Eco Crochet Cup Cozy in Colorful Yarns By RSS Designs In Fiber

Ruth Sandra Sperling

RSS Designs In Fiber - Get My Handmade in my Bonanza Booth or my Etsy Shop -- or Privately

I Crochet and Knit pretty much all the time - people who have been in my apartment have seen all the Handmade items that I have made myself and use in my daily life .... and that is how my newest Handmade Crochet product came to be.

It is called a "Cup Cozy" Red and Green Set of 3 of them in this photo to the left.

But those who I have met in a Starbucks - and the people working at Starbucks, where I go the most often for that cup of Tea (I don't drink Coffee any more) while I am On-The-Go, have seen my Cozy that I carry with me and put on my Hot Cups there - instead of those paper ones they give out that I can't stand.

Here to the right is a Cup Cozy Set of 2 in Blues - and, hey, these go with your Jeans (LOL)!!

They are all crocheted with Cotton Worsted Yarn doubled up - or Double Cotton Worsted Yarn - both of which I have plenty of in Peaches and Cream Colors (new colors - and older discontinued colors that I still have).

These are soft Cotton - they stretch a little bit to fit and "hug" whatever cup size you buy - they actually make it easier to hold the cup and really protect your fingers from the Hot Cup.

I like mine that I carry with me (in a color not yet available in my Etsy Shop) -- works much better and adds a bit of color to that part of life!!

Eco-Friendly for three reasons:

1. Replaces the disposable paper cup cozies given out at most Coffee/Tea Shops - Reducing Waste!
2. Made with Eco-Friendly Non-Toxic Cotton Yarn (I have checked - this particular Cotton Yarn is made with non-toxic colors and that is verified by tested waste-waters at the yarn manufacturers.).
3. Re-usable for a long time!!

I have lots of this Cotton Yarn - I have 2 more Cup Cozy Sets in my Etsy Shop, as shown below - and I can make Custom Orders for people in the Colors of their choice by Request ... h-m-m-m, I think there is an Americana Red, White and Blue Set coming soon!!

Funky Multi-color Cup Cozy Set of 2

Pink And Burgundy Cup Cozy and Coaster Set

I was a Winner of A GIVEAWAY!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items In Fibers






Thank You to Kenna Foster of Beholden To Nature and Fine Art, Nature Conservation Photography by Kenna
-- for holding her "Vow NOT To Recycle" Giveaway -- for 2 reasons!!

First of all, I so totally support REUSING and using REUSABLE CONTAINERS over using plastic bottles that have to be recycled (or heaven-help-me -- thrown away into our overfilled Landfills!!!).

It has been some time now since I signed onto the "Break the Bottled Water Habit" Campaign --- and I am really doing it!! I have 2 stainless steel bottles that I use both around the house - and when I go out - for water and other beverages; I also have a PUR water filter on my kitchen faucet rather than buy bottled water.

I just don't buy bottled water any more unless I am backed into a corner and I think that happened once in the past year. Otherwise, I just carry my trusty stainless steel bottle with the screw-on top (which has the added bonus of not leaking) everywhere I go and I love it -- water, tea, coffee -- it serves me so very well and I don't have those disposable/recyclable bottles to worry about any more.

I also managed to find a somewhat insulated travel cup with a stainless steel inner cup that I take with me when I stay out overnigt because I can use it at the coffee bar at the hotels or restaurants I go to usually. Don't have to take their disposable cups and the drinks stay hotter in it, too!!

And, Second, by gosh -- I was one of the Winners of Kenna's Giveaway and I am getting the photo pictured at the top here!! It links to Kenna's listing in her Etsy shop!! (photo used by permission)

Maybe using the RESUSABLE CONTAINERS and not even having to recycle, let alone throw away, will help preserve the beautiful nature spot in the photo -- Havasu Falls in Arizona!!

REUSE! -- REUSE! -- REUSE! -- REUSE! -- REUSE! -- REUSE! -- REUSE! -- REUSE!

LOCAL HARVESTS - Local Pick-Your-Own Fruit Orchard in the Antelope Valley of Southern CA

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items In Fibers


I am a strong supporter of getting at least produce that is relatively locally grown.

