Open

Meet twogreenchickens.etsy.com. Tracy and I are finally doing something useful with our *enthusiasm* for thrifting and hunting for vintage treasures and opening a little shop on etsy. We hope to add a few things regularly and eventually add goods made out of vintage supplies. We hope you will have a meander around and let us know what you think.

Sukie Stationery

I've noticed these really great Rescued Paper Note Books in a couple of stores around Los Angeles - The Reform School and Firefly. Made from discarded paper, you can write on the reverse of the printed pages.



They are made by British husband and wife team Sukie. You can read an interview with them over on Fred Flare.

Green Giving :: For the Kids

Looking to reduce the impact of the holidays on our wallets - and on our planet - we are making a concerted effort this year to rethink our gift giving strategy. With the kids, we have not completely outlawed the idea of buying something off their wish lists, but are also looking at alternatives. Handmade, secondhand, local and experiential gifts will all be found under the tree (and in the stockings) this year.

My eldest daughter is a passionate writer - documenting our every move in her self-defined "Realistic Fiction" style. ("I know it didn't happen that way Mom, but it could have!") For her, I found a manual typewriter on ebay - under $30 with shipping! Not too shabby. And cute to boot. (It even types in - gasp! - cursive!)



I have included a new ribbon, and a stack of blank 100% recycled paper. As her story sharing has spread to numerous letters to her Grammee and her friend on the other side of the city, I also plan to include some unbleached recycled envelopes and a packet of (much coveted) stamps.

Green Giving :: For the Kids

cross-posted at sewgreen

December has arrived, and Advent has begun in our house. The countdown to Christmas is a tradition brought from my own childhood where we would be rewarded daily with a new picture to discover behind the flap of a paper Advent calendar. In an effort to minimize "stuff" - and inspired by Stephanie - we made a move to a homemade "experiential" calendar a couple of years back, where every night would bring us a new activity. Build a Fort. Take a Walk to look at the neighborhood lights. Have breakfast for dinner. Write letters to Santa. Lie in the backyard and look at the stars. We tucked these ideas, written down on paper, into numbered miniature stockings I made out of felt and hung by the chimney with care.

There are many great ideas for handmade advent calendars to be found. A few from flickr:

1. first, 2. advent calendar, 3. Baby sock advent calendar..., 4. Advent garland, 5. Advent calendar for the boy, 6. advento, 7. advento, 8. stockings 1234, 9. Advent calendar, 10. advent calendar, 11. stockings_1234, 12. advent calendar


and more at the Creative Advent Calendars group.


And this great pattern over at the Purl Bee.





Another source of holiday inspiration, the New American Dream website is chalk-full of ideas. I find myself rereading many of the articles this time of year. A good start here.

Stubby Pencil Studio

I discovered Stubby Pencil Studio through Soule Mama and Angry Chicken. At last, a eco art supplies resource! I ordered a bunch of stuff for holiday presents and I couldn't be happier.

The Ecologic Colored Pencils in the wooden box are really beautiful, and the
Clipper Junior Tri Pencils just look fantastic.

Hand it Down

Launch of a new website:
www.handmedowns.com

A place to buy, sell, give or donate gently-used children's clothing, gear, and more...

via dailycandy kids

Plan Toys

Plan Toys, if what they say on their website is any indication, is greener than your average toy company. They use organic rubberwood, from rubber trees which no longer produce latex, non-formaldehyde glue, non-toxic water-based dyes, recycled and recyclable materials, and soy and water-based inks on their printed materials. But best of all they have some great-looking and fun toys.



WoodPecker Walker



City Station



Stacking Tree



Animal Domino

You can find a list of where to buy online on their website.

Bicylce Built for 2 (or 3)

We are lucky that our situation allows us to be a one car family. My husband rides his bicycle / public transit to work daily, and after we walk the "big sister" to school, I try to use my bike, with the "little sister". She is growing though - and the trailer seems a bit too small these days.

So looking into a "longbike: for carrying the kids - and cargo.

These bicycles are becoming increasingly popular - and in turn more choices are becoming availalbe. Yesterday's Los Angeles Times weighed out some pros and cons. (You can find the article here.)

What I am looking at:

$1199 Xtracycle Radish


$895 KONA Ute longtail


$900 Yuba Mundo Cargo bicycle

Commuting by bicycle? Lots of info at 1 World 2 Wheels.

All the Way to the Ocean

find it here

If you are in Los Angeles, Joel Harper will be reading his book on Saturday, October 11 at Green and Greener in Valley Village. Details here.

