Happy New Year

New Year....did you make any resolutions? I never really do. This year, though, I did. I want to see what other changes I can make in my household to make us more sustainable and less wasteful. I want to make better food choices too. We're changing out some of our appliances to be more efficient and less wasteful too. I want to expand our garden. I'd love to have enough produce to can this year. I think my family does pretty good on these things already, but there are always more things we can do, new habits to create. We dream of buying land and building a wind farm. We dream of going totally off grid for our home. But for now, we can do more little things that add up BIG.

I'm also starting to dream and plan for my garden. Nice COLD snowy days will make you do that!

What are you doing this year to make a difference? Please share!

SNOWY DAY! Wow. I'm so glad I stayed up last night to finish knitting my daughter's spare wool hat!

Repurposed and Upcycled

I've been thinking about something lately and thought I'd share it with you. My aim is to be real, and by that I do not want to throw around new hot words without making sure I am using them correctly. I do not do what I do because green is in. I do it because it is the right thing to do. Anyway.... on with my thoughts... repurposed, upcycled...what do these terms really mean?

According to Merriam-Webster the definition of repurposed is " to give a new purpose or use to."

So we have repurpose. What about upcycle? I had to go to wikipedia for that one. Here it is:

""Upcycling" is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of equal or better quality. The term was originally coined by William McDonough and Michael Braungart in their book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. The goal of upcycling is to prevent wasting potentially useful materials by making use of existing ones. This reduces the consumption of new raw materials when creating new products. Reducing the use of new raw materials can result in a reduction of energy usage, air pollution, water pollution and even greenhouse gas emissions."

OK, so they're not that different. When I take an old discarded bed sheet and make it into a reusable sandwich baggie I am giving it a new purpose. I am also making something out of it that is a better quality and more useful than it's original state. Way cooler than just throwing something in the recycling bin after you are finished with it. My aim is to do this more and more...think before recycling and find at least one more use for it before it gets recycled. Ahh, less waste, less energy, less carbon emitted....less.

So, why am I thinking about all of this? I'm starting to plan for my January craftiness. I have some beautiful vintage sheets and pillowcases. Not sure of their final destination, I begin thinking about how many ways they have been useful over the years... and how happy I was to find them and give them new life.

I LOVE shopping for new fabric. There's just something so relaxing about walking thru my favorite huge non-big box fabric store and seeing all of the bolts of potential. But I am learning to think differently about crafting and these 2 buzz words come to mind. Repurposed and upcycled. I'm learning to change my thinking and see the same potential when on a thrift store date with my daughter or when walking thru a rummage sale.

These words also remind me of one of my favorite movies of all time, The Sound of Music. Remember the curtains? No, no worries, I will not start dressing my kids in matchy-matchy outfits. But I do have a beautiful pillowcase that is whispering to me to gain new life as a skirt for my daughter...

I also have a really pretty pink flowery vintage flat sheet. What should I do with it? Want to see more upcycled sandwich/snack baggies? Would you like to see bulk bags made from them? What about lunchbox napkins or hankies? Let me know. Maybe I'll make them and you can be the first person to call them your own!

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Just so you know, my last sale is over. But my lunchbox napkins are still listed at a reduced price. Be sure to become a FaceBook fan to be the first to know of sales and specials!

winners!

Here are the winners! Congrats! Expect an email from me soon. If I don't hear back from you I'll choose some new random #s.

lunchbox napkins go to:

CORALEE who said "lovely and green - thanks for the chance to win!"

reusable sandwich baggies go to:

MELISSA who's FB fan comment won but she also said "I just visited your etsy store and I'm drooling over the custom longies slot. I've never taken the plunge to buy them- we just have boring old fitteds and covers or Fuzzibunz around here."

hankies go to:

ERIKA who said "Those hankies sound like they'd be really nice to have this winter!"

thank you everyone for participating and i hope you've had fun! my 10% off sale will go thru next week.

Last Minute Shopping Discount

If you have found my site thru SewMamaSew and have entered my giveaway....just so you know I will offer you a 10% discount (via pp refund) on any orders in my Etsy store from now until 12/19. Many of my items make great teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, Advent treats, etc. I can generally get your items in the mail within 1-2 days after payment. To receive your discount, please provide code: SMSGiveaway in the comment section of your order.

GiveAway Day is HERE!

I am SO excited to be able to participate in SewMamaSew's(www.sewmamasew.com/blog2) big giveaway day!!! This is one of my favorite blogs and shops...if you haven't visited it...do!

My Etsy shop is currently my crafting outlet. I started it because friends kept asking me about items I had made for my own family. It features handmade and hand-designed items to help you live a more sustainable lifestyle. I thought it was only fitting if I include some of my family's favorite items in my giveaway.

First, a set of 2 reusable cloth lunchbox napkins in a festive winter print. I don't know about you but it's mitten time here! I love using these napkins for on-the-go lunches and also to add fun to family meals at home.

I consider this next item the most popular thing in my kitchen...reusable sandwich baggies! I have 2 of these baggies to add, colors not yet determined.

And third, another winter essential... hankies. These are oh-so-soft on your nose. They are made from repurposed flannel. This part of the giveaway will be a set of 6.

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Here are the rules: This giveaway will run from today through Dec 6th with items shipped around Dec 12th. Sorry, but I'm keeping this specific giveaway open to addresses in the USA and Canada only. Enter first just by commenting. You can increase your chances by also joining my FaceBook fan page and letting me know you did by commenting on here, and also by visiting my Etsy shop (SustainableHomestead.Etsy.com) and commenting here about your favorite item. So, that gives you up to 3 chances. I will chose winners at random and email you - please be sure I have your email address.

