Life hands us twists and turns and sometimes due to those we have to lighten our load. So, I will closing my Etsy shop for the time being. I want to thank all my followers for their support. As much as I love to create items, I have to keep it manageable. I like to think of myself as a "locavore". So selling my items locally makes the most sense and is less taxing on my time and energy, therefore allowing me to put the energy into what matters the most, Family and our health and well being.
I will still be selling my patterns on Ravelry. I am hoping to add more patterns thru the fall and winter both for free and for sale. I will be posting my free patterns here on the blog.
I will also still being posting on my other blog: The Zen Veggie, here: http://thezenveggie.blogspot.com/
I will still be selling the items I make Locally thru Radway in Cowichan Bay, Prudence Organics in Duncan and The Community Farm Store.
Thank you again for all of your support and I hope you will continue to follow along with me on my journey.
Chriss
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
What I have been doing......
I have had my Etsy shop on vacation mode for a few weeks now. I have had a very busy Spring and Early Summer that a break was in order to regroup and recharge my batteries. Even more importantly I wanted to spend some quality time with my family over that summer.
I have also been making some major changes in my personal life that really required most of my focus and energy. I have started a new Blog, it's called the http://thezenveggie.blogspot.com/
It's a written testimony of my experience of trying a lacto ovo vegetarian diet for 30 days. I will be posting my experiences daily, sharing recipes, and giving my honest opinion about vegetarianism.
Please check it out and follow along if you are interested.
I have also been educating myself on "living greener", there really are so many things we can do. But the key to making lasting changes in life is to do it steps.
I found this incredible video called "HOME". Its about climate change. If watch nothing else this year on climate change, watch this video. http://www.youtube.com/homeproject
Happy Summer Days,
Chriss
I have also been making some major changes in my personal life that really required most of my focus and energy. I have started a new Blog, it's called the http://thezenveggie.blogspot.com/
It's a written testimony of my experience of trying a lacto ovo vegetarian diet for 30 days. I will be posting my experiences daily, sharing recipes, and giving my honest opinion about vegetarianism.
Please check it out and follow along if you are interested.
I have also been educating myself on "living greener", there really are so many things we can do. But the key to making lasting changes in life is to do it steps.
I found this incredible video called "HOME". Its about climate change. If watch nothing else this year on climate change, watch this video. http://www.youtube.com/homeproject
Happy Summer Days,
Chriss
Thursday, July 8, 2010
"The Art of Mindfull Living", Did you ever wonder if those Felted Wool Dryer balls Work?
I seem to be a bit fixated on laundry and shopping the past few months with my personal life and small business "go greener" makeover, but the more info I find the more I realized as green as I thought I was being, I still have work to do. I know, your thinking what does this have to with Felted wool dryer balls?
A lot really, I think a lot of the time when we are trying to make positive changes in any area of our life we can get stuck in these little ruts that give us the illusion that we have reached our destination. There is no destination. Its all a journey and we need to grow, expand and revise our goals, repeatedly. I think its ok to take time to master a skill or develop healthy habits, but not be limited by them once we have reached that goal. You can always be and do better. This is not say we shouldn't be satisfied or have a sense of accomplishment and appreciate what we have accomplished, only that we really never are able to fathom what we are really capable of until we are pushed and motivated.
I had been using Biodegradable Laundry Detergent for about 5 years, over time this naturally progressed into making my own laundry soap with handmade soap http://www.etsy.com/listing/49748245/house-bd-biodegradable-eco-friendly and storing it in repurposed containers. Its been a lot of fun experimenting with making my own cleaners and soaps, something my Great Grandmother and other ancestors must have done. Admittedly, most of what they used would have been washing soda, borax, vinegar and bar soap that was purchased.
I honestly believe when we have this creative process to make what we need, it gives us a much deeper connection to the universe, as opposed to stopping by the grocery store a buying it. This is part of living in the present moment. My sense of appreciation for what I have is much deeper, because "I made it". This applies to a lot of aspects of my life; Growing my own food and preserving it, making laundry soap and my own cleaners, crocheting, sewing, practicing Dru Yoga, playing with my kids, sharing my skills with my kids, etc.
Felted wool dryer balls do work! They cut drying time because they retain heat and help your clothing move and open up in the dryer more. I noticed a significant difference in the drying time. (Not that I use my dryer much this time of year as the weather outside has been incredible for drying clothes. I agree, using a dryer is not very "green", but the truth of the matter is most people use the dryer. Not to mention, "going green" is usually done in steps by most people, and not everyone is able or willing to go as "green" as others are. ) My clothes were soft as normal, I also did not notice an increase in lint. As for static, I felt there was less, but we don't own much synthetic clothing so static has never been a huge issue. This was a fun recycling project for me. I had this super coarse wool from one of the first sweaters I took apart. I was having a hard time finding something to use it on it was so scratchy. Needless to say, I found a use for some of that wool. I was thinking of using the rest of that wool to make more, but then what to do with them? I end up with a lot of little scraps that are perfect for making these as it doesn't matter if you have a bunch of knots throughout the ball. They are a fun little project. Here is the link: http://goodmama.typepad.com/goodmama/2008/05/make-your-own-wool-dryer-balls.html The tutorial suggests washing the balls to felt them. I just threw them in the washer whenever I was doing a load.
