DIY Upcycled Terrariums.

I've long defended our awkward ratio of houseplants to house with the argument that the greenery helps us all survive Minnesota's version of winter.  Which I think is actually probably true.  Aside from us just being happier having plants around us, indoor gardens can help to purify the otherwise stale air we breath all winter, when the doors and windows shut against the cold also keep out the fresh air. 

My finished jar terrarium, featuring some kind of fern, two or three mosses, a found antler and my favorite tiny blue bowl.

But of course my real concern is whether or not it's something I want to look at.  And lately, I'm in love with looking at terrariums.  There are probably a trillion possibilities of awesomeness, and they're super easy to put together and maintain.  (None of mine have died yet!)

I loosely followed guidelines in this book, but you can also visit your local garden store (some offer classes or terrarium kits), or find much more detailed step-by-step instructions here:  http://www.gardendesign.com/how-to/diy-moss-terrarium

Teardrop terrarium with moss and the most adorable vintage squirrel miniatures my genius husb spotted at the thrift store.

Read about my process after the jump, plus more pictures!  (Thanks to the studly T.C. Worley, ace photographer for lending a hand with some of the photos.)

Satchels.

This is the time of year I start questioning my small shoulder bag choice.  When you can't fit the strap over your newly bulked-out, winter-coat-wearing shoulders, it gets you thinking.  I haven't settled on a design for my own purposes yet--and let's be honest, between knitting projects and holiday orders, there's not a big chance of me having any time for Selfish Sewing before the snow melts--but this is a style I love.  The strap design is compatible with any size parka, plus, it's awesome to have some extra room for stowing a hat and mittens. 


Check out these ones from my Etsy shop...the Buck Satchel is just listed today!

Just Listed: Buck Satchel

Unicorn Satchel

Very special limited edition satchel!  The Stormtrooper Satchel

Winter Friends.

I'm not trying to jump the gun or anything (believe me, I'm clinging to fall like the rest of you).  But once I dug out my knitting (and crochet) gear a few weeks ago, I've been obsessed:  going to yarn stores, spending hours looking at patterns on the internet, plotting a ginormous mental list of projects I will never finish, and also actually knitting stuff.  So when I was finishing the hand sewing on these guys, I couldn't resist adding some winter accessories.  Tiny, tiny winter accessories.  All the winter friends (and more details) are available in my Etsy store.

Winter Squirrel wearing a crocheted wool stocking cap.

Winter Raccoon wrapped up in a green handknit wool scarf.

Winter Fox with a knit wool hat to keep his ears warm.

Messenger.

Octopus: Small Recycled Plastic Messenger Bag

It's true, I've been a little caught up in all things fabric as of late.  For handbags, cozies, and toys, it's hard to beat repurposing an awesome vintage--or not so vintage--textile.  But for more rugged or all-purpose uses, recycled plastic is my go-to medium.  These new messenger bags are great all-weather commuters, if you're brave like that, and for the less daring: gym bag, errand bag, overnight bag.  Etcetera. 

Thank You: Small Recycled Plastic Messenger Bag

The small version of the messenger is still big enough for a laptop + miscellaneous, and its generous flap and heavy-duty velcro is designed to keep the weather out.  Get all the details by checking out the individual listings in my Etsy shop.

Fall Cozies

Radiant MN and Blue Antler Beer Cozies

Two new cozies just made their way into my Etsy shop, wooly and plaid since it's fall.  I both love and hate the season for everything it brings my way.  The colder temps chase me out of the weather more often than not, but I try to get out there whenever I can stand it...no snow on the ground yet!  So for all the true diehards still hanging on in backyards across the Midwest, clutching their beers with icy hands, these cozies are for you. 

Blue Antlers Wool Beer Cozy

Radiant MN Wool Beer Cozy

Both stitch designs come from my MN Love Series.  The state is pretty obvious, I know.  As for the antlers, well, technically I guess you can and should love the antler aesthetic wherever you're from.  But I like to think that growing up in the Midwest, all those trophy mounts my friends' dads had hung all over their paneled basements, nutured an especially soft spot in my heart for the sentimental kitsch of it.  But it's true, antlers are just beautiful.

Radiant MN and Blue Antlers Wool Beer Cozies

 I also chose fabrics that seemed most fitting to my home state and region--wool plaid.  The burly orange and green wool was a sadly moth-eaten (and possibly accidentally shrunk in someone's laundry?  It was strangely misshapen.) jacket, and the grey plaid was a grandma's wool skirt, a homemade one at that.  Since both items were no longer useful in their current states, I was happy to send them on to their next life.   Of beer-hugging awesomeness!

Blue Antlers Detail

Etsy.

Orange and Olive Wristlet

Etsy is so much better than when I first opened my shop there in 2006.  They've made tons of changes, and the latest one I've been waiting on for a long time: the ability to change your shop name. 

Unicorn Satchel

Tweed Purple Wristlet

Five years ago, I didn't have a business name--was barely even a business--when I started making and selling things on Etsy.  So I named my shop after an old email account and have been stuck with it ever since.  No more.  Last night I changed my shop name to my business name (makes sense, right?), and you can now find me on Etsy under RecyclingisRad.  Whoo! 

Octopus Satchel

All the old links to my shop will continue to work, and the old URL will remain active for the next month or so.  But I promise you'll feel much more special using my new URL:  www.recyclingisrad.etsy.com.  Yay Etsy!

I Heart Canadian Thanksgiving + S'mores Whoopie Pies

I have been so busy lately!  Regrettably not taking and/or posting enough pictures of everything due to my ill-chosen love of procrastination.  Sigh.  But yay!  I was able to wrap up a few of the big orders before our annual Canadian Thanksgiving celebration last weekend and totally relax and enjoy the festivities.  And in honor of taking a break, and also Canadians everywhere, God love you, I decided to post a few highlights from the weekend.

I heart Canadian Thanksgiving.  I'm not Canadian or even related to anyone in Canada, so the only reason to celebrate is a pure-hearted love of Thanksgiving food.  That and getting all our friends over before it's too cold out to even huddle around the firepit in the backyard.  This year we planned ahead by brewing a batch of homemade hard cider.  The day of we made two turkeys (one smoked on the grill, compliments of my sis, and one deep fried in the turkey cooker in the backyard), and our friends truly outdid themselves with amazing side dishes.  So much fun.

What might be my favorite part of the event was the art project I started my kids on early in the day to keep them busy:  The Hall of Famous Canadians.  A couple of my favorites from the collection:

Bryan Adams: Canadian!

Neil Young: Canadian!

Another highlight: whoopie pies.  Who doesn't love them?  They're like cake-burgers!  I made two kinds (both recipes from one of my favorite food blogs in the whole world, comma, dessert category: Brown Eyed Baker), a pumpkin with maple cream cheese filling, and my personal favorite, s'mores.  Whoever thought of turning a s'more into a whoopie pie was straight genius.  They. Were. Delicious.  Follow the link below to get the recipe for yourself.  I recommend.  

S'mores Whoopie Pies