Repurpose, Reclaim and Redefine Leisure Time

 

 

I spent a great deal of time talking to hands this last year. You know the kind I mean – arms extended, palms waving, usually accompanied with rolling eyes and a scornful ‘tsk-tsk’.“Who has the time?” was the phrase I heard over and over again…

After my first do-it-yourself book, Enjoy Life Outside hit the stands I went on tour to spread the word: ‘Redefine Leisure Time’. I campaigned that DIY wasn’t just about saving money, it was about stress relief and creative achievements, guaranteed to promote well-being and good health. I crusaded that this hobby offered a diversionary outlet from the demands of life while creating posh accessories for the house and home. I was all about using the hand to create – not to demonstrate.

  

  

 

 

 

 

 Let’s face it. We all need to switch off from the daily grind to avoid going mad or clogging more arteries. Some of us do it in different ways, that’s all. Some read or solve Sudoku, some watch TV or surf the net, some do yoga, some garden and some workout; all in the name of stress management. All I’m saying is that DIY is an outlet as well – one that builds muscle for the soul.Now, don’t get me wrong, not everyone greeted me with the hand; there were those who revelled at the prospect of DIY and enthusiastically shared their passion for the handmade movement. From these people, I listened and learned. I found that there were those who took pleasure in working with their hands. I learned that the DIY culture was genderless and ageless. I heard that many were concerned with our environment. And yes, I also learned from the hand-wavers. Free time is precious
and DIY virgins need to be gently guided with easy-peasy ‘101’ projects.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With this knowledge I compiled a list of do-it-yourself projects that would improve lifestyles.
My mandate was simple:
-Short and sweet crafts, easy to accomplish in a few hours or a week end.
-Repurpose everyday objects into posh accessories at a fraction of the price of high end accessories.
-Environmental savvy, self-fulfillment and stress relief.

 

 

  

 

 

 

The Art of Upcycle, my second book is dedicated to exactly that. It takes DIY to DIWise with 32 projects for every level of DIY’er. So, the next time you toss a bottle, bubble wrap or bedsprings in the trash, consider giving them a second life. The Art of Upcycle will be available at a store near you this spring or here on the web site. Join me and the BodoBoler at the Regina, Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton Home and Garden Shows where I will be sharing inspirational projects from both books. Hand-wavers are welcome.