Namaste,
Chriss
A lot really, I think a lot of the time when we are trying to make positive changes in any area of our life we can get stuck in these little ruts that give us the illusion that we have reached our destination. There is no destination. Its all a journey and we need to grow, expand and revise our goals, repeatedly. I think its ok to take time to master a skill or develop healthy habits, but not be limited by them once we have reached that goal. You can always be and do better. This is not say we shouldn't be satisfied or have a sense of accomplishment and appreciate what we have accomplished, only that we really never are able to fathom what we are really capable of until we are pushed and motivated.
I had been using Biodegradable Laundry Detergent for about 5 years, over time this naturally progressed into making my own laundry soap with handmade soap http://www.etsy.com/listing/49748245/house-bd-biodegradable-eco-friendly and storing it in repurposed containers. Its been a lot of fun experimenting with making my own cleaners and soaps, something my Great Grandmother and other ancestors must have done. Admittedly, most of what they used would have been washing soda, borax, vinegar and bar soap that was purchased.
I honestly believe when we have this creative process to make what we need, it gives us a much deeper connection to the universe, as opposed to stopping by the grocery store a buying it. This is part of living in the present moment. My sense of appreciation for what I have is much deeper, because "I made it". This applies to a lot of aspects of my life; Growing my own food and preserving it, making laundry soap and my own cleaners, crocheting, sewing, practicing Dru Yoga, playing with my kids, sharing my skills with my kids, etc.
Felted wool dryer balls do work! They cut drying time because they retain heat and help your clothing move and open up in the dryer more. I noticed a significant difference in the drying time. (Not that I use my dryer much this time of year as the weather outside has been incredible for drying clothes. I agree, using a dryer is not very "green", but the truth of the matter is most people use the dryer. Not to mention, "going green" is usually done in steps by most people, and not everyone is able or willing to go as "green" as others are. ) My clothes were soft as normal, I also did not notice an increase in lint. As for static, I felt there was less, but we don't own much synthetic clothing so static has never been a huge issue. This was a fun recycling project for me. I had this super coarse wool from one of the first sweaters I took apart. I was having a hard time finding something to use it on it was so scratchy. Needless to say, I found a use for some of that wool. I was thinking of using the rest of that wool to make more, but then what to do with them? I end up with a lot of little scraps that are perfect for making these as it doesn't matter if you have a bunch of knots throughout the ball. They are a fun little project. Here is the link: http://goodmama.typepad.com/goodmama/2008/05/make-your-own-wool-dryer-balls.html The tutorial suggests washing the balls to felt them. I just threw them in the washer whenever I was doing a load.
Namaste,
Chriss
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
June Giveaway Winner!
The Winner of my June Giveaway is.......
Kelli Robinson. Her favorite item was
A Bit of Lace Refined Hemp Summer Scarf in Slate and Lilac and she won a $10.00 Gift Certificate toward any item in my Esty Shop!
The Lacey body is done in a Smokey Slate Gray hemp yarn, the Blossom edging is in Lovely Lilac lace weight hemp yarn.
Thank you to all who entered! I will be announcing July's Giveaway Soon!
Kelli Robinson. Her favorite item was
The Lacey body is done in a Smokey Slate Gray hemp yarn, the Blossom edging is in Lovely Lilac lace weight hemp yarn.
Thank you to all who entered! I will be announcing July's Giveaway Soon!
Friday, June 18, 2010
New: smaller Hemp Produce Sacs, and a Spiel on our plastic/petroleum consumption
Hemp Produce Sac in Smaller sizes are now available in my Etsy shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrisssmith22?section_id=6059673
Its the same Great Hemp I use on the Larger Bags
Saying to "No" Plastic has become a newer mission. Why?
Well, our demand for plastic drives up the demand for oil, as does our demand for any and all petroleum products.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Reduce. If I reduce my plastic consumption considerably by no longer using plastic in the produce section, how does this effect my dependence on Petroleum? How about if I can considerably cut my plastic usage for all my food and household needs? Maybe one person doing this isn't such a big deal.
So now, I dedicate myself to making an available alternative to plastic in the produce section that is all natural reuseable, light weight, stashable, washable, easy to use, handmade and made from an earth friendly product. Don't get me wrong there are some other wonderful alternatives out there.
Are these bags perfect? Or are they a solve all?
No, you are going to have to remember to bring them with you shopping, ask the cashier to subtract the "tare weight" (Tare weight is the weight of the bag or container when empty. It's usually a legal requirement for stores to subtract the weight of the empty container when weighing your produce or bulk purchase.) at the check out, wash them, and then remember to have them ready again for next time.
Frankly, it sounds like a pain, right?
Not any more painful than our increasing dependence on Petroleum products, and we are all pretty aware what effect that is having on the Planet, wildlife, our economies, politics (WAR), and the future as a whole. What are we leaving our children and our children's children? What is happening to the health of our wildlife, including many fragile eco systems and that of our Food?
