The Elfin Adventure Nation

Bonjour my pleasant purple tea drinkers (see what I did there)

Today's post is very much so long overdue as I promised in my into that it would arrive shortly and...well...I forgot.

But that's okay! 

On June 22, 2013 the official launch of Elfin Adventure Whimsical Boutique winked into history as the official Etsy shop of the 

Elfin Adventure Nation. (Snazzy!)

AS of this day, the nation consists of a shop, blog, facebook, and the beginnings of a youtube channel! (all links below lovelies)

I would like to thank you all for such a wonderful blessing to be able to bestow my wonders onto the world of tea and to thank all the people that made me into the delicious person I am today. 

Let this be no joke, the beginnings of the nation were hard, I worked hours on end (still working) in order to bring to the public an organization I felt needed to be in the world. 

Through this, my promise to you, I will provide DIY and Craft projects, Tidbits of humor, Important information about the globe, Factoids, The promise of products made entirely in an eco-friendly matter composed of recycled materials, and lastly to bring awareness to nonprofit and activist campaigns that I hold dear to my heart. 

After all, together we can change the world.

Now you may ask, why the different names for the different sections?

And I shall answer: my cup of tea (this blog) is a networking of things I enjoy that I feel all people could benefit from. Elfin Adventure (the shop/facebook) is the binding that started it all, the kettle in which our tea simmers, the sunshine to our cloudy days, the the public face of my world, and lastly The Blue Owl (youtube channel) As few of you may know, the animation of a blue owl was once a central focus of the Elfin logo, it was removed for banner space, however I still feel an attachment to the little guy and have begun to take on the persona of the owl itself. Blue for unique and creative, and the owl as the being/creator of the nation.

The one section I have still yet to find is my title for you, the lovely readers that make all of this worth doing, my constituency,my fuel to the fire, I wish to find a name for you all to be my:____ So I have proposed this little contest :)

Enter a comment for the best name for my audience you could possibly dream up and, if chosen, you shall receive a 50% off coupon code for any item in the Elfin Adventure shop! 

Note* This excludes Asian Elephant plushies as the funds are donated to saving Asian Elephants through Earth Day Network.

Anywho, I will keep this little contest open until I find a winner that makes my heart sing and that person will be instantly notified of their awesome victory, will be given a shout out on both this blog and youtube, and the coupon code for any item (except elephants, their lives depend on full price!) 

As always my dear friends, keep your tea seeped and I shall hopefully have a name for you soon

Cheers.

LINK IT UP! 

Etsy: www.etsy.com/ElfinAdventure

Facebook: www.facebook.com/elfinadventure

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1DL2o4k6S6lBjLILehZn7Q

Cellphones for Survivors Campaign

Hello my wonderful tea sippers!

            

Today I am bringing you another nonprofit awareness campaign and requesting all of you to please find it in your hearts to help not only this college student, but also survivors of domestic violence!

Brought to you by Do Something: http://www.dosomething.org/survivors

I will be collecting used cellphones (no chargers or perfect working quality needed!) until January 1, 2014 in order to send them in to the lovely organization where I have completed so many campaigns in the past as this is my favorite nonprofit!

Anywho, all of the cellphones collected will be taken apart and recycled to raise funds for Domestic Violence programs across the country, all I ask is that the cellphone contain a battery. That’s it!

*UPDATE I will now be collecting cellphones until January 1st, 2014!

Relationship Violence

·         - A woman is battered every nine seconds in the United States.

·         - 1 in 14 men will experience relationship violence at some point in his lifetime.

·         - One in four women will experience relationship violence during her lifetime.

·         - Women ages 20 to 24 are at greatest risk of becoming victims of domestic violence.

·         For more information check out these resources:

o    A Thin Line

o    Warning Signs of Abuse

o    Get Help

o    Or call: 866-331-9474

Relationship Violence And Tech

·         - Funding from your refurbished phone can help a survivor learn how to use one to protect themselves.

