Part of my New Year 2009 Resolutions
One of my big New Year Resolutions is to be more eco-conscious. This year, my resolutions were a bit broad, with each having 3 specific goals. So, “Be more eco-conscious” has the following 3 goals for this year:
-Reduce the amount of plastic I bring home. This means plastic bags, plastic containers, etc., including food containers, which DH and I recently discussed. During the holidays, I gave almost all of the “gladware” I had away to my dad, and we recently bought some glass “refrigerator dishes” from Goodwill. On eBay these things go for over $20 each, mine were $3.99 each. And we recycled by not buying new!
-Recycle and repurpose. If you don’t have to buy new, don’t. We can also make a better effort to recycle anything that can be put in the recycling bin.
-Continue to “Use It Up”. While I was able to buy shampoo and regular soap because I needed it, I am still not buying lotion or handcreme until I use up my stores.
Now, one of the coolest things I did to recycle came this weekend. I’m trying not to continue to buy boxes of tissues, because I go through a lot of them. So last month I decided to buy some hankies and use them instead. I had been eyeing some in a catalog for $30 for 12, but stopped by and antique store yesterday, and found some for $1.50 each. A quick wash and dry, and they are just as nice as the ones from the catalog. (Yes, I could make them also, but there’s a whole time issue there…for now).
While at the Antique place, I spied an old treadle machine, cabinet and all, price tag $65. The machine appeared to have been electrified, so the treadle parts would not work anymore to power the machine. But, DH and I have been thinking about getting a table for our newly remodeled library for a lamp that I “freecycled” from dad’s garage. $65 is not bad for a nice table, so off to the antique store I went today to purchase. Included in the deal was a second sewing machine “head”, should we want to convert it back into a working treadle. Not many parts were in there, but the cabinet is in great shape, though refinished/restained by the previous owner. The second machine head is very cool, and will make a neat sewing room decoration for now. Take a look!
Muppin Author
Texture. Technology. Textiles. Teacher. I'm that quilter your mother warned you about. Not your average quilter. Not your grandmother's quilter. I put lights in my quilts! Who knew?