I attended a talk, "Linking Climate Change to Engergy Use and Transport", by Anthony Tan of CETDEM when it was conducted at Bandar Sungai Long Buddhist Society.
The awareness he instilled in me makes me more conscious about not leaving electrical equipment on "ready" mode. I also look at lightings and energy consuming items in my house differently. While working on the "Energy Audit Form" provided by Anthony, I was very drawn to websites highlighting energy and cost saving consumption ideas. Following are some useful websites that I have discovered:
Saving Electricity by Michael Bluejay
Lighting and Daylighting by EERE (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, USA)
If you find the information from these US websites interesting, then join Anthony for his Malaysian views in his next talk:
“CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY CONSUMPTION & TRANSPORT: The Linkages.”
Date: Sunday, 9th September 2007
Time: 1:00-2:30pm
Venue:
Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia Kajang,
4 Jalan Reko, 43000 Kajang
ADMISSION IS FREE AND ALL ARE WELCOME.
Does it matter whether you support and participate in such events? Severn Cullis-Suzuki has the answer for you 15 years ago, when she was speaking for E.C.O., The Environmental Children's organisation.
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
Monday, 20 August 2007
Won't wear? Won't use? Transform!
Won't wear this cute little T-shirt?
Transform it!
Sometimes I buy stuff for my kids against my better judgment. I love reading and buy them books hoping to instill this passion. So, it is sad to see the books collecting dust on the shelves. It was only when I gave their books away to the children's library set up by the Sg Long Buddhist Society that they started missing them. People tend to yearn for things they lost or that they cannot have, so I guess that philosophy applies to children too.
I recall when I was a kid, most parents buy new clothes for their children only for the new year. Grandparents cannot afford to dote on grandchildren by buying them new stuff because there maybe 5 to 6 grandchildren from each of their 6 to 13 offspring. Today, competition for business means that there are sales going on all year round. So, kids no longer have to work on behaving or getting good results in order to be rewarded because Mummy cannot resist some items on sales or maybe grandparents only has one grandchild to dote on.
So, clothes, that still look as good as new; how can these be transformed if Mummy love them too dearly to part with them? Come to think of it, maybe we are buying things for our children that we have always wanted and never had as kids? (Ha, so. Dad and his miniature cars collection for son).
The T-shirt posted here has serged bottoms that I will not part with because I just love the cute little faces printed on the material. My daughter refused to wear it, possibly because cute to me is monkeys' faces to her. Let me show you how I transformed it.
Place seams of sides together as shown in the picture below. Then sew the bottom up with running stitches and pull thread to form gathers.
Yes, this transformation works. My daughter is now willing to get her hands into the... sleeves?
So, what about T-shirts with faded pictures? Sew T-shirt up in the same manner and turn it inside out.
To hide the seams right in the centre of the bag, crochet some flowers and sew buttons over the centre of each bloom to hold it in place. Sew a few along the length of both seams as decorations.
Can't crochet? Buttons only can also do the trick.
A great way for you to use up your collection of mismatched buttons.
Transform it!
Sometimes I buy stuff for my kids against my better judgment. I love reading and buy them books hoping to instill this passion. So, it is sad to see the books collecting dust on the shelves. It was only when I gave their books away to the children's library set up by the Sg Long Buddhist Society that they started missing them. People tend to yearn for things they lost or that they cannot have, so I guess that philosophy applies to children too.
I recall when I was a kid, most parents buy new clothes for their children only for the new year. Grandparents cannot afford to dote on grandchildren by buying them new stuff because there maybe 5 to 6 grandchildren from each of their 6 to 13 offspring. Today, competition for business means that there are sales going on all year round. So, kids no longer have to work on behaving or getting good results in order to be rewarded because Mummy cannot resist some items on sales or maybe grandparents only has one grandchild to dote on.
So, clothes, that still look as good as new; how can these be transformed if Mummy love them too dearly to part with them? Come to think of it, maybe we are buying things for our children that we have always wanted and never had as kids? (Ha, so. Dad and his miniature cars collection for son).
The T-shirt posted here has serged bottoms that I will not part with because I just love the cute little faces printed on the material. My daughter refused to wear it, possibly because cute to me is monkeys' faces to her. Let me show you how I transformed it.
