#Ditch the Plastic....Bags That Is

To say I am obsessed with market bags would be an understatement. I have at least a couple dozen...some I made, others I buy at the store when shopping, still others given to me (you need a bag?). I use them for grocery shopping, thrift shopping, dirty laundry when I am on vacation (TMI?), everything and anything I used to use a plastic bag for. 

What's not to love?  The reusable bags hold more than plastic, are stronger than plastic, and look a heck of a lot better...not to mention the environmental impact plastic bags make. My state hasn't done away with plastic shopping bags yet, but I recently returned from a couple of places that did. No plastic shopping bags...none. Lucky for me I had one in my suitcase....a just-in-case bag.

So, what do I look for in a recyclable bag? For me, sturdy fabric, like canvas, duck, or lined cotton...quilted, is a must,  straps long enough to carry the bag on my shoulder, and a bag that is big enough to carry a load but not too big a load that I can't carry it. A market bag is pretty easy to make and a great way to recycle some fabric lying around.

Here's a few ideas:


Fold-up Tote

Asymmetrical Color Block Tote from Haberdashery Fun



fat Quarter Reusable Grocery Bag by Crystal



French Market Tote with Coco Channel Type Handles from Sew4Home Cute and I love the handles but I'm not sure about carrying lots of groceries in it.



Fat Sack from Terry Atkinson...so gorgeous in Amy Butler fabric.

No-Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag OK, technically not a market bag but too darn cute to leave out. No sewing experience necessary and great to make for the grandkids.....send them home with goodies in an environmentally safe bag. Make it real special by letting them find a t-shirt to make it with. 

Ta Da....Here's a quickie I put together. This gorgeous fabric was a markdown at the local Dollar General....a table runner. I folded it in half and sewed up the sides. Sewed a hem at the top, too. The straps were strips of fabric from a pair of pants that had seen better days....cut to the length I wanted then folded lengthwise and sewn for extra strength...then attached to the bag. Strong enough to hold more than a few patterns but lovely enough to hold my crochet.

So, with sew many to choose from, is it any wonder I am obsessed? #Ditch the plastic.
Post by Eileen Patterson...who is GoofingOff

Handprint in the Sand

Sometimes you come across an idea too good not to share with others and this is one.

The quilt is called “Handprints in the Sand.” Here’s a great idea from Tracey Lipman she did to remember her children’s handprints. She made tracings of her children’s hands and marked them on sand colored fabric, then added a border to frame the “sand”, then another border with seashells, sea stars, and sea life. She then quilted the children’s handprints. After that, it looks as if she stippled (sort of doodling by machine) around the handprints and on the blue frame.

 

Tracey is a  member of Etsy Chai (the Jewish Etsy team I belong to) and makes wonderful bags and yoga mats, too. Little did I know but she also quilts for fun.

Here’s a diaper bag from her shop.

Here’s one of her yoga mat bags. I love the print…and the pocket on the side. Just right for a washcloth to mop sweat or anything else you need to carry along.

Anyway, I think it’s a great idea from a talented artist. What a way to keep a memory!

Well done, Tracey!

Post by Miss Eileen aka GoofingOff

MissEileen vintage
Goofingoff Etsy Judaic fabrics, sewing patterns
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Slow Cooker Potatoes and Beans

A while back…November, to be exact, I posted this recipe for beans, ham, and potatoes on my blog. I got a bit of a surprise when I found a very similar recipe posted on Allrecipes.com. The lady changed it a little but it still looked pretty good. Might be a good idea for those leftover ham bones from Easter Sunday dinner.

  Here’s the link to my post: http://misseileen-aka-goofingoff.blogspot.com/2011/11/thrifty-crockpot-cooking-taters-n-beans.html  Cheap, easy, and good tasting.

Sorry but I took some time off blogging for a bit to work on some projects. Still working on them but here’s what I’ve done so far:

Doo Rags: Not the most original idea on the planet but good for my biker-gear head-man cave loving hubby. Good way to use up fabric scraps.

Baby Sunbonnets: Had to do these. Just too cute.

Scrappy tote bag: Found this fabric on the way to the trash heap. A true rescue.

 

I haven’t been a total slacker, just working and refining. Have a happy Easter and Passover everybody!

Halloween Tote Bags

Let me start this story by saying I have a lot of fabric. Almost too much fabric for the amount of time I have to sew. Almost. Lucky for me I have lots of ideas, almost too many compared to the time in a day I can devote to creating. Almost. Just need focus, or so I say.

Well, I sat down to sew and make some things for the Heart of the Hammock Humane Society to sell when I saw some fabric I’ve had for a while. Nice, heavy weight fabric. I’ve used most of the fabric for other projects and kind of was tapped out of ideas except for now. I remember something I heard on the news about lead in the paints used to decorate those shopping bags they sell at the store. Love the bags (hate plastic, go green) but don’t like the idea of lead, even if I am not going to eat the bag, so I thought I would make my own totes. Here’s how they came out:

 

The fabric is orange and white, perfect for a harvest, fall bag. The little black cat faces add a touch of whimsy.

Post by Miss Eileen who’s just Goofing Off.

Thrift Shopping Goofing Off Style

Like many others who love vintage, I am addicted to yard sales. Unfortunately most yard sales are a weekend thing and with Christmas falling on Saturday this year (not to mention me having to work) yard saling is out this week. No yard sales means I shop at my honey holes, the consignment and thrift shops around my area. You never know what you’ll find. Some have first edition books, others have great clothes at even greater prices, and still others have fantastic furniture and what-nots.

One of my favorite shops is the Heart of the Hammock Humane Society Thrift Shop on US 19 in Old Town. 

The cute little shop is full of some of the best stuff anywhere. I’m never sure what I’ll find. Today, just inside the door, was a beautiful vintage mirror with the holder from a wood dresser. Great to fix up a drab room. Love it!

This is a paperweight, a hand-painted by one of the Humane Society’s many supporters.

Lots of glassware. Sometimes there are real treasures, beautiful vases of colored glass and crystal hiding on the shelves. Good place to get good glasses at reasonable prices.

  

The dishes are often vintage. I’ve found McCoy, Hull, and real vintage china here.

Bobar’s Bags are handmade with a different design on each one by a local artist, Marsha Hardy. They are awesome bags and make fantastic gifts. I should know, I have one.

And check out this hat!!! A Pink Straw Hat!!! I knew when I saw it I had to have it. It was made by Cappelli Straworld of Miami. It’s wonderful! Now I have to find something to wear it to.

Well there you have it. One of my favorite haunts in Dixie County, Florida. Good place to find vintage items, save a little green, and help out their animal rescue efforts. Say Hi to Pat and Doris when you stop in and tell them you’re Goofing Off!

Post written by Eileen Patterson who is forever Goofing Off.

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