New cards on Etsy!

Well, my hiatus is officially over. I've broken my absence by posting some new cards on Etsy- including a skull, which is a new design I'm trying out! I'm also really close to finishing a squirrel (also a new design, a special request from Joshua at my October 20 open house!). As always, all of my cards are handmade from recycled materials. They are each unique! Buy them HERE!

Recycled Goodness

I'm afraid I'm still a slacker, still in Love Land, and still blissfully happy despite my hiatus from creativity. Since I haven't been making my own creations from recycled materials, I'm going to highlight some great ones I found on Etsy!
Mademoiselle Lemieux makes sweet earings from recycled cans. I love the colors and patterns! Lee Gainer's art is created by rolling up recycled fabric, cardboard, or whatever else she finds interesting to create these great colorful circular pieces.
Debby Arem Designs made this fabulous owl from a recycled circuit board!

Introducing a yoga bag!

I have finally escaped from all of my distractions and finished a yoga bag. It is for sale on etsy HERE (so if you like it, go buy it!). It is one of a kind, made from curtains and lined with navy blue cotton. I made one for myself a little time ago (ok, like 2 months ago... I've been REALLY distracted!) and it works great! I love my bag! I usually ride my bike to practice, and boy am I thankful for the padded shoulder strap. I get compliments on my yoga bag everywhere I go! They can be custom made as well, so if you think of any extra features you want email me at reloveprojects@yahoo.com

Birthday

Today was my birthday! I celebrated the way I always do-- I took the day off of work and did everything I felt like doing. I worked on art projects-- I joined Swap-bot a little bit ago as part of my .postdue. commitment. I sent my cards out a day late, but liked how they turned out. They are both made from recycled materials including paperboard and a paper bag.

I went to yoga, I decided that I was going to start this year off doing something nice for myself and my body. I topped the night off by having dinner with my friends. I received a ReLoved card! It is super sweet, made from a recycled Halloween costume. He was dressed as a cowboy- the envelope was created from his hat, and the card itself was leather (from his holster and vest), and his bandana. All lovingly handstitched too!

Halloween

This year for Halloween I dressed up as 'Cloudy With A Chance of Rain'. I made my cloud dress from recycled T-shirts and sheets, and carried a water gun!

Art Open House Extravaganza

Saturday, October 20, me and a few other artist friends got together and threw a whirlwind bash to display and sell our work. We had Tyler Marsh, a painter; Katy Clark, who makes wall pieces out of metal; Lisa Smith, a jewelry designer; and ME! I had my bags and cards. It was a smashing good time!

A dress

This dress was made from a recycled loooooong vintage dress and a T-shirt!

Yoga Bags!

Hurrah! I've finally had some time, energy, and inspiration to create something new. I've been getting into the yoga movement lately- it is so transforming! Every time I do it I feel lighter and brighter. And I love it sooooo that I decided I needed to make a bag devoted to it. This one, the prototype was made from a bedspread a friend gave me to turn into pillows and napkins and curtains. She let me have the extras. Here is the end result: It zips closed, the strap is padded, and it has an exterior pocket. I'm going to test it out and then make some! If you are interested in getting the first batch email me ASAP anne@reloveprojects.com. Also, I've decided that $5 from every yoga bag bought from me will go to Seane Corn and her work with Off The Mat, Into The World. Find out more about it here.

.post due. show

I have been participating in .post due. for a few months now. Every month we're given an address to send a unique, handmade postcard to, and every month we receive one. The first postcard I made was inspired by an elephant named Gertrude that I bought from 'oh the cuteness' on Etsy. Well, now Gertrude is even more famous! She is the star of the invitation to a .post due. show in Fort Collins. If you can, check it out! The show lasts all October long at EVERYDAY JOE'S located at 144 S. Mason. click HERE to link to the online invitation.

