere.”

“I have no time, I’ve got laundry, cleaning, work, and all this paperwork, to sort out”

“Hand-quilting is sooooo booooooring”.

“I’m not very good at choosing fabrics, or I can’t find a pattern”

 

Meh. I’ve used them all. But you know what? I absolutely LOVE creating things. It’s been something I’ve always come back to, and I love learning new things in the crafting world. So why all the excuses?

Because I tend to convince myself that I shouldn’t use the time for something I LOVE. Sound familiar?

Here’s an idea:

 

Set aside a chunk of time to do exactly what you LOVE and nothing else.

 

It works, trust me. I set aside 1.5 hours each week, to go and meet my writing group. Nothing else happens here except writing and connecting with close friends. There are no distractions involved. I often achieve my best and most insightful writing at these times. I am convinced it is because I give myself permission to spend the time, just writing. In contrast, if I try to write or craft or do something at home, there are always distractions.

 - programme on TV

- Internet

- Emails (oh my I haven't checked them in the last 5 minutes!)

 

My answer to this is to set aside time for myself to work on my projects. I don’t get enough of the awesome satisfaction of finishing a project, because I rarely work on them. Therefore, I’m turning my crafting into one of my essentials, to spend time on each week. I can’t wait!

Blogging is also essential to me, but I only have limited time. Therefore, I’ve withdrawn from the 52 weeks of happy project (sorry Jen, and all the others), because I spent too much time worrying about having enough variety in those posts. I'm grateful for the project though, because it helped me notice the small things that bring pleasure.

The increased crafting time will also give me some stuff to show you on the blog, as I have various works in progress and things to make! Exciting stuff (I think so anyway)

p.s. My 12mm crochet hook arrived in the post (a present from my partner), and the rug in progress got unravelled to make way for the awesome Simply Crochet pattern, instead of just winging it! Yipeeeeeeeee

Your turn. What are your essentials, and how do you make time for them? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

 

 

Happy Easter!

Putting up decorations is a rare occurrence for me, but I'm wondering why I didn't start sooner, as I'm very happy with my lounge now I've brought some bright colours in for the change of season.











 

 

The garland was made from a yarn pom pom tutorial, found here.

The branches were foraged from the park, and painted with white acrylic paint. I used leftover scrap book paper cut out into Easter shapes, and some extra pom poms from a craft pack to fill the vase.

Both decorations were completely free. I used leftovers from other projects, and used some of my cheap acryclic yarn stash for the pom poms.

Hope you are all having a lovely Easter weekend.

 

p.s. Project 333 list coming tomorrow!