I've gone International!

Just wanted to share the fun news that in the last two weeks, I have received bag orders from Greece, Singapore and the Netherlands. (here's your brain twister for the day: can you match the country to their flag?)

How exciting that Etsy is connecting the world and we are able to sell handmade goods internationally. It was fun to ship to these friendly customers, knowing that my bags will be carried around their towns far away. Thanks for your purchases ladies!

Earth Day, Part 1: My first canvas bag

Alisa had no idea what she was starting when, for Christmas two years ago, she wrapped up life changes in the form of canvas shopping bags and put them under the tree for her siblings. When the time came to open them, she had us all do it at the same time, I'm sure with some disclaimer that she hoped we understood the greater meaning of this gift (she probably didn't say that).

We were excited, but not exactly sure what to do with them--although we had all seen her religiously carry them in and out of stores, always telling cashiers, "I don't need a bag--I brought my own". She has often been spotted practicing and sharing eco-friendly ideas long before these ideas become mainstream. It just so happened that this one in particular, carrying your own bags into grocery stores, drug stores, ALL stores, was an idea that for me at that time seemed very doable.

It took some time, as all "life changes", if you will, do, but all of the recipients of that Christmas bag are now more conscious of bringing their own bags when shopping. After some months of introducing this habit into my own routine, I realized that one bag was certainly not enough. After inspecting the construction of said bag, I realized I could sew them and limabeanhome was born, first via eBay and now via Etsy. The canvas bags, though now joined by other purses and totes, have remained my top sellers--last year alone I made and sold over 150 bags. (Thanks everyone!).

The patterns for the bags have not changed. They are still simple, sturdy bags made of unbleached cotton canvas begging to be filled with groceries, library books, and snacks for road trips. They love to join you on trips to Target for toiletries and anywhere else you might leave with a plastic bag.

Earth Day is April 22nd. I'm not saying you have to buy my bags. If you've noticed, you can pretty much find reusable shopping bags at every store these days. I'm just saying buy some from somewhere and make that life change that I was encouraged to make over two years ago with this awesome gift. It's actually easier than you think.

Thanks Alisa. You really had no idea.

March Madness

I admit it--I'm a March Madness junkie. Every year, on this very Thursday--the Thursday after the brackets come out and the first full day of game after game after game-- I get so excited and riled up and can't turn off the TV all day long no matter who's playing. I know, it's crazy. But there are many who share my addiction to this tournament (including, in the last few years, Alisa). Thanks to our dad who, years ago, started our very own family tournament which used to cost $5 to enter and now costs only a candy bar to the winner if you end up being the loser. It's more fun that way--then it becomes all about the bragging rights more than anything (and a good 3 musketeers if I'm the winner this year).

So, in honor of these awesome three weeks in March and April, I'm offering 16% off anything in my shop to anyone who reads my blog. Why 16%? Well, if you're a student of bracketology you'll know that it represents the number of seeds in each of the 4 regions. It will be a random amount, but don't worry, I'll round up.


(to anyone who wants to take advantage of this discount, enter MARCH MADNESS in the notes to seller section when purchasing and then don't pay until you receive a revised paypal invoice from me. Discount ends after the final game is played on April 7th)

Green as a Bean

If you could be green, would you be a lawn or a lean green bean and the stalk that it's on?

Would you be a leaf on a leafy tree?
Tell me, lean green one, what would you be?

We checked out this book, by Karla Kuskin, from the library last week and only after bringing it home did I realize what a great title it has. It's a cute read for kids, inviting them to choose what they'd be if they were green, red, soft, fierce. My boys loved reading it.

In the spirit of being "green as a bean" I wanted to share a few amazing items I found on Etsy. All of these items are made of "reclaimed" materials that would have ended up in the landfill, but have instead found a new life at the hands of talented, creative crafters. These crafters are all my fellow members of the ecoetsy street team.

