giveaway

to celebrate my 2nd blogoversary, I made 2 of the above market grocery tote to give away. That means that there's 2 totes to giveaway to 2 lucky people. The giveaway totes are just like these bags I blogged about a little while back. These bags are handmade by me using new fabric and thrifted bias binding.

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment to this giveaway post. One entry each please. Also don't forget to leave your contact details so I can contact you if you should be a lucky winner. The giveaway will run for 1 week (3-10 September 2010) and I'll put all the names in a hat and draw the 2 winners. Good luck!

to market

a visit to the local farmers market was the best excuse for using my new handmade grocery bags. Hot off the sewing machine and ready to be filled with loads of shopping. These bags were made using Butterick 5413 and some funky 'green' themed cotton fabric and vintage bias binding. The pattern makes up a nice, roomy bag. At the market, the local growers, farmers and artisan food producers sell their wares directly to the public. There's every imaginable in-season fruit and vege, cheeses, artisan breads, jams & preserves, coffee... the list is endless. So of course, I had no difficulty filling my bags with lots of yummy goodies. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera, maybe next time I'll take photos to share.

kwik sew 3612 tote

I blogged about this tote bag back in September 2008 when I made a rip roaring start on it. Then I had an issue with one end of the fabric base that refused to give me a tidy corner, no matter what I did. So it went onto the ufo pile. And there it sat for almost 1 1/2 years. Yesterday I got stuck in and finished it.

another ufo celebrates completion!

shopping bag sewing

a quick trip to the supermarket last night turned into a logistical nightmare. A shopping trolley that kept veering to the right, losing the shopping list, couldn't remember what was on the list, spending more than I expected trying to 'guess' and to top it all off, no shopping bags in the car boot.

my reusable shopping bags have reappeared in the strangest places. My hubby has 1 in his 4WD filled with bits and pieces from work, Mr 10 has 2 filled with meccano, lego and comics crammed in his wardrobe, Miss 12 has 2, 1 has dirty soccer boots and smelly socks (pewww!) and the other is filled with all sorts of craft stuff. Even Miss 2 has 1 (don't know how she got it!) filled with her dolly family, blocks and storybooks  hiding behind the sofa.

so today it has to be shopping bag sewing day. I've found home decor fabric remnants to make up into roomy tote bags. The family have been warned... no taking of Mum's shopping bags is allowed!

not sew good tote bag

with the trip to Wellington in mind, I've been preoccupied with making a tote bag. In the Spotlight remnant bag was this open weave cotton fabric with the worst grain issues ever. So in a moment of mad inspiration, I thought it would be a great challenge to use it for my bag. Looking back, I was certainly challenged!


This tote tutorial makes a nice, roomy bag. It's ideal in size for supermarket shopping, library books or as a gym gear bag. Next time I make this tote bag, I'll sew a lining inside it. For now, the bag is host to a number of toys including a vintage golliwog 'Mr Jim.'

Upcycled craft bag

At last, I've made myself a craft bag to hold all my knitting and crochet projects. Up till now I've just used a plastic bag which does it's job (although I have to keep replacing it as the needles put holes in it and that isn't very inspiring!)

I used a vintage linen cushion cover and fabric remnant which I found at the local op shop. It's now a fully lined drawstring bag with inside pockets for my tape measure, needle guage etc and with mitred corners at the base. There's plenty of space for my notebook, several balls of wool (I usually have 2-3 projects on the go at any one time)and patterns plus room to spare.

Tote bag progress

Still working on the shopping tote. I was going to line it in hot pink drill but then decided that it was starting to look "too pink!" So today I went and bought some purple drill which I think will tone in nicely. Not too sure about the width of the bag handles. On the pattern cover it looks great but cut out, they look really wide. I'll persevere with it for now!

Now a tote bag

Sunday was shopping spree time at Spotlight's massive fabric sale. Lots of craft & dress fabrics were heavily discounted, so of course I had to stock up. I swear my shopping cart was so full & heavy that I could hardly push it. Luckily my 9 year old son was there to help.
I spotted this Kwik Sew bag pattern at the counter. I love bag example A with the different fabric combinations. It looks like a great way to use up all those offcuts from other projects that I've got. I've chosen a pink theme (see photo) and I now have to look in my stash for a co-ordinating lining. I'm planning to get started on it tonight after the children are asleep.

Another laptop sleeve

This one is for my daughter's 12.1 inch laptop. I struggled a little with the fit as I forgot that her laptop has little rubber feet and didn't include that in my calculations. I chose a coconut button to feature on the tab (underneath is a large metal snap). She loves it!

Laptop sleeve finished

Finished the laptop sleeve in record time. I deliberately placed the 'doily' print off centre and I'm very happy with the result. Also decided to either use velcro or tab & button hole fastening. It all depends on whether I can find the right 'coconut' button at Spotlight today.

Messenger bag

This was a project that we started almost 2 years ago, lost interest in & have only just completed today. Yes the cherubs are upside down. I mistook them for flowers and had my daughter cut all the pattern pieces this way. Unfortunately we didn't have any extra fabric to put it right.

B4583. An easy pattern to sew up. The bag has a roomy interior with a large inside pocket & a cellphone pocket. I put in a piece of stiff cardboard along the bottom so there's a secure base for the bag. Plenty of room for a laptop, library books, lunch box etc.

Now I'm inspired! next project is to make a padded laptop sleeves for myself & my daughter.