Sew for a Change - wrapping up the year!

One year has past and what a year it's been!! Mindful shopping, a lot of sewing, and many new learnings on how to lead a greener life and I am so glad I did it! Some things have been very challenging and others came easier, but I think a lot of the things I've tried will stick with me for good.

Should I start by sharing my final score? You know we started out with 75 points for the year and then there were more points to earn if a challenge was completed successfully. I didn't pass them all, but I gave all of them a go. After a splurge (synthetic pantyhose are a killer!) at the end of the year I ended up on 13 points - woohoooo, I made it!

The best part of this whole experience was that I have challenged myself to sewing a lot more, and more advance things (such as jackets, coats and bras). Another cool thing has been the impact on the whole family, who I found to be equally into it all as I have been. I have also re-discovered many second hand/vintage clothing stores where I've scored very nice things. I will definitely continue to search for things in the second hand market more often than I did before. I have also learned that I don't need a lot of things at all (I kind of already knew, but it has been nice to be able to test myself on that), and may I just say that this has been a year when I have

1. dropped several dress sizes since being pregnant
2. started a new job with a fancy dress code

- and STILL I have managed just fine!! Actually kind of proud that I have dared to wear my home sewn things to work and also that I dared to remake/resize a lot of clothing by myself.

In 2015 I will not be tracking any points, but I'll continue to make conscious decisions for sure. My guess is that I would consume about the same amount of points for the next year too. I can live with that.

I have really enjoyed all the inspiring comments and sharing of experiences, both on the blog and in the Facebook group. I'll treasure this experience for a long time. I wish all of you a wonderful new year and thank you so much for hanging out here with me!

xoxoxox
Alexandra

Star Challenge #10 - The DIY month!!

Welcome to the very last star challenge of the Sew for a Change year!! We hope this last one will be a real fun challenge that will inspire many of you to develop your crafty side and be earth friendly in one go. How good does that sound?

This month's challenge is to increase our awareness about the things we buy, and how much the effort is really worth when someone else has made something for us. We will learn to show craftsmanship the love and respect it truly deserves. 
This month we will be Doing It Ourselves!!

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Complete the following:

1. Avoid buying as much as possible that you can make yourself. Dare to challenge yourself!

2. Learn a new skill, or at least give some unexplored crafty domain a proper go!

3. If you are into christmas gifts in your household, then make sure at least one of your gifts is homemade (such as sewn or knitted). Extra round of applauses if it is also made from upcycled material. 

For those of you who hang out in our Facebook group, please share your DIY ideas!

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Star Challeng #9 - The HYGIENE month!

Isn't it funny how we try to eat organic food, lower our carbon footprint in all kinds of ways and be good people in general - but we don't hesitate for a second to smear poisonous goo all over our bodies many times a day, and then at the end of the day, shower it all (well, what is not absorbed by our bodies) right out in the ocean. Not so clever, is it?!

This month may scare you, because there is a long list of things to deal with. Do your best, anything is better than nothing!

This month's challenge is to make hygiene a friendlier task to both nature and ourselves.

*
Complete the following:

1. Toothpaste: Select one that do not contain triclosan or parabenes. Also, if you need to replace toothbrushes, choose wooden ones if you can.

2. Schampoo and Conditioner: select brands that does not contain parabenes, silicones or PEGs. Or if you dare - go 'no poo'!! (That's what I do!!)

3. Skin care: select products free from mineral oils and PEGs. For many people a regular vegetable oil is doing the job beautifully.

4. Anti Lice: Fall often means lice if you are a family with kids in the primary school age. Drench the hair in olive oil and put on a shower cap for a few hours and they will choke to death.

5. Make-up: Try to limit your use of make-up and only buy replacements when you run out (don't buy new products). Select organic where you can. Use vegetable oil on a cotton pad for make-up removal.