These clipboards are made of recycled circuit boards by DebbyAremDesigns
This is a book (pages removed due to damage by water or other causes)
that has been repurposed into a journal by PenguinLove
And finally, these earrings are made by SilveroftheValley out of Art Clay Silver, a product made from pure reclaimed silver from recycled products such as photographic and dental supplies, and circuit boards. You can read more about this product in her Etsy profile.

Thanks ladies, for letting me share your unique pieces and for your commitment to making eco-friendly creations.

If you could be small, would you be a mouse
or a mouse's child or a mouse's house
or a mouse's house's front door key?

Tell me all, small one, what would you be?

PS--If you want to win some fun eco-friendly prizes, come and participate in the Team EcoEtsy St.Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt on Sunday, March 16th. You can read how to play here

It's in my genes

Yesterday I found this note, written on a small piece of folded wrapping paper, hiding in the front of my recipe box:

Here's a recipe notebook I had in my cupboard from a long time ago, (and it wasn't being used, so thought you might find it useful for clipped recipes from magazines, helpful hints, or whatever.) If not, pass it on to someone else. I strongly believe in recycling, you know.
Love, Gram T.

It's true that Gram and Gramps T. strongly believed in recycling, reusing, composting, and generally being less wasteful. They didn't make a scene about it, but simply made choices to reuse plastic bags, foil, the same napkin for all three meals (folding it to the cleanest side each time), to eat and preserve food they had grown in their master garden, and the list goes on and on.

I just hope they are proud of the efforts I am trying to make to continue their example and carry on their legacy. In their honor, I am starting a new line of canvas shopping bags.

Here is the first installment:

Do you love Etsy too?

I'm sitting here trying to think back to how I got introduced to Etsy in the first place. I'm sure it was Alisa-- my fashion-forward, has a bit of knowledge about most subjects and a lot of knowledge about others-- sister who introduces me to most new things, but I can't even remember what that conversation was like.

Actually, now I do remember. Someone posted something on the gdiapers forum about how Etsy was a good option for a SAHM looking to earn a small income with her craftiness. This sparked my initial interest, and it has only just grown from there. Here's where Alisa came in-- I looked for approval (as I often do) about the credibility and "coolness" factor, if you will, of Etsy, and she came back with rave reviews. That was all I needed to take the plunge and set up shop.

Well, Etsy, you have met and exceeded all my expectations and have lived up to the rave reviews. Of course there are some glitches here and there--they're a newborn company!--but the fees are low, the image hosting is priceless and they're just going to keep getting better.

My favorite thing has to be how fellow Etsyians (Etsyites?) are so willing to share their knowledge with each other. I have learned to be a better photographer, a better seamstress and a better marketer all from tutorials, storque articles, and other forums in which these Etsyians have unselfishly shared their expertise to help us newbies.

So, here I am, back to my first question--Do you love Etsy too? How did you discover Etsy? Post a comment and tell us all!

Can't wait to read them.

Oh, and check back soon for another post where I confess that I am also addicted to Etsy. . .

What's playing in the sewing studio

Well, first of all, don't I wish I had a sewing studio. In fact, what I have is a corner of my bedroom which has everything to do with my sewing shoved everywhere it can possibly fit. But, thanks to Renate, my dear aunt, I do have a fabulous sewing table which holds my awesome old Bernina and my wonderful Christmas present Pfaff serger.

So, these days on those precious moments when I am able to spend time in my sewing corner the only thing I want to listen to is Patty Griffin. Two plus years ago, when Alisa kindly shared her ipod (for a pittance) she generously left music on there and I have slowly been discovering what good taste she sometimes has, and for sure the introduction to Patty has been a fabulous one for me and for my sewing.

If you haven't ever heard her, start with Sweet Lorraine, Forgiveness, Goodbye, and because I live in Oregon where it rains most of everyday in the winter, Rain, which gives voice to how I feel about it sometimes.

Gotta love good music and ipods. Thanks Lis.