Challenged: Sew For a Change #6-9

My unintentional internet break also meant that I haven't been updating my Sew For a Change posts. I have been participating, though. July's challenge was cleaning, and I passed with flying colours. I forgot to check August's challenge until it was nearly over, but then I found out it was recycling, and that I already do everything on this list -- especially now that we've found out that the Sally Ann will recycle fabric scraps (anything too small to be used by Arts Junktion, anyway). So yay, me.

September's challenge on detoxifying your home was a bust. Partially due to time, but also because I'm not convinced putting all my plastics into landfills is the best solution, particularly since they're only a problem when heated. So no extra 10 points for me this month. However, I'm up 20.

Er... that's before I count all the fabric I bought in August. And shoes. Did I mention I bought a (couple of) pair(s) of shoes? American Duchess is selling her 23 Skidoos for $30 off and I might just have indulged^*. I also went a little crazy with fabric: linen to finish the Dîner en Blanc Gabriola; white cotton knit for t-shirts; some sort of blue lacy stuff to make a spring cardigan (just in time for fall); two types of black and white striped knit for breton tees. So, um, yeah. Up 20 but down 28.

This month, we are challenged to eliminate so-called toxic products related to hygiene. I think this is another month where I won't meet all eleven rules. I already do a few of them, two don't apply, and three won't be a hardship. But because I don't want to bring anything new into the apartment until I actually use up my other products -- and I tried using only vegetable oil instead of moisturizer, but it was... unpleasant -- the ones about toothpaste, shampoo, and skin care will be very difficult. Plus, I need products that have at least SPF 15 in them. And as for eliminating aluminum in my antiperspirant, there are no accepted studies that show any link between it and disease. So while I will follow the rules I can, I have a feeling that I won't be earning those extra 10 points this month. At least I won't be spending any points, either, while I finish up my UFOs^**. Right?

Right.

^*Have I mentioned that this is one of my new favourite shoe stores? I do not need more shoes, I do not need more shoes, I do not...

^*Can I call them UFOs if I actually wear them before they're finished? I think I'll take a page out of Oona's book and call them PIPs... although in my case that stands for Perps in Progress because I do feel like I'm committing a bit of a crime every time I wear something that's not quite finished yet.