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GOOD LUCK, HAPPY CRAFTING AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

FaceBook

Won't you be my friend? Just look up this shop and become a fan. You'll get the latest and greatest sales and sneak peaks.

I'm working on a super fantastic giveaway for December...so exciting!

Remember that you can reduce waste this Holiday season by using reusable cloth bags to wrap items in. I do not have too many right now that are ready-made and in stock but if you have a need let me know! I LOVE using these bags because they become gifts too. There are so many ways to use them after the gift has been discovered! My son uses one of his to keep small vehicles in - what an easy grab when we're going to have to spend time in a waiting room or restaurant or for a long car ride!

Fall Woolies

If you've been thinking about ordering custom wool from me this Fall you might want to consider reserving your spot. I'm not opening as many slots as I have done in years past and they're already starting to fill up. Check out the listing at SustainableHomestead.etsy.com for more details.

It's been a long time...

I've been a busy girl! SustainableHomestead is now on FaceBook...fine me and become a fan to be the first to know of new items and sales.

I had a fantastic day today thrifting with my daughter so look forward to some new items featuring vintage upcycled fabric!!!

SALE!!!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!  

In honor of Earth Day all orders $10 and over this week ship for free within the US (total before shipping is added and the shipping cost will be refunded thru paypal)!! ALSO ALL SEMI-CUSTOM KNIT SHORTIES ARE ONLY $40! CUSTOM SHORTIES ARE ALSO ON SALE! See listings for details.

NEW prints for Spring - Lunchbox napkins

Produce Bags

They're here!  I only have a very limited quantity but once I am able to source the fabric again there will be more.  This produce bag is made from a nylon mesh that is very soft and fine - your herbs and onion skins will not fall out.  They also feature surged and double-sewn seams and a DRAWSTRING!  

Spring!

Spring is just around the corner.  I am opening up my custom orders for Spring longies, shorties, and skirties.  Convo me on ETSY to start chatting so we can create the perfect pair in the perfect size.  As always, my turn around time is pretty fast, my yarn is soft AND sturdy, and my prices are reasonable.  Also, if you are interested in a Potty Bag convo me b/c I will start making them soon...and you can have first pic of fabrics.  THINK SPRING!

:) Cayce

ANOTHER NEW ITEM!

I've wanted some fun party napkins for a long time but could never find the perfect fabric.  Here it is!  I thought I'd share it with you, too.

SOLD IN SETS OF 8.

ORGANIC!

You wanted it, no demanded it, so here they are....

Organic napkins!  They are oh-so-soft and such a soothing shade of seaweed green.

Lunchbox napkins - not just for your children's sacks!

Produce Bags

I finally got the prototypes sewn up.  I will start using them asap to make sure the fabric and design will hold up.  My grocery check out people are getting tired of having to sort through my big reusable bag to weigh and ring up produce.  But it feels so funny to use plastic for produce when I don't use it for anything else.  So look forward to seeing a new product at SustainableHomestead in the future!

Consumerism and It's Impact

www.thestoryofstuff.com

Please watch this.  Then you won't wonder anymore why I'm such a nut.

What is the story of stuff?

From the extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view.  The Story of Stuff is a 20 minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns.  The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world.  It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

Party Bags!!!

A new use for reusable baggies - favor bags!  What a great way to show your friends, family and children that "green" living doesn't have to be boring!  These can be made in almost any color(s) to complement any party or event.

Pardon the cut photo...I'm still learning how to do things on my new computer.

Potty Bag

Now that my son is learning to use the potty I will need to begin to allow him to potty when we're out and about, too. He is so little that there is no way he's going to sit on a toilet in a public restroom. I carried my daughter's potty (this same one) around for almost a year in a plastic bag. I do not want to do that again since we don't even have any plastic bags in our house. So...the potty bag was created. Now I'm excited to drag the potty around with us and for errands to take twice as long.

Charitable Crafting

Some friends and I have been working for the last few months to create 50 reusable cloth pads and 10 wetbags to send to Africa as part of the Goods4Girls.com organization to promote reusable products and to help girls stay in school. I'm excited to say that we're finally officially finished with them! YAY! They were made with all reclaimed/repurposed materials. And they are so soft and lovely.

It's Holiday time!

Be sure to get your orders in soon to ensure they'll be ready.

I'm still not certain how to add custom wool slots on my ETSY. My apologies. If you're interested in having me knit this for you, please convo me. My turn around time is pretty quick and I usually knit with merino wool. My rate for this is around $65 with actual cost shipping...you pick colors, size, cuff and waist styles. The longies shown are not knit with my current pattern. The belladonna pattern has a great gusset and also includes short rows for a better fit.

Some photos

Reusable bags...first up are reusable bulk item bags with attached ties. Medium holds approx 7 cups and large holds approx 12 cups. Second are the reusable baggies with fold-over top. I could not find a baggie that I liked. I did not want internal seams to catch food nasties, I did not want velcro that would eventually become filled with food bits. So here you go! I made these for my family and we've been using ours for a while now. We love them! The colors on the baggie photo are not 100% accurate. The first is a bright turquoise, second is the same blue in the bulk bag photo, then there's gree, red and purple that are pretty true to their real color. I'm pretty well-stocked at the moment so place your orders now and quit using throw-away single use baggies!!!

It's here!

www.sustainablehomestead.etsy.com

check it out!