Crafting to help animal shelter dogs & cats

Consider this :

"Animal rescue shelters must be built and furnished in a practical manner that allows for a sterile environment.  That means steel and cement in most cases.  Warmth and the comfort of something to snuggle into is invaluable to homeless animals like cats, dogs, and even birds.  Shelters usually accept old towels and blankets for animal cages and will also welcome crocheted, knit or sewn items.

Beginners and students especially enjoy these fast, easy patterns.  The best part about crafting for animals is the results don’t have to be perfect, fancy or color coordinated.  They make awesome scrap or recycling projects too

read on... to see what crafts u can do to help your local Animal Shelters like PAWS & SPCA.

http://allnaturalpetcare.com/blog/2011/11/05/free-pet-knit-crochet-and-sewing-patterns-for-pet-animal-shelter/
 
Before you begin:

• Crafting materials should be tough and easy to wash & dry, such as acrylic yarn.
• Use solid, tight stitches that will hold up to wear, rough handling and frequent washing.
• Avoid patterns with holes as they’re not as comfortable or warm,  and little paws can get tangled in them.
• Quilt batting and stuffing is usually discouraged as it can easily be ripped apart.  According to The Snuggles Project, layers of recycled scrap material is preferred when stuffing is required.

 Taken from
http://allnaturalpetcare.com/blog/2011/11/05/free-pet-knit-crochet-and-sewing-patterns-for-pet-animal-shelter/

The No Plastic Bag Bazaar on Merdeka Day

Let's celebrate a greener future this National Day in hope of a greener and more environmentally conscious humanity at Noble Banquet!

The Recyclists are back with the 2nd installment of the No Plastic Bag series of events!

The No Plastic Bag Bazaar
Organiser - The Recyclists
Date - Aug 31, 2009
Venue - Noble Banquet, No 235, Jalan Bukit Bintang
Beneficiaries- Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) & Furry Friends Farm (FFF)

Their aim and greatest hope is educate and promote a greener lifestyle while raising funds in support of projects by the Furry Friends Farm (FFF) and the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS).

The Light Show Exhibition & Make your own lamps workshop

I meant to put up this post earlier but pressing matters kept me occupied. And so I missed the official opening which i am sure was a blast! If you have the time, i would greatly recommend everyone & anyone (creative or creativity-challenged) to go for the DIY ........ workshop (details below).

Crafts are not for kids only.. Do explore your creativity (everyone is creative - except some think they are not becos at school their drawings do not resemble the real thing... hey haven't you heard of Picasso?). Who knows, you may end up with a workable, one-of-a kind, 'designer' table lamp to the envy of your friends!

I will also have to give the workshops a miss because of work commitments :((

However, do enjoy :

THE LIGHT SHOW 2009 - Light Sculpture Exhibition

Thu 16 Apr to Sun 3 May, 11am to 7pm

The Light Show 2009 presents an assortment of lights and light installations made from recycled/found objects to humour, cajole and inspire. Exhibitors include Bernard Chauly, Carolyn Lau, Fabian Tan, Farah Azizan, Jazmi Izwan Jamal, Lisa Foo, Loh Kok Man, Mah Su Sim, and Richard Lau.

Inspired and motivated by their respective interests and disciplines, the participants of TLS09 are bound by the commitment to be “greener” and kinder to our environment. And who says green can’t be beautiful? From PET bottles to milk cartons, plastic shopping bags to drinking straws, phased out incandescent light bulbs to old-skool cola bottles, these everyday materials have been rescued, re-used and re-imagined as light sculptures inspired by marine life-forms, whimsical one-off items, useful objects and many more.

THE LIGHT SHOW WORKSHOPS Learn how to make your own light installations! Both workshops will demonstrate methods used to work with specific materials. Participants will make one lampshade to take home.

Workshop 1 - Working with PET bottles: Sat 25 Apr, 2.30pm to 4pm

BYO (bring your own) tools & recycling materials = 10 large 1.5litre/15-20 small plastic drinks bottles, cutting blade, needles.

Workshop 2 - Fusing Plastic Bags: Sat 2 May, 2.30pm to 4pm

BYO (bring your own) tools and recycled materials = 15-20 assorted plastic shopping bags, an iron, cutting blade

Fees RM15 per workshop. Limited to 15 participants per workshop. Payment is required to secure a place!

http://www.annexegallery.com/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=details&id=76:THE%20LIGHT%20SHOW%202009&Itemid=28

or check out Facebook group TLS09 for more info.

Recycled cans - WIND TURBINE MOBILES

I was in Kota Bharu recently, to soak in the culture, food & people's way of life.

At first, when I saw this hanging in the houses & shops in Kota Bharu, I thought it was a lantern (since it was just 1 week after the Mooncake/Mid-Autumn Festival).

But I was corrected by my friend & guide - it actually is a wind (turbine) mobile made from recycled soft drink cans!

Because of the slanted slits in the can, it catches the wind and twirls. The Chinese community in KB love to hang this in their houses & some attach tassles at the base so that it looks like a lantern.

You can also amend the design & make it stand on the table.

I heard some enterprising people are selling it for RM0.80-RM1 a can.

A novel idea!

As I was passing a hardware shop just behind my hotel, I saw these lanterns and enquired whether its for sale. The man was very delighted that I appreciated his handy work and even offered to share his crafting knowledge :

Step 1: At the top, use a nail to puncture a hole through the top & bottom of the can

Step 2: Mark intervals of about 1/2 in around the tin can (both to & bottom) with your cutter. But the markings at the top should not align but a be little off-side. Make 7 or 9 intervals.

Step 3: Use a sharp cutter or craft scalpel to sharply trace/cut a line from the top to the bottom. Do a slight 'S' curve for a more intricate twist.

Step 4: Hold both ends of the can & gently squeeze/scrimp the can with your fingers, along the traced line. The can should break at places where you traced with the cutter.

Step 5: To neaten the break, use your cutter to gently cut to the end of the can (top & bottom).

Step 6: Insert the cutter's blade into a slit & twist the blade to pry open the slit into a slant. Do the same for the other slits.

Step 7: Squeeze both ends to make slightly flatten it and the slits will open out. Note how he holds the can (position of his fingers).

Turn it upside down and the the same (step 6) but in the opposite direction. Check that both slits are of equal distance & angle.

Step 8: Cut a length of thick wire. Draw the design of your frame on a card/book cover. Use this as a guide when you bend the wire using fingers & pliers. The design should be a 'C' shape. You can give it a more oriental look by adding some right-angle bends.

Step 9: To assemble the turbine, just insert the bottom part of the'C' wire into the bottom hole and the other through the top hole and turning your turbine!

More details & pictures once I receive my parcel from Pos Malaysia. Why? I sent the mobiles I bought by post back from KB.