March 8 marks the International Women’s Day. I got something for you and you can read about it at my other blog:

In Celebration Of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2010

It will run until the 14th so grab your chance now.

I’m having some technical difficulties with my blog. Good thing I can post now.

Remember my post about turning a shirt into a half slip? Well, last year, I turned one of the old sweatshirts into a half slip because I wanted something opaque. Besides, the sweatshirt does not fit the way I like it, nor does it fit anyone else. No one likes it so I recycled it.

A few days ago, though, I changed my  mind.

It started with making a shirt design that’s quite Linux. I bought 2 colors of textile paint that’s squeeze-ready, got one of my old house shirts and came up with a design that formed in my head which I drew/wrote at the back of the shirt (I don’t intend that people would stare at my front):

And since I still had some textile paint left, my hands got itchy so I got my sweatshirt-turned-half-slip, got an old cord for the waist and turned it into a house skirt after lettering one of my other blogs. Again, it’s the back part as I don’t intend people to try to read my front.

As worn.

As I mentioned in my previous post, something was in the making that makes use of used notebook pages, which I just started a few hours ago. I just went on and on until I decided to make a turn, not fully decided on what I’d like to accomplish. When the “fan” formed, I thought it would be a great boquet handler. When I do get some flowers, I’ll take shots of the arrangement but now it’s still on its raw stage as I haven’t varnished it yet to give its earthy feel/look.

Started with rolling the pages into sticks.

Made the base.

The body getting form.

Finally done.

Top view.

Bottom view.

What else can you make out of the used notebook pages? You can turn it into charcoal too.

I know it has been a loooooong time. So many things have happened. Typhoons hit. We had to move to another place due to the flood. Sewing machine has not been set up until now since we moved last October. Now I’m trying to do something out of used notebook pages but it’s still in the making.

Let me share, though, the creativity of Filipino people who were hit by the storm and left the place flooded. Since the flood, those whose livelihood depended on tricycle-driving had to do something or else they’ll not eat.

Below are the pictures I took while using the rafts they invented out of water jugs, old plywood, and even banana tree trunk. Some used the inflatable bed as floater and put wood on top. With a couple of chairs on top, the rafts got ready for ferrying passengers to dry land.

Yesterday I wanted to go to the Cultural Center of the Philippines to celebrate Earth Day with everyone else concerned. There were several interesting programs I’d like to see especially the recycling stuff…but I couldn’t leave home so instead, I made a new design that popped right out my mind as I saw 2 CDs that are good for throwing. Since I had no internet at home since it was temporarily cut off due to unpaid bills, I kept my sewing machine busy. Now I’m at a nearby internet cafe (can’t keep me off the internet, really, that long :D).

Below are the stuff I needed:

It might be a bit confusing since the cover of my sewing machine is also green (used tarpaulin). You see the 2 CDs, 2 boxes of Nescafe stick sachets and a piece of the same tarpaulin I used to cover my machine. Not shown here are the bias I used for the edges, zipper, and strap. The CDs are removable.

Below: started sewing each sachet on the the tarp.

Below: every sachet I needed all sewn.

Below: tote bag done. Series of pictures showing different angles and different forms. Yes, there are several forms/ways to use the tote bag. It could be tubely, flat, or a mix of both. It could be worn on the side, back or front or even plain handled without the strap.

If the pictures did not load well, you can also see them at one of my picasaweb accounts.

I’m also thinking of exporting it. By order. If you’re interested, let me know.

I’d like to start off by mentioning that the initial idea came from Lou as she showed how to make her magic box.

I did some revisions to make my own version, though. I made mine out of tetra packs and later tried it with acetate to make my new toy. I have no defined sizes because you can make any size you want as long as you work with squares. Also, since I work with whatever is available with me at the moment, I have to adjust.

There are 33 pictures I uploaded at picasaweb, just in case there are some missing to load here.

Top: my collection of empty tetra packs.

Top: cut off the ends.

Top: open up.

Top: make 6.

Top: make 4 1/4″ shorter (widthwise).

Top: fold triangle. cut off excess to make square.

Top: you need 4 of a kind (a bit smaller) and 2 of a kind (uncut sides).

Top: fold to the center after marking diagonals.

Top: another round of folding, making the corners touch the opposite fold mark.

Top: cutting marks. fold triangles.

Top: cut view.

Top: make fold marks on opposite ends.

Top: make fold mark on the other opposite ends.

Top: make flaps 1 and 2 overlap and lock with the triangle part.

Top: locked.

Top: do with the opposite.

Top: fold the little triangles and fold to lock.

Top: same as above.

Top: your box is done.

Top: bottom part.

Top: you have 4 small boxes and 2 slightly bigger ones, and body wrap. since i had no liquid glue, i used my excess glue gun stick and used a lighter to melt it since my glue gun is not working.

Top: assembled.

Top: top cover and bottom support.

Top: stackable sideways.

