You know I am constantly amazed and in awe of the women out here in Blogland... women who create beautiful things, women who pour their hearts and souls into mindful motherhood and artful homemaking, women who stand up for what they believe in, women who are holding down the fort, women who are making their way despite the odds.
I tell ya, whenever I sink into worrying about what the world is coming to, I take solace in the fact that there are so many women out there working each and every day to make the world a better place, one child, one clothesline, one reusable grocery bag, one kind word at a time.
It reminds me of a story I read years ago, that has stuck with me. The book, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio is the true story of a woman who, through sheer grit, determination, and a heaping helping of creativity, managed to keep her family of 12 afloat by entering contests of skill. She wrote jingles and composed essays between diapering and ironing and in so doing taught her 10 children that anything is possible. Read an excerpt here (It seems that there was a movie made about the book, but I haven't seen it, so I don't know if it's good or not.)
In honor of "the Prize Winner", and all the many many moms out there, doing their best with what they have, (and because it's just a lot of fun) I've decided to host a monthly contest of skill, here at Blue Yonder.
Tune in on the first Monday of each month for a new contest, with a new topic, and a new batch of prize goodies to give away. And while I know that today is not actually the first Monday of April, I just couldn't wait to get started! So here we go...
April's Blue Yonder First Monday Contest is:
Tell me your most creative repurpose. Maybe you've woven plastic bags into bathmats or sewn all your grandpa's old handkerchiefs into a quilt. Perhaps you saved up your yogurt containers to use as candle molds or you've turned an old clawfooted bathtub into a strawberry planter. Tell me how you've taken something old and given it new life with a new purpose.
Enter by telling me about your repurpose here in the comments section, or by commenting with a link to a photo or blog entry about your repurpose.
You can enter as many times as you like between now and midnight CST, April 30th. On May 1st, I will announce this month's winner, along with the details of May's contest.
Your entry can be an idea that strikes you this month, or something you did two years ago, so long as it is your own creation.
The winner will be chosen by me (and perhaps a committee of cohorts that may or may not include my mom, husband, neighbor, children and the check out girl at Wal-Mart).
The most creative/useful entry will receive:
Your very own copy of "The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio"
A biggo bar of my all time favorite soap, Pre de Provence's Linden.
A few boxes of the best ever Japanese Curry Packets (Japan's boil in bag version of fast food)
The lovely thrifted red doile in the photo above, a package of genuine Texas Bluebonnet seeds, a jar of Miss Ruby's Ya Ya Peppers (snack food of the gods), an official Junk Gypsy Tape Measure (because every girl needs one!) and whatever other little bits and pieces of Blue Yonderness that find their way into your prize package!
So let 'er rip, gals. How have you given new life to old junk?