Place seams of sides together as shown in the picture below. Then sew the bottom up with running stitches and pull thread to form gathers.
Yes, this transformation works. My daughter is now willing to get her hands into the... sleeves?
So, what about T-shirts with faded pictures? Sew T-shirt up in the same manner and turn it inside out.
To hide the seams right in the centre of the bag, crochet some flowers and sew buttons over the centre of each bloom to hold it in place. Sew a few along the length of both seams as decorations.
Can't crochet? Buttons only can also do the trick.
A great way for you to use up your collection of mismatched buttons.
Sunday, 19 August 2007
Can't draw? Can't sew? Can stick?
I do not know about you but I do enjoy receiving advertorial brochures while I was working. They are so colourful especially those from corporate gift and florist shops. I used to cut out the lovely pictures that I come across. What did I do with them? Here are some ideas that you might like to take up.
I love keeping my photos in self adhesive albums. To add interest to the photos, I enclosed nice pictures I have cut out from brochures. This page shows a picture of one of the toys I have bought for my son. It even has the price of the item sold during that time. It will be fun to see how much the same thing would have cost my son when he has a family of his own.
If you do not have any nice pictures to record the toys your children have played with, you can cut them out from the boxes the toys came in. Amongst the many we have received as gifts, this is my son's favourite mobile structure toy.
You can also find very interesting pictures to work with from advertisements in magazines or newspaper.
What do you do with the lovely greeting cards you have received? I have received many with very nice borders. I like to cut out the centre portion where the words are printed and place it over the photo. Here is a photo of my son on his birthday.
This cute teddy bear picture was cut out from a wrapping paper of a gift I have received.
I also keep travel itineraries and brochures of places I have been to. Here is one from the zoo in Singapore. It shows the routes to take to see the animals you have interest in.
Can you still remember what you fed your kids as infants? I can.
Isn't it wonderful to be able to recycle to remember something beautiful by? Definitely my 8th incentive to recycle. No interest...? Right, you are not into keeping photo albums because you have gone digital. What other sticky thing can I get you into? How about duct tape?
Duct tapes can be used to help you save the old sofa set that you plan to discard by turning it into a design statement. This is what a student from the University of Cincinnati's School of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning did with an old couch found in the garbage.
If you are not up to that artistic level yet, you will be pleased to know that duct tapes have been used to create wallet, bags, roses and bows to go with your gift box. Just click on the following link for the steps:
http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/howto/
You can also learn how to emboss the surface or be inspired to create new stuff.
You think you will be wasting your time mastering this craft? Then it's about time you read about Garett Croft Stenson's global business. Too young to start thinking about doing this as a business? Then look into getting a scholarship.
Has this sticky subject generated an interest to write a book? Then check out your competitor, 17-year old Ellie Schiedermayer, and her book "Got Tape". Don't feel bad, go perk yourself up by winning a contest using, what else, duct tape, of course!
Need some motivation? Then start recycling and working towards sticking to your "SMART" Goals.
I love keeping my photos in self adhesive albums. To add interest to the photos, I enclosed nice pictures I have cut out from brochures. This page shows a picture of one of the toys I have bought for my son. It even has the price of the item sold during that time. It will be fun to see how much the same thing would have cost my son when he has a family of his own.
If you do not have any nice pictures to record the toys your children have played with, you can cut them out from the boxes the toys came in. Amongst the many we have received as gifts, this is my son's favourite mobile structure toy.
You can also find very interesting pictures to work with from advertisements in magazines or newspaper.
What do you do with the lovely greeting cards you have received? I have received many with very nice borders. I like to cut out the centre portion where the words are printed and place it over the photo. Here is a photo of my son on his birthday.
This cute teddy bear picture was cut out from a wrapping paper of a gift I have received.
I also keep travel itineraries and brochures of places I have been to. Here is one from the zoo in Singapore. It shows the routes to take to see the animals you have interest in.
Can you still remember what you fed your kids as infants? I can.
Isn't it wonderful to be able to recycle to remember something beautiful by? Definitely my 8th incentive to recycle. No interest...? Right, you are not into keeping photo albums because you have gone digital. What other sticky thing can I get you into? How about duct tape?
