Back on path

The journey to cloth was put on the back burner, as my motivation for most anything has been; due to this stick with me like glue, fog of depression, that has been with me. Its rough at times; though only a little bump in the road.

The cloth grocery bags are on top of the refrigerator and they haven't made it into the store, quite yet. I think moving them to the back of the car, they will have a better chance, to get used.
The original cloth napkins, I had my eye on, were no longer available, so I bought some other ones. I soon sent them back, as the feel of material (not cotton), was not pleasing to the touch. I haven't found any others that, I thought were lovely until today. I can always count on finding just about anything I am looking for at Amazon.com and usually do. I was searching and found these 100% cotton ones, for a reasonable price, 12 for $15.99. I ordered 2 sets.
I don't know if I will ever completely go cloth for cleaning. I still use cloth dish cloths for washing dishes and flour sack towels for dusting. I recently found some very nice vintage looking dish cloths; at of all places, the 99 Cents Only Store. Paper towels are used for any other cleaning.

The journey to cloth

I have decided that next month is the month to go cloth. Napkins, flour sack towels and reusable grocery bags. I still have a ample supply of paper napkins. Those will be used for the really messy meals, until they run out. The floursack towels will be used for cleaning and dusting. My main grocery shopping is mostly done at Costco, so the reusable ones will be used for those occasional trips to the market. I am using the last of the sponges and the cloth dishcloths are in the drawer. I will still be using plastic trash bags, until I can find a replacement.

Recycling to a new life

I need a new ironing board cover, but have yet to find one in a pattern, that I like. I have a lovely full size flat sheet that I do not use, and the pattern is exactly what I am looking for. I found online, at The Purl Bee, what items I would need and how to make it. How hard could it be. Only time will tell.

fabric - 2 yards cotton fabric of your choice for a full-size ironing board, or 1 1/2 yards for a small board.
batting - I used two layers of twin size mid-loft cotton batting for a firm padding. You may prefer a high-loft cotton batting.
clear acrylic ruler
pinking shears - These shears have serrated teeth that prevent unravelling.
pattern paper -
bodkin - This helpful tool is used to draw the twine through the narrow hem of the cover. You can also use a safety pin.
glasshead pins
machine thread
marker - Hera Marker
cotton twine or elastic - 3 yards

How to Make an Ironing Board Cover

Tomatoe plants and water crocks

I have this water crock and stand, that I do not use anymore; wasting precious space in my tiny kitchen. It has now been moved to the patio. Is this a possible home for a my first tomato plant. Drainage not a issue, as the spout could be left open.

Leaving gentler footprints on this earth

Immediately I will transition to dishcloths instead of sponges, dish towels for drying my hands. I will wait until I have enough saved, to purchase, some of these lovely kitchen towels to replace my old ones. Then I will cut my old ones to napkin size, make a seam and I will start to use cloth napkins. Soon flour sack towels will replace paper towels for cleaning. There is available to me, a endless supply of 5 gallon pickle containers, from work. I have one on my patio, that is going to house, my first tomato plant. Until I start to garden, I will use it on shower days. I will conserve, by reusing shower water. When rinsing my hair, I will fill the bucket; then use the water on my outdoor plants.

Gentle re-use

My way of thinking, has changed, to one of recycling what I already have; whenever possible. Not for monetary reasons, but to make a gentler impact on the environment.

Awhile ago, when I was at the Doctors office and I saw these plastic cord covers; that organize the vast number of their computer cords. My son told me they sell them at IKEA. Then last night I was pondering the cord issue. A simple solution, take the cardboard part of the paper towel roll (No I have not lessened the use of paper products, yet). Though who knows what tomorrow may bring. I will buy some inexpensive brown fabric and cover the roll. The fabric will also make the cardboard more sturdy and have a longer life.

Simple re-use

I have three baskets, slightly similar to this one, that I did not get rid of. They housed my daughters childhood books and such. They have been given new purposes. One is a hamper for my bedroom. One is strorage for extra blankets. The other is turned upside down and is being used for a nightstand. My bed is not on a frame, but sits on the floor; so this is a perfect height.

Creative simplicity

I have this chair, only in solid pine color, no white. Awhile ago the back broke. I have been using the chair to put my feet up on, while on the computer.

I was going to trash it, as it is not visually appealing; as you can see the holes where the spindles went. I just had a light bulb moment, on how I could recycle and reuse it; in a way that will make it visually appealing. I have four chair pads, that although rather nice, I never used. They were in one of the closets; so when we culled, they got placed in a bag for the thrift shop. I did keep one for my daughters desk chairs.

I have to go back in the car and take something back into the house, meant to be given away. I am okay with that, as it is being given a useful second life. Useful is the key word. What I plan to do is get thick Velcro and glue it to the chair itself, and to the back of the chair pad. That way when the chair pad gets dirty, I simply wash it. The chair pad, covers the spindle holes, so that takes care of the ugliness factor. The chair pad also has a skirt, which will add a cuteness factor. All for the price of just Velcro, I have a lovely foot rest.