Of course, I live in California, a major agricultural state. When I shop locally, I make a point of watching where the produce comes from and I usually make a point of buying locally, which for me means California or maybe Mexico.



I make another point of not buying anything from a different continent - including Central America and South America and Europe, etc. I really think it is funny when the local stores here in the Antelope Valley of Southern California have fruit and vegetables from Chile -- just saw some green grapes last Friday, but they were from Chile, so I put them back.



One of the reasons I think it is so funny is that the Antelope Valley of Southern CA is agricultural and there are various orchards and even a few vineyards and other agricultural business right in our own valley.



I personally know of a small Pick-Your-Own fruit orchard a few miles from where I live in the east Antelope Valley.



I've been getting fruit from there during the season when they have fruit for years now -- and my personal experience is that you can't compare the fruit you can pick fresh off the trees there to anything you can buy at any grocery store - or even any of the farmer's markets or fruit stands that I have been to.



Of course, I prefer to pick my own, though I sometimes get the pre-picked fruit they have available also (for those who can't or don't want to pick their own). When you pick your own, you get it ripened on the tree to the level of ripeness that you like.

About the first 4 weeks of the picking season each year, they have 2 varieties of apricots. Now apricots are one of my favorite fruits of all time -- and I could never find ones in the stores or markets that taste as good as theirs -- but I am picking right off the tree!! I pick as much as I can during the weeks they have them -- then some I halve and pit and put in the freezer before they go bad -- after all I can only eat so much!! I remember that last year I still had some in the freezer in September.



They have different varieties of Peaches starting about early July through about mid-October.



They also have Plums and Pears and lots of varieties of Apples!!



This March, I still had a few of their apples in my refrigerator from last fall (they had lasted a long time) -- I was not supposed to be eating fresh, raw fruit at the time -- so I cut them up to make apple sauce in my crockpot and it was so yummy!!

IF YOU LIVE ANYWHERE NEAR THE ANTELOPE VALLEY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA -- OR WILL BE PASSING THROUGH, YOU MIGHT WANT TO STOP BY AND PICK A PAIL OF FRUIT (OR MORE!).


There are various Pick-your-own Orchards in the Antelope Valley.


I have found out that this year they expect to open sometime mid to late June with Apricots - and they expect a plentiful crop. That is an estimate - they open when they have fruit that can be picked. You can call - at this time of year they either have a message on their answering machine or whoever answers the phone will know what is happening.

IF YOU LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY, CHECK http://www.localharvest.org TO SEE WHAT LOCAL FOODS YOU CAN FIND WHERE YOU LIVE. 


 I JUST CHECKED AND FOUND Morgan Botanicals from Tehachapi, CA who I am now following on Twitter.



I'll bet if you check it out and try it, and maybe even do some comparisons, you'll find that local fruits and veggies taste better than others that travel long distance.



It is also better environmentally - as no travel means no carbon emissions from transporting the food (this is called eating low carbon).



My fresh herbs in my own container garden in my yard taste better than any dried herbs could taste and, since I snip off the plant when I want to use them, they are better than any fresh ones you can buy in the stores!!



For the best fruits, vegetables -- and meats, if you can find them -- GO LOCAL!!






Ruth

GREEN GIFT GIVING - HOW TO GIVE RENEWABLE ENERGY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread


Just found out about a website where you can get a gift of renewable energy.

Read about it here: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/11/how-to-stuff-a-stocking-with-renewable-energy.php

You can give a "Powered Green Wind Energy Sponsorship" here: http://www.poweredgreen.com/

On their website, see how you can Green Your Laptop! http://www.poweredgreen.com/learn/e-waste-and-recycling/

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THAT MEANINGFUL GIFT FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING - THIS MAY BE IT!


Ruth

REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS MADE FROM 100% RECYCLED PLASTIC BOTTLES!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread





Went to one of my favorite stores today - Trader Joe's!!


When I go shopping these days -- and for a number of years -- I take my own reusable shopping bags with me.


I do this for several reasons - most importantly, I can't stand either paper bags or those disposable plastic bags that most stores give out.

I greatly prefer my collection of reusable shopping bags that are either heavy duty canvas or long-lasting plastic ones that hold more than anything the stores give out and don't fall apart.


