going green with bento bags ...

I hadn't considered using a Bento Bag for produce, etc. but why not.  I happened to have some bandannas on hand and using one meant I didn't have to finish the edges - plus it's lightweight - would be so easy to make with a serger!!  ^^  This bag can be left open for the cashier to see what's in it or to check the bar code and then I can tie it up when I pack the groceries.  I'll keep you posted on how successful this is - a lot will depend on the cashier.  A couple of weeks ago I had a coupon for a free item - there were three varieties to choose from and we chose our favourite - at the check out, as I was packing the groceries, I noticed she left the coupon on the item - I pointed this out - she said I can't use it - I asked why - she said you need to buy the new variety.  I didn't argue but did a return on the item - when there is just one cashier and a long line up of impatient shoppers I try not to hold up the line.  At home I re-read the coupon - it says valid on any variety.  This particular cashier is one of the better ones at this supermarket - I was disappointed.

You will find good instructions here and here for making one of these - you can make them any size you want.  On the first site she also shows produce bags that were made from old sheets and gives the dimensions of the ones she makes.  I love the colourful bags on the second site - might be a good way to use up some of my stash.

Some years ago I made my first Bento Bag from an old linen table cloth - it has come in handy for many things including an overnight bag. ^^  This one is a bit different as the corners were not tied but stitched together and a gathered piece of fabric used to cover the join - makes the bag roomier.

I was able to try out the Bento Bag and the drawstring bag at the supermarket before publishing this - both worked well - the bar code was visible - the cashier was not bothered - they get a thumbs up (so does the cashier  ^^).  The Bento Bag needs to be bigger than the one I made (about 19" square) but worked well for a few bananas.  BTW I use fabric tote bags for the groceries.  ^^
  

see a challenge as what it can do for you

not what it is doing to you

memory quilt ....

I don't very often share pix of quilts because I don't make them any more - just mini quilts or the occasional baby quilt.... although I still like trying out different quilt blocks.  When I was going through some older photos (as you'll see by the date) looking for something in particular I came across this memory quilt - well, sort of a memory quilt - maybe in memory of my fella's working days.  ^^ I made this from some of his old plaid shirts and there were enough to make a quilt to fit a queen bed for our cabin in the woods in British Columbia.    So I figured why not show you the quilt and voilà!  It now resides at our cabin in Manitoba.
By the way, do you see that lamp on the right - it's marble and belonged to my paternal grandmother - it's old - older than I - I still have it - it's a cherished memory of her.

start each day with a grateful heart

I had to ....

When I saw one of these I had to try to make one.  I made a small one for two reasons .... if it didn't work out I wouldn't have wasted a lot of fabric and this was the only size hexagon I could lay my hands on .....  all my sorting and decluttering has things such as templates being put away and I was too lazy couldn't be bothered to take the time to look for them.

Trivet, pot holder, mug rug/coaster, kitchen art - it has many names.  I could scratch this off my bucket list if I had one.  ^^ 

 Last week I read on FB a suggestion that for forty days one could remove 1 item per day from the wardrobe and put it in a bag for charity.  I liked the concept of setting a goal and knew it would keep me on track.  I haven't given myself a time limit and the first two items I removed ended up being recycled - does that count?   To take this a step further I decided that I would also remove each day one item from my sewing/craft room.  By the way, it's going well.  ^^

What did I recycle you may be wondering - well, first a shirt from which I salvaged the buttons then cut into pieces that I could use for sewing and/or quilting.  The other was a cotton sweater that I don't wear anymore because it doesn't have a pocket - around home I like a pocket and tend to avoid wearing something without one.   I remembered to take a photo of the recycled sweater .....

 

Thanksgiving

We're having a splendid Thanksgiving weekend.  We had a nice visit with my Aunt Lou (she's a hoot), a lovely drive there and back, have eaten well, and fabulous weather!!  In recent years we've had some Thanksgiving weekends with freezing rain or worse that made family visits,  near or far,  quite difficult/impossible.

The Christmas countdown is already on in blogland with weekly projects appearing here and there providing all sorts of inspiration ... I love Christmas projects!  ^^    I only have one Christmas item to show you just now - it's hanging on the first wooden tree that my husband made for me.   The pillow is antiqued but that's not showing up in the photo.