·         - What millions don't realize is technology can be dangerous and potentially lethal when in the hands of abusers

How Your Phones Help

·         - Nearly all of the materials found in cell phones can be recycled to make new products.

·         - The money from your recycled or refurbished phones will benefit NNEDV’s Safety Net program which educates victims on ways to use technology to help find safety and escape their abusers.

Before Sending

·         - Remove your password

·         - Deactivate the phone

·         - Erase all personal data

·         - Turn phone off

Please Comment below if you have some old Nokia’s in the junk drawer and I will get in touch with shipping information!

Remember we can all save the world.

Cheers!

Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out Indoor Gardening Series #3 Plant Markers

Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out Indoor Gardening Series #3

Plant Markers

Such a lovely day it has been, enjoying nature, finding the perfect fallen twigs for today’s project:

These adorable plant markers can be placed upright in the soil or just near the plants you wish to identify

*NOTE: When selecting the perfect little twigs, do not under any circumstances steal food from a beaver or a walking cane from the friendly garden gnomes

To get started on this quick little gem we shall begin by finding a few fallen twigs:

I like to select twigs about a half inch in diameter and 8-9 inches long.

Next, using a knife, remove a small area of bark to be used as the writing surface, if you would like, sand this area smooth.

Finally, whittle down the tip of the plant marker (opposite end of the writing surface) to a dull point to allow for easier insertion into your pots or garden plot.  

And very much so lastly, write the name of the plant on the marker, place, and enjoy!

I love bringing more bits of nature into my indoor garden to really make it feel homey to my little seedlings. If you would like to see any specific tutorials please comment below and I will do my best to create one for you!

As always, keep your tea seeped, and a smile upon your face.

Cheers.

Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out Indoor Gardening Series #2 Miniature Greenhouses

Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out Indoor Gardening Series #2

Mini Greenhouses

Good Morning all the lovely world! Today we will be continuing our indoor gardening series by bringing you a cute, fun, mini project to complete to finish off your lovely recycled seed starter pots.

These miniature greenhouses take less than one minute to create and will leave your little seedlings all cozy and warm!

To begin, find a clear water bottle:

Then measure the height of the pot you wish to warm:

And simply cut the bottle bottom (ha) to the right length, place over your baby seed pot and place in a sunny location!

This project continues to bring recycled elements into the garden enjoy!

Cheers. 

“Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out” Indoor Gardening Series Recycled Seed Starter Pots

Good Morning!

Today marks the beginning of a lovely green series all about indoor gardening! I shall call it:

“Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out”

And thanks to the fantastic P. Allen Smith this ravishing phrase has become quite catchy and a tad overused but nonetheless ideal.

As few (if any) of you know I have quite the dainty indoor garden in my bedroom (NOTE* recommended to have a large sunny space as plants take up room and smell slightly dirty thanks to the potting soil) To start my humble gnome home I selected a room with a big window that faces primarily south/southwest in order to harvest all the sunlight I can. I then selected seeds that will work well indoors. I chose Marigolds (yummy tea!) Cucumbers (hardy indoors or out but needs a trellis) Green Bell Peppers (Favorite snack!) and Sunflowers.

Yes, Sunflowers can be grown indoors with high ceilings and plenty of light (No, my parents do not know about this one :] )

To start my lovely seeds I wanted to find an eco-friendly, recyclable, yet decomposable seed starter and after many hours of internet searching I found the perfect one!

To make these cute little guys, I began collecting many toilet paper rolls. I then pre-creased each edge of the bottom of the tube to make it easier to form the pot-like bottom

I then pinched in opposite sides and folded them down to create half the bottom

I repeated the process with the last two remaining “points” to form the base of the pot (this part can be a tad tricky)

 *If your pot doesn’t stand well try placing a small cylinder item inside, setting it on a hard surface, and pressing the flaps flat.