Top: stackable one over the other.

Top: to create my toy, I looked for my pony tail that had snapped and use the beads.

Top: this time I used acetate with 5 smaller boxes plus 2 slightly larger boxes to be the top cover and bottom support.

Top: holes burned through 4 of the smaller boxes.

Top: selected 60 beads.

Top: put the beads on the topmost.

Top: put the top cover and bottom support and used clear tape so they do not accidentally detach and scatter all the beads around.

Top: another view of the complete toy; the object of the game: start with all beads on top, let them all fall to the bottomest  level, invert and repeat to have all beads in the original level; the player with the shortest time to finish is the winner.

Top: attached my logo.

Prices of thick notebooks have gone higher and higher. Yes, they are beautiful but truthfully, you’re paying more for the trademark than for the notebook itself. So, I made my own refillable notebook which most of the needed materials are recycled.

Materials needed:

- paper you would write on, 10 pcs per set, total 50 (I used the 8.5×11 inches bond paper). I do prefer unlined paper and the cheapest clean set would be the plain bond paper.
- hairpins, 10 pcs
- used illustration board (for front cover, back cover, and spine)
- used cloth (I used corduroy cut off from a leg of never-to-be-worn-again pants) for cover
- scrap cloth for design
- string for bookmark (optional)

Stuff you need:

- glue gun with glue stick
- sewing machine
- ruler
- cutter knife
- marker (to mark where to cut or sew)
- cutting board or anything glass, like mirror

What to do:

1. Get 10 sheets of paper, fold the top crosswise. It will be the guide where you will sew all 10 sheets together. Make 5 sets.

2. Measure the folded size plus the thickness of the 5 sets (for the spine) and make the cover out of the illustration board. Half-cut the spine edges for easy folding. It also makes your folding straight.

3. Attach the sewn paper to the board with paired hairpins (remember Cattleya?). This is what makes this notebook refillable.

4. Glue gun the bookmark string and the spine. The additional spine covers the rough hairpins and glue to have a smooth spine.

5. Sew your cloth cover with flaps so you just have to insert your flont and back board cover. Of course you have to measure so it fits snuggly.

6. Glue your design and you have it complete.

When you have filled all the pages, simply take off the top hairpin, pull the sewn paper, and put and newly sewn set, and put the hairpin back.

I know I haven’t posted in a while. I thought to share with you some of the stuff I’ve made out of newspaper. Their my originals and I don’t have any pattern for it. They were spontaneously made. Except for the curtain holder and the plant/bonsai pot/box, I haven’t repeated doing the rest.

Top: plant/bonsai pot/box

Top: Hanging plant “pot” and curtain holder.

Top: Flower basket with floral foam

Top: With flowers. It’s span is about 1 1/4 meters.

Top: Bouquet holder

Top: Hung with flowers.

Top: Held by a child and adult

I would like to have a list of as many as possible (if not all) blogs and websites about recycling, in one list. And while the list is growing, I will post it here for everyone to see and be visited by whoever wants to visit. It is my way of endorsing another recycling site. We all are one, right?

Anyway, I need your help, though. If you own one or several that has a recycling niche, or if you know someone who owns one or several, might as well let the world know by posting a comment under this post.

It may take time but I will personally go to each of the recommended blog/website to pay a visit.

I’m sure this will be fun and of a worthy cause.

What are you waiting for? Let me know of the sites you know! Links are under Blog Connection.

Have you ever needed a deep bowl for grapes or berries but instead you just have a plate which is not enough to hold everything in?

When you have finished off the grapes or berries, would you rather have your container collapsible to save on space? Isn’t collapsibility great especially when you have to bring them along like in picnics or just let it stay in your bag so you have something to pull out at the time needed without even taking notice that it is in your bag?

Introducing, my new creation, the Multipurpose Side Expander.

Get the idea? Once you’re done, fold it up and keep it back in your bag or in a drawer, which takes very small space.

You can also use it as a vase. Put some floral foam and you can make your table flower arrangement. There are lots of other uses. The important thing is, it’s collapsible and you can bring it anywhere and bring it out to use it when needed at the right time, without taking up a lot of space.

The best thing about it? It’s about 95% recycled. It’s functional so you can keep it as long as you need to keep it. It’s made of juice foil so it’s actually waterproof and doesn’t easily tear. Just don’t cut it with a blade, of course.

As of now there are 2 sizes and also available for sale.

Order now and be ready for the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries ahead. Perfect as gifts too!

Multipurpose Side Expander (Octagon)
Diameter 1: base 7″ and top 9.5″

Multipurpose Side Expander (Octagon) - 1 dozen

Multipurpose Side Expander (Decagon)
Diameter 2: base 9″ and top 11.5″

Multipurpose Side Expander (Decagon) - 1 dozen

Delivery within 7 days for single orders, 2-3 weeks for dozen orders. Shipping takes about 1-3 weeks via Express Mail Service.