6. Soap: Choose hard soap instead of liquid soap. Aleppo or African Black Soap are both fantastic, non-drying soaps that can be used for the entire body including hair and face. They can also be used for shaving (for men also).

7. Try to avoid nail varnish completely this month.

8. Try to avoid perfume completely, this month (perfume very often equals ftalates).

9. Kids: Try to avoid using "products" on kids altogether. They are more sensitive to chemicals than we are.

10. Deodorant: choose versions without Aluminum and Alcohol.

11. Feminine products: choose reusable cloth pads instead of disposables or choose a menstrual cup instead of tampons, if you can.

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 33 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!

Sew for a Change - September Results

This month's challenge was to raise awareness to what we surround ourselves with in our homes and try to change as much as possible for the better.

In this area it was tricky since we had already come a very long way here. There is virtually no bad stuff left (patting myself on the back) but I still went for a big detective hunt and the only thing I needed to change was the cling film department. I recently blogged about making my own Bee's Wraps and now, a couple of days later, I am even more in love with them. They ROCK!! I think I have earned the 10 points despite not having changed a lot. Why should I be punished for already being good, right?

The spending was not too bad either. I love striped simple tops and the ones I have are pretty much worn out so I decided to treat myself to 2 yards of striped fabric for new tops. The only bad thing was that I didn't find anything organic. But still, this was the first month in a long time where I actually come out on the plus - yay!!!

Now - only 2 more star challenges left of this whole year!! Hang in there, people, we are almost there!

The coolest thing EVER - Bee's Wraps!!!

As this month's challenge is about detoxing my home, and I have done almost all I can think of before - I have been searching long and hard to improve the situation even further. One thing I couldn't get my head around was how to get rid of cling film. Although I try to use glass containers for most things, sometimes the convenience of that plastic is just too great.

But, stubborn to find a solution for this, I have indeed been googling my behind off and I came across the absolutely GENIUS Bee's Wraps!! They are simply cotton sheets covered with bee's wax and jojoba oil and the heat from your hands will allow them to form around any item you wish to wrap. And present a perfect food preserving environment! And are reusable again and again and again!

The not so genius thing was the price. Dead expensive if you ask me. There must be a way of making them myself! Again, google was my friend and I found other people that had already come to the same conclusion and found away of making their own!

So, to the works!!!

1) I cut some leftover cotton sheets that had been washed many times. I did a range of sizes since I want to have options :)

2) I put organic bee's wax granulate (that I happened to have around from making facial creams) on top of it and then shoved it in the oven on low temperature until it melted and the cotton had soaked up all the wax.

Out and let dry - it literally takes less than a minute - and they are ready to use. And they cost me close to nothing. THAT, I say, is genius!!!

I just love when things are both clever AND pretty. That brings me sick amount of satisfaction.

Star challenge #8 - The HOME DETOX month!

This month we will focus our energy towards the environment of our homes and making it a less toxic one in which to sew ;) More and more research prove chemical substances to be the most likely armageddon of mankind. And this worries me. The human species has already severe problems in the reproduction department and to be honest, we can be as much eco friendly as we like, but if we aren't able to reproduce in a couple of generations it is game over anyway. We need to protect or children in particular! They are exposed to multiple times more chemical substances every day than we were, growing up in the 70s (smoking mothers during pregnancy included). Of all the challenges so far, this is my personal favourite.

This month's challenge is to raise awareness to what we surround ourselves with in our homes and try to change as much as possible for the better.

*
Your 3 improvement areas of the month:

Plastic is not fantastic 

Learn what the different plastic numbers 1-7 mean and go through your home and find+replace the worst ones. Eg plastic shower curtains, food containers, kids toys (throw away all plastic toys made before 2007 and all plastic toys made outside EU), vinyl prints on clothes etc.  

