2/25/10

Simple Pleasures

I spend a lot of time in my happy raw kitchen, but it isn't always making something to eat!

Most raw food meals are actually quite simple, like today's breakfast, a coconut. It was especially enjoyable because I had a beautiful glass straw to drink from.

Such a simple pleasure! A coconut has never tasted so good.

My sweet hubby gifted me with a couple of new books, and a set of Glass Dharma straws for Valentine's Day. It wasn't a surprise, I picked them out..lol!

You may have noticed the pretty little box in the picture above. That is the reason I was in the kitchen today, crafting!

I may want to start carrying one of my lovely new glass straws with me when we go out, to use in place of the disposable plastic ones, so I made a pretty covered box for it.

It is so easy to do.

If you would like to re-purpose any box, here is what you need:

A cardboard box, I used the box the glass straw came in:)
Fusible webbing or fabric glue
Fabric, or an old shirt with a pretty pattern, cotton is best for fusing.
Scissors
Hot glue gun
Iron and ironing board
small buttons or beads
needle and thread

Step 1: Carefully open the box at the seam. For this project, you can cut off the little fold-in tabs(marked with a "X"), because they are not needed. A couple of the following pictures were the first box I made, and they still have the little tabs:) Flatten out the box as much as possible.

Step 2: Cut a piece of fabric and fusible web twice the size of the opened box, and about 1 inch bigger, all around. For this box, the piece was approx 11 inches on all sides. This piece will be cut in half, as you will need one piece of fabric to cover the inside, and one for the outside.

Step 3: Following manufacturers directions, iron fusible web to the back of the fabric. You can use fabric glue to cover the box, if you prefer.

Step 4: Iron or glue fabric to the outside side of the opened box. Trim fabric to a little less than 1/2 an inch all around.


Step 5: Clip into fabric where it has to go into a corner, or around the tab.

Step 6: With the inside of the box up, iron the excess fabric down all around the edge of the box,

Step 7: Cut the remaining fabric slightly smaller than the inside of the box. Save the scraps for step 10. You don't need to cover the inside of the tabs for this project. Iron or glue this fabric to the inside of the opened box.



Step 8: Refold the box making a sharp crease along the lines of the original box shape. Apply hot glue, or other strong glue to the inside edge of the box, and hold for a minute. See which end looks nicest for the top, and glue the other end closed.

Step 9: Add a little button or bead to the top of the open end so you know which end to open:) I sewed it on with strong upholstery thread.

Step 10: Iron on a small piece of saved fabric to the inside of the tab to cover stitches.

That's it! All done:)

I have been using my new straws all week, and I must say...

Glass Dharma straws are so beautiful, I just love them.


I hope you didn't mind my little green craft project today. If you have been reading this blog for a while, you know I absolutely love making craft projects, it's one of my simple pleasures. And of course, my favorite projects are ones that recycle things that might normally be discarded.

I must have made hundreds of recycled projects over the 12 years when I had my daycare. One reason was because I needed to find frugal, aka cheap:) ways to make projects with the little ones.

We made so many recycled projects that one day, one of my little angels arrived with an armful of...ummm...garbage, yelling "Look what my Mom almost threw away!!!" He actually took the stuff out of his garbage pail. Too cute:) Of course we made something out of it, I just don't remember what...haha!

I remembered that story today while making my little fabric covered boxes.

Thanks for visiting my crafty raw kitchen today:)

I would love to know what your simple pleasures are!

BTW, if you want a chance to win an awesome 25 Piece Cutlery and Gadget Pro Set with Wood Block for your kitchen, click this link to visit my girl Pam's blog!

36 comments:

Cathy said...

That is so sweet that your kids recycles and reuses! Those boxes are just too cute :)

Julie Lynn said...

I love the covered boxes. Just went to make sure I still have the boxes from our glass straws...and we do! Guess what I'm gonna make? ;-)

Anonymous said...

Wow! Genious!☺

bitt said...

You are so clever. I love my glass straws. I shoved two types of forks together in the cutlery drawer so they'd have their own section. A box is a good idea so they stay protected. And a good gift-giving idea! Some non-raw people I know are intrigued by the straws so now I know how to jazz them up even more. ;-)

Pam said...

Sweetie...you put a BIG smile on my face when I got to the end of your post...thank you dearest one!

I love your simple pleasure's and such a nice photo.

What books did ya get?...mmmm!..he he!

xoxo

evergreen said...

Thanks, Cathy:) We had hours of fun making something out of nothing...lol!

