Category Archives: Creative journeys

3 Saturdays to save money- what a bad title…

… let me rephrase that!

Over 3 Saturday mornings, 2 hours per session, I’ll be teaching folks how to sew – with the assumption that you have no previous experience or just that high school class you took a few years back!

Learning to sew yourself is a great way to be more environmentally aware, repair things that can be salvaged, reuse things that need to be transformed!

There are a few spaces remaining, and the class is limited so that i can spend time with each person as we go along!  Sign up soon if you would like to get sewing!

    Sewing Level 1 – $50.00 plus HST

Description:

Learn how to hem your own pants, sew on your own buttons and the very basics of sewing! This course is based on hand work, with the option to bring in your sewing machine for the second class.

Register online or call 613-244-4470 for more info
Saturdays, Feb 26 , March 5 and Mar 12, 2011 – 10:00 AM  to 12 noon
Routhier Community Centre, 172 Guigues Street, Ottawa, ON [Map]
Note: Check the Room location upon arrival – signs are inside the main entrances.

Sewing Lessons in Ottawa

After a very successful first run in the fall, I will be offering two more 6 hour sessions coming up this winter!  Learning to sew yourself is a great way to be more environmentally aware, repair things that can be salvaged, reuse things that need to be transformed!

The first session coming up in late January  is actually a Level 2 course – continuing on the information taught in the Level 1 course from the fall.

    Sewing Level 2 – $50.00 plus HST

Description:Learn to alter your clothes, install a zipper and general repairs. Hand and sewing machine work. Basic store bought patterns will be covered.

Info: Muslin will be provided and a basic zipper.  Students may choose to bring in their own projects to work on. An information sheet will be provided upon registration or via email.

Register online or call 613-244-4470 for more info
Saturdays, Jan 29 to Feb 12, 2011 – 10:00 AM  to 12 noon
Routhier Community Centre, 172 Guigues Street, Ottawa, ON [Map]
Note: Check the Room location upon arrival – signs are inside the main entrances.


And to revisit the basics:

    Sewing Level 1 – $50.00 plus HST

Description:

Learn how to hem your own pants, sew on your own buttons and the very basics of sewing! This course is based on hand work, with the option to bring in your sewing machine for the second class.

Register online or call 613-244-4470 for more info
Saturdays, Feb 26 to Mar 12, 2011 – 10:00 AM 2.00 hours
Routhier Community Centre, 172 Guigues Street, Ottawa, ON [Map]
Note: Check the Room location upon arrival – signs are inside the main entrances.

 

IF YOU WERE UNABLE TO ATTEND AND WANT SOME SEWING HINTS, CHECK MY VIDEO LESSONS PAGE !

What to do for the holidays and gift giving?

I think everyone reading this will already be part of the choir, so I won’t let this turn into a rant – I swear!

With the Bombardment having begun before Halloween was even over, and now the US has had its weekend of shopping/ feeding frenzy, which seems to affect a lot of us up here in the Great White North too, it all leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Encouraging local shopping, supporting the artisans in the area, and trying to keep from running amuck  are annual events for me and my hubby.  The entire concept of gift giving out of obligation is an incredible marketing tool – so at least if you are getting it on sale, then you are winning too right?

We don’t give gifts anymore.  Or at least in a very limited way.  If we do give something physical, it’s either a re-gift [ if I cannot use it and you can, I’m happy to pass it along any time of year – holiday time included!] or it’s a piece from a local artist or someone we know even if they are not local.

We give to charity on your behalf most of the time.  Last year, I set up the Canada Helps Eco-TAV/TAV Creations page to let our friends and family know what charities we give to.  And sometimes we let the recipient choose by giving a gift card.

Our support of the economy happens all year round, so we try to not go crazy this time of year, but sometimes a bit of crazy is fun.

This year, I’ve used some of the reclaimed textiles that have come my way to make fun little and big reusable gift bags.  Based on my classic Eco-TAV Pouch design, these bags are also french seamed with the flip top, and can be typed with your own ribbon or in the case of the smaller ones, just flipped and they’ll be fine!

I’ll be putting photos and details up on my Artisan page soon, and will figure out some sort of special offer for those purchasing the standard Eco-TAV Napkins and Pouches – if you get a set, you can have them gift wrapped in a gift bag… that kinda thing.