Truth is, we can all learn to make small changes everyday that add up to a big change in the end. I think we are worth it.
"Nothing in life worth doing is easy."
I am not asking you to purchase my bags, or even other alternative bags available. I am only asking you to consider the effects your dependence on plastic and petroleum products has on our World.
Let's start reducing our Plastic/Petroleum dependence today, to make for a healthier tomorrow.
Its the same Great Hemp I use on the Larger Bags
Saying to "No" Plastic has become a newer mission. Why?Well, our demand for plastic drives up the demand for oil, as does our demand for any and all petroleum products.
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
Reduce. If I reduce my plastic consumption considerably by no longer using plastic in the produce section, how does this effect my dependence on Petroleum? How about if I can considerably cut my plastic usage for all my food and household needs? Maybe one person doing this isn't such a big deal.
So now, I dedicate myself to making an available alternative to plastic in the produce section that is all natural reuseable, light weight, stashable, washable, easy to use, handmade and made from an earth friendly product. Don't get me wrong there are some other wonderful alternatives out there.
Are these bags perfect? Or are they a solve all?
No, you are going to have to remember to bring them with you shopping, ask the cashier to subtract the "tare weight" (Tare weight is the weight of the bag or container when empty. It's usually a legal requirement for stores to subtract the weight of the empty container when weighing your produce or bulk purchase.) at the check out, wash them, and then remember to have them ready again for next time.
Frankly, it sounds like a pain, right?
Not any more painful than our increasing dependence on Petroleum products, and we are all pretty aware what effect that is having on the Planet, wildlife, our economies, politics (WAR), and the future as a whole. What are we leaving our children and our children's children? What is happening to the health of our wildlife, including many fragile eco systems and that of our Food?
Truth is, we can all learn to make small changes everyday that add up to a big change in the end. I think we are worth it.
"Nothing in life worth doing is easy."
Let's start reducing our Plastic/Petroleum dependence today, to make for a healthier tomorrow.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
June Giveaway!!!
This Months Giveaway is Pretty Simple: The Winner will receive a $10.00 Gift Certificate for my Etsy Shop! (Gift Certificate can e redeemed toward any item in my shop)
Here's the Instructions, (you need to follow all of the instructions in order to be entered, those who don't will not be entered. This happens way too often and make me sad....)
1. Become a Follower on my Blog.
2. Go to my Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrisssmith22 Find an item you would like to use the gift certificate on.
3. Email me at theartofzencrochet@live.ca telling me what item you chose.
This giveaway will close on June 29 2010 and the Winner will be announced on June 30 2010.
Thank you to all who enter and support us!!
Here's the Instructions, (you need to follow all of the instructions in order to be entered, those who don't will not be entered. This happens way too often and make me sad....)
1. Become a Follower on my Blog.
2. Go to my Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrisssmith22 Find an item you would like to use the gift certificate on.
3. Email me at theartofzencrochet@live.ca telling me what item you chose.
This giveaway will close on June 29 2010 and the Winner will be announced on June 30 2010.
Thank you to all who enter and support us!!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
DIY: Repurposed Brown Paper Bag Envelopes
It's Environmental Week here in Canada, and what better way to celebrate than to share a recycling Project!
I have had Great success with these envelopes. I find them easy to make, I am recycling (Imagine that?) and boy do they save me some $$.
Please read the instructions thoroghly before beginning.
Supplies:
Ruler white glue
scissors old craft paint brush
Brown paper bags (use good quality)
Rotary cutter and cutting board optional
You should be able to get 1 Larger envelope and at least 2 small envelopes from a standard Brown Paper Bag from the Grocery Store.
Take your Brown Paper Bag and Unfold it. Rather than marking with a pen you will be using the folds in the bag as your cutting lines.
the fold lines on the side cut out the side only, leaving the
bottom intact. Repeat for the opposite side.
You will have something that looks like this.
Fold the back piece at the top over the front, making the fold line up with the top front piece.........
..................Open up your piece of paper, working along the sides
and fold a 2.5 cm (1") Flap on each side.
............you will now need to carefully cut along the sides only up the the first fold, ( this fold separates the front from the back of the envelope. Trim 2.5 cm (1") strip on each side of the bag as shown.
to what was the bottom of the bag to reinforce
the folds there.
Fold the top flap up over the back piece.
IT"S GLUING TIME!!!
Put a nice line of glue on each side flap. Spread the glue carefully with your brush.
Now fold up the side flaps and press firmly into place.
TTTAAADDDDDAAA!!!!
Let your envelopes dry over night! I prefer to seal the tops with some packing tape as I pack my with envelopes with materials such as fabrics or crocheted items.
Decorate with stamps, markers or however you see fit. :)
Just some notes: I don't often like to use Bubble envelopes, but I think you could easily glue in some pieces of bubble wrap before gluing the sides down. I also thought you could buy some Craft Paper that I have seen in the Post office and use this to make envelopes, should you prefer to. I hope that you enjoyed my Tutorial, this is my first. If you have any questions or comments please post them here and I will gladly answer them.
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