Sunday, April 22, 2018

It's my party and I'll celebrate if I want to


As my friend Jeanie would say, "cue the music."  It's my party and I'll laugh, share, weep with joy, honor the day, and celebrate if I want to."

I'm celebrating because it is not only my bEARTHday, it's also EARTH DAY.

Below are a few detail shots.









 
Thanks go to Nancy for offering her bobbin suggestion on how to correct my tension problem.  You can see it worked, too!

I started by opening a security envelope and sewing part of a page from a shorthand book behind the security opening.  Because the envelope wasn't long enough, I sewed part of a page from a book of German text to the bottom.  The next layer was corrugated cardboard and an ad I received through the mail about sheet and party cakes.  In fact, I received two of them, so I will use one in July for our T anniversary party.   Then I was so proud of myself.  I stamped all those butterflies with only marginal error, and sewed them together, staggering the paint chip samples.  They were then added to the rest of the assembly.

For Day 22 of 22 leading up to today, which is bEARTHday, I recycled a security envelope, a piece of corrugated cardboard, and a card I received through the mail.  I repurposed German text and a portion of shorthand text.  I also repurposed two paint chip samples that were free from the paint store.  All stamps (clear, UMs) were from my friend Chris, except the bottom one, which was from Valerie.

I'm once again joining Alison/Craftytrog, our host this month at Art Journal Journey.  Her theme is recycle and collage.  And because this journal page is nature inspired, I am also linking to Try it on Tuesday, whose theme is nature's beauty.   You have no idea how grateful I am that you have followed along on this 22 day journey of recycle, reuse, repurpose. 

Of course, it wouldn't be Earth Day without a bit of history of the day.

Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970.  Founded by Gaylord Nelson, a United States Senator, he got the idea after he witnessed anti-Vietnam War demonstrations on college campuses.  These demonstrations or teach-ins were organized to educate college students about the war.  Nelson decided to use the same principles to educate the public about the environment.

Over 20 million people participated in the first Earth Day with various activities, many of which took place in elementary schools and universities.  Even Congress adjourned for the day to allow congressional representatives to attend the Earth Day activities in their districts.  Nelson's desire to get the attention of politicians not only worked, it went viral.  Within a few years the entire world was celebrating an entire week of activities leading up to Earth Day.

According to various internet sites:
  • Earth Day is the largest celebrated secular holiday in the world.
  • The first formal announcement of Earth Day was made by the mayor of San Francisco in 1970.
  • One of the activities for Earth Day is the annual ringing of the Peace Bell at the United Nations (UN). The Peace Bell was given to the UN by Japan and is made from coins donated by Japanese school children to promote peace on the planet.
  • The first international conference on the environment was held in Sweden in 1972 and was sponsored by the United Nations.
Here are a few projects showcasing recycling around the world.  Please remember all links open in a new window.

I found this project here.

I found this project here.    I might make one or two of these for the hungry birds, especially if our spring doesn't materialize pretty soon. 

Geared for teachers and parents of young children, I found this project here.

I often plant seeds this way, and appreciate that this author/mother involved her child in the process.  You can find the project here.

Speaking of egg shells leads to egg cartons.  Even though this is an Easter wreath, you can still make it for Earth Day.  You will find the project instructions here.

Although this uses items found in nature, I'm not sure how "recycled" it is, since the instructions are to use polymer clay.  If you have lots of leftover poly clay, by all means, create some of these.  Instructions for making these nature sculptures can be found here.

I've seen so many elaborate bug and bee houses, and I think I can actually build this.  After all, I have a ton of bamboo growing in my garden.  Instructions for this project are here.

If you have old tee shirts and you crochet, here is how to cut the TARN (tee shirt yarn) and links to a few projects, too.
This is a project some of you who own a loom kit might appreciate.  The hot drink sleeve was also made using an old tee shirt cut into strips.  For full instructions, go here.         

Now I know what to do with all those half and half cartons I keep.   BTW, I learned from my friend Jan that in Europe people call "half and half" by the term "Single Cream."  This project had no instructions, but I bet you can figure it out on your own.

