confessions of a compacting mama

Confession time...we're done with our compact! I'm happy to report that we did very well. Besides for items listed in my exemptions, we only had two mess ups (three if you agree with my brother, but I'll get to that later).
Walter bought a croquet set. We searched for a used set. I went to thrift stores, yard sales, used sporting goods stores...no luck. We purposely bought a nice set so that we'll be able to use it for many years. I know it's a mess up but it was a well thought out purchase which we've already gotten a ton of use out of. The second mess up was a set of sand tools for Estella. We purchased a set with a shovel, rake and hoe and she loves to play with it! She used it every day at the beach and now it's in her new sandbox. I feel that she'll be able to use it at least for a couple of summers. I was however able to find her a set of used sand pails...

The third mess up, if you agree with Mark, is that I upgraded our dish package, so that we can now obsessively watch Planet Green. I do realize that it was a purchase of something new, but I feel that it doesn't count because it's more of a service, not a new possession, and it doesn't creat any more waste...you be the judge.

That's it! We did really well. We've also decided to continue on the same path. We will continue to shop used, make presents, and cut down on our buying. We most likely will buy new items again but we're going to put a lot of thought into our purchases and buy quality items that will last longer, even if it means spending a bit more.


As promised, pics of my most recent Fritters! This is Little Red and Big Bad.
I'm super pleased with how they came out...they were a ton of work but the end product was well worth it, don't you think? I'm hoping to get them in the shop, along with the Fritter Family, tonight after Estella goes to bed. If not tonight, hopefully Monday! Check out all the pics in the link...and I hope you love 'em as much as I do.

Happy 4th of July!

more balance

I've received some positive feedback about Estella's last dinner, so I'm presenting you with today's lunch and dinner.

I guess my meals aren't so bad...she definitely eats better than I do! Oh and yes, it's always the same plate...plain, sectional and unbreakable

Walter in his uniform on his first day of work. Very spiffy, don't you think! He's awaiting his temporary license and then he's all set to start working for real.

Today we had a little family time and built Estella a sandbox!

I saw a sandbox in Domino and really liked the idea. I planned out a slightly smaller one for Estella and she's officially in love. We even put the casters on it so (in the future when we have an amazing deck system like in the magazine) we can push it around. We also added a top so that the neighborhood cats don't treat it like a giant litter box! It really came out well and we're all happy with the project...it did however turn into the most expensive sandbox in history(don't ask!).

I know I've been neglecting the Fritter side of things lately but I'm slowly chugging along. My latest brilliant idea got off to a not so brilliant start but I've pulled it back on track and I'm psyched about the half I've finished...it's a work in progress though so I'm not going to show pics until it's done.

I don't have time tonight but I intend to post soon about our two month compact which is officially over. I'll let you all know how we managed and if we faltered at all. Check back soon!

Another rainy day today! Is it ever going to be summer?

Oh well, inside time means crafting time...I haven't been able to start on any of the ideas that I had tumbling around my brain but soon enough. I've been working on my batch of Juans, and they're coming along quite nicely. I've also taken a break to work on a little drawing/design work.

I signed up to be able to test Spoonflower, and finally got my invitation to place an order. I'm going to have two fabrics printed to start with since it's a bit pricey. I'm not sure if having this fabric done interferes with my compacting or not. Craft and art supplies are exempt, as are services, but this may be pushing it a bit. What do you think? Am I cheating?

Really, if I am, I don't care. Any of you readers out there that sew and design, know that this is impossible to pass up. To be able to have something I've drawn be put on a piece of fabric that I can then sew with is like Christmas to my crafting heart!

I've decided to do one "grown up" more serious one...

and then of course a fun Fritter fabric...

I'm excited to see how they turn out! The image that you see is a 5x7 design which will then be tiled when printed. I will of course post pictures as soon as I get the fabric in.

There really isn't much else today to catch up on. Operation de-ghetto-fication has been put on hold...no more painting has been done and we still don't have dirt for the lawn... I got some salvaged wood for a project I plan to attempt so hopefully I'll be able to start that soon. Lately it seems to be a lot of big planning without a lot of big doing. Hopefully things will get done as soon as Walter's done with school...only two more weeks!

And of course, an Estella pic for good measure...at what point does laughing at your child for their lack of eating skills become cruel? At least for now she thinks I'm laughing with her not at her :)

I'm baaack!!

