Trashy Electronics

No, I'm not talking about using your computer to get porn. I am talking about disposing of your old electronics in a responsible manner. A computer is not an old Barcalounger--you can't just leave it on the curb. Many electronics (Computers, TVs, VCRs, CD players)contain toxic and hazardous material like lead, cadmium and mercury that leak into the ground and create a toxic environment.

Many cities have recycling events, although New York has had to suspend its programs due to funding constraints. If this is the case in your city as well, look online for a store with a recycling program for your computer, cell phone, etc. There is one in New York this Saturday:

Free eWaste Recycling Event: Saturday, May 2nd at Tekserve
Bring your old computers, monitors, printers, televisions, stereos, VCRs, telephones, and other unwanted electronics to Tekserve on Saturday, May 2nd to be properly recycled at our fourth eWaste Recycling Event, hosted by Tekserve and the Lower East Side Ecology Center.

To celebrate the event, one lucky recycler will win a new MacBook from Tekserve, plus everyone who drops off an item will receive a $25 Tekserve coupon good towards the purchase of a new Mac or iPod*.
WHAT: Your Old Electronics, Safely Recycled
WHEN: Saturday, May 2nd from 10AM to 4PM
WHERE: In Front of Tekserve, 119 West 23rd St. (@ 6th Avenue)

Go to Tekserve's website for a list of acceptable items and complete event details.

We will accept home electronics such as computers, monitors, televisions, VCRs, DVD players, radios, stereos, cameras, and telephones. Unfortunately, we cannot accept home appliances such as microwaves, refrigerators, and air conditioners. No commercial or bulk drop-offs.

*Coupon valid for 30 days after the event. Not valid for iPod shuffle purchase. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Make your L'il Rounds

So after joining Facebook I got a bit overwhelmed by the number of Pokes and Bites I got. I was invited to be a Werewolf, a Vampire, and various other types of creatures that, after reading too much Anne Rice, I had avoided becoming all my life. I was sent drinks and cakes and all manner of virtual gifts. So when I was flooded with plants I was inclined to pretend I didn't see them, until I realized that, much like my daily clicks on the Hunger Site, et al, simply participating in this exchange of virtual plants can help the world.



This is the word from Lil Green Patch itself:
Help fight Global Warming! Together, We can make a Difference!

By planting fruit with your friends you can help us all make the world a greener place! As well, we'll shortly be launching some fun gaming features to constantly keep you entertained while doing good!

Our sponsors contribute money to save the Rainforests as you use this application. After expenses we will donate revenue to funding a portfolio of reforestation projects. Thanks for joining us in this mission! We hope you have fun!

The most recent donation was made in December, 2008 to the Adopt An Acre program of the Nature Conservancy. To learn more about this program, please visit the following address: http://www.nature.org/joinanddonate/adoptanacre/about/

The (Lil) Green Patch community, working together, was able to save 96,124,167 Sq ft of Rainforest so far! We are very excited about our progress and are confident we can make an even larger impact in the future!

See the donation here.


So now you needn't feel guilty for spending time "socializing" with your friends! But don't forget to get outside and appreciate the real gardens of the world!

Happy Earth Day

Today was such a busy day that I hardly had time to appreciate Earth Day. But maybe that is just the point--we have to remember not to be too busy to remember our Earth. I did stop a few times to think about it*, and now I am settled in for the night I am going through some of the 900+ photos I took in Florida. The majority were taken in wetlands, nature preserves and beaches, and I believe that they truly express how much I appreciate this world that we live in.


* i.e.: as I sorted the remains of my lunch into Recycle, Compost and Trash.

Here a few to share:








and if you will bear with me, I might stretch this out into an Earth Week

My Easter Basket

Well, look what the Easter Bunny left at my place...a basket full of colorful ribbons! Not just any basket, but one made by my very talented friend Maya. She makes these terrific burlap buckets, in many useful sizes, from coffee sacks.


And what about all the ribbons?, you may ask. Well, they are for a project of my own. I am going to make ribbon belts for some friends. I picked lots of fun Spring colors to get me started, and some white D-rings to use as buckles. I wanted to keep the look crisp and simple.



For a simple ribbon belt, I consider the following: finished length: this belt is for a young girl whose hip measurement ('cause that's where the young people wear their pants now) is 30". But I also want some length to wrap back through the buckle, so I add about 5 or 6 inches. So I want the finished belt to be 36". I also need to add 1.5" to make a loop for the D-rings. I need 37.5" total.

BUT I also want the belt to have a little weight to it, so I will buy double that and stitch the ribbon together. I bought 75" of the lavender ribbon, and 2 D-rings.

First I run the ribbon through the rings, and then stitch the ends of the ribbon, leaving a 1.5" tail. If you are using a ribbon with a right and a wrong side, be sure to have the right sides together at this point.
Once you have sewn the seam, press the seam so that both ends of the ribbon lie to one side.


Turn the ribbon right-side out. Slide the 2 D-rings over both ends of the "tail." You should have 3 layers of ribbon running through the rings.
I do this for extra support.Now stitch the rings in place, stitching over the first seam (or "stitch in the ditch").



Now it's easy! just sew the rest of the length of ribbon together. you can use Stitch Witch to fuse them together. That way you can go along with your iron slowly and make sure the sides match up. If you are just going to pin it, pin alternating horizontal and vertical pins. This keeps the ribbon from shifting in either direction.Also, stitch down each side in the same direction (i.e. from the buckle down, or up towards the buckle) Again, this helps you to avoid any shifting of the ribbon as you sew.

And you are DONE!

****
Here are some techniques to jazz things up a bit:

You can add a thinner ribbon onto a wide ribbon for contrast. In this case you already have 2 ribbons together, so you don't have to double the whole length. Just be sure to double back at the end--when you fasten the belt around your waist the opposite side of the ribbon will show!

Sew a satin ribbon onto webbing for more strength. Again, remember to double back!

Try different buckles for different looks.