Royal Pain – Home Ec for the Non-Martha: reuse

Mess and clutter? Utter disorganization? What's a crafty comfort queen to do?

This blog is to be the chronicle of my attempts to learn home economics. Creative, DIY home and life management with an indie, crafty, green flair. Responsible and personally expressive "mistressing" of all that stuff that falls into the "life" category.

Why?

I'm crafting my own version of domesticity based on the indie craft and DIY movements and teachers like the writers of BUST, Pagan Kennedy, and Ariel Gore (not your grandma's housekeeping). Being house-proud has always been a struggle, but it's time to get it together. As of this moment, I embrace my domestic side, heavy on the irony of course (not your grandma's housekeeping)...and vow to change my ways and channel my inner Pagan Kennedy (the Martha for non-Marthas).

Feedback is welcome. Tips are appreciated. And if you have an uncontrollable desire to come and be my maid, the big pink door is open.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

The Trash Heap Has Spoken - Woe, Woe, Woe

Do you remember the Trash Heap? The oracle, Marjory, who guided the Fraggles in their trials and tribulations? She knew what was up. Probably because she had a little bit of everything in her. I think I've been channeling the wise and soulful Trash Heap lately, because my natural inclination - without any major visible home ec improvements lately - has been toward curtailing the waste that my son and I generate.

In little ways, that I think about as I'm doing them, I am making small changes in the greening of my home life that I think will add up to a decent-sized impact when taken all together. Some of them may stem from my recent financial snafu, and a renewed consciousness about wasteful spending. So maybe that all happened for a reason. At the very least, I got something good out of an unpleasant event.

For instance...