I do have to say that it feels a bit funky, offering a holiday special, and helping feed the beast of consumerism, but I guess I can remind myself that at least I’m encouraging folks to use re-usable stuff, not disposable… #torn

Happy Holidays … 😀

To Whet Your Appetite…

Market Organics has renovated!

Okay, so if you don’t live / shop in the Byward Market area of Ottawa, you may not have a long term relationship with the store once known as the natural Food Pantry, and for the past few years, known as Market Organics. Located at 126 York Street, just a bit away from Dalhousie Street and a really good shawarma place called, Garlic Corner, Market Organics has been a great place to get organic foods, funky vegan stuff and more for myself and @wtl for years.  We usually get our B.Goods Cookies there if we are not near the B.Goods “Mobile Bakery”, and while their prices and selection may not compare to big box places like the Bulk Barn in quantity, the quality of what we find there and the convenience more than makes up for it!

So, in case I forgot to mention it at the beginning of this post, Market Organics was also one of the very first retailers [ see the list to the left of the others] of Eco-TAV Pouches.  In the past, when the location was smaller { half the size} and crowded with oodles of stuff, the pouches were pretty much invisible.  I missed last weekend’s grand re-opening 🙁 but was able to pop in today for my fix of bulk choc chips, aforementioned cookies, almond milk , etc.  And I saw my babies!  There, to the left as you stand in the single line waiting to pay for your purchases and perusing the fresh baked goods, hanging below a hand written sign suggesting” Why take a paper bag when you can get a Reusable bag”, there were a healthy selection of Mini Pouches, and Large Pouches.  There is NO ECO-TAV LOGO on DISPLAY, but you’ll see it when you look closely at the care-label on the flap!

The Eco-TAV Mini Pouches really are just the right size for a single yummy cookie from any of the bakeries that supply the store.  And the Large makes a great place to assemble a wondrous collection of a prepackaged  Market Organics sandwich, fruit and perhaps a lovely side of couscous or salad from their fridge!   It keeps it all just fine to get you to your snacking destination and is large enough to create an eating surface 🙂

Shameless self-promotion done now.

Back to the new layout!

I chose to enter by the front of 126 York by fluke, I did not actually realize that the other entrance on the side is now closed off.  So, I walked into the building and was directed leftwards, into the store.  FLOORSPACE!!! OMG!  If you were ever in the store when it was only half the size, you may remember how there were always little ladders, and boxes to walk around as staff was constantly restocking shelves!  Now, I can envision an entire impromptu dance number in the entrance area alone!  They have a sidebar/nook/ eating area ‘ cause they have a little cafe set up!  Woot!  I was not able to try any of the food, but it looked like a small selection of yummies – salads and gourmet coffee – I’ll be back to test that one of these days for sure!

So, after getting over the initial shock of walking into a huge open space with shelves full of stuff, I kept walking around the horseshoe shaped layout to see what I could see!  Food first, then fridges, then around the corner for cosmetics, vitamins, and the bulk foods are still along the inner wall, though rearranged, of course.  I kept going and found the new check out system with the “Please form one line” sign and two cashes.  These are a bit smaller in counter space, but you are no longer competing with the baked goods for surface area to put your purchases down while paying for them.

You can get your baked goods while you wait in line – great marketing and yes, I picked up one of my favorite Bread and Roses vegan peanut butter squares [ they come in a tiny plastic bag, but what can you do when you know they are really tasty and only offered in the prepackaged manner?].  They always remind me of the peanut butter balls my mom used to make when I was a kid – covered in chocolate, and full of sugar – but these are so much healthier – I swear!

Anyhoo – if you get a moment, pop in, say hi, buy and Eco-TAV Pouch from their display, fill it with yummy baked goods and support 3 or even 4 small businesses in one shot!

On a side note, I am now frequenting the Bridgehead on Richmond Road near Churchill/ MEC, and the lovely lady [ manager?] who served me gave me an “own mug” discount for both my stainless steel mug and my Eco-TAV Pouch! She was very adamant that yes, this discount would be given anytime someone uses something “reusable”!  So, while the head office is really not  interested in carrying the Eco-TAV line, yet, the stores have been very supportive – especially if you are nice about it!  My home Bridgehead location on Dalhousie has been great from the start and kudos to them for that!

Keeping it shades of green!

Tracey

Changes are a comin’

Hey all,

It’s been a while since I have posted, mainly due to having to change our server where we’ve got all this techno stuff hosted etc.