Avoid poisoning your food 

Make a kitchen inventory and replace teflon/non-stick coated pots, pans and trays. Replace cooking utensils out of plastic with wood or metal. Especially if they are made of black plastic or melamine. The old ones can be used for something else than cooking. Plant flowers in them, dig in the garden or whatever - but avoid mixing plastic+heat+food. Try to avoid using plastic bags for food storage; cotton bags, glas jars or bread bins go a long way. Avoid buying food in metal tins (they have a plastic coating with BPA on the inside). Maybe even try to avoid getting your fruit and vege in plastic bags? Buy reusable fabric "produce bags" or sew your own.

Sit nicely 

If you are buying new furniture, be a difficult customer and demand information regarding flame retardants (shall be avoided at any cost!). They are impossible to break down and they are everywhere in the environment now, in the fish in the deep sea and in newborn babies to name a few. Be suspicious of most soft furniture, even mattresses. This is actually an area where buying second hand/vintage is not always best. Many of the really scary flame retardants from back in the day are now banned. 

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 40 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!!

Sew for a change - August results

This month's challenge was to make 3 improvements to the way you handle recycling!

The three things I decided to do:

1. Talking with the kids about recycling and up-cycling and helping them make stuff out of worn out clothes:

My ten year old needed shorts - a pair of unfitting jeans were cropped to make these:

Then my 7 year old wanted to make a pencil case of the left overs from the jeans and a recycled zipper.

My ten year old were then feeling creative and made this tunic by combining things from a worn out bra, a worn out top and a scarf with holes in it, this is all her own design and doing!!!

She also made a stuffed animal (a dog) out of a worn out hoodie that she really loved and wouldn't give up for recycling.



2. Making it easier to recycle in other rooms; in particular the sewing room. Before the challenge all kinds of bits and pieces went in the same bin, making recycling hard work (nearly impossible at the end of the day. Now I have 2 bins - one for pure textile bits (to be handed in for recycling) and another one with the stuff that needs to go in the trash (such as broken needles, tape, vlieseline etc).

Ok, this pic is a bit messy but the pile of white stuff on the right side of the plastic bag is what would have kept all of the fabric scraps in the bag from being recycled. Oh my, what a waste! Really glad to have made this improvement.

3. Handing in textile for recycling: Larger pieces - given to my youngest kid's daycare to be creative with. Smaller/tiny pieces - given to Hemtex and H&M.

My original plan was to start a new compost. Our current food scraps are being picked up and turned into heat, but since we have a garden it makes more sense to keep it ourselves. We have now started such a compost at our summer house, but one at home is on the todo list.

I think I deserve 10 points.

Now to the spending side.... *cough*

1 pair of cotton trousers (6p)
1 pair of viscose trousers (6p)
1 organic cotton top (3,5p)
1 swimsuit (6p)
3 wool socks (3p)

= 24,5p spent, yikes! (which is now more than I have left....)

Star challenge #7 - The RECYCLING month!

Recycling is a beautiful thing! We will never get to the point where we don't need to steel resources from mother earth for petty purposes, but the least thing we can do is to make sure we reuse and recycle as much as we can. We believe this is something we are generally getting pretty good at, at least in Sweden, but there is always room for improvement!

This month's challenge is to make 3 improvements to the way you handle recycling!

*

Things could be, eg:

1. Make sure you recycle trash that comes from other rooms than the kitchen too.
2. For those of you who have the possibility - start a compost or make sure food garbage is made useful in some way.
3. Hand in cloth pieces that are too small to use to fabric recycling.
4. Organize so that recycling becomes easier.
5. Upcycle trash to new things that you want to use, such as tins becoming pencil jars etc.
6. Teach your kids about recycling and show them how to do it.

You come up with three changes that is relevant to you and your lifestyle and if you manage those, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 47 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!!

Sew for a change - July results

This month I passed the challenge with ease, but considering the splurge of points it still seems a bit like a failure. I did not buy any crappy things that I didn't need though (trying to redeem myself). And to my defence (again) I have lost a fair bit of weight now that I finally stopped nursing my baby, and most of my clothes that I have made are too big or ill-fitting right now. I have way too little time to sew it all, so I found this spree a necessity actually.

