Reuse birdseed bags into hiking or biking bag

You know those birdseed bags that are like woven plastic cloth (called woven polypropylene)? I wanted a bag to carry my phone, keys and water bottle when I go hiking or biking and so I came up with this. Is it particularly attractive??? No. But super useful for carrying and waterproof if I get caught in the rain! I first cut out enough of the bag to easily fit around the water bottle. I sewed this wrong sides together into a tube shape. I folded up the bottom and hand-sewed it shut with a curved tapestry needle. Next I made the straps by using a zigzag stitch on strips that I folded in half. I measured it so the water bottle would be at hip level. I hand sewed some hair elastics to either side of the bag and then looped the straps through and sewed them this allows the bottle to pivot easily in the straps as I walk or bike. Next I made a simple pouch for my phone with a flap that comes down and over. I cut a rectangle out of the middle top of the pouch so that when I open the flap I can easily get the phone out. I sewed velcro to either side of the triangle and the soft velcro part to the flap. This will protect it from getting wet. I then sewed this pouch onto the water bottle holder down the middle of the back of the pouch using the curved needle again by hand. Almost done! Next I sewed the sides of a triangle together to make a cone with another flap on top to close. This is to hold my keys. I sewed velcro onto the outside of the cone and the inside of the flap so my keys will also stay dry. I sewed this cone onto the other side of the water bottle holder. Done!! My only suggestion is to use perhaps metal rings or multiple elastics for the loops that the straps go through. One hair elastic doesn't look like it will be strong enough. Happy sustainable hiking and biking!!

New Candles from Old Candles or Let there be (cheap) Light

We use a lot of candles around here. No, we aren't Amish or living off the grid. We just enjoy candles. We use them when eating dinner and have them throughout the house for when we want a nice warm light. Candles are however expensive to purchase new. This is how I get around that. I buy all my candles at either Salvation Army or our annual Humane Society Garage sale (unscented only, I do not want chemical perfumes in my home). Through these two cheap methods I have a stockpile of both taper and large candles that would make a survivalist proud. But my savings doesn't end there. That only gets a silver medal in the green/frugal Olympics and I'm going for the GOLD. Often you cannot burn the last part of a candle but still have wax left and in the case of a large candle it can equal a good chunk of perfectly fine wax. I toss these ends into an old pan that I use exclusively for candles. When I have a good amount I round up some candle jars in need of candles and cut wicks for them from wick I buy at the craft store (the most expensive part of the process - I've also used embroidery floss but that tends to flop over and be hard to light). I put the bottom of this wick through an old wick holder from an already burned candle. I then wrap the top of the wick around an old disposable chop stick and hang it over the jar so it is centered and hanging down the middle to the bottom of the container. I now heat up my old wax either on the stove or in the microwave and once it is liquid I pour it into the waiting jars (be careful it is hot and I'm going out on a limb to guess it is also flammable). Once your newly made candle dries there is a rather deep indentation in the middle which, if it bothers you, you can fill by reheating the wax left in the pan. My last batch was birthed from the remnants of a big red candle and several white candles giving me several lovely new rose colored candles (as seen in photo above). These also make good gifts and you could layer different colors if you have lots of time on your hands and a craft streak in you that is roaring to get out.

fabric you know deep down you will never use

Got fabric laying around that you suspect may be buried with you when you die? Despair not! If you know how to knit get out some wide gauge knitting needles and cut the fabric into a continuous strip about 1.5-2 inches wide. Knit that into a trivet, hotpad or if you have a lot of material you can make a small throw rug. My rug below is far from gorgeous but its perfect to set wet boots on near the door and used up a ton of old fabric I was unlikely to ever use for anything else. You could also use old clothes.