Duct tapes can be used to help you save the old sofa set that you plan to discard by turning it into a design statement. This is what a student from the University of Cincinnati's School of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning did with an old couch found in the garbage.
If you are not up to that artistic level yet, you will be pleased to know that duct tapes have been used to create wallet, bags, roses and bows to go with your gift box. Just click on the following link for the steps:
http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/howto/
You can also learn how to emboss the surface or be inspired to create new stuff.
You think you will be wasting your time mastering this craft? Then it's about time you read about Garett Croft Stenson's global business. Too young to start thinking about doing this as a business? Then look into getting a scholarship.
Has this sticky subject generated an interest to write a book? Then check out your competitor, 17-year old Ellie Schiedermayer, and her book "Got Tape". Don't feel bad, go perk yourself up by winning a contest using, what else, duct tape, of course!
Need some motivation? Then start recycling and working towards sticking to your "SMART" Goals.
Friday, 17 August 2007
Garbage? Stolen from bins.
This is happening in Malaysia! People are stealing rubbish from garbage bins.
Thieves used to go for anything metallic when the price of steel shoot up. When manhole covers, fences, electrical installations, water meters, pumping or electrical or telephone cables installed by public utilities started disappearing, the relevant statutory boards have to collaborate to create "I-Watch" awareness. In the campaign of "I Watch, I Report, I Prevent" they seek the public's co-operation to call "999" if they come across any suspicious activities around cables and utilities to prevent further thefts.
Rightly, we should, as it will also prevent mishaps from happening. Imagine a train running over railway lines with tracks missing or driving or walking into a manhole as its cover has been stolen.
The stolen rubbish saga came about when our Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, try to stop indiscriminate dumping by mooting the "Cash for Trash" year-long programme in Meru, Klang. Residents of residential housing in that area will be paid 10 sen per kg if they send their garbage to the collection centre. This is a very cost effective idea as its success means that local council do not have to hire as many private contractors to collect rubbish.
The programme pulled off because villages in Meru are cleaner while fellow residents have been complaining that their neighbours are stealing their household garbage. Hopefully the ministry will extend this programme to other areas as well as that means that other than eying recyclables and what they should not, like our street signs and beautifully decorated grille edges gates, scavengers can now go for rubbish.
Thieves used to go for anything metallic when the price of steel shoot up. When manhole covers, fences, electrical installations, water meters, pumping or electrical or telephone cables installed by public utilities started disappearing, the relevant statutory boards have to collaborate to create "I-Watch" awareness. In the campaign of "I Watch, I Report, I Prevent" they seek the public's co-operation to call "999" if they come across any suspicious activities around cables and utilities to prevent further thefts.
Rightly, we should, as it will also prevent mishaps from happening. Imagine a train running over railway lines with tracks missing or driving or walking into a manhole as its cover has been stolen.
The stolen rubbish saga came about when our Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, try to stop indiscriminate dumping by mooting the "Cash for Trash" year-long programme in Meru, Klang. Residents of residential housing in that area will be paid 10 sen per kg if they send their garbage to the collection centre. This is a very cost effective idea as its success means that local council do not have to hire as many private contractors to collect rubbish.
The programme pulled off because villages in Meru are cleaner while fellow residents have been complaining that their neighbours are stealing their household garbage. Hopefully the ministry will extend this programme to other areas as well as that means that other than eying recyclables and what they should not, like our street signs and beautifully decorated grille edges gates, scavengers can now go for rubbish.
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Fruits? Not for eating only.
It is interesting to read in the New Straits Time today that fellow Malaysian, Abdul Aziz Awang of Kota Kraf Batik, has successfully used dye produced by boiling the skins of local fruits for at least 12 hours, in his batik work.
So, how successful is he? His fruity dyed batik are priced between RM150 and RM2,500 a metre and he has royals from several states buying from him. He is also good enough to travel to Tokyo, Jakarta and Bangkok to share his natural dye producing technique.
Want to try it yourself? Here are some tips he has given:
Preparing :
1) Washed the skin of fruits to be used thoroughly.
2) Cut into small pieces.
3) Boiled for at least 12 hours.
4) The dye is ready for use once it has cooled down.
