What do you do with all those plastic grocery bags that collect with each trip to the store?

Even when I bring my own canvas grocery bags, the checker and bagger usually end up giving me a couple more.

I can use a few of them - I have cats and a litter box to clean up each week. But I still found them piling up.

What to do with them? I was pondering that question when something came across my RSS feeds - crocheting with grocery bags. Using plastic grocery bags to make a reusable grocery tote seemed appropriate some how.

Here’s how it started, though this is only 10 bags out of however many I used - I lost track!

I had two or three of these bags that were stuffed full of more bags. I didn’t use them all, but I used a lot of them.

The finished tote. The different colors and textures are from bags from different stores.

Interested in the process? More pictures and the beginning steps behind the cut.

If you’re inspired to give a variation of the project a try, let us know how it goes!

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Create something new.

Easy for me to say, right?

And you’d really like to do it, but –

• you don’t have hours to spend on learning a new creative skill
• you don’t have a bunch of money to spend on supplies
• you don’t know where to start
• you don’t even know what kind of project to start
• you don’t have anyone to teach or help you get started

Excuses. Every single one.

One trip to your local market, superstore or hobby store can negate every one of those excuses. How?

Be a Kid

Wander through the kids’ craft area. In your local market or superstore it will probably in the toy section. Most hobby stores have a specific kid-friendly craft section. Pick up a few of the kits that look interesting to you. You’ll find everything from plaster hand casts to jewelry to soap and candle making kits.

Why kids’ craft kits?

• Most of them are inexpensive
• They come with all the materials you need
• The instructions are designed to be understandable for kids in grade school or middle school
• The projects are designed with kids’ attention span in mind
• The projects are quick introductions to the craft and quick, tangible exercises in creativity

Benefits of Being a Kid Again

• You get to try your hand at something new with little or no pressure to do it well
• You get an introduction to a set of skills and knowledge you didn’t have
• You get to test drive a project before sinking a lot of money or time into the craft
• You can be silly and just have fun
• If you have children, you can use this project as quality time with them
• Successes, no matter how little or silly, make us feel better
• Your inner child gets a chance to come out and play

How do I know?

How do I know that these kids’ craft kits are worth trying out? I know because it’s how I’ve tested a lot of crafts out.

I’m curious. I always want to know how to do the creative things I see other people doing. I’ve learned to crochet, knit, make silver wire bracelets, use an indian bead loom, and many other things. For most of those crafts, that one little taste was enough. But others, like the ones I just named, I’ve since invested more time and money in.

Give in to your curiosity and that inner child that says “wow” or “I wanna try that.” Take a slight detour on the path of your creative journey.

You may find a new skill that you’re good at.

At the very least, you’ll have some fun.

Honey-Garlic and Lime Marinade

A quick and simple marinade for your pork or chicken to add some sweet
and tangy flavor to your meal.

You’ll need
.25 cup fresh lime juice (normal or key lime)
1 tsp honey
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Combine ingredients into a gallon sized Ziploc bag, seal and shake well.
Open and add meat of choice, seal and shake again. Put into fridge and
let sit at least 6 hours or overnight.

Prepare meat by frying, baking or grilling.

“Keep your knives sharp, your marble board cold, your spice rack neatly
organized and your kitchen creative.”

Been a while since we’ve had one of these, but I was playing in the kitchen again and didn’t have absolutely everything on hand that I wanted, so substitutions were made and my partner liked it. And since it’s getting colder outside for some of us I present it to you…

Barley and Lentil Stew with Sausage

You’ll need

Hardware:
Dry Measuring Cups/Spoons
Wet measuring cup
Skillet
Cooking spoon
Crock-pot

Software:
1 lbs pork sausage
.5 cups barley
.25 cups lentils
1 bay leaf
1.5 tbs olive oil
1 medium onion (chopped)
10 crimini mushrooms (quartered – and any kind of mushroom will work)
2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
1.5 tsp marjoram
1.5 tsp oregano
2 or 3 beef bullion cubes
4 tbs dill
2 tbs soy sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste
Approximately 5 cups water

Plug in your crock pot and turn it onto the medium setting. Add 2 cups of water, the barley, lentils and bay leaf, cook for about 40 minutes, checking periodically.

Meanwhile, chop veggies and garlic and place to the side. Fry your sausage with the olive oil until it crumbles nicely, do not drain this.

When the timer for the barley and lentils goes off remove the bay leaf and stir, add in 3 cups of water and 2 to 3 beef bullion cubes. Stir and set timer for 10 minutes.

When the timer goes off add the sausage, veggies and garlic, stirring after each addition. Add spices and soy sauce and cover.

Wait approximately 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally, for the stew to simmer and flavors to blend and serve with warm biscuits and butter.

Keep your knives sharp, your marble board cold, your spice rack neatly organized and use your kitchen creatively.

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Access”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Here’s this week’s Say What?

“I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”

–Will Rogers

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Quote”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Pie”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Wine”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Beer”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?