When I found this weathered board at the cabin I knew what I wanted to do with and here is my finished project ....  I didn't have any old, grungy hardware to add to it so I used some rope and tied it with my favourite knot.    The letters are painted white but have been grunged up a bit with some bronze paint.

I wanted to try out this coaster from here .  I know, it's so bright, but they (there will be 2)  are for someone who likes these colours and it will brighten up a dull winter day. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

summer stitching .....

Here's another of the pieces that I stitched over the summer.
  I wanted it to look old and tried my hand at antiquing. 

 It's a design by Niky.

There seems to be a shortage of hand towels at the cabin

so I recycled a small bath towel into two hand towels.  I cut the towel in half and added some fabric trim to the cut edges.  To make it a totally recycled project I didn't use new fabric for the trim but used a piece from an old shirt.  

Interestingly, this project gave me a lot of satisfaction.

this and that

Are you familiar with Citrus Vinegar?  Curiosity got the best of me and I tried it out - I'm impressed!  I put the peel from a couple of oranges into a litre of white vinegar (in a jar with a lid)  and left it for two weeks, shaking it occasionally  - dilute it 1:1 with water or not - I didn't.

In cottage country there is a hunting and fishing lodge, Harvest Lodge, that serves a creamy chicken with wild rice soup that is to die for absolutely delicious!  You can check them out here and here.

Morning has broken ..............

 

I couldn't decide which one to post so you're getting both of them! 

And last but not least some Wave Pansies - I'd never seen cascading pansies before but I'm loving these fragrant ones.

Now just in case you think I've been living the life of riley at the cabin and doing nothing else  - I made this for a good friend for her b.d. .... not sure what she can use it for but perhaps it'll make a good bookmark.  Did I mention that she enjoys wine?  

recycling or re-using?

I'm not sure if this falls under recycling or re-using  (maybe both) but it's a handy, dandy letter/pattern holder made from a wire coat hanger.   I used 1" wide strips but they were too wide - I'd try narrower strips next time.  Rather than wrap double sided tape around the entire hanger  if I'd done that I'd have been attached to the hanger  I used a small piece  of tape at the beginning and end of each strip to keep all the loose ends nice and tidy.  This would be a great project for 'kids', too.  You'll find the instructions here.   Have fun!

Lavender heart ....

My readers know that I have a thing about hearts.  Whilst I was stitching this one there were many ideas bouncing around in my head for finishing it. Since this was for me I chose a finish that I'd
  make good use of - a sachet filled with lavender, that could be hung in a closet or put in a drawer. It would look quite pretty with a monogram in the centre of the heart.  The design is from here.

The hanger cover was made from two vintage crocheted place mats .

 

Snowmen

We had a snow event this weekend and now have lots of snow which made this snow family happy.

 These characters were made from old fence boards from the old neighbour's yard.  My husband did the cutting and attached a stake and I did the rest ... they were fun to do.

reputation

My reputation is at stake here - I am not always stitching and watching listening to football.  Here's proof .....  a pile like this 

 turned into this .....

 

a small makeup roll for the handbag

hand warmer rice bags for my husband

hexagon tree ornie

candle mats

 a compact sewing kit that fits nicely into a handbag; I'm not sure that I like the fabrics that I used but 'it is what it is'.

And these little characters  that are made from plastic pop rings - those rings found on a 6 pack.  Just cut them into individual rings and crochet around them.  It takes 2 -3 per character and it's lots of fun embellishing them.  I use them for package tie-ons.

Now I have to tackle the pile in the photo.

trim

Look at all this gorgeous trim!!!!!  I think I've died and gone to heaven (smile).  This was on a very wide pleated valance that I didn't want and had designated for the thrift store - prudence prevailed and I removed all the trim .... there are yards and yards of it and I love it! 

Recycling

I made these napkins years ago from fabric used for slings  - it's gorgeous cotton!  However, they were so plain that I seldom used them and then I got a brainwave a while back - why not embroider something on them!?!?!?!.  I had saved an oak leaf that I picked up at the cabin that seemed very appropriate  .... and the rest is history.

mailbox reveal

 This is what happened to the white mailbox ... we're hoping a Momma Bird with discriminating taste will choose to raise her babies in it!  Originally, I had planned to paint a design but the entire box was ribbed and I suspected the paint might run along these ribs.  So I came up with another idea and thank goodness for Mod Podge!

stay tuned

I have plans for this mailbox ... stay tuned!