The latest stuff

I haven't really been feeling the creative bug lately. I'm not quite sure why... But that doesn't mean there's not plenty of ReLove Projects still out there! I've added several new cards to my Etsy store a few new bags and purses... And hopefully soon I'll be over this funk and back at the sewing machine!

Fancy Tiger Pics

The show at Fancy Tiger was super fun! Thank you to Matthew and Jaime for letting ReLove Projects participate- and thank you to all those that made it out! There was a rainbow stretching all across the sky right when the craft show began.

Conscious Business Practice

Check it out the video at www.iamelephant.com!(this blog host does not accept the code). Every Thursday Elephant Magazine (I'm a huge fan, can ya tell?!?) hosts speakers on different interesting topics. Last week the theme was 'Service'- and there were several community members doing extraordinary things with their time in politics, non-profits, and volunteer work. What this video was taken from was all about organic and ecobusiness practices. Some favorite Boulder locals including Pangea, Larabar, Justin's Nut Better and others joined the talk. These are really important things to put out there! If every business took it upon themselves to maybe take in a little less profit and make a positive change for the environment, we'd see significant changes! You don't need your own business in order to make big changes either-the way you spend your money is HUGE! Know who you are supporting, know that every purchase you make can go towards businesses trying to improve the world or aiding in its destruction. If the money starts to swing towards mindful businesses then changes will happen. Support local businesses and support organic and environmental businesses! Be the change you want to see.

You're Invited!

Please come to the Fancy Tiger HANDMADE mini craft show! August 17th, 7-10 PM. I will have all my latest bags, cards, and accessories- all made from recycled materials. Visit www.fancytiger.com for directions, or email me for details!

Elephant Journal Fabulousness

ReLove Projects was in a fabulous national magazine! Elephant Journal, based here in Boulder, is a great inspiration for the mindful life. If you are interested in yoga, buddhism, environmentalism, community, and other positive living experiences, then click HERE to get this great mag in your area. I wrote an email regarding local soy ink printing options (bottom left column continuing to the upper right). Not much, I know, but it's a start! You can also read it from Elephant's website www.themindfullife.com.

More New Stuff

I just posted these bags today. Check out my etsy store HERE if you are interested in buying them :). The Tahitian Flower Bag is made from a shirt I bought in San Francisco, and the Darling Daisy is made from a vintage house dress that I actually used to wear. I looked like a good June in it!

Get it while it's hot!

I JUST listed this fabulous pink bag made from a recycled scarf. The pattern is just gorgeous! It would be a very light, perfect summer bag. Click HERE to see the details!

Dreamers & Doers

I barely posted the Bonita Bag before it sold! I'm very exited that someone snagged it so quickly. Also, say a final goodbye to the fabulous octopus card as it sold also-- unless you are the lucky recipient!

Thank you to everyone that recycles and supports creative recycling too! Thank you to Tara and Sarah, both in California, who purchased the Bonita Bag and the Octopus Card. I can't do this without your support!
At my day job everyone now saves every bit of paperboard for me to review before recycling. It is great! I get beautiful tea boxes, greeting cards, postcards, and all sorts of great materials for business cards, tags, and my vintage fabric cards (as seen above). I pulled this quote off a tea box that I got from work (Celestial Seasonings Green Tea and based in Boulder, also the home of ReLove Projects) (it was fun creating all those links. But on with it already!) SO, ahem, here is the quote from the tea box:
"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do."
-Sarah Ban Breathnach
I love that. I so often get lost in my dreams, but they can't get out into the world unless I do something with them. One other quote that I remember from a few years ago and love, again it is about the doing (and I'm sorry, I have no idea who said it. If anyone knows, please comment!):
"It's the energy you bring to the time you have that produces the extraordinary."
Enjoy!

