Inhabitots

The folks at Inhabitat, one of the blogs listed on my faves on my Junk Mail Gems links page, has recently launched "Inhabitots," focusing on "sustainable design for the next generation." They have a nice posting on cloth diapering too, as well as many cool green products for kids. Check it out! You can also click on these images to the left to see some of my latest favorites!

Crochet Monkey

I just had to share this fun project I just completed last night!

I have a friend in Ohio who's expecting a boy, named George, with a monkey themed room. I wanted to make something for her upcoming shower. So, I did some Google searching and found this cute amigurumi monkey pattern by ChimuChimu!

I left off the bead eyes to avoid a choking hazard, and put a "G" for "George" on his shirt. (the room is brown, orange, & green) It was so much fun...I think I'll have to make another one for my little guy. I am thinking maybe I'll try making little suspenders with buttons or a hat or something on the next one!

I made this over just two evenings, sitting on the couch watching olympics with my hubby. (Plus a little bit during lunch yesterday) Who says you can't be productive while watching TV?! Thank goodness for instant replays...although I did look up periodically to catch Michael Phelps' INCREDIBLY close race last night!!

DIY Message Center

I'm finally back in my studio after a busy 10 days of face painting (my other business besides Junk Mail Gems) at a city festival and county fair! I recently received a new issue of Family Fun magazine and found another really fun project idea for turning an old cookie sheet, soup can, and bottle caps into a very cool message center! I'm definitely going to have to try this one. Maybe I can use some junk mail instead of the contact paper. I do already have a pencil cup on my desk that is a soup can wrapped in woven junk mail, so that would already go!