Free Design Friday : Reduce, Reuse and Recycle a T-Shirt

Ugh – again with the belated FDF. I know, faithful few, I know. I’m working on it!

Okay, down to the design. I was inspired last week by – dare I say it – my own blog post on canvas bags to create something using either a stencil or iron transfer paper (not quite as eco-friendly as pomegranate juice, but the design made a stencil impossible).

Repurpose a "t" {clockwise from upper left} : Ironing the t-shirt to ensure a flat surface, peeling back the design, close-up of "GF" detail, the full design

Recommendations for going green with this one : use an organic cotton t-shirt or REUSE an old t-shirt that could do with a little lift {no need to hurt its feelings}. The distressed design reads “ORGANIC forever” and “GF.” There’s a second “GF” on the transfer page, which could be affixed to another part of the shirt. The letters are Bimini and Edwardian Script : mod, weathered, with a nod to tradition.

Directions : Print the mirror {reverse} design on iron-on transfer paper, available at most craft stores {or Walmart, Target, etc.}. Follow directions for how long to wait and how to apply the transfer. I waited about 30 minutes, cut around the outline of the design, ironed the shirt, then ironed on the design over a cutting board. My product’s instructions clearly stated not to use an ironing board for an iron-on design. Hm… But it worked! And I now have an organic cotton shirt that’s not quite so plain.

So, this week : REDUCE your carbon footprint by {re}USING your iron to RECYCLE a t-shirt (or canvas bag!).

Gratefully Green : Eco-friendly Hostess Gifts

Summer is a great time for parties. We’re invited to barbecues, Friday night cocktails and easy Sunday night dinners. Wine and flowers reign as go-to tokens of appreciation. However, I love the idea of giving something useful, inexpensive and eco-friendly. My friend, Kristen, brings an oversized mason jar filled with herbs from her organic garden, tied with twine. She’s also been known to churn out a fresh batch of homemade salsa or mint jelly, all packaged in her signature mason jars, which are both retro-chic and reusable.

Kristen Roy's Homemade Mint Jelly

Another {less labor intensive} option is to stock up on eco-friendly stationery. I love the idea of saying “thank you” by giving a set of chic thank you cards. My favorite place to peruse unique, handmade treats is Etsy. Check out this set of four thank you notes by Etsy seller laurabrownart, hand-colored and printed on recycled cardstock. Shannon Lowry of Round Robin Press allows you to customize your 4- or 8-pack of quirky letterpress cards, printed on plantable paper! You should also definitely check out the two most recent product listings on the G|F Etsy shop : sets of four letterpress thank you cards, printed on tree-free cotton rag paper. The sets include one of each of our kelly or black designs, and arrive to you exquisitely wrapped and ready. Not only are these gifts green, lovely and economical, but they’re sure to make your next host or hostess feel incredibly appreciated.

{Clockwise from upper left} Packaging for our new stationery set :: Four cards included in "black" set :: Gift materials for "kelly green" set :: Four cards included in "kelly" set

Jeek: This is how this works

First, you type.

Then, you go to the first button under “Add media” to insert a picture. 

Be sure to click “insert into post”