Today I had 3 reusable shopping bags and a rolling knapsack with me. By the time I got to Trader Joe's, 2 of the reusable shopping bags and the rolling knapsack were full -- and I knew I would need 2 more, so I decided to buy another one of Trader Joe's reusable bags that they sell.


Well, lately I had seen this new one in my "local" Trader Joe's. I had already read the info on it -- it was made 100% of recycled plastic bottles - and I knew that that was the one I was going to buy today and I did.


Here it is, folks -- and read the balloon message on the bag!!







....at least some of those plastic bottles I've recycled are being put to good use!!


Find your "local" Trader Joe's here: http://www.traderjoes.com/


I realy love this "chain" of stores!! Been shopping there for over 20 years -- even when I had to go find one in another community.


My "local" Trader Joe's - well, I was one of those people in the Antelope Valley calling their corporate office asking when they were going to put one here before there was one. I use to have to go down to one of the valleys south of here to find one.


Go there regularly now -- the guys running it are great -- great products (even if they do change periodically) and great service!!


Find one near you -- or not so near you -- you might find it worth it to go!!





Ruth

EcoEtsy AUCTION FOR A CAUSE Ongoing!!

Ruth Sandra Sperling
RSS Designs In Fiber - Internet Shop of Handmade Items
RSS Designs Wearable - Internet Shop of Wearable Items
RSS Crochet Thread Plus - Internet Shop of Crochet Thread

Our EcoEtsy AUCTION FOR A CAUSE is still ongoing with some bids already put in -- yes, we have some bids and if you are interested in it and haven't bid yet, you'll need to bid yourself by the Thursday evening (Oct. 30th)!

Check here! http://www.ecoetsy.com/auction-oct2008.html

After today (Sunday), there are 4 days left to bid on the collection of about 60 handmade, eco-minded items!!

Take a look at the pictures of what has been donated and is being auctioned off:

http://ecoetsyauction.myphotoalbum.com/

Remember -- the proceeds go to The Nature Conservancy!!

I have a picture here of the bag I crocheted for the Auction. It is a small bag - about 3 1/2 inches in diameter and 5 inches high. It is green, ecru and glittering sienna.

Us like-minded folks in EcoEtsy really have the welfare of our environment and the people who live in it on our minds (you should see our emailing sometimes!). We really make an effort to live our lives and conduct our businesses in such a way as not to harm our environment and maybe even help it!!

Below I will quote my favorite philosopher on the environment, Aldo Leopold, in that there is a value to protecting our environment even if there doesn't seem to be a commercial profit in it. Protecting elements in our environment that are essential to its healthy functioning, even if that protection doesn't have a commercial value, is important for our lives. Of course, if you find new ways to use things that would otherwise be thrown out, you can reduce waste (good for the environment) and save money you would otherwise have spent on something new (good for your pocketbook), but some economists would tell you that consumer spending is a good sign of the economy - I would say to find other things to spend your money on while Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.

Aldo Leopold from "Substitutes For a Land Ethic", which is part of "The Land Ethic", which is part of "The Upshot" in the book, A Sand County Alamanc, copyright 1966 by Oxford University Press:

"To sum up: a system of conservation based solely on economic self-interest is hopelessly lopsided. It tends to ignore, and thus eventually eliminate, many elements in the land community that lack commercial value, but are (as far as we know) essential to its healthy functioning. It assumes, falsely, I think, that the economic parts of the biotic clock will function without the uneconomic parts. It tends to relegate to government many functions too large, too complex, or too widely dispersed to be performed by government.

"An ethical obligation on the part of the private owner is the only visible rememdy for these situations."

We, in EcoEtsy, who are putting on our AUCTION FOR A CAUSE, are private owners.

The Nature Conservancy is an organization who's funding is based on donations from private owners and who works to protect those uneconomic parts that are so essential to the healthy functioning of the land community we live in -- to our "web of life".

We, at EcoEtsy, are trying to be ethical in our lives and businesses - and our AUCTION FOR A CAUSE is part of that.

From me, Thanks to everyone who has participated - our EcoEtsy Co-Leaders, the donators, the bidders and all who helped promoting!!

Ruth

P.S. - You can find the book, A Sand County Almanac, online - and through the Aldo Leopold Foundation, http://www.aldoleopold.org/.