Well, this was the challenge for the month:

1. Use less or no chemicals by using micro fiber cloths for dusting and polishing. Dry cloth or with tepid water will go a long way.

Easy peasy and something we usually do as a routine in our household. 

2. Choose a dish cloth made from durable material that can be used many times and can handle to be washed/boiled when it becomes smelly. Linnen and cotton are ideal. Sew or knit your own if you want!

We have done this for some time at home. We love the linnen ones from Växbo Lin - they are expensive, definitely, but they last for a looooooong time. We also use cotton ones that I have knitted from scrap yarn. They work fine too, but whereas linnen wears in, cotton wears out. Both of them can be thrown on the compost at the end of life. This month we stocked up on some for the new summer house too.

3. Exchange any cleaning "products" for natural sources for the month. Lemon, vinegar, baking soda and natural linseed soft soap will take care of any job, even windows. Wipe the window with newspaper for a streak free finish.

This has been particularly interesting this month since we had a whole house to clean. I mean really CLEAN. Dirt from god know when in all kinds of areas. I am happy to report that it worked out fine.

4. Again; use water with care and don't do dishes under running water. Do laundry carefully with only full loads and a earth friendly detergent.

No probs!

* Results *

A fresh star for me and some sweet 10 points, yes!! 

Now, let's enter the dark side of the moon... you better sit down, by the way.

My purchases:

• 6m cotton lawn (12p)
• 1,5m organic cotton jersey (1,5p)
• 1 pair of cotton shorts (4p)
• 1 pair of cotton leggings (5p)
• 2 long sleeved linnen shirts (8p)
• 2 cotton tank tops (8p - I count it as 4p each with is slightly less than a a short sleeved top)

Yikes! A whopping 38,5p - I cannot believe this! Well, at least we are over the hill for the year. I am dreading the winter with coats and heavy boots and things. I pray that last year's things will last one more round.

/Alexandra

Star challenge #6 - The CLEANING month!

This month is about cleaning. Just think about all the chemicals that flood our homes in the attempt to make our homes cleaner. I do wonder if they are even close to achieving that - or if they just replace dirt with toxic, potentially fresh smelling, substances instead?

Really, cleaning does not need most of those harsh products even for the toughest jobs. Have you seen that program om TV with the two ladies cleaning up people's totally disgusting homes, with only products like baking soda, lemon and vinegar?? Don't believe it? Well, if not, then this is the month to try this out for yourself.

This month's challenge is to 
clean your home in a friendlier way!

*

Complete the following:

1. Use less or no chemicals by using micro fiber cloths for dusting and polishing. Dry cloth or with tepid water will go a long way.
2. Choose a dish cloth made from durable material that can be used many times and can handle to be washed/boiled when it becomes smelly. Linnen and cotton are ideal. Sew or knit your own if you want!
3. Exchange any cleaning "products" for natural sources for the month. Lemon, vinegar, baking soda and natural linseed soft soap will take care of any job, even windows. Wipe the window with newspaper for a streak free finish.
4. Again; use water with care and don't do dishes under running water. Do laundry carefully with only full loads and a earth friendly detergent.

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 40 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!!

/Alexandra

Sew for a change - June results

This month I failed, but I have to say it was a very close call. I so almost made it that if I think too long about it I may even give myself a star... So let's do this quickly.

1. Start by doing a food inventory. Get rid of (preferably through composting) any food that is not fit for eating any longer. Now, try to plan your dinners to use the food you have, before it goes bad.

Easy peasy and something we usually do as a routine in our household. We very rarely have things sitting around for any period of time.

2. Choose one week this month to be a completely vegetarian week. For the rest of the weeks you shall eat vego at least twice/week.

