Since I love to craft I thought it would be fun to try a project using some recycled materials for my Earth Day celebration blog. I love the idea of using the things I love to do in a way that can impact my community. I'm not saying this particular project will impact my community, but I think it's a step toward moving in that direction with my crafting. This is just a small project but it's a start.
I worked on another project last month that could fit into this green category. Remember this collapsible shopping tote? I want to try to find some inexpensive fabric and make some sets to give as gifts. Fabric made from recycled material would be even better.
I have seen these really cool purses and wallets made with recycled materials all over the place recently and I love the idea! Some people make them with candy wrappers. Others make them with juice boxes or chip bags. I decided since I already had some magazines around the house that I would use those to make my first purse. The plan is to make a coin purse to start out. If it works out okay I will move on to a purse made from juice boxes.
Aren't they amazing???
I wasn't able to finish the whole project by today because I've just been so busy lately. I haven't had a lot of time to sit down and work on it. I thought I would tell you about what I've done so far and then I will write an update with the finished product as soon as it's done. It just means that my Earth Day celebration can last even longer!
I couldn't find any really good patterns online so I used multiple sites and videos for this one. The basic idea and instructions came from this candy wrapper purse blog. I got the instructions for how to make the paper chains at gumwrapper.com. Can you believe I never learned how to make a paper chain before??? Me either! Crazy! :-)
I started out by cutting 112 strips of paper that were 2"x 4.5". 112!!! That's just for the coin purse!! I'm glad I decided to start small!
I won't bore you with all the folding details. You can just go to gumwrapper.com if you want to learn how to make the chain. I had to make four chains of 28 strips of paper.
After that was done I connected the chains to make a ring.
This is actually as far as I have gotten. I planned to sew the chains together earlier in the week but realized that I didn't have strong enough thread so I will finish it and post the rest as soon as I finish.
I hope that you have an awesome Earth Day. If you have any fun ideas for eco-friendly crafts I would love to hear them.
My friend Velma decided to join in on the Earth Day fun, too!! Look what she's working on...
It's a knitted shopping tote!
How are you celebrating Earth Day?
2 comments:
I love this!!! I want to give it a try to, so keep me posted on your progress! and as always, thanks for the shout out on your wonderful blog!
Another way to recycle is to shop for fabric at a second hand store. Large shirts, skirts, dresses, curtains, tablecloths, etc. can be repurposed into awesomeness. I think they would be great for some shopping totes. I love the coin purses made of wrappers. I think I'd like to get one for Zion for Christmas (if you don't mind making one, and the price is right :) )
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