On a quest to think green, I'm trying to make small changes. Wendy has put it so nicely, right here, to try to focus on making one change at a time - or even one change a year if that's all you can do. So right now I'm working on the tissue issue. I realize that for some of you this thought is absurd considering the number of humans you have living (running around) in your household. Here's where you can think small and just replace tissues in one room of the house. Explain to the kids why and introduce the concept to them, they might enjoy it! It might be one of those memories they hold with them for a while. Like my memory of dad who always carried a clean white hankie in his back pocket. I always felt so loved when he passed his hankie to me in that quiet church pew. Then handing it back to him and watching him put it back into his pocket without making a yucky face. Wow, my dad's cool with that - he really loves me! But really, that is always the dilemma, what to do with the hanky afterward. I figure if I'm going to be successful in making this change, I need to have a designated spot for dirty hankies:
*Step-by-Step Tutorial available at the left* You'll need to print out the template for the circular base here:
Another option and a great opportunity to display some of your stored away bowls, whether vintage or new:
You can print out these labels onto sticker paper or cardstock and then glue & laminate them (laminating is optional, but recommended if using these in the bathroom because the ink will run with the moisture from the shower. If you don't have a laminator, you can use white glue to create a protective coat)
This is great - what a NEAT way of constructing this, with sewing of the base 1st and sides 2nd! Trim after instead of careful measuring and angst before! Genius!
Posted by: Candy | February 03, 2009 at 10:48 AM
i love your clean/dirty bins - very cute!
Posted by: kat | February 03, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Great idea Allyson. Earth friendly and another way to surround ourselves in beautiful fabric. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Ginger | February 03, 2009 at 12:28 PM
great idea! will be adding this to my list.
Posted by: robyn | February 03, 2009 at 01:10 PM
i love them...they are too cute to blow boogies on! he he! :)
Posted by: Lani | February 03, 2009 at 07:43 PM
What a neat idea... :)
Posted by: sew funky | February 03, 2009 at 10:11 PM
This is great! Thanks for sharing. The clean/dirty containers are definitely cute, and fun for kids and adults alike.
Posted by: Juliana | February 05, 2009 at 03:25 AM
Oh Allyson I too had the Dad who carried the white hankie and I often often had it passed to me during church! lovely memories!
I also have received sweet little hankies during difficult times and I think they make a thoughful gift.
So I love the hankie, and now I will go make some:) I love the vintage bowls with lables.
Posted by: Laura | February 08, 2009 at 10:10 AM
I forgot to ask, did you make that sweet mitten garland?
Posted by: laura | February 08, 2009 at 11:43 AM
My dad still carries a white hankie. Every day he takes a clean, ironed one out of the drawer, and places it in his pocket. At the end of the day, it comes out of his pocket (now that I no longer live at home, it is still clean and pressed), places it on the dressing table, and all of the loose change from his pocket goes on top.
Thanks for the memory.
Posted by: Sarah | February 09, 2009 at 03:07 PM
Hi Laura, Yes - I did make the mitten garland! It was fun and very easy. I found the mittens on Etsy, but I bet you could find them at the craft store. Thanks for asking!
Posted by: allyson | February 10, 2009 at 09:15 AM
wow such wonderful ideas and a truly lovely blog!! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Rebekah | March 23, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Hi Allyson- I love the way you made those machine embroidery letters look cool- do you mind if I blog about them with a link to your page, and post your photo?
(I found you from Apartment Therapy)
Thanks!
Posted by: MaryD | March 25, 2009 at 03:03 PM
These are gorgeous, thanks so much! I'll be linking to this.
Posted by: Rachel | March 27, 2009 at 12:30 AM
First and for most thanks for the idea and the directions for the Clean and dirty containers. But....HELP!! :) Your blog inspired to do away with paper towels in favor of cloth... so I sewed up a lot for my self. Then came the container making... I followed the directions... I think... I even left my side material 24 inches long, but I didn't make it all the way around the first lining I tried. and the second one BARELY made it. Any thoughts as to what I might be doing wrong? I managed 1 okay looking bucket, but want to get them right before I display them!
Posted by: LuLu | March 31, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Please consider making a tutorial on how you made the hankies !! (fabric choice and instructions !! ).. There are hardly any hanky tutes in cyberspace ! I can't even find directions on how to make the old fashion ones !
Posted by: D | January 22, 2012 at 06:24 PM