EcoAwareness Public Art Project Just Launched On Kickstart!

I feel like I just had another baby....lol. This past week, I saw a news show about "crowd funding" and Kickstarter. They accepted my project plan and I was just launched today! I'm excited that, if funded, this will provide me the opportunity to share my recycled fiber arts know how with a lot more kids on Whidbey!

Make It Mondays! Cashmere HandWarmer Tutorial

Everything But The Oink means we use everything.....I mean everything of our recycled sweaters and other natural fiber items. It's eco friendly, frugal, responsible and fun to find ways to use every last piece. We even cut up the teensy scraps and use them to "stuff" our Mini Mice, Alien and Monster Buddies and our Bird Ornaments.

When we have a precious cashmere sweater find, we don't want to waste any teensy weensy piece of this luxurious upcycled fabric. So, we created Cashmere HandWarmers, filled with organic lavender and (uncooked) rice for a special treat to keep your hands warm during these cold winter months.

Here's all you need for this simple, easy-peasy project:
A small rectangle of cashmere felted "fabric"
Coordinating length of natural fiber yarn, threaded onto a large eye needle (chenille works well)
uncooked rice and organic lavender buds (optional)

STEPS:
1. Fold your rectangle of cashmere in half so that is square shaped.
2. Sew up all but one side of the square with a whip stitch.
3. Fill the cashmere "pocket" with uncooked rice and lavender buds.
4. Finish sewing up the last side of the square.
5. Heat in microwave for 30 to 60 seconds and then put it in your glove, your coat or pant pocket to keep your fingers warm and your body relaxed from the yummy lavender. :)

This can be reheated and re-used, over and over, and over again...for many years. These would make wonderful Valentine's Day gifts and your children can even sew these up for their teachers and favorite aunts.

Of course, you can make these out of other natural fiber scraps, but the cashmere handwarmer is...well.....just extra special.

EnJOY!

Make It Mondays! Coupon Wallet Tutorial

I made this as a custom order for someone whom loves tea and likes to carry teabags with her in her purse.

As I made it, I thought this would also make the perfect gift for those involved in couponing.

The four "pockets" inside are perfect to organize coupons.


MATERIALS LIST:
Recycled wool felt piece (8.5 inches x 7.5 inches)
Craft felt or thin recycled wool piece (8.5 x 7.5 inches)

TWO recycled wool felt pieces (8.5 inches x 3.5 inches)

Natural fiber yarns, vintage buttons
Large eyed needle (yarn darner, tapestry or chenille needle)

STEPS:
1. Cut out your wool/felt pieces. You want your large inside piece to be thin so that the wallet can fold and so it will be easier to sew all the layers together.

2. Embroider/embellish the large wool piece. Use a large button and attach it in the center. You will use this later for your wallet closure.

3. Now, take your craft felt or thinner wool piece and pin the smaller wool pieces to each end. Blanket stitch these smaller wool pieces to the craft felt AND stitch a "divider" down the center of each pocket.

4. Pin the completed "inside" to the embellished "outside" wool piece. Now, blanket stitch the project together. You're almost done!

5. Take some of your yarn and cut three pieces long enough to go around the body of the folded wallet with a bit extra yarn. Tie these three lengths of yarn around the large, centered button. Now, braid these three lengths of yarn together. Knot at the end. This is now your wallet closure. Wrap it around the wallet and then around the button. Easy access and looks cute too! EnJOY!

4Her Fiber Arts Open Studio This Weekend

My Christmas gift to my fiber arts 4Hers was a two day Fiber Studio Open House, where the kids had the opportunity to come over and spend two entire days handcrafting Christmas gifts.

Sweet Heats (lavender/rice microwave heat packs) and Owl Babies were the most popular creations.

It was so rewarding to see young teens spending their time totally "unplugged" and enJOYing the process of handsewing and using recycled natural fibers.

That was MY Christmas gift!