RECYCLE & REUSE

So much of what we have ends up on the rubbish dump or in landfill. Space is an issue, as well as the fact that some of the substances, specially packaging, is a long-term problem if just discarded. MUCH of it can be reused, re-fashioned or recycled. Take for example, this hanging I made for a glass inset of a door in my home .... Friend helped me by supplying their bottle tops and other containers. Easy to make, functional, and a good reminder to RECYCLE. 

SO HOW DID I DO IT?

I used not only bottle tops, as you can see, but bits of containers as well as beads and other plastic shapes etc. Gut, or fishing line, was the thread. To make the holes to thread together, I heated up a big needle, which I then poked through where I wanted the line to go. With the bigger pieces, I varied it to 2 or more holes, so that the beading becomes more decorative. You can use any such sharp, thin tool. The gut was threaded through, making use of beads in between and as decoration & spacers. Cut-up drinking straws are also good spacers. The more colorful, the more I loved it! You could concentrate on one or two colors if that takes your fancy ... 

To attach to the door, I screwed in tiny hooks and hung each strand individually. The result is that you can hang one or more on one hook, for a fuller or denser finish, as you can see below.

I hope you found this informative and will try one of your own individual creations. Let me know if you do and tell me where to find your pictures...
Have a great, creative recycling day!

RAIN RAIN RAIN !!

Rain at last! I could almost hear the plants sigh of relief : )

Of course, along with the rain comes the cold .... brrr .... NOW it feels like Winter. Although this morning showed off some blue skies, the dark clouds soon moved in, and as I write, the patter of rain can be heard on the windows. Yes, another day of rain ahead .... so got to think of things to do indoors. What better to do with the time than to catch up with unwritten blogs, email replies to friends and indoor chores and crafts.

I am busy compiling a journal of sorts; of my life, loves and tales. Something to leave for my family to enjoy looking at, one day when I'm either not here or too senile to remember all these details ... Now that my mom has dementia, there is no way to hear all the wonderful memories that she might have enthralled us with, all the recipes she made as she went along, all the family history... That's what inspires me to get this project under way. Put on pages colors, patterns, pictures, words and ideas that make us each unique. I found a book in the local library that gave me some brilliant ideas of just what is possible. It is called: The Decorated Page : )

I am not a terribly artistic person, although I have a good eye for proportion and color, so these ideas appeal to me. Some pages are literally just soaked in tea LOL

Just up my alley!! That said; I think it is time for a cuppa tea : ) ciao for now ....