There has been all kinds of billboard recovery going on around here lately.

After my initial excitement about the "sandwich sale" banner I picked out of someone's trash (above), I was disappointed to discover that it has entirely vinyl-sticker lettering, which is flimsy and doesn't weather well. It sucks. I guess I wasn't looking closely enough at it when I grabbed it. It means I have to be really careful about what I make from it and which parts of the banner I use. I was hoping to be able to cut and paste from anywhere, but clearly I can't. I'm pretty sure I'll still be able to make small things from it, as long as I make sure to sew the lettering in to a seam. Or, maybe a better option is to use that long stripe down the center, which seems to be more firmly attached than the rest of it.



Anyway, you'll understand the thrill I had when, after a big midweek rainstorm, a printed vinyl banner appeared curbside just down the street. I restrained myself for a day, to make sure no one was going to return it to whatever billboard it came down from. Then, Wednesday afternoon, I nonchalantly slipped an Olfa knife in my pocket, cut off as much as I could, and ran home.

It was pretty filthy, having (among other things) been rained on and run over a few times, but it was nothing that a little dish detergent couldn't fix. I don't know how I fit it in our little shower stall for a wash, but half an hour later it came out gleaming.

I'm excited because can make anything I want from this one. Since it's all a single material, I can use it just like fabric, without worrying so much about wear. Hand-sewing will be difficult (it's thick and I don't have a sewing machine), but I think I'll be fine with a carpet needle and a pair of pliers. It'll just take me a while. Would anyone like a new messenger bag in a month or so?