Tips On Colours
The colour of the dye improves the longer you boil them.
Type of Fruits and Colours Produced
Mangosteen - Dark purple
Rambutan - Black, grey and brown
Langsat - Light yellow
Turmeric - Orange and yellow.
Other Material and Colours Produced
Lingzhi mushroom - Green, orange, dark brown, grey and black
Coral - Pearly colour
Indigo plant - Dark blue
Bark and root of Mengkudu (Morinda tree) - Red
What to learn from the professional? This is possibly where batik artist, Abdul Aziz Awang, learn some of his tricks from:
Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia
21 KM 6.8 KG KOTA
JLN SALOR
15100 KOTA BARU
KELANTAN
Another possible venue to find out where else you can learn this craft:
Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia
Kompleks Budaya Kraft Kuala Lumpur
Section 63, Jalan Conlay
Kuala Lumpur Wilayah Persekutuan
50450 Malaysia
Tel : 03-2162-7533
Fax : 03-2162-2181
Not into batik painting? There are other surfaces to experiment painting on. How about egg or wool?
Friday, 10 August 2007
Drawn? Now what?
If you would like to find out if you are up to par with the experts, join the contests that are being organised by Threadless. You can have your artistic work or slogans posted there for comments.
Go win some fans if not the USD2,500 prizes they have boasted about. There is also a chance to gain USD500 if your design gets reprinted on T-Shirts!
Go win some fans if not the USD2,500 prizes they have boasted about. There is also a chance to gain USD500 if your design gets reprinted on T-Shirts!
Old photo frames? Not for pictures only.
If you do not know what you should do with the photo frames that you no longer want, do what the Urban Curators are doing in their efforts to highlight common, overlooked objects and spaces within their city of Providence in Rhode Island.
They are placing picture frames over spots that have been overlooked or abandoned before taking pictures and posting them on Urban Curator Map. Interested to do something along that line in your own country? You don't have to crack your head figuring how to, as they have all the tips you need to get the project going with or without frames.
With so much changes going on in progressive countries, especially in South East Asia, I think this is a very good way to remember our childhood by. It may well turn out to be a good record of the greener environment and standard of living that we now have that are being deemed deemed common and overlooked.
They are placing picture frames over spots that have been overlooked or abandoned before taking pictures and posting them on Urban Curator Map. Interested to do something along that line in your own country? You don't have to crack your head figuring how to, as they have all the tips you need to get the project going with or without frames.
With so much changes going on in progressive countries, especially in South East Asia, I think this is a very good way to remember our childhood by. It may well turn out to be a good record of the greener environment and standard of living that we now have that are being deemed deemed common and overlooked.
Wednesday, 8 August 2007
Old sweater? Bag it!
I have knitted wears shrunk to a size fit for a child because my ex-maid kept forgetting that you cannot dry woollies in the dryer. Writing about it, I am missing my Edmund Ser's polo neck. I bet you have sweaters stretched out of shape to complain about too.
Other than unraveling to salvage the wool to recreate, what else can you do about it if unraveling is too daunting a task and you are not good at crocheting or knitting anyway?
Learn to sew your polo neck into a bag. Let Totally Stitchin show you the way.
Other than unraveling to salvage the wool to recreate, what else can you do about it if unraveling is too daunting a task and you are not good at crocheting or knitting anyway?
Learn to sew your polo neck into a bag. Let Totally Stitchin show you the way.
Monday, 6 August 2007
Life after Cyndi Lavin = Don't throw it!
Today, I discovered Cyndi Lavin, a mixed media artist.
It seems that she can create anything out of things that you would discard without a second glance; from optical lenses to computer bits and pieces. Don't take my word for it take a peek at Why Not Art and see what she has been up to.
On my promise on what you can do with the fabric from your button-less abandoned clothes, let Cyndi inspires you with the pictures and ideas she has posted on Layer Upon Layer.
She could be the start to your "Don't throw it!" lifestyle.
It seems that she can create anything out of things that you would discard without a second glance; from optical lenses to computer bits and pieces. Don't take my word for it take a peek at Why Not Art and see what she has been up to.
On my promise on what you can do with the fabric from your button-less abandoned clothes, let Cyndi inspires you with the pictures and ideas she has posted on Layer Upon Layer.
