Backyard Eco- inventions

Josephine, backyard garden sprite in need of new wardrobe

Josephine has had several incarnations.  And several model upgrades in order to make her "work".  Well, really, her work is guarding the garden from evil forces.  So she really does nothing with the birds.  They forage at her feet, without fear.  I see  her from my kitchen window and she always brings a little glamour and colour to even the most dismal of days.  Her dress was a vivid bright red hue last year but alas, all these days of rain and shine have taken their toll.  Her hair has all but been blown away in the heavy storms we have recently experienced.  She is definitely due for a make-over in Spring!  Watch this space.......

A fruit picker, for those hard to reach top branches.

This was inspired by an article in an old gardening magazine.  It is made from an old tin can, with a little "V" cut into the side with a metal secateur.  Then it is duct-taped onto an old broom stick handle and a little padding placed in the bottom of the can to prevent damage to the fruit.  Works a charm.  This is actually the upgraded, painted model which I made for a friend.  My first prototype still boasts it's olive paper surround and is great for picking tree-top mandarins and figs.

Now for another "backyard invention" - for females.  Us ladies contribute to hundreds of tonnes of cotton sanitary waste bound for landfill sites every day.  So being the Greenie that I aspire to be, I decided to do a little online research and wow!  There are a lot of women out there sharing their expertise on making "moon pads" or re-usable sanitary pads. Just google "how to make lunar sanitary pad" and there are a host of "how to" videos for guidance.  So I gave it a go and the photos below document the journey into menstrual sustainability.  Ever wondered why the masculine derivative of something so intensely feminine?  Menstruation; menopause.............. why not womenstruation?  Or women-o-pause?  Odd.  Wonder if the words were invented by a male?

 I must confess that I have not yet given the moon pads a go yet, so I cannot vouch for their efficacy, however, I have tried them out and they seem to fit neatly and easily into cotton briefs.  For those of you who don't own a sewing machine or can't thread a needle, then you can buy moon pads online at  http://www.etsy.com/shop/epicerma

Firstly, cut around a disposable pad to get the right shape.
Then cut out a "liner inse" shape - I cut 7 layers altogether -
1 of terrycloth (old towel), 5 of an old winter sheet, and 1 of
a nylon fabric (leftover from making wind sock kites)

The seven layers which are then zig-zagged together.

An old pair of pyjama pants make the perfect outer layer material.
Cut out the pad outline, I extended the wings a bit so they can
meet in the middle of the crotch of a pair of undies.

Place the zig-zagged insert into the inside of the pad shape and attach
Sew the pad together, right sides together, leaving an opening at one
side so you can turn it inside out.

Fold the open end inside and sew a line of stitching all around
and one or two lines of stitching around the insert.  Add popper
press-studs or similar closing option

The finished Moon Pads.  Awaiting trial.................  I made 6
over the course of a wet day.  If they work, I shall make another 6.

So backyard sustainability inventions are definitely alive and well in my life.  Talking of backyards, I have discovered a really exciting website called OOOOBY (Out Of Our Own Back Yard).  Check it out on  http://ooooby.ning.com/   It connects like-minded people together, with mini locality groups, discussion forums and ideas and resource sharing.