Re-Useable Shopping Bags...

I have gotten very lax about bringing my reusable grocery bags with me lately. Its just too easy to forget them at home, or even in the car when you go into the grocery store. I have also discovered that the bags you buy at the grocery store are actually kind of inconvenient. They fold flat, sometimes, but they don't stay folded, and they take up a lot of room when they aren't being used. Now I'm on a quest to find a pattern for the perfect grocery bag. It will give me a chance to get more familiar with my sewing machine, which I really need to learn how to use properly.

Does anyone have any good links to free shopping bag patterns that they would like to share?

Look what I made!

 

I had a content baby and a clean table... I had to make something!  These took me about 1 hour and were made from leftover material from the last 2 purses that i made.  My husband came home and said "I was just thinking that we needed some placemats for the table!"  I think he is finally starting to realize what a great gift that sewing machine was!  And as a bonus, I have found that with these on the table, people choose to NOT use the area as