I then filled each little pot 7/8 (fancy measuring skills there *guestimate) full with an organic seed starting medium. I placed a tiny little seed in the middle and filled the pot the rest of the way full with seed starting medium. Place your little dandies on a plastic tray (water and soil may leak out the bottom) in a sunny location (bright window sill or shelf with a grow light) and be patient. Be sure to water frequently and of course introduce yourself to the cute little seeds.

After the little buds are a few inches tall, you are ready to pop them into their permanent home and treasure your new roommates!

21 Signs You Sew Too Much

21 Signs That You Sew Too Much

1.  You own 3 pairs of scissors

2. “fabric Stash” is an underestimate

  3.You know your body’s measurements by heart

4. “Sew only September” is on your bucket list

5.You no longer feel pain after sticking your finger with a pin or needle

6.The seam ripper is your best friend

7.You go to a clothing store and think “I could make that”

8.  Whenever you hear “Make it work” you automatically picture Tim Gunn

9.  You will frequently disappear for hours and have nothing to show for it because you couldn’t “make it work”

10.  You will stab someone for using you fabric scissors for anything but fabric 

111. “Where did you buy that?” Is the world’s best compliment

12. Joanne’s is preprogrammed into your GPS (Like you actually need it)

13. You can perfectly eyeball an 1/8”

14.   You go hours with a measuring tape around your neck forgetting it’s there

15.   You own more than 2 pincushions

16.   You know what different fabrics are based on their feel

17.   You own more throw pillows than you know what to do with

18.   You know the differences between a Baste stitch and a Topstitch

19.   Your sewing machine has a name

20.   Be honest, you haven’t measured a hem since your first circle skirt

21.   “Hi Lo” Is an excuse for not measuring the hem…

Save the Asian Elephants!

Save the Asian Elephants!

Hello, Today I want to share with you all a very important cause. Being an Activist I see many animals fight for their lives and the existence of their species, something we could end if we all work together.

The folks at EarthDay.org put together this lovely campaign that I need to share with you!

Campaign to Protect the Asian Elephant

GET INVOLVED

Take Action

SPREAD THE WORD

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The Asian elephant, once widely distributed throughout many areas of India, is now listed an endangered species by the Indian Government and included on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The factors leading to steep population declines in all five major elephant habitats include: rapid human population growth that has resulted in shrinking habitat; major reductions in elephant “exclusive zones” and elephant “buffer zones;” and increased human-elephant conflicts, including poaching and an extraordinary increase in railway accidents, resulting from an Indian government decision to increase the range, size, and speed of railways throughout the elephants’ habitat.

Unlike elephant populations threatened by large scale poaching, the threats plaguing Asian elephant populations in India can be greatly reduced through three strategies: organizing community-led on the ground interventions; eliminating the Indian Railway exemption from the Environmental Impact Assessment process; and developing broad based public support for elephant protection.  

To reverse the Asian elephant population decline, Earth Day Network India (EDN-India) proposes a three year campaign to:

• Initiate public interest litigation against the Indian government to eliminate the  EIA exemption for railway activities;
• Launch a pan-India campaign build and mobilize a broader national citizen’s movement to support the elimination of the EIA exemption and to protect the Asian Elephants, Rhinos and Tigers.
• Engage local community and other stakeholders in one of India’s most important elephant habitats in a one year pilot program to develop and implement a comprehensive protection plan, including a simple but effective Early Warning System to reduce elephant deaths to zero from railway accidents;
• Offer medical assistance to participants and their extended families as well as environmental education and sex trafficking education in all participating communities; and
• Develop  and implement an environmental stewardship ethic among local community stakeholders, including community leaders and small and local government leaders.

India is home to between 50 and 60 per cent of all of Asia's wild elephants.  Asian Elephants are listed as an endangered species on the World Conservation Union’s Red List, Schedule 1. The protection of Asian Elephants in India is thus of paramount importance.  

- See more at: http://www.earthday.org/campaign-protect-asian-elephant#sthash.FZajqca7.dpuf

Remember lovelies, It only takes one person to change the world!

Cheers.