I think I have a thrift addiction!

First off, I got a new purse! Its a Coach, black with silver buckles. I think its microfiber. Goodwill-$8. This purse was probably in the neighborhood of $150 new. Crazy stuff people get rid of I swear! My poor little Fossil purse was so stained-it really needed to be replaced. Im liking this new purse a lot. I look so swanky! Little do they know it's from the thrift store! My Fossil was thrift too, I think I paid $4. Ive had it for 3 years so that figures to a $1.25 a year for a leather Fossil purse-not too shabby in any book! I always look at purses, I think a lot of women do. The pursuit of the perfect purse is an obsession for many. Thank God Im not addicted to shoes LOL!

So last week I went to one of my fav stores and found a bunch of stuff. My favorite is a fabric shower curtain. Stripes in gold, burnt orange, ivory, brown, olive and burgandy. Ive already started a bag from this. I have a ivory corduroy skirt that is destined for this pattern. Not sure what Im putting on as far as handles but Im willing to find the perfect belt to finish the bag.

Today, I hit 4 stores! Im sooooo bad! Went to a little thrift shop that is a non profit benefit for a program that helps adicts take back their lives. Found some black pants with a raised print and a pair of lilac pleather pants that look like ostrich! Next was the Salpointe Catholic thrift store (next door to the church of Scientology-go figure??) Olive jeans, a couple belts, a pair of boy scout uniform pants (destined for a water bottle holder) and several books. On from there (after taking hubby home) was the Deseret Thrift store. Boy, they've done a ton to improve the look and cleanliness of the place. Chocolate jeans, grey Abercrombie and Fitch jean skirt, mint jeans and a couple belts. Last was Goodwill. Bold black and white graphic pants, yellow green olive cords and the best thing-metalic ORANGE jeans! I now have metalic jeans in red, pink, orange, red and blue print and a orange and green print. Oh, I also went to Savers friday and found ---lime green and purple paisley pants! Very much in the category of "makes my eyes bleed."

So, for those counting-that's 5 thrift stores in 2 days. Might have an addiction but MAN its FUN!!

Wanna see what I do with them? Check www.recycledbootybags.etsy.com to see!!!

Fun Red Hawaiian Shirt Bag to Etsy and Men who should be Popsicles!

I just finished a terrific red and Hawaiian print bag. The handle is so cool! It was (in a former life) part of a McDonalds employee uniform!

Its funny how things work out sometimes...I found the jean shorts, the Hawaiian shirt and the belt all on the same trip to the thrift store! One in summer, one in mens and one in accessories. If you drew a triangle in the store these items were at the points-very far away from each other! It was karma!
Here is the link
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_2&listing_id=12685979
I dont think this one will last long so go take a look!

Ok, so for the fun part-not that my bags arent fun LOL!

Men who should be made into popsicles

1. John Cusack- Super high lickability factor. He keeps getting sexier with age. I love his intelligent and creative acting choices. Being John Malkavich-Gross Point Blank "What do you do for a living? Hired Killer. Does that come with benefits?" Say Anything "I gave her my heart and she gave me a pen"- hell, I even enjoyed him in Must Like Dogs! Needless to say, I love me some John Cusack!

2. Bruce Willis - been watching him since Moonlighting! Virile and very sexy. Not one of those anemic weak lookin guys. I bet he and Energizer have things in common...

3. Guy Fieri - Food Network hunk a bleach blond spiky haired DAMN! He is definately on the train to Popsicle town!

4. Kevin James - Puppy Dog adorable! He makes the list!

I will have to put more thought to this one...Who would make your LIST???
Talk at ya Later!
Oh, and John, Bruce, Guy and Kevin-feel free to come on over and see me sometime!

Bad Pants are habit forming!

I found the most wonderful/horrible pants yesterday! On mondays, Savers (oh how I love thee) has a color tag that is 99 cents. They've been running daily manager specials too. WELL, they had ladies pants for 99 CENTS! I got yet another obnoxious pair of Talbots. I swear, more times than not when I find a delish pair of ugly pants, they are either Bill Blass or Talbots. Dont know why LOL. Well, you saw the bag I made with the pair of metalic red pants with the white and blue top?? I found another pair of red metalic AND a pair of pink metalic! Talk about FUN to chop and sew!!! I also got a pair of cool cordoroys in burnt orange, olive, tan and black. I think another boho bag is called for :) Also had the inspiration to upcycle a pair of overals into an apron. I will figure it out but I think it could be way cute!

Lets see, adventures in crafting... Oh, I decided it was time to learn how to knit. So I bought this kid knitting kit. I figured that if instructions for a nine year old couldnt teach me it wasnt meant to be. Horribly ugly yarn, but you have to learn with something...

Ive been hearing about Plarn lately. I use my jean bags for grocery shopping but I am guilty of forgetting them every once in a while. Wanted to try my hand at plarn so I went grocery shopping. Came home with about 10 bags. Looked up instructions for making plarn off google and found http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/02/17/instructions-for-cutting-plastic-bags-creating-recycled-plastic-yarn/ Really easy to make! The ten bags made a piece about 12" by 4". It takes a lot of bags but still cool to try!

