happy earth day!

What an incredible place we live!

I keep reading about "one small change" and while I keep making them, here's one more that I can do without much thought. www.ecosearch.org is a search engine that uses google results, and donates to Sierra Club and National Resource Defense Council.

Here are some of the other changes we have been slowly making over the past five years:

- carrying several envirosax in my purse so I can use them instead of a plastic or paper bag

- using handkerchiefs for allergic runny noses

- using more washcloths and less toilet paper in the bathroom

- eating locally from our csa, farmer's market and neighbors selling eggs, honey and maple syrup

- staying home at least one day a week

- packing lunches with reusable snack sacks, sandwich wraps and bamboo utensils

- storing all kitchen pantry items in glass canning jars rather than plastic

- making granola weekly instead of buying it

- replacing candles with locally handmade beeswax candles (this is a process! we use them a lot!)

- keeping lights off in the house in evenings and lighting candles instead

- choosing products that don't come in an aerosol can

- using arnica and calendula salves instead of neosporin

- harvesting herbs for tea, nettles for antihistamine, mint and raspberry leaf for everyday infusion

- finger wraps instead of band-aids (healinghilary)

- wearing wool and cashmere which require less washing and are natural fibers

- using handmade bar soap by the sink and in the shower

- using cloth napkins daily

- buying in bulk from our local co-op to reduce cost and packaging

- drinking from refillable water bottles

- changing light bulbs to cfl's

- minimal leg shaving to save blades and water

- adding water to the tub for myself after little f's bath

- watching less movies and reading more books

- using cloth diapers and wipes

Fabric Napkin Tutorial

Want to reduce your impact on the earth?

Here's a "green" solution, which you can make using your favorite new, eco-friendly or recycled fabric. You can use any 100% cotton fabric, but if you use the same on front and back to start, it will look neater. It takes 2 yards of fabric for 6 napkins (12 pieces total) or 4 yards of fabric for 12 napkins (24 pieces total).

You will need:
sewing machine
iron
scissors
ruler or cutting mat
thread
fabric

Preshrink your fabric, by washing it and putting it in the dryer.
(If you have a serger, you might want to serge the edges to prevent fraying before you wash it.)
I've learned from experience that skipping this step will result in bunchy, wrinkly napkins!
Press the edges with a hot iron before cutting, to make sure they are nice and smooth.


Cut 2 squares 14" each for each napkin.

Lay fabrics out with right sides together ***very important!!***

Pin along one edge, placing pins about 4" apart.

Stitch around edge about 1/4" from edge.
I use the side of the presser foot as my guide.
You can also put a piece of masking tape right on your machine.
Pivot at corners and leave open between pins for turning.

To pivot at corners:
Make sure your needle is down by turning the large wheel on the side of the machine.
Lift the presser foot.
Turn your fabric.
Put presser foot down and continue stitching.

Lower your presser foot and continue to stitch along the edge of the fabric approx. 1/4" from edge.

Turn your napkin right side out and press with hot iron.

If you hold the corners and stretch it tight, lay it down and press, the unstitched opening should turn under for you!

Topstitch close to edge, approx. 1/8"



The completed set of a dozen napkins.

4 yards of fabric (45"wide)
Heather Bailey
Caramel Crescent
Christaquilts