I’m failing at The Compact

Because of my semi-commitment to buy nothing new, I feel the urge to confess every time I do buy something new.  Today's purchase:  Martha Stewart Living magazine.  I'm sorry but I just love that magazine!  And I got such a great deal on it through Best Deal Magazines that I finally could no longer resist.  Other recent purchases include new plastic food storage containers (but I'm not feeling guilt for that one, they are essential for bringing my lunch and I really wanted ones that hadn't touched meat) and not too long ago, Scuba Diving magazine and Vegetarian Times.  I suppose Scuba Diving should be guilt-inducing, but I can rationalize Vegetarian Times for the great recipes that are helping me reduce my ecological footprint by giving me recipes I can use instead of eating processed food.

It was so much easier to buy nothing new when we didn't have any money.  Now that we can afford to spend a little, I find myself much more tempted, especially by the Hancocks & Joann's sales!  Luckily, I have a trip planned to S.C.R.A.P. next Saturday, so I can get feed my craft-supply-buying need then.

Happy Earth Day!

I made this shopping tote (no need for bags!) from reclaimed fabric (fabric people just wanted to get rid of) and even a reclaimed pattern! the thread was bought new, as were the iron-ons used to make the Earth Day logo.

I made paper out of junk mail!

If I could categorize, I’d like to categorize this under “stuff you can make from trash”. Basically I soaked the junk mail, blended it in an old blender someone gave to me, passing it on from someone who gave it to them, then poured the resulting paper pulp into a screen, pressed the water out, ironed the sheet dry, and presto! snazzy paper. The coloring came from colored junk mail (security envelopes make a nice blue) and some old tissue paper someone wrapped gifts for me in. I also used a bunch of scraps of embroidery thread that I’d had hanging around forever. If you want detailed instructions, just google for it, there are tons of instructions. I actually used the Arnold Grummer papermaking kit which I got cheap on ebay, but you can make your own tools too. here’s a closeup:

and an extreme closeup:

The oil in your oatmeal

Inspired by this article about how much oil is used to process your food and to get it to you, I finally joined a CSA – Community Supported Agriculture. So once a week, freshly picked, locally grown, organic fruits and vegetables will be delivered right to my door. Good for the planet, good for my health! My first day is tomorrow and I’m so excited. Read this article for more information about CSAs, including a rundown of the Bay Area ones: Community Supported Agriculture

Yikes I haven’t posted in a long time!

I’m terrible at this blogging thing. I’m trying to get better. I still need to write the review of Your Money Or Your Life. I’m working on it.