Well, we are up and running in the Internet department...finally. And let me tell you, it's no easy task to set up the Internet...many frustrating phone calls to Verizon. Well, all's well that end's well, or something like that...

Now to catch up...

The pledge is going very well. My strategy so far is to avoid all shopping areas like the plague, and it seems to be working. No mess ups! Of course I managed to pick a super busy Birthday, baby shower and anniversary time of the year. I think the only more difficult two months I could have picked may have been November and December! Oh well, all that means is that I've been a busy little crafter!

This present is going to a 1st Birthday Party this weekend. You can see all of the actual pictures here (No peeking Leo!) There are also a couple of pics in there of a Baby Shower gift for a new family member who should be arriving soon!

My Honey Bee is done. I think he came out really well... he was made for the MIVEST challenge, so technically I need to get him up on Etsy before the end of the month. And I've also been working on a couple of new Fritters...yes, lots of arms...I'm on an insect kick. So far these two have been giving me a ton of trouble. It's been one of those projects where nothing I try seems to come out as planned, but I'm sticking to it and hopefully will have some finished product pics to share soon.

And, finally, for all of you Estella lovers out there...
And here are some additional photos of the little monster for your viewing pleasure.

taking the plunge

We are taking the Mamas on the Compact pledge!! Yes I know Walter is not a Mama but since I do the majority of the spending, "Mama" will work just fine and he'll just sort of nod his head in agreeance while I'm off on my newest "thing"!

I have been recently trying to find ways to become a bit more "green". I bought the clothesline, I've started the compost, I plan to garden this summer...why not make it official and pledge to stop consuming so much!

Here goes:1. I am pledging to not buy anything new for a period of two months to begin May 1, 2008.

2. My reasons for doing this - I think I need to learn to be happier with what we have, which let's face it, is more than so many less fortunate than us. I also need to stop using shopping as a way of making myself feel satisfied, and I need to stop playing into the idea that you are what you can afford to buy! It really is all about differentiating between wanting and needing.


3. My plan for maintaining the pledge? Prayer! No, seriously, that may be the only way I make it through! But really, I can still buy used...that's allowed... so if I really get an itchin' for some shoppin', I can go to the thrift stores. Also, when I 'm feeling lonely and bored (which usually results in a shopping trip) I will try to spend time going for walks, making crafts, cooking, playing outside, and thinking of ways to be "greener" :)

4. Okay, finally the part where I get to justify a few things...the exemptions:

a) Building materials. We are after all still remodeling a house! This does not however exempt un-needed purchases such as furniture and decorations. I'm exempting trim and paint, that sort of thing.

b) Building materials. Redundant, maybe, but this time it's for the dwelling. We plan to use as much salvaged material (which is allowed) as possible but I'm figuring that some things will need to be purchased new. The reason I'm exempting this is because it's already in the works, and therefore needs to be built!

c) I have the husband on board as much as possible...however, he has come up with a few exemption of his own:

- Music for DJing...which is unavoidable and also a business expense.

- Very early morning coffee on the way to the hospital, because if he grinds beans at 6:00am it wakes me up and that makes me grumpy...but whenever possible, he will make it at home.

d) My appointment at SalonSalon. It was a gift from Valentine's Day and even though it will be paid for during the compact, it was given before hand. And dammit, I need some pampering!

e) Whenever humanly possible, I will make or purchase recycled gifts during my compact. If this does not seem humanly possible, I am exempting the purchase of modest gifts. No going overboard!

f) Bathing suits, socks and underwear. Three things I outright refuse to buy second hand!

g) Last but not least, let's be honest here, it's soon to be summer vacation. We plan to take a small trip as soon as Walter is done with school. I don't know if vacations are part of the pledge to begin with but I'll exempt it just in case... the cost of this trip is exempt but not purchases made on the trip. No new stuff! After all, there are thrift stores on vacation aren't there?

I think that covers everything. I know it seems like a ton of exemptions, but I'm supposed to list them up front and I may as well be honest, instead of saying I'm not going to buy anything and then end up cheating.

Also, to all of you family that may read this, this pledge includes things we may be given. Please no new purchases! If you would like to give us something, please send money for groceries, used or recycled gifts, or gift certificates to thrift stores. Thanks for helping us stick to our pledge!