This one I failed. We ate a lot of vegetarian food this month, probably at least 4 days a week. Even the week I was away on a business conference I managed to go totally vegetarian - except for the very day I got home (when my sweet husband had cooked for me and didn't know it was supposed to be the vegetarian week).

3. Look into what is in season and choose vegetables and fruits accordingly. First choice is organic, second choice is local produce.

Check!

4. When it comes to the following 5, we ask you to buy organic or not at all: coffee, potatoes, grapes, bananas and cheese.

Check! (have done this for a long time)

5. For meat we want to limit the use of beef to once per week (except for the vego week, obviously, where it is zero). 

This was easier than I thought. We probably only had beef twice during the entire month. Beef is expensive and by eating a lot less it doesn't break the bank to buy the even more expensive (and absolutely delicious) organic beef instead. Win! 

6. Eat rice max once a week, unless you live in a part of the world where it is produced.

This also was easier than expected. The bulk of our carbs has come from pasta and potatoes (organic).

* Results *

No star for me and no 10 points, bo hoo!! 

But on the other hand - I haven't spent any points either!

So, YET another status quo month:

How about that?! Really, this is not bad at all when you think about it! Half of the year is gone and I still have 64,5 points, starting from 75! This sew for a change challenge really has got me to think carefully before making any purchases. Boring at times? Yes, absolutely. But the feeling inside is great. I am in control of my life and things don't own me! YEAH!

/Alexandra

Star challenge #5 (updated)- The FOOD month!

Update! After it has been brought to our attention, and after having done a lot of new research, we have decided to only regulate beef to the once/week limit. Pork will be a choice along with poultry, lamb and game. Note! For beef that is feeding entirely off grass fields not suitable to grow any other food (Swedish: naturbeteskött), beef is allowed along with the other meet types more than once a week.

Food is essential and easy to get hold off. All that you need grows down on the shelves of your local supermarket. Just go and harvest what you need!! Well, no. Not really. I do think we in the western world show food far too little respect! We buy whatever we feel like, cheaply, and then throw half of it away later. We take good ingredients and mix them up with loads of crap and put it into colourful packaging with a cool brand and think that it is still food. Instead of eating the ingredients that were good to begin with! What jackasses.

Seriously though. It is time we make better choices. It is time to learn a thing or two about food. It is time to learn to cook, if that is your excuse. It is time to lower your food footprint on this earth.

This month's challenge is to choose food wisely and to make good use of it!

*

Complete the following:

1. Start by doing a food inventory. Get rid of (preferably through composting) any food that is not fit for eating any longer. Now, try to plan your dinners to use the food you have, before it goes bad.
2. Choose one week this month to be a completely vegetarian week. For the rest of the weeks you shall eat vego at least twice/week.
3. Look into what is in season and choose vegetables and fruits accordingly. First choice is organic, second choice is local produce.
4. When it comes to the following 5, we ask you to buy organic or not at all: coffee, potatoes, grapes, bananas and cheese.
5. For meat we want to limit the use of beef to once per week (except for the vego week, obviously, where it is zero). 
6. Eat rice max once a week, unless you live in a part of the world where it is produced.

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 47 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!!

/Alexandra

Star challenge #4 - The LAUNDRY month!

Laundry is a big strain on the environment, and if you think about it you probably do way more of it than is really necessary. This challenge should be particularly interesting since doing laundry (in my opinion) is terribly BORING. So, to do less of it is a win-win for me and the environment! Cheers to that!

It is a disturbing thought, that most of what you wash your clothes with is flushed right out into the ocean along with the dirt you want gone. Maybe it's time to make conscious decisions about what you put into that washing machine? Time to make sure what goes in is DIRTY, not just "worn"?

This month's challenge is to make laundry a conscious business of the household!