Freecycle

I found this link through the Style Will Save Us website previously mentioned. This is sort of like craigslist.org but everything is free! There are groups everywhere (over 4,000!)- the UK, France, Germany, and the US. People join and then post either stuff they are giving away or things they are looking for. Go to Freecycle.org for more info, to look for a group in your area, and/or to join. (I think it goes without saying, but it is free to join!). This comes directly from the website and sealed the deal for me:
"The Freecycle Network was started in May 2003 to promote waste reduction in Tucson's downtown and help save desert landscape from being taken over by landfills. The Network provides individuals and non-profits an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items. One person's trash can truly be another's treasure!"
Tell me about your experiences in the comments. I know I responded regarding some women's dresses, so we'll see how that goes!

Snagged!

The Green Portland Bag didn't last long before it was snagged! You might see it roaming the streets of San Francisco soon. I love that my bags have stories- the Portland was made from a vintage dress that I bought in San Fran to begin with, and now it's going back to its place of origin. It makes me wonder if the gal that bought it recognized the fabric.
On a separate note: ReLove Projects has been chosen as one of Fancy Tiger's mini crafters! Every third Friday they host a mini craft fair, which will be great fun. ReLove Projects will be setting up shop August 17, 2007, so stop by and visit if you can. There will be a live DJ, other crafters, and if that's not enough to draw you in there will also be cupcakes AND Fancy Tiger is the coolest store in Denver! So come one, come all!

Style Will Save Us

I just discovered this website Style Will Save Us.The entire site is dedicated to environmental fashion topics. They have eco designers, interviews, discussion topics, ideas, and inspiration. It is quite fabulous and I am still expoloring- Check it out!

All tied up in a bow

My friend Dorian bought a themed present for her friend. I'm not going to give away what the gift is (just in case she's checking this out!), but Dorian thought of something I hadn't- she bought three things all made from the same fabric. What a good idea she came up with! Here are some pairings I put together:

New Etsy Items

I keep on experimenting with how my photos look, what the description is, titles, labels.... Really my best conclusion is that Etsy is a huge craft world and selling anything there is about getting the word out and a stroke of luck. But here's the word (maybe I'll get lucky on Etsy too!)- I just added two new items- and I think they are quite fabulous! Click here to purchase!

Owl Love

I FINALLY put a little love up on my etsy site. This owl is made from recycled leather scraps and handstitched with blue thread. Inspired by all the response I received from the famous giraffe! If you love him, buy him fast! www.reloveprojects.etsy.com

The Card Give-Away

I am so happy that one of my recycled cards found a loving home! Breanna was the first to comment and received this card as a result: (She requested a house with reds and white). You can see it on her blog HERE. Enjoy, Breanna! Thanks for commenting!

Home again home again

We have returned from our whirlwind trip to San Francisco. 3 days was not enough! We did do some amazing things with our time- including visiting the Golden Gate Park Japanese Tea Garden, visit the beach, Muir Woods, and I was able to find some fabulous fabrics on Haight Street for future creations as well.

There was plenty of recycling: There was lots of love:
And there was even some ReLove-like things!
This figure was in the SanFrancisco Airport and is made from recycled paper board. I couldn't get a good shot of the entire figure, but it was large- slightly bigger than lifesize.

Free People Blog Announcement

Free People Clothing sent out this blog announcement to their ENTIRE MAILING LIST! Notice the giraffe? How could you not!?! I am obviously thrilled. Check out the blog for yourself here.
Also, if you look at the blog there you will get free shipping on your Free People order. Their stuff is beautiful, but I'm still locked down at Wardrobe Refashion. Let me know if you take advantage, I can get some vicarious shopping in!
Soon I may have to start selling my little guys with all the publicity they are bringing me!
Tomorrow me, my daughter, and my boyfriend are off to San Francisco for a few days. This is my first vacation in 2 years, so I am really REALLY looking forward to it. But I haven't packed... And I haven't done the pre-travel cleaning.... And I should probably get some food for the airplane (I hear that's not provided anymore)... So I better go and prepare. Check in next week for all of my post-travel exitement, photos, and stories!

2 Cup Cozies Now For Sale!

I received so much positive feedback about my cup cozies that I whipped some out for the etsy store. You can buy them HERE!