Two bits of Inwood news

Two unrelated bits of news I noticed recently:

1. While we were all anxiously awaiting the re-opening of the dollar store on 207th Street (which suffered a fire a few months back) another equally-sized dollar store opened up on Broadway and Academy. I have not been in this new store (which is dubbed the "99 cents more or less store") nor have I been in the newly reopened one on 207 so I don't know how they compare.

2. I walked past Keenan's last night and saw 2 signs of interest. One said "Closed for Renovations" and the other said the property had been seized for the sale of "controlled/illegal substances". Anyone know what's going on over there?

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Before you shop...

I was going to just repost my sister's blog post to Facebook with some comments but I realized I have more to say on the subject now that we are entering the season of "Gift-mas".

My comment along with the shared post was going to be this "If you must buy a tangible good, please buy used or handmade. If you must buy something new, please buy American."

But really? Do you *need* to buy something tangible at all? Yes, as humans we are programmed to seek novelty and therefore we get joy from a new item. But please think before you shop. Do you really need to buy that item? If you do please think about the following things before you plunk down your debit card:

• Can I find this item used?  Buying used items keeps them from the landfills.  It keeps down a bit of manufacturing waste.  It generally means less/no packaging.  You can usually find something more durable in a used goods shop.  You can sometimes find something more unique.
  
• Can I find this item made from natural/reused/recycled/recyclable materials?  Think about the full life cycle of the item.  Is it able to be repaired if it breaks?  If not, can it be composted?  Or reused?  Will it end up in the landfill? 
  
• Can I find this item with less/no/natural/reused/recycled/recyclable packaging?  Packaging is basically trash you pay for.  If you can buy your item with no packaging, that's best.  If it has packaging, look for items with less.  Look for items packaged in reused materials.  Or natural materials.  Materials that can be reused or composted.  As a last resort, accept items in recyclable packaging.  Try to avoid items packaged in materials that will go straight to the landfills.
  
• Can I buy this item directly from someone who makes it?  Buying directly from the craftsperson allows you to ask questions--not only about how the craftsperson gets his/her inspiration, but also about the materials used.  It also allows you to make special requests: several friends I know have asked Etsy sellers to not use any plastic to package heir purchases.
  
• Can I buy this item locally?  Local is always better.  Not only do you save on transportation costs and generally have less pacakaging, you pay into your local economy.  If you neighbor makes the item, that's perfect!  But if not, look for items made in your town, county or state.  At the very least, try to buy items that are made in your country.  Some folks complain that an item made in America costs more than the same one made in China.  Think about this:  Is it worth a few more pennies to keep jobs in America?  To have items made to higher manufacturing standards?  To lessen the environmental impact of transporting the goods?  I'd rather be healthy, have a healthier planet and have a job in the long run than save a few pennies today.

 Two small end notes:

1. Everything in my Etsy shop has been reduced by at least 50%.  I gotta pay some bills so please go shop there!
2. For anyone who still thinks it's okay to shop at Walmart on occasion,please read The Walmart Effect.  It's an insightful book which will show you how Walmart not only controls pricing in its stores but how it also affects pricing and manufacturing globally.
   

Clothing/Stuff Exchange in Inwood this weekend!

Semiannual Community Clothing, Etc. Exchange.

This is a GREAT opportunity to donate your unwanted stuff and collect some
"gently-used" items.

November 13: Drop off your items from 6-9pm
November 14: Collect from 9am-3pm

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
1815 Riverside Drive at Payson Avenue
1.5 blocks west of Dyckman/200th & Broadway in Inwood

All uncollected items will be donated to the local Goodwill.

Battery Recycling News

Just learned this from the OROE newsletter:

Alkaline Battery Recycling Suspended at Whole Foods
Due to tightened regulations from the US Department of Transportation, Whole Foods markets in NYC have suspended their battery collections. All 6 stores continue to collect #5 plastics, plastic bags, cell phones and redeemable beverage containers.

>About Battery Recycling in NYC
Single use batteries are permissible in household trash (do not place them in your recycling bin or bag), though some local collection programs exist so ask around the neighborhood at hardware stores and eco-conscious establishments. For example, customers at 3R Living in Brooklyn can recycle batteries for $1/lb. A number of fee-based mail-in boxes can also be found with a quick search online.

Rechargeable batteries (including the batteries found in cordless item like drills) are prohibited from NYC residential waste and must be recycled. Up to ten rechargeable batteries at a time can be dropped off for recycling free of charge at stores selling similar batteries or products containing rechargeable batteries, with the exception of small food stores. Large apartment buildings might consider signing up for an in-building program with the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation.

NYC residents may bring batteries of all kinds to the Department of Sanitation’s Special Waste Drop-Off sites. For locations and hours click here.

Sewing update

Last weekend I spent at Sherry's house (well actually at both of her houses since we split our time!) having a fun girl's weekend and sewing. Friday we drove out to the Pocono house. On the way we stopped at a HUGE thrift store in Trenton (Red White and Blue). I had no luck finding long-sleeved shirts that I liked (I seem to have donated or ragged all of the ones from last season) but I did get a cut angora cardigan for $5 and a great leather fall coat for $20.

I was determined to re-baste Danielle's quilt this weekend. Originally I had sent it out to be basted on a long-arm machine but I didn't realize until it was months after I got it back that there was a big wrinkle in the back. I also did not like the way the quilt was centered on the backing. Since this quilt is a queen, Sherry suggested I wait until we get back to her NJ house to do it in her family room (which has a big floor space). I worked on mice in the Poconos instead (which was my other planned task since I am woefully behind in mouse-making! Anyone else out there want to sew mice on a regular basis for NYC Rescued Kitties?)

When we got back to Sherry's house I realized I was afraid I might scratch up Sherry's floor with the basting so I decided to do it in the living room instead (which has carpet). Unfortunately, I was sloppy and the basting job was terrible. When I got home I took out all the pins, pushed my furniture up against the walls and rebasted it. Third time was the charm though. While I had the furniture pushed out, I also based the Alice quilt that I made on the last quiltaway. Bother of these are now ready for quilting (once I decide on patterns and thread). I'm taking a mini break from quilting to get some mice done for Karen.

Next up on my project list is to make he new coverlet for my bed. I have some beautiful Liberty of London vintage fabric I want to use. Rather than making a quilt, I decided to just use it to make a new cover for my down comforter. It will be fairly simple and easy to do but I need to decide on some dimensions and buy fabric for it.

warm house

My friend Holly does some freakin' amazing stitch work. You might remember the Christmas stocking she made for her in-laws a few years ago. The other night Holly and I went out and she gave me this fantastic house-warming present:


I'm am so amazed at the detail in these. How is it possible to get such shading out of thread??? They are too pretty to cover up with glasses so I have them propped up on my bookcase right now. Thanks Holly!!

ShaNickers!

The wall decal I ordered came in a week or so ago and I finally got it on the wall this weekend. I'm really pleased with how it looks and it was so easy to apply. You can check out the ShaNickers store on Etsy here.

The window sticker before the birds.

Using the squeegee to affix a bird sticker to the wall.

Peeling off the plastic

Finished window with birds.
(She actually sent me 9 birds but one of them looked like the Romulan Death Ship so I left it out of the mix.)

Happy Cat looks at the birds!

*Side note: Yes, I realize that there was a lot of plastic waste involved in this decorative item. I won't try to make up an excuse for it. I was very un-green in this.