Wednesday ‘s Creative Tip: Be Green and Make it Yourself

Living a creative life many times means making things. It can be paintings, music, sculptures, or it can also be simpler than that. Being creative can be involved in everyday activities, like napkins, for example. Napkins?!! You ask with a puzzled expression! Yes, simple items like a napkin. We were discussing in my family the other day how we can be even more green in our household. We have eliminated paper plates, plastic utensils, and paper and plastic cups in our kitchen. As I was talking, I was setting the table putting a nice folded paper napkin under each fork. Wait a minute, we should use fabric napkins!! But they can be expensive!! Not to worry, we are creative and will make our own. Easy peezy. A typical fabric napkin is about an 8″x8″ square, and interestingly, a paper napkin is usually about 6″x 6″. So this is what you do:

1. Go to a fabric online store or a store in your town that sells fabric. I think even Wal Mart sells fabric.
2. Look for “Fat Quarters”, these are bundles of fabrics that quilters use to put in quilts. They measure 8″x8″, hey isn’t that the size of a fabric store bought napkin?
3. Take the fabric squares out of the package and admire the beautiful colors and patterns that will grace your kitchen table!

4. Don’t worry if you can’t sew, because you can use the fabric squares as is, a little thread unraveling on the edges over time isn’t the biggest deal. Or you can hem the square with a sewing machine. Use lots of colors, or use the color scheme that is on your dinnerware. Mixing and matching patterns and color will give a happy and joyous mood at your table. Not to mention all the compliments you will get over those unusual colorful napkins you bought.

Have fun being creative, it is easy peezy!!

Read more helpful creative tips at: Pick a Theme, Pears!.

View some of Joye’s creative artwork at: My Gallery Shop.