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Complete the following:

1. Estimate the amount of laundry your household produces during a normal month (and make it official), then try to reduce that amount by 20% during this month. This means, if you usually do 10 loads during the month you should try to do only 8 (or less).
2. Only wash full loads.
3. Change to a earth friendly detergent - make sure it's free from phosphates, zeolites and EDTA.
4. Do not use fabric softner! If you must use something, use vinegar instead. 
5. Avoid dry cleaning.
6. Check the water hardness and make sure you don't overdose the detergent.
7. Avoid using the dryer and instead air dry the laundry inside or outside. Get set up with line and pegs!

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 54 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!!

Sew for a Change - my March results

So, let's just be honest straight away. I didn't pass the challenge, boohoo. It is totally lame, but I am blaming time. I have hade NO time whatsoever this month - I haven't even blogged, for crying out loud!! Starting a new job has been tremendous fun, but also exhausting. As soon as the kids are in bed, I have crashed out too.

The challenge was to complete the following, and this is how I did:

1. Contact your energy supplier and check what sources YOUR energy comes from. Also investigate what green/renewable options you have.

Below is (in Swedish) a specification of my energy sources (the middle pie chart) and it reads: 

• 69% water energy from guaranteed sources
• 21% wind power from guaranteed sources
• 10% bio energy from guaranteed sources
• Carbon footprint 0g/kWh
• Nuclear power 0 mg/kWh

2.Vacuum behind your fridge and freezer (and on their backs) and then defrost them - it will increase their efficiency and save energy.

This I have not done. I have planned to do it a thousand times, but time has not been my friend. This is not a super quick job either since they are screwed together at the top and the bottom and fetching that screwdriver just was the last piece of work that made it look like a mountain to climb...

Fair to say, though, is that it was done less than a year ago, so it isn't too bad, and they are defrosting automatically so no job to be done there.

3. Check that your fridge and freezer temperature is not colder that what is really needed: +5C and -18C respectively (41F / 0F)

This is done. They were already on these temperatures and we are happy with it. In our Sew for a change Facebook group there was discussions about these temperatures since keeping cooler temperatures will indeed make the food last longer. But that, I think, need to be a lifestyle assessment. For us, we don't need the food to keep longer than one season, since we prefer to get rotation on (i.e. eat) all the food within a reasonable time. We don't have any reason to keep food VERY long, since we can buy new food easily. But I guess if you live a bit more rural or if you're hunting and want a huge batch of meat to last until next hunting season, then you may have your reasons.

Another thing discussed, was that many freezers aren't very exact in their thermostats, i.e. if you put it to keep -18C, that is only an average the freezer is trying to keep and in reality the fluctuations may be big. The recommendations, if you notice this, is to try to keep the highest temperature to -18C (which may mean that your thermostat need to be set on e.g. -20C).

4. Leave nothing on standby overnight this month.

This is done. We did already have a switch installed on our entertainment system so this was a matter of actually stepping on the switch once a day. We have also been good at pulling out all chargers out of the sockets when not in use. We have timers on lamps that the kids want lit when they go to sleep.

5. No washing dishes under running water.

Hmm, this is yes and no. Sometimes it just doesn't seem worth it, since it is easier to quickly wash that knife after use, rather than saving plenty to do in one batch later. Most things go in the dish washer, so to save up for a bigger batch of hand washing may take more than one day, and I hate when it is clutter in the kitchen. But what I have done is, when I cook I fill one of the sinks a little so that instead of rinsing a lot of things (such as the knife between the onion and lettuce) I quickly dunk it in water and hopefully save water in the end.

* Results *

So, I will not get the 10 points this month, but on the other hand I haven't spent any points this month either!! I have been sewing a little with fabric from stash. My birthday was in March, and luckily some of the presents I got was items of clothing - from sustainable material! A beautiful linen blouse and a woollen skirt, both responsibly made. Score, or what!

Also, I have been a trooper to mend things this month! THAT, I am proud of! I have worked through the big pile of mendable items and actually made them wearable again. So boring, but such a rewarding feeling afterwards.

