subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Published June 19, 2008 11:32 pm - NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- When friends and neighbors heard the Brady family needed crafting materials for a special project, two-handled white plastic bags with Food Lion, Wal-Mart and Harris Teeter logos magically appeared on their doorstep in the Hilton area of Newport News, Va.

Recycle plastic bags to make hooked rugs


By Kathy Van Mullekom

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- When friends and neighbors heard the Brady family needed crafting materials for a special project, two-handled white plastic bags with Food Lion, Wal-Mart and Harris Teeter logos magically appeared on their doorstep in the Hilton area of Newport News, Va.

When they had more than 60 bags on hand, Michelle and daughter Cecily went to work, recycling the bags into a hooked rug that is now the talk of their friends.

"People who've seen the rug seem to think it's cool," says Michelle, 41. "One family friend decided to make her own."

Michelle came across the idea last fall while researching creative ways to use old Christmas cards. One online site showed a raincoat and tote bags made of fused plastic bags. Another Web site featured hats crocheted from plastic bags and rugs woven with them. But, it was a photo of a rug hooked with plastic bags that snagged her interest.

"The designer talked about the durability of the rug; all she had to do was hose it of or shake it clean," she says. "I thought the hooked rug was attractive and was suddenly struck by how many plastic bags I was storing in the house. I felt an immediate impulse to make one, even though I've never hooked a rug before."

Cecily, 14, says the rug adds personality to her room.

"It's something that none of my friends have, although a few are trying to save up plastic bags to make one," said the Warwick High School student. "I really love it. I have it on the floor right in front of my door and next to my bed so it is one of the first things you see when you come in my room. The rug itself is very soft, and the best part is you hose it off if it gets dirty."

The rug is just one way the Brady family recycles. They compost their fruit and vegetable waste, use their city recycling bin religiously and try to reuse or re-purpose whatever they can, including the backs of used writing paper or the many tennis balls that Michelle goes through.

"Those were turned into wreaths at Christmas," says Michelle of the tennis balls.

Hook a rug

Materials:

· Hooked rug backing from fabric or craft store

· Plastic grocery bags (flimsier ones labeled No. 2 work best; heavier bags marked No. 4 stretch and break easily); 60 bags were used for this project.

· Latch hook tool



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premium Jobs

MAKE-READY/GROUNDS
Full-time Temporary Work
Pay based on Exp / Must have valid D.L. • Apply in person at
2900 Chautauqua
or
...>MORE

Broadway Living Center
Has Full Time &
Part Time
Positions Available For
CMA's • CNA
To Join a Great Team
Offering Com
...>MORE

Full-time Position in...
non traditional Mental Health Program.
Energy, flexibility, professionalism & experience required. No Phone Inqui
...>MORE

GET A REAL JOB!
TCIM Services has incredible
opportunities contacting individual and business customers. No cold calls. If you have
...>MORE

Republic Bank & Trust
Detailed-Oriented
Individuals Able to
Work in Fast-Paced
Environment Should Apply.

As a l
...>MORE

CMA/CNA with MAT
7 - 3 & 3 -11 • F/T & P/T
For Memory care community
Please apply in person 310-2499
Arbor House Reminisc
...>MORE

Part-time Desktop Technician
Looking for a Technician to provide Level I / II IT support in a
fast-pace environment.

Skill set nee
...>MORE

Noble Healthcare Center
LPNs
Now Hiring LPNs
3p - 11p • 11p - 7a
Excellent Starting Pay
$500 Sign On BONUS after 6 Mos
...>MORE

Clinical research coordinator
for cardio practice at SW Med Ctr. Highly developed org skills, detail-oriented, exc comm skills and computer skills. ...>MORE

Seeking Direct Care Staff
Norman Juvenile Detention Facility. Must be 21. Call for Details • EOE
Communityworks • 447-4499
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Homes


near Lake TBird on 10.5 fncd Ac ’s. 2100sq’ • 1100sq’ Wrap Around Porch & Patio. 3 or 4Bd/2Bth • 2/Liv Rms. Master BR 16...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

Enchantment
Enchantment
25 Yrs Exp • Lawncare
Mowing, Edging,
Weeding • Tree Service
Topping, Pruning, Removal
...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index