Last night I saw on the news that it takes 450 years for one of these plastic water bottles to break down.  Therefore, they make an ideal drip irrigation system.  According to the site, which has lots of information about irrigation systems, this "system" is easy to build.  Also according to the site:
It is in fact no more and no less than a recycled right-side up 2-ltr. plastic drinks bottle with 2 holes punched in the sides and 2 in the bottom. Plant it deep next to your plants you wish to water.
There are lots of ways we can celebrate Earth Day.  I hope yours is the best ever and you have a chance to recycle something today, too.

Again, thanks for joining me for bEARTHday.  I am so glad you stopped by.

32 thoughtful remarks:

Cindy McMath said...

Happy bEARTHday to you! Elizabeth, I have been absolutely slammed with work this week so I will catch up on your other beautiful work one of these days - I hope you have a lovely birthday and this page is wonderful! So bright and pretty. A perfect bEARTHday page!

Xo

Valerie-Jael said...

Happy birthday, have a wonderful day! Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

Happy Birthday Elizabeth! This page is fantastic - I love your artsy use of the paint chip samples! Great projects are these all you show us today! I always love to find ecofriendly things on internet and collect them on one of my Pinterest boards to not forget about them.
Enjoy your bEARTHday dear Co.-Admin!
A wonderful page for AJJ and TioT! Thanks a lot!
Hugs, Susi

Meggymay said...

Happy Birthday Elizabeth.
Your page looks awesome, as always you collected and combined an amazing selection of items. I was so pleased you added this this page to Try it on Tuesdays. I loved seeing the butterflies, they are truly one of Natures beauties.
It was a super post to read this morning and I hope you have a wonderful day today.
Yvonne xx

pearshapedcrafting said...

Happy Birthday Elizabeth! Love this and so pleased that you joined us at TIOT again! Big hugs,Chrisx

aussie aNNie said...

Another birthday wish from me. Hope you had a great day 💖 [Aussie aNNie's Blog]


.x

Helen said...

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth, and enjoy bEARTHday too.

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Happy Birthday and Earth Day Elizabeth. I hear so much about you from my good blogging friends, there seemed no better day to come over and say a BIG Hello and send you creative wishes on your most special day..
Fabulous post on everything bright and beautiful within out treasured world.
It's so good to find like minded people thinking of ways to help keep it !!
Wishing you a wonderful sunny day Tracey x

kaybee said...

Happy Birthday and Earth Day Elizabeth. Great stamping - think you have cracked that one now! K.xxx

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Happy Birthday, dear friend! I think of you often :)

Halle said...

Happy happy birthday!! You were my first thought this morning. It's so fitting that you share your birthday with Earth Day. You are a poster child for the renew, reuse, recycling movement. To you it's a way of life...not just something you try to do here and there. You make the world better just being a part of it. Celebrate your day knowing I'm there in spirit with you.

craftytrog said...

Wishing you a wonderful, happy bEARTHday Elizabeth! I love the page you created to celebrate both events, and hope you're having a really great day yourself!
Hugs,
Alison xxx

craftytrog said...

P.S. Just had another look, and thanks for the crochet tip! ;-) xxx

CJ Kennedy said...

A very Happy Birthday to you! Fabulous page. Love the cake. Now I see what you mean by the tension. So glad you were able to fix your sewing machine.I loved all the Earth day projects. I bought a package of Heavenly Blue morning glory seeds and will recycle the peat pods that didn't germinate. I also saw a news article that said researchers accidentally discovered an enzyme that can break down plastic. Enjoy your double-special day!

RO said...

Happy Happy Birthday Elizabeth! Your card is coming late in the mail, but I did give you a shout out on my blog. I haven't seen shorthand in years! You did an amazing job with the butterflies. It's so impressive to see how people can do so many recycling things that are creative. Hope your day is as amazing as you are! Hugs...RO

johanna said...

i hope you will have a fantastic birthday, elizabeth! all the best wishes from the other side of the big pond!
your post is gorgeous, great tips and wonderful artwork. i was surprised by all the variations of butterflies on the color sample strips. here we have some really summer-like days with real butterflies around, a joy to start a warmer season!
xox, johanna

Nancy said...