Another Dish Set

I'm seriously in love with the Heath Ceramics Kid's Dinnerware Set Tracy posted about. And so excited Heath Ceramics is opening a shop in Los Angeles.

Here's another Kid's dinner set that is no where near as gorgeous but won't brake the bank in quite the same way.

3-Piece Stainless Steel Children's Dish Set



$21.95 at LifeWithoutPlastic.com

Heath(en)

I love Heath ceramics. Am absolutely smitten with their new kids line.


$135 at the Heath website

And oh so happy that they are opening up a shop in L.A. (Alongside another of my favourite potters, Adam Silverman.) Swoon!

Drink it up

Love this campaign. "tap - ask for it by name"

You can purchase the bottles or one of their very clever recycling kits here.

via inhabitat

Moop Kids!

I love my Moop Market Bag - so was obviously excited when they introduced their kids! line.


organic cotton bookbag $86 at moopshop.com

If you like, they will even personalize it with your child's name!

Baby Bean Vintage Daywear

I stumbled upon Baby Bean Vintage Daywear at a neighborhood childrens store a few weeks ago and I have to tell you I'm completely smitten. Started by Christine Visneau in 2004, each collection is "crafted from and inspired by" vintage fabrics and handmade by Christine and a few stay at home moms in Dallas, Texas.



Most of all I love the simpleness of the silhouettes combined with the fun of the vintage fabrics.

Take Your Lunch to Work (Day)

I have a fantasy that someday I will take lunch to work, not only to save money but to eat more healthfully. To encourage myself and inspired by all this talk of waste-free school lunches, I took a look at what Etsy had to offer in the way of lunch transportation devices.



Fabric Lunch Bag by Sandra Kay



Japanese style lunch bag and container - sausage dogs by Grey Goat

And just for fun...



Apple Jacket - Hand Knit Green Multi by jacquelineknits ltd.

Can of worms.

I am treating myself to a series of classes this fall / winter with John Lyons of The Woven Garden. Classes are once a month at Green and Greener in Valley Village. Final class is gardening with children. You can take the series as a whole, or individual classes. (More info on Green and Greener classes here.)

First class on composting and vermicomposting was amazing!

Now I want this for my birthday.


worm composter of 100% recycled materials, made in Southern California
$120 through Green and Greener



FYI: John also teaches at Descanso Gardens.

Did you know

you can sign up to NOT receive a telephone book each year?

Do it at www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org

Save a tree.

Remember, Remember

Here is a beautiful solution for capturing all the classic things your kids say before you forget them: remembrance notes in a jar, from inchmark. Just love it.

via Ohdeedoh

Back2School

Not wanting to wish away summer - but also realizing September is coming fast - I thought I would post some back to school inspired ideas over the next few weeks.

{Hey Sam - counting down the days 'til Kindergarten? ;) }

I originally spotted this reuseable sandwich mat, over at The Small Object.





they are so good - the reminder from the New American Dream's enewsletter was welcome. Full instructions can be found here. Must add these to the end of summer to-do list.

More info on waste-free lunches courtesy of the New American Dream website (I love this site!) can be found here.

Organic Fabric on True Up

Have you discovered the all fabric all the time blog True Up yet? It's fabulous and Kim has recently been posting about organic fabrics, here is a taster...



Amenity Home
Oliveira Textiles
Rubie Green
Mod Green Pod
Harmony Art

Two Green Chickens Google Map

View Larger Map

In the latest Craft Magazine (Volume 08) there is a piece by Diane Gilleland about how to make your own Google map. She put together a map of Crafty Portland. How useful is that? So I immediately went to work on a map of all the local places and businesses we mention here on Two Green Chickens. When I say "all" looks like there are only four at the moment but we will start to add as we go. Up next - where Tracy bought her chickens...

If anyone knows of a Seattle Crafty or Greeny Google Map let me know - I'm heading up there in a few weeks.

Practice Makes Perfect

I am so in love with this print by the amazing Lisa Congdon. (You can find it in her etsy shop here.) I have ordered it and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. I know just where it will go - next to the front door. A gentle daily reminder.

I purchased this book last year, after reading about it over at Soulemama.


A thoughtful and inspiring read. $12.21 at amazon.com

Add your voice

www.wecansolveit.org

Join in for a climate solution.

less

"We yearn to simplify our lives and yet feel the need to accumulate more. Our children learn by example how much is too much or never quite enough."
-- Anita Kaushal

from:



$29.70 here
{or find it at your library}

Green and Greener

Our friends Alegre and Sean have realized their dream of a brick and mortar location. Come join in the fun!