Julie~Yay! Let me know if you need any more help with them:)

TY so much, HippieMom:)

~bitt....I was almost thinking about giving one of mine to someone...almost!!! I'll have to buy more because I don't want to part with them!

Hi Pam! You are so sweet:)

The books I got are Raw Energy and The Art of Raw Living Food. Can't wait to use them!

N said...

The boxes are so pretty! I haven't gotten Dharma straws yet. Sigh. They are sure on my wish list!

My simple pleasures include reading and hiking!

Pam said...

The Raw Energy book I would love to see! Can't wait to see what you make from there!

xoxo

kelli said...

adorable! what a clever idea, and i love the fabrics you used.

wow, you had a daycare for 12 years? i worked in a daycare a few years while going to school to become a teacher. then i taught first grade for three years. now i tutor a few youngins and babysit two toddlers. seems we have more in common than raw food!=)

evergreen said...

Thanks so much,N! I hope you are able to cross them off your wish list soon. I love your simple pleasures!

Pam, I was just reading a review of the book here:

http://vegancookbookcritic.blogspot.com/2010/02/11-days-recipes-for-raw-energy.html

One of Lisa's previous posts has a couple of recipes from it, too:)

Hi kelli! So nice to share another common interest with you:) I just love to see the world through a child's eyes!

Pure2Raw Twins said...

Ok seriously those are the cutest little boxes! I would love to take my glass straws around in those! So creative.

Nikki said...

I love crafts! Your straw boxes are so pretty. What a great idea. Obviously your creative talents aren't secluded to the kitchen :)

Julia said...

I love these boxes! I have some os their straws too and have held onto the boxes, I like this idea much more then buying cases for them.

HiHoRosie said...

Well, how cute are you! So clever and creative! Talk about recycling/reusing! And that coconut...oh how heavenly and refreshing. Nice way to start the day.

Colleen said...

Those are soooo cute!!!!

evergreen said...

I am so happy you all like this idea, thanks so much for the support!

I wanted to let you all know I need to return to my family in Florida tomorrow, for an undetermined amount of time. I will not have any computer access, and look forward to catching up with everyone when I get back.

{{{HUGS EVERYONE}}}
Angela:)

shannonmarie said...

I've been wanting to get my hands on some of those straws. I like your box idea. Very creative!

La Mama Naturale' said...

Hi Angela!
Have a great time!!! I LOVE this. You are too cool. I still have my boxes also and just planned to use them as is but what a wonderful way to jazz this up! I'm planning to do a write on my straws soon- I may just link to this! TTYS.:)

Melissa said...

Just beautiful Evergreen! What a great way to safely (and beautifully!!) carry around your glass straws. I don't mind one bit that you posted about crafting. I need guidance with crafts and so thanks for posting:)

Pam said...

Angela....missing you girl....hope all is okay in Fla.

xoxo

Isle Dance said...

YOU make this ((world)) a beautiful place. Yes, you DO!

Colleen Miller said...

Hi Evergreen,
Just wanted to see how you were doing. I check your blog everyday and am missing your wonderful posts. Hope all is okay!
:-)

Melissa said...

Hi Evergreen! I hope that your family is safe and healthy:) Miss your posts greatly!

kelli said...

miss you!=)

Vegan Valerie said...

What a beautiful idea! Genius! It's so nice to have found your blog! Take care, Evergreen! :)

Pam said...

Angela, when you get back come by and see me please I have a surprise for you!

xoxo

Jim said...

Wow, you are very creative! Keep up the great blog, and enjoy each day!

James Reno
Raw-Food-Repair.com

Debra said...

what a great idea!
Debra @ Vegan Family Style
PS There is a giveaway on my blog- ends in a few days.. check it out!

Isle Dance said...

MISS you!!!

bitt said...

I just looked and saw you were away. Just letting you know my thoughts are with you and you are missed. Glad you are taking the time to do what you need to do.

Anonymous said...

Hi There - hope you're doing well :-)

Nihacc said...

Beautiful straws (and boxes too, of course)! I add them to my wishlist. I love your blog!! It's so inspiring... thanks!

Colleen Miller said...

Missing you greatly!!! Hope all is well. Hugs!

Veronica (lifewithnature) said...

Those cute boxes are such an excellent idea! I might steal it to make some reusable gift boxes. Thanks for your creativity.

Chitchat said...

Hi, my name is Chit Chat , I am 11 years old and I LOVE your straw covers! (straws too of course.) That took a lot of endurance to make I bet!

evergreen said...

Thanks everyone for all your wonderful comments, and letting me know I was missed. I appreciate all of you!

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