I noticed right away that the tension problem was solved, and stitching looks really good. Glad my tip helped you. Oh, that steno script- that is wonderful paper! And thanks for all the links. The egg shell starter plants took me back to grade school and our windowsill 'garden". The plastic bottle thing- Oh, I shudder. But irrigation is a good use.

kathyinozarks said...

Happy Birthday Elizabeth and Earth Day I am sorry for some reason I hadn't caught it that today was your birthday too
I love your page with all the stitches and wow I really enjoyed all these projects you shared-thank you I had heard about making the t shirt yarn awhile back but forgot about it-I think that is pretty cool--I am going to explore your links thanks again

Divers and Sundry said...

Happy Birthday! I love your past/present/future cake candles :) and I wish you many more years filled with joy and art :)

I love the toilet paper roll bird feeder and the bee house! They both look doable and usable for me. It's wonderful to see all the options for re-using and recycling materials that would otherwise just fill up landfills and oceans.

Thx for all you do!

Lowcarb team member said...

Happy Birthday from me too !
What a lovely post you've given us all here, thank you.

All the best Jan

Lowcarb team member said...

Sorry, also meant to say ... thanks for the link to the low carb diabetic blog about the cream post ... it's appreciated.

The actual link to the post is here
https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.co.uk/2018/04/cream-perfect-on-your-dessert-in-your.html

Enjoy the rest of your day.

All the best Jan

Sandra Cox said...

Happy BEarthday, dear Elizabeth.
Loved your celebratory piece, examples of Earth Day projects and the history of it.
Enjoy your day.

Jeanie said...

Happy Birthday Earthday bEARTHday to you, Elizabeth! Indeed, a holiday to celebrate. I love the page and I really love the projects, some of which I may have to try. Every photo, every thought -- perfection.

Sami said...

Happy birthday Elizabeth, hope you're having a fabulous day!
Love the Earth day projects the egg carton wreath is just so pretty. What a great idea to use plastic drink bottles to water plants, will try and do that for sure.

jinxxxygirl said...

Elizabeth .. somehow i missed your Bearthday.. I hope belated wishes will do.. And i hope you had a wonderful day.

I really enjoyed all the info on Earth Day.. I've never heard of the PeaceBell .....I wonder how many people know about it or am i the only one in the dark.. I wonder if the news talks about Earth Day and the Peace Bell?

Have you read about Mason Bees? I did the other day in a gardening book.. They make no hive and no honey.. anyway pretty fascinating.. Happy happy bEARTHday dear Elizabeth! Hugs! deb

da tabbies o trout towne said...

happy belated birthday to you Elizabeth; hope your day was awesome and you got to do some things you have been wanting to do...here's to a year ahead filled with happiness and health ♥♥♥☺☺☺ ♫♪♫♫♫♪

Let's Art Journal said...

Sending you happy belated bEARTHday wishes dear Elizabeth! I love your post with the beautiful recycled journal page and Earth Day information - perfect 😁. Recycling the paint cards on your page was such a great idea too! Wishing you much happiness today and always! J 😊 x

Let's Art Journal said...

... I'm so pleased that you decided to join us at Try it on Tuesday to celebrate your bEARTHday too! J 😊 x

Linda Kunsman said...

a very happy belated birthday/bEARTHday to you Elizabeth!!! Hope you had a fabulous day. Love your journal page! the layers of varied papers, the butterflies on the color swatch cards, the stitching which makes it more special, and the pretty cake...
and thank you for sharing these wonderful recycle projects too:)

Rike said...

Wish you a happy belated bEARTHday, dear Elizabeth! ♫♪♫♫♫♪
Your page is fantastic - it's really "your party" - I like the piece of shorthand text and all the layers of varied paper and your stitching!
And, oh, so many interesting links with recycled things to use for new projekts!
Best regards, Rike ♥♥

pearshapedcrafting said...

Now I can I just came back to say how much I enjoyed this post! I love how you made this page, as you can imagine it is the addition of the stitching that impresses me so much! I love all those projects you found too! Hope to catch up soon! Hugs,Chrisx

Marfi-topia said...

what a wonderful post! love so many of these projects!