Green and Greener Grand Opening
June 10, 2008 10:00am - 6:00pm
Eco-living general store and design center, Green and Greener opens its first physical retail location at 4838 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Valley Village 91607. There will be a grand opening eco-living inspired art show (until July 10th), free gift with every purchase on the 10th and an on-going 10% off discount if you don't drive to the store. Bike rack located in front of the store and public transportation map available here. Regular hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-6pm.

Baby2Baby

I love it when a plan comes together, especially when it involves friends and doing something positive for your community. Started by three friends with too much stuff, Baby2Bady recycles new and gently used baby goods and distributes them to families living in poverty in Los Angeles.

You can learn more about them from their website. Why not get your friends together and have a donation party?

If you live in the New York area Baby Buggy does similar work.

Natural Pod

We are always on the look out for online stores that stock more eco-friendly products, so we were happy to read about Natural Pod over on Ohdeedoh. It has a great selection of natural toys and items to encourage imaginative play, a number of which we haven't seen anywhere else.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Poot & Boogie Dolls



I couldn't resist buying one.

Yesteryear Clothespins Set



Paint Jar Holder

On the move...

I am in the process of moving my office from here. to here. Working from home will have many perks - best of all, the end to my daily commute. Instead of a 30 - 45 minute drive each way, I will now have a leisurely 10 foot walk out my back door.



So as the days toward completion of my new office space draw near, I began to look for movers to help me lug bookshelves and flatfiles to their new home. A quick look in our local Yellow Pages put me to Mean Green Trucking and Transport. Their trucks run on biofuels, their NY warehouse is solar powered, and they plant a tree for every move they make.

They do appear perhaps to be a little pricey - I am still waiting for a comparative quote from a "traditional" mover. Will let you know what happens.

(cross-posted at Sew Green)

P is for Personalization

Ever since the birth of my daughter a few months ago, that's her above, I've had a mysterious urge to personalize all her gear. Think Laverne & Shirley and the “L” on Laverne's sweaters. This sent me to Etsy in search of custom cuteness and look what I found.



Custom Name Stamp from Craft Pudding.



Personalized Hair Clip from Details Inc.



Personalized Flat Note Cards from Sarah + Abraham.

Eden’s Green Closet

This weekend we dropped by the grand opening of Eden’s Green Closet on Abbot Kinney in Venice, CA. The brainchild of Emily Blakeney, this children's eco store specializes in recycled children's clothing and new organic children's fashion and products. Think of it as a Buffalo Exchange for kids.



If you are a thriftier, like we are, it's fantastic! All the work has been done for you. Emily handpicks every item in the store. Her criteria? “Would I put it on my daughter?” We had a great time going through the racks of cute duds and you can be sure we will be back, not only to buy more, but to resell some of our own kid’s outgrown clothes.



Emily from Eden's Green Closet. Go sell her your kid's (nicely) used clothes.

Sow what?

This third installment in Tina Davis’s series of children’s book (following “Cook and Look” and “See and Sew”), “Sow and Grow: A Gardening Book for Children” captures exciting activities to take on with you little green thumb throughout the year: from sprouting Spring flowers in eggshells, to pressing Autumn leaves. And aside from the whimsical vintage-inspired illustrations, it provides age-appropriate lessons in simple plant biology. You can find it here.

More Poems for Mother

Hope is the Thing with Feathers

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

Emily Dickinson

Sock it to me....

I have great aspirations of learning to knit socks. In the meantime, I am smitten with these I picked up at Muji in NY. They are made of recycled cotton (waste cotton, that is respun, but not sorted, resulting in lovely patterns) and are super comfy.

There were also sweet stuffed toys made with the same.


$21 at the MOMA store

All Fabric, All the Time

If I had to write a list of my favorite things I think vintage fabric would be at the top, closely followed by coffee and donuts...yum, donuts...but I digress. I like the idea of making use of something discarded or used rather than buying new and I love all those retro prints.

I have challenged myself to use vintage or organic fabrics for all my sewing projects so I'm feverishly on the lookout for new sources. So you can imagine my delight when I came across True Up, a new blog completely devoted to fabric written by Kim Kight, of Dioramarama fame. Best of all, Kim is a huge lover of vintage fabric and thanks to her I’ve already found a couple of alternatives to Ebay and Etsy.



These two fabrics are from Antiquefabric.com. After I bought the Lions and Zebras Seersucker, Kim featured it as a Daily Swatch – one of my favorite parts of the blog. But even more fun is the Buck Rogers Flannel I picked up. It’s hard to find prints for boys in vintage fabric and this one is truly fabulous!