So in the meantime I’ve been doing some accounting and examining what I can continue with in regards to the Eco-TAV line.  I know these pieces are a great diea, but it’s just me.  I do the designing, sewing, marketing etc.  I am totally grateful for the few locations who have joined my adventure and sell my products through their retail locations as well, so I want to make sure I can continue with that.

Upon realizing that my time is limited, and my costs do need to be considered in the equation, I’ll be continuing with one fabric type for the napkins and pouches: the 55% Hemp/45% Cotton.  The 100% hemp is lovely, but the cost is almost double to get it, and I don’t buy fabric in large enough quantities to allow for greater discounts.

THUS PLEASE NOTE:I’ll be selling off my remaining stock of 100% hemp pieces over the next while and donating 30% of my profits to the fund-raising efforts of the Ottawa Browncoats and the Serenity/Dr.Horrible showing that will raise money for iSisters and Equality Now.

I’ll also have a booth at the Environment Week Fair on the 2nd of June 2010 at L’Esplanade Laurier Building. I will be there from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Although it is described as an “information” booth, I will have stock with me, and can process orders discretely for those interested!  Or you can still order online of course!

Okay – back to work for me!

Keep it shades of green,

Tracey

What’s up with these pod camps?

I have been hearing about podcamps/ barcamps/ democamps  for a couple of years now I guess, and while I have yet to attend one, there is certainly a buzz about them.

But what are they? I hear that they are not limited to “social media” types nor just “techy” fests. If so, are regular folk attending?

I guess maybe Ottawa’s Cupcake Camp last year was a “pod camp” of sorts, but really it was not what I think most of them consist of – but it was fun! Just FYI, I believe another will be coming up soon…

So, I am asking for help in alleviating my ignorance…

If you can explain to me – and anyone who happens to stumble across this post – what a podcamp/ barcamp/ democamp is to you, endlessly karmic gratitude will flow into your life – I swear!

And even better, if you have already posted on your own blog information about podcamps – or any similar open concept gatherings, PLEASE post the link in the comments so that I can take some time to check out everyone’s information and have it handy in one place for reference!

Your time is much appreciated and your help is invaluable!  I am seeking knowledge so that I can look into setting up a potential event for one of my own niche interest groups.

Also post any info about any upcoming events that might be a good way for me, and anyone for that matter, to check things out in person to get a well rounded, in person idea of what these events are like.  My schedule is pretty full, but if I can make it – I’ll be there!
Thanks in advance,
Tracey

Welcome 2010

A bit behind the times – it is already January 10th – but welcome to 2010!

Looking back at 2009, our inaugural year, there was a lot of continued developement, research, learning, growing and playing.  A lot of hard work, and more to come, but all for the greater good! 😉

Eco-TAV is looking forward to some great green shows this year – the two big ones here in Ottawa that we are booked to participate in are:

March 20/21, 2010: Go Green Expo at Lansdowne Park

and

April 24, 2010: Ottawa Eco-Fair at thr R.A. Centre on Riverside Drive

Another smaller event will be the Ottawa Dancers’ Bazaar on March 6th at the Knight’s of Columbus Hall on McArthur Avenue.

And life goes on!

I am looking into creating more designs for the Artisan line and launching those over the next few months, making them available via the Eco-TAV Artfire site and at the Trade shows of course.

For those unfamiliar with Artfire, it is a similar concept as Etsy, AND they plant trees and are really interactive with their clients!  They are constantly developing new contests, awareness campaigns and more – I like em!

I have also established an Eco-TAV Giving Page through CanadaHelps.org and hope you will take a moment to check it out.  I think they are a simple and easy way to make donations to my favorite mainly local charities ! Make a small donation and help some great folks do their good!

I have loads of work ahead of me this year, but I am looking forward to sharing the ride with you!

Happy 2010!

Tracey

A Tale of Two Videos

Thank you muchly for the two folks who took time out of their busy lives to submit their own stories of Eco-TAV.

So who will be the big winner?  I know they are both winners { literally as they are both getting prizes!], but I need your help to choose!

So, please check out both videos and let me know which you prefer in the comment section below!

The Lunch Bag by Bonnie Jean et al

M2 Review of Mouse pouch

So either leave your comment on the youtube pages or here and I’ll tabulate and calculate and award these hard working Green Folk by the end of this week!