In anticipation of earth day on April 22, I'm going to share with you crafty tutes that help save a bit of space in the landfill.

Today's tute is all about VHS tapes.  I still have an entire box of them, that are my favorites, though I rarely watch them.  I'm sure you've seen the raffia flowers that Cathy of California made on the Martha Stewart show a few weeks ago.  Well if you're into that and have tried to make them, check these beauties out.  Yup, that's video tape.

Flowers

Urban Craft Uprising

Urban Craft Uprising
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
Seattle, WA
August 1 & 2, 2009

Urban Craft Uprising is a community of crafters, dedicated to growing the crafting community and showcasing the best indie crafts out there. Our annual show (now in its fourth year) is renowned for drawing the most creative, unique, and cream-of-the-crop crafters from around the region-and even some vendors from as far away as Boston and Toronto! The uprising is truly a unique showcase for rising indie craft stars, and a venue for holiday shoppers to marvel over one-of-a-kind, avant-garde creations, and at no charge to the public.

Fiberart

Feeling springy, feeling crafty.  Check out the Plaid online for their spring contest.  All you have to do is send them a photo of a project you created using Mod Podge and is inspired by spring. 

Grand Prize: $75 worth of products from Plaid; you and your work featured on their website.
Second Place Prize: $50 worth of products from Plaid
Third Place Prize: (Two Prizes) $25 worth of products from Plaid

Entries will be judged by a panel of judges on originality, creativity and use of product.
You may be asked to provide project instructions and/or send actual project by mail if selected.

Contest Dates:
March 19 through April 2;
Winner Selected : May 1

Good luck!

How is your 2009 going?  If you're a supersititous person, or suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia (a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th) you may not like 2009 that has a surprising 3! 

Who knew that there was so much history in the number 13 and the fear of it and Friday the 13th.

For more info about the day read:

5 Facts About Friday the 13th

By LiveScience Staff

By Wikipedia

By About.com

Have a great Friday the 13th! Be careful out there.

Here's some tips from Jenny C. McCune of Bankrate of when to shred and when to store away:

Taxes
• Returns
• Canceled checks/receipts (alimony, charitable contributions, mortgage interest and retirement plan contributions)
• Records for tax deductions taken
• Length of time to keep: Seven years

IRA contribution records
• If you made a nondeductible contribution to an IRA, keep the records indefinitely to prove that you already paid tax on this money when the time comes to withdraw.
• Length of time to keep: Permanently

Retirement/savings plan statements
• Length of time to keep: From one year to permanently

Bank records
• Go through your checks each year and keep those related to your taxes, business expenses, home improvements and mortgage payments.
• Shred those that have no long-term importance.
• Length of time to keep: From one year to permanently

Brokerage statements
• Length of time to keep: Until you sell the securities

Bills
• Go through your bills once a year. In most cases, when the canceled check from a paid bill has been returned, you can shred the bill.
• However, bills for big purchases -- such as jewelry, rugs, appliances, antiques, cars, collectibles, furniture, computers, etc. -- should be kept in an insurance file for proof of their value in the event of loss or damage.
• Length of time to keep: From one year to permanently

Credit card receipts and statements
• Keep your original receipts until you get your monthly statement; shred the receipts if the two match up.
• Keep the statements for seven years if tax-related expenses are documented.
• Length of time to keep: From 45 days to seven years

Paycheck stubs
• When you receive your annual W-2 form from your employer, make sure the information on your stubs matches.
• If it does, shred the stubs. If it doesn't, demand a corrected form, known as a W-2c.
• Length of time to keep: One year

House/condominium records
• Keep all records documenting the purchase price and the cost of all permanent improvements -- such as remodeling, additions and installations.
• Keep records of expenses incurred in selling and buying the property, such as legal fees and your real estate agent's commission, for six years after you sell your home.
Length of time to keep: From six years to permanently

I am not a pet owner (dog or cat) as I am allergic, but anything that I can do to help I try.  So if in the New Year, you're cleaning out your closets and have some extra blankets, towels or sheets, consider giving them to "Blankets for Buddies".

The blankets are primarily used to give shelter animals a soft place to lie down and curl up inside their kennels while waiting for their owners to find them or someone to give them a new loving and permanent home.

The towels are often used for the cat crates as bedding and to wipe up messes, dry off animals after a much needed bath upon arrival, and in the field trucks that pick-up stray or lost animals.