Crafting for the Climate!

Today is the International Day of Climate Action!

People in 181 countries are coming together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5,200 events around the world, people gathered to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.

For all those haters out there who claim that climate change is a hoax, a lie perpetrated by liberal radicals, I have a question for you - even if climate change isn't due entirely to human impact, what would it hurt to use less energy? To buy food and other goods locally to reduce our carbon footprint and rise in rates of asthma of communities that live near our transportation channels? To give some more thought to development projects that harm ecosystems and the biodiversity that makes life on this planet such that it is today? To continue to harness the innovative human spirit to develop cleaner, smarter technologies? What would any of that harm? Why are you so afraid of moving forward?

I'm personally working to increase awareness and reduce our impact on the planet, not because I believe in some naive notion of "simpler times," but because I believe that we can move forward in ways that will ensure that the absolute awesomeness of this planet is preserved. That we can do this while simultaneously evolving the way of life of all species in positive and profoundly meaningful ways. I am doing this for the children I will someday have. They need a safe place to live, and as their parent, I am going to work hard to ensure that's possible. I am doing this for the children of ally communities. I'm doing it because I care.

Check out 350.org for more information! Be active in your community, even if it's only in small ways. Every action has an impact. Make sure yours is positive and life affirming!

Love Birds and Upcycled Sweater

SHOW YOU: Love Birds Thread Painting & Upcycled Angora Sweater

Love Birds for Sarah and Stan's wedding, 9/26/09

I've known Sarah and Stan for about four years now, befriending them when we all worked together at Rainforest Action Network. They weren't together when we all first met, but soon realized they were a match made in heaven, and now they're married! I thought I'd continue my exploration of thread painting on artist canvas. I found both of the elements separately (birds and branch), but used a light box to trace them onto the artist canvas (you can buy sheets of it in a notebook from the art store, super cheap!) with pencil. Reflecting back, I will probably use colored pencil to trace the next image I use because the pencil smudged really easily, although it was nice to be able to erase a line if I wanted to change it mid-embroidering. Something to think about...

After completing the embroidery, I custom-made the inside mat with some beautiful card stock I have, then added the red mat and framed it. I normally don't put glass over my work because I enjoy the depth and dimension not putting art behind glass adds. But artist canvas gets dirty so easily, I decided to use the glass to protect the surface for a longer period of time. I think it turned out very well!

Upcycled Angora Sweater for Weezie's Birthday, 10/8/09

I've known Weezie since we were in high school at Cibola in Albuquerque. I love her so very much and count her as one of my best friends. She is one of those rare friends, that love and encourages you to be exactly who are, no apologies. I appreciate and love her friendship and count it as one of the core blessings of my life.

So for her birthday this year, I decided to upcycle an amazing thrift store find, an angora sweater in a beautiful soft grey. I'd unintentionally felted (accidentally put it into the washer, without even thinking!?!) it on the first wash. Instead of throwing it away, I used the neck of the turtleneck for a neck warmer project I did about a year ago. Then, I decided to upcycle the sweater's main body. I used a blanket stitch to frame the sweater's opening and neck. This was an easy and quick project and I love it. Even though it shrunk during the accidental felting, Louisa has a small frame, so it fits her like a glove and it's still so incredibly soft - perfect!!!

I love crafting! Especially, for my friends. Simply put, it makes me so happy!!

Fall Blossoms

HOW TO: Wool Flower Pins

Wanna show-and-tell you about a quick and easy project I did last weekend, Wool Flower Pins.




All you need to do this super easy project is:
- beautiful buttons (I used some sorta pricey buttons I bought from Britex Fabrics in SF ages ago but never used; they are stained wood); it helps if the buttons have a shape reminiscent of petals, but not necessary.
- wool yarn
- crochet needle, size 5.50 for chunkier stitches
- felt
- needle and thread of similar color to your wool yarn
- glue gun
- pin

Here's how to make them:
1. Crochet a very simple and basic chain stitch, leaving about two inches of yarn at the beginning of your stitch; stitch about 8 inches; knot off and leave about two inches of yarn hanging off of the end.


2. Using your needle and thread, start to layer your crocheted stitch on top of itself and sew together; you can either go in a circle as I've done with one of the periwinkle flower pins, or you can do a more chaotic, random layering as I've done with the other two pictured above; make sure you end the layering by threading the end of the chain stitch down through the middle of the flower, so that you end up with the two extra ends hanging below your flower, next to one another (sort of like the stems of the flower).

3. Insert the two "stems" of the flower through the button holes and tie a firm knot, clip the ends of the yarn off so that you have two small pieces left.




4. Heat up your glue gun. In the meantime, cut a piece of felt that will cover the yarn knot on the back of the button, but not extend beyond the edge of the button. Additionally, cut out a small heart or other shape to glue over the pin backing; I do this so that it's prettier on the back of the pin and you don't have to see ugly glue poking through the holes on the pin.

5. Once the glue gun is ready, spread glue on the larger piece of felt and place over the knot, pressing firmly for a couple of seconds to ensure all corners are securely stuck to the button. Next, spread glue on the back of the pin, place on the felt tab, press firmly. Once the pin is secure, but before the glue cools, press the smaller, cover piece of felt on it and press firmly to secure.

6. Let your pin dry for about 12 hours to ensure that it's definitely secure. And enjoy!