Cool ways to recycle!

We all have those moments when we reach the checkout of our local supermarket and realise we have forgotten our really cool reusable bags, often the brightly coloured ones from Woolies, in our car. We humbly nod as the cashier asks if we would like plastic bags, and then silently promise ourselves and the environment not to be so forgetful next time! Until the next time...
What to do with these plastic bags once they have served their purpose? Re-use them for groceries? Unlikely; they are usually so flimsy to aid their biodegradability over say; a million years, that are rendered practically useless after one use. And to be honest - who buys only one bottle of wine when shopping - you need some heavy duty bags for two reasonably priced bottles of Mandy's little helpers. 
What to do, what to do! But wait! I have come up with a solution, and all you need is:
1. A couple of spare hours
2. A bit of fabric (anything less than 1/4 metre is probably gonna be too small)
3. Scrap paper
4. Plastic bags


Step 1:
Fold scrap paper in half and sketch a design of half a weird creature, cut it out and then unfold to get the mirror image.
Place on fabric (fabric folded so 2 pieces are cut) and cut out (I suggest leaving a 1cm seam allowance on the edges)

The above pic is of my little chap's body... He will also have some wings. 


Step 2:
After attaching the wings; sew both sides together of the body together, but remember to leave a gap so that you can turn it the right way around. 
Then stuff with plastic bags. You can use a sewing machine, or sew by hand while watching TV if you are looking for a food avoidance technique!

Step 3:
Once stuffed with old, discarded plastic bags - sew the gap closed, sew on some eyes and a mouth (I used buttons and glued on some artfully cut ribbon for teeth...)

...and let your monster loose to stalk its prey (usually badly behaved Westie puppies...)
OR donate to your local orphanage/hospital - everyone needs a little monster! I just date one ;-) heh heh
No but seriously - the plastic makes a nice *scrunch, scrunch* noise, so would probably be good for babies developmental stuff? Hmmmm... 


Kisses, 
Mananana as sung to Beethoven's 5th (Andrew, I like it. I am not going to lie. It's the drama of it all!)