She could be the start to your "Don't throw it!" lifestyle.
Buttons? Not for clothes only.
I have lost buttons off my clothes before and could not find matching ones to sew them back on. One of the options in such a scenario is to remove remaining buttons on the piece and sew new ones on.
So, what do you do with the buttons you have removed? This is a question someone asked me recently. She is a Malay and if you look at her traditional wear, she has many lovely buttons sewn on her "Baju Kurung", that a Creative Recycler like me, would salivate for.
Do you remember the days when big buttons with four holes in the centre for sewing were so popular? If you can lay your hands on buttons like that, check out the bracelets Cindy at Sweet Pea Creationz has created with the help of some jump rings.
Just look at how intricate her chain maille creations are. Creative, talented and patient. That's Cindy.
So, what about your clothes once you have all the buttons removed and it is a little too worn out to bother sewing new buttons on? Look out for answers in my next posting.
So, what do you do with the buttons you have removed? This is a question someone asked me recently. She is a Malay and if you look at her traditional wear, she has many lovely buttons sewn on her "Baju Kurung", that a Creative Recycler like me, would salivate for.
Do you remember the days when big buttons with four holes in the centre for sewing were so popular? If you can lay your hands on buttons like that, check out the bracelets Cindy at Sweet Pea Creationz has created with the help of some jump rings.
Just look at how intricate her chain maille creations are. Creative, talented and patient. That's Cindy.
So, what about your clothes once you have all the buttons removed and it is a little too worn out to bother sewing new buttons on? Look out for answers in my next posting.
Saturday, 4 August 2007
Dreadful chores? Add cheers!
If ironing is one of the chores you dread doing then you need to do something to add some cheers to the task. How is this for a start?
Not cheerful enough? Then make it bigger.
Yes, I have more designs of flowers that you can create from plastic bags to decorate your electrical cord. Take a look at some I have created for my Creative Recyclers workshop.
Not the arty type? Then try listening as you iron. No, not with the iron to your ears! Here's to happy ironing moments.
Not cheerful enough? Then make it bigger.
Yes, I have more designs of flowers that you can create from plastic bags to decorate your electrical cord. Take a look at some I have created for my Creative Recyclers workshop.
Not the arty type? Then try listening as you iron. No, not with the iron to your ears! Here's to happy ironing moments.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
I’m A Plastic Bag. Eco friendly? Make me!
Recognised me? Play with me and see what you can make me do.
Try tying me up.
I love the way you are holding me.
Hold me closer.
Let me hold you too.
Crafter's challenge has made me cheeky... oops, I mean very creative. I pulled out 2 huge plastic bags that held some electrical ware I bought and cut them into strips. I braided 3 strips together to make them studier. My theme for this challenge is "I’m A Plastic Bag. Eco friendly? Make me!" The objective is to find ways to make use of plastic bags so that they will not end up in the landfill.
I do not know if Crafter will accept my design as I do not have enough of the plastic strips to create a bigger bag but I am going to give it a go because I did displace 2 huge plastic bags that would have landed in the landfill if not put to use.
Here is another version that I have created and to decorate it,...
...I have added flowers made out of plastic bags. So there, I have displaced 2 more plastic bags on earth.
Don't think it will hold? That is a 1.5 litre bottle of water all filled up.
Here is a whacky design.
Big enough to hold a ball.
Here is a poser for you. What would God, ever compassionate and forgiving, do to mankind who created things that destroyed his creations?
"I am naughty. Want me to be good? Help me!"
(What would you do to your wayward kids?)
I’m A Plastic Bag. Eco friendly? Make me!
(You made me this way! What are you going to do about it?)
Try tying me up.
I love the way you are holding me.
Hold me closer.
Let me hold you too.
Crafter's challenge has made me cheeky... oops, I mean very creative. I pulled out 2 huge plastic bags that held some electrical ware I bought and cut them into strips. I braided 3 strips together to make them studier. My theme for this challenge is "I’m A Plastic Bag. Eco friendly? Make me!" The objective is to find ways to make use of plastic bags so that they will not end up in the landfill.