Something you gotta try, bake or forman grill 2 chicken breasts. Shred them into little pieces. Add the chicken, a can of rotel, a can of diced green chiles, and a can of chicken broth (lo sodium.) Simmer uncovered for about 30 min. Spoon chicken onto tortillas and munch. I could eat this every day! I usually add some Chulula or salsa. Hot but YUMMY!

Good night and good luck!

Cramps suck

Hi gentle readers. Im sorry I cant think of anything fun today, I have cramps. You know, I really love being a female, except for a couple days a month. Strange thing is I didnt have them as a teen. Friends would moan and groan about cramps. I thought you wus, deal. Well, nature is vengeful.

Started a few years ago. Cramps. Evil, twist your uterus into a pretzel and add salt cruelty. It only lasts the first couple days but oh gawd...can I just rip the thing out? I dont have kids, Im not gonna have kids, I dont need it! Im not using it! Alas, I hate surgery and hospitals more so I guess the naughty plumbing bits get to stay. Oh, and realized when the cramps started, another evil reared it's head. Dawned on me at work one day. Granted at the time I was a retail print shop manager and people can be really stupid, but it came to me that I hated everyone and everything. Even customers I liked pissed me off. Really, irrationally pissed off. I went home that day angry. I laid down and bawled like someone took my toys away. Hubby got home and I tearily asked him to hold me and tell me he loved me and that I wasnt worthless scum. My wonderful hubby did just that. Later when I had calmed down I figured out what it was...PMS. No, you printing geek, not pantone matching system! The other PMS, the "are you on the rag" one. I am a bitch on wheels about a week before. Thankfully I realize when its happening and am able to step back and say whoa!

Guys need to have cramps. Then and only then will the stupid rag question be forever banned and its utterance is punishable by a kick to the balls. Of course there are a couple things that help ease cramps.
1. Sex: all things are cured by a really good O
2. Pedicure: Rub my feet and let me sit in the massage chair
3. Grande Margarita: On the rocks with salt. By the time you hit the bottom all things are good
and finally
4. Percoset: Pain? Um, what's my name again?

Love to you all, all 3 of you LOL!
Oh, BTW, my new bags are up on etsy, check em out http:///www.recycledbootybags.etsy.com
Good night, I tried choice 2 yesterday, time for another number! Hmm which one??

Cool Recycle stores on Etsy

So, I was sooo bored today. I decided to put it to the Etsy critique forum that I wanted to see what cool things they were selling. So many people responded so I thank you for making my day a bit more lively!

First one had a fun name and awesome banner http://www.deerinheadlights.etsy.com
This is a brand spankin new to etsy person who uses recycled leather from old office chairs and leather couches to make wallets and other fun items. One item listed so far but for having just opened the shop TODAY I think thats terriffic!

A fun shop that uses jeans in their art is http://www.1235erin.etsy.com
Painted jeans galore in a neat style full of childlike wimsy-love it love it!

Ever wonder what to do with all that vinyl collecting dust in the basement (if you have one...) well http://www.misscourageous.etsy.com figured it out! Super cool selections of jewelery made from colored vinyl records! She also has a terrific banner and has many other fun items in her shop.

http://www.candycalamity.etsy.com is probably able to tell you many tales of "do I have to eat any more candy? I only need the wrappers!" Jewelry made from candy wrappers NEAT! I wonder though do you hit the kids up after haloween for their wrappers??? I know I would!

Last one for today is http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12254655 for the home of Undone Clothing. This photo is of a purse made from weaving TAPE MEASURES! You have a lot of patience and it does pay off-these are amazing and... strangly patriotic!

I have a ton more but I think this much eye candy is enough sweets for one evening!

Dont forget to check out MY shop at http://www.recycledbootybags.etsy.com

Well, time to start a Blog!

Hi hi! Im Christine, the happy and proud creator of Recycled Booty Bags.
Well, a bit about me...Im a graphic artist living in Southern Arizona. Im happily married with no human kids. I have 3 cats-Dexter, Molly and Magpie. My brother in law and my brother have lots of the human type so my fur children are plenty for me!
I have been a creative soul all my life. I started sewing at 8 and have always drawn, painted and done sculpture. I have been involved with model horse showing, sculpting and painting since 1997.
I am a thrift store fiend. One day I was at one of my favorite haunts and the idea came to me for using jeans to make really strong bags for shopping. I had just recently made the switch to canvas grocery bags but I didnt like how flimsy they were. I wanted something better. As I was pondering this I walked past a horrible pair of orange jeans. The idea hit me and Recycled Booty Bags were born. I found Etsy - a terrific place to buy and sell handmade items - and so I opened my shop www.recycledbootybags.etsy.com earlier this year.
My hopes are to eventually do this full time but for now I have a day job :) On my blog I'll probably talk about current things Im working on, cute kitty things, cool recipes, maaaybe a little politics (I have disliked Bush since before it was popular) movies, music, model horses, neat stuff and sellers I find on Etsy, maybe some fun guy jokes and whatever makes me go OOOHHH!