Green is the New Green

Sorry for that. Actually I feel angry inside every time I hear someone using that phrase, something is the new whatever. Like, 50 is the new 30? It doesn't even make sense. What was the old thirty? I mean, it was thirty, obviously, but what's thirty? Ar. See? Also, I'm 29, but I guess it doesn't matter because now thirty is nothing. So when my birthday rolls around, I'll just sigh and gaze towards the future that is new, and fifty.

Anyway. This friend is big and green with reflective buckles, and, apparently, afloat in a blue sky. The color from this one came mostly from Barnes and Noble Bookstore bags, also a few of those green-tinted produce bags. In memory of those items, you could use this to carry books around, like to school, for example, OR for carrying groceries home on your bicycle. Buy it here.

More Computer Gear

I recently designed this laptop sleeve for a custom order. Like the Nerd Gear Laptop Bag, it provides a safe home for your computer. Only without all those cumbersome straps and whatnot. The perfect little envelope home of recycled plastic joy for storing or carrying your laptop.

This project is the first I've done with plastic for quite a bit, as it's been summer and my boys are home, but I'm planning to get a real batch out as soon as I wrap up a couple of those awesome home improvement projects.

Also: like sculls? www.sculladay.com

Recycled Vintage

A couple purses featuring vintage fabrics: the tall blue tote and the squatty little lily pad purse are both crafted from vintage remnants I found. Recycling plastic bags is great, but I also love using vintage textiles. It's exciting to make something new from a material that has literally been waiting around for years. Awesome!

The tall blue tote is made from a heavy, burlap-ish fabric. I uncovered heaps of the fabric buried in the shelves of a thrift store. I accented the handles with vintage navy blue leather salvaged from an old coat, and piped all the edges for a clean shape.

The lily green bag features cuteness, a gathered flap and braceleted strap, and is lined with recycled plastic to help it hold its shape. Vintage textiles plus recycled plastic equals awesome fusion.

Robotical

Another recycled plastic messenger makes its way into the world, bearing news of robots. Red and grey, with white patch of robotness on the flap, this bag features all the same heavyweight polypro straps as the others, as well as a pair of handy belt loop clips to keep the bag in place. You know, in case you want to ride your bike. Buy this bag.

I Tote Think So

A couple new tote styles for summer.   Even though at the moment Minneapolis appears to be experiencing gale-force winds and some ferociously grey cloud cover, the sun has to, at some point, reappear.  That's when you're going to want to leave your house and descend upon the beach.  Yay!  Enter the beach tote.  Generously sized for your towels, water-wings, and sea shell collection, the vintage-inspired design includes numerous pockets and a recycled-plastic-reinforced bottom panel for stability.  Made almost exclusively (everything but the straps) from found, vintage, or recycled materials, this oversized bag doubles as diaperbag, laundry tote, grocery sack, overnight bag, doggie carrier.   

On the smaller side is the new recycled plastic tote purse.  Made from plastic shopping bags, this new mini size features double handles constructed of heavy-duty webbing, a small interior pouch pocket for little items, and a zipper closure.  

Nerd Gear: A Home for Your Computer

I believe everyone has a little nerd in them somewhere. And if yours happens to be the computer-loving sort, then here's your gear. The laptop bag is lined with a quilted padding that utilizes layers of mini-bubble wrap. The recycled plastic material that makes up the exterior of the bag is weather-proof, and the flap clips down for safety. The heavy-duty polypropelene strap is adjustable and abrasion and mildew resistant. Everything that goes into this bag, besides the straps and hardware, is recycled or repurposed...for the eco-nerd in you.

Laptop bags are available by custom order only. Contact me via my Etsy site or at sweetsisterosoul@hotmail.com

National Respect for Chickens Day

May 4th is National Respect for Chickens Day.    In honor of this day, I'm sharing some photos of my backyard flock of cluckers, Sally, Henry, and St. Margaret the Barefoot.  We decided to add chickens to the menagarie after reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan sparked an interest in shortening the distance our food travels to our plates.  Most of America's chickens don't get any respect, but choosing organic free-range meat and eggs supports the farmers who do treat their chickens like chickens.  Our chickens are a fairly recent addition, and we've yet to harvest any eggs, but they're fun to watch, and are a bit hit with the dog and the kids.  Anyway, it's Respect for Chickens Day, so, you know, be nice to chickens.