I do not know if Crafter will accept my design as I do not have enough of the plastic strips to create a bigger bag but I am going to give it a go because I did displace 2 huge plastic bags that would have landed in the landfill if not put to use.
Here is another version that I have created and to decorate it,...
...I have added flowers made out of plastic bags. So there, I have displaced 2 more plastic bags on earth.
Don't think it will hold? That is a 1.5 litre bottle of water all filled up.
Here is a whacky design.
Big enough to hold a ball.
Here is a poser for you. What would God, ever compassionate and forgiving, do to mankind who created things that destroyed his creations?
"I am naughty. Want me to be good? Help me!"
(What would you do to your wayward kids?)
I’m A Plastic Bag. Eco friendly? Make me!
(You made me this way! What are you going to do about it?)
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
Missed buying "I'm Not A Plastic Bag"?
Are you depressed because you failed to get hold of Anya Hindmarch’s "I’m Not A Plastic Bag" creation at just RM55? Here is a doctor's prescription. Take 2 actions today and get yourself out of depression:
1) Create your very own bag.
2) Spread this message around.
For action 1), I have Puteri to inspire you with her creations. Look around her blog and you will find lots of pictures and links to free tutorials on hobbies she enjoys working on. And that is how I discovered that Crafter has issued a "Reusable Shopping Bag Challenge". The idea is to create a reusable grocery bag and stencil it with an eco-friendly statement or decorate it some how with an environmentally-friendly theme.
I love it that Crafter has provided some links to free tutorials on how to create bags:
Morsbags gives step by step instructions.
You will be spoiled for choice checking out the list provided by jMi, the handbags moderator for Crafter.
Need a template to work with? Let queenofdiy, who is a Friend of Craftster, show you how with your plastic bag.
Post pictures of your creation by Aug 1 to Aug 5 2007 and you will have a chance to win "Simply Spray" aerosol cans of paint (only if you live in USA) and have your work featured on Crafter's blog.
If you are not into sewing, you are allowed to decorate ready made bags with environmentally-friendly theme. So, there, you do not have to worry about running out of time to sew.
Crafter heard about this project called Morsbags where people get together and make cloth reusable shopping bags for themselves and to hand out to others. The objective is to tally up the number of bags made by Crafter's members and add it to Morsbag's tally, which has a calculation telling you how many disposable plastic bags your cloth bag will have displaced and in which part of the region.
So, just do it for a greener environment if not to get yourself out of depression. What depression? Remember Anya Hindmarch’s "I’m Not A Plastic Bag" at just RM55 you missed buying? Hmmm, this could be a start of a healing therapy cum bag business. Take action 2) and it may help you find a business partner.
1) Create your very own bag.
2) Spread this message around.
For action 1), I have Puteri to inspire you with her creations. Look around her blog and you will find lots of pictures and links to free tutorials on hobbies she enjoys working on. And that is how I discovered that Crafter has issued a "Reusable Shopping Bag Challenge". The idea is to create a reusable grocery bag and stencil it with an eco-friendly statement or decorate it some how with an environmentally-friendly theme.
I love it that Crafter has provided some links to free tutorials on how to create bags:
Morsbags gives step by step instructions.
You will be spoiled for choice checking out the list provided by jMi, the handbags moderator for Crafter.
Need a template to work with? Let queenofdiy, who is a Friend of Craftster, show you how with your plastic bag.
Post pictures of your creation by Aug 1 to Aug 5 2007 and you will have a chance to win "Simply Spray" aerosol cans of paint (only if you live in USA) and have your work featured on Crafter's blog.
If you are not into sewing, you are allowed to decorate ready made bags with environmentally-friendly theme. So, there, you do not have to worry about running out of time to sew.
Crafter heard about this project called Morsbags where people get together and make cloth reusable shopping bags for themselves and to hand out to others. The objective is to tally up the number of bags made by Crafter's members and add it to Morsbag's tally, which has a calculation telling you how many disposable plastic bags your cloth bag will have displaced and in which part of the region.
So, just do it for a greener environment if not to get yourself out of depression. What depression? Remember Anya Hindmarch’s "I’m Not A Plastic Bag" at just RM55 you missed buying? Hmmm, this could be a start of a healing therapy cum bag business. Take action 2) and it may help you find a business partner.
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