And da scorecard - is status quo since last month. I feel content!

Stay tuned - tomorrow, we're revealing the April challenge on "paper"!! Still with us?? :)

/Alexandra

Star challenge #3 - The PAPER month!

Paper,  paper on the wall... who's the environmentally friendliest of us all?

Paper is everywhere. It is definitely one of those things we very much take for granted. And to be frank, I suspect most of us don't bother too much because we think of paper as pretty friendly anyway, being mainly a natures product and easy to recycle. Yes, that's true, but what is also true is that trees are the lungs of the earth and we cut down WAY more trees to make paper pulp than we are able to grow back. Let's start thinking of paper as something more like a gift from mother earth - something given from the earth "lungs" and maybe we will think twice before printing that not so necessary copy of whatever not so important document, shall we?

It's time to realise paper is too cheap, and as usual when something is too cheap, there is someone else paying the real prize. The real prize in this case is our sensitive eco systems. Only in Sweden 1800 species are endangered due to us humans messing about with their habitat. It will come and bite us, people! And we all know it.

Some facts about paper to think about:

• The world consumption of paper has quintupled in the last 50 years!
• Sweden is on the 11th place in consuming the most in the world! We use more than 200 kg /per person and year (c'mon, that's INSANE!!!!!!!!). 
• The average world citizen only consumes 50 kg per person and year.

Okay, so now we all agree paper is an important matter and are eager to change our ways. This is what we want to challenge us with this month.

This month's challenge is to reduce the amount of paper you use and also learn to use paper smarter.
*
Complete the following:

1. If you have to print something, print on both sides and/or print several pages/slides per paper page.
2. Look into the possibility of changing your kitchen paper towels to cloth and see if it would work for your family.
3. Cancel all catalogues (such as mail order catalogues), paper bills etc, where possible, and turn to the digital versions.
4. Don't accept any ads in your mailbox - put up a sign!
5. Give away magazines you won't read again to someone who will.
6. If you have a paper/magazine subscription, check what your online options are instead.

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 61 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!!

Star challenge #2 - The ENERGY month!

Energy consumption is one of the biggest improvement areas for us all as citizens of the world. We use energy too freely these days, particularly us in the western world. What would happen if we got "depowered" for a week? Freeze to death? Starve? Panik and anxiety attacks? Take a minute and think about it!

Where do you then draw the line regarding what is "saving energy"? We think a life cycle perspective is in place here. So many people want to justify throwing out their old, fully working, fridge and replacing it with a new one that consumes less (and has a cooler design?). But that is it, right there! Don't throw out any working machinery, unless it is plain bad to the environment to use it**. The energy cost of producing a new fridge is far worse than any energy saved on the switch. Just think about all the material it requires, all the energy needed to refine, melt, weld, assemble etc, and all the packaging and transportation.

Another aspect to energy, other than using less of it, is where the energy comes from. The energy equations sums up way lighter if you power your household with energy from renewable sources as opposed to from some nasty coal plant or other fossils.

There is really a lot you can do to improve your own energy footprint but it is also easy to feel overwhelmed. To not do all at once we will limit the demands for what will earn you 10 points, but will also encourage you to do more.

This month's challenge is to gain awareness about where your household energy comes from as well as to use less of it.
*
Complete the following:

1. Contact your energy supplier and check what sources YOUR energy comes from. Also investigate what green/renewable options you have.
2. Vacuum behind your fridge and freezer (and on their backs) and then defrost them - it will increase their efficiency and save energy.
3. Check that your fridge and freezer temperature is not colder that what is really needed: +5C and -18C respectively (41F / 0F)
4. Leave nothing on standby overnight this month.
5. No washing dishes under running water.

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 68 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!!


**) Though, for fridges and freezers - if you have one older than 7 years it is actually better for the environment to buy a new IF you choose one marked A+++ and the old one can be recycled. Reference here in swedish.

Progress on February De-clutter challenge

We actually don't have a lot of things we aren't using in our house, thankfully, but surely we can muster finding SOME things that are better off somewhere else.

Item #7-16: our kitesurfing gear

Sadly kitesurfing is an interest of the past. Since having another baby there is simply no time for this. And to be completely honest - we don't have the physique to handle it anymore either...

The following are now up for sale:
1 kite board
1 kite
1 kite bag
1 global bar
2 waist harnesses
2 watersport helmets (not in photo)
2 wetsuits (not in photo)

Item #17: our spare washing machine

We bought a new washing machine about a year ago because the one we had stopped working. Since then we managed to fix it (it was jammed with a bunch of screws! - always empty your pockets...) and it is now fully functioning again. We will give it to friends who need it.

Item #18: my Odd Molly parka

A couple of years old (2011) and in a size I will probably never be able to wear again. Maybe someone else would like it? I'll try to sell it or else give it to charity.

Item #19: baby car seat, Besafe izi sleep

Outgrown but in excellent condition and can serve a bunch more kids (but NOT in this house, just saying!). Selling.

Item #20: coffee machine, Tassimo

Will not come to use in our home since we already have a similar one that works perfectly fine. Selling.

Well, this is it for now. 71% done on the challenge if everything gets sold... how are you guys doing?

/Alexandra

De-cluttering away...

So, where do you begin?? I have had some big boxes of clothing sitting in the attic for a while now, just because I haven't gotten my lazy arse in gear to sell and/or give them away. "Soon..." is what I

tell my husband when he reminds me ever so often. He hates clutter and even though our house doesn't have a lot of it, he's the kind of person who would go nuts over the smallest thing not being where it's supposed to be. He has offered to take all the clothes to charity many times, but I wouldn't allow it because I wanted to look it through one more time... haha.

Now I am pleased to announce that the day has finally come!! Wohooo!!
I did take the time yesterday to sort it in "keep", "charity", "sell" and "throw" piles. Hardly anything went in the throw pile, thankfully.

6 bags of clothes went to charity yesterday, 2 bags of pregnancy clothes are waiting to get picked up by friends and 2 bags contain items that I think will be worth the effort of selling.

How I will do the counting of this? To count every garment would be too easy - then I would be done with the star challenge already, which would feel like cheating. So I've decided I'll count each bag as an item. That means I have now de-cluttered 6 out of 28 items for the month and have another 4 waiting to get counted.

22 items to go!

/Alexandra

If you've missed the "sew for a change" initiative, it's certainly not too late to jump on the bandwagon with us. Reed more here for the general stuff, and here for this months star challenge!

Star challenge #1 - The DE-CLUTTER month!!!

With consumerism often comes hoarding. Stuff you thought you wanted but really didn't, stuff you liked for 2 minutes before you got sick of 'em, stuff that are "nice to have" maybe sometime in the future  (just maybe) etc. You buy but you don't think, to put it simple.

All this stuff tend to clutter up a home. Don't we all have that nightmare cupboard where we're afraid to open the door because stuff may fall out on our heads? And we are too lazy or busy to be bothered and do something about it. Right? Right.

This year we will try to change our ways in all kinds of different areas. Why not start fresh by getting rid of stuff you no longer need (or ever needed)?
BUT, because there is a but; "getting rid of" doesn't mean throwing in the trash. It means selling, giving to charity, remaking into something usable, passing it on to a friend who's in need etc. If something absolutely must be disposed, it should be done responsibly.

This month's challenge is to de-clutter your home 

by 28 items that you no longer need/want. 

One item for each day of the month. An item can be as large or small as you wish, i wouldn't count the screws in a bookshelf as separate items though, but I leave the count to you ;-)

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!



PS. We have started a Facebook group that you all can join were we can discuss and inspire each other ever if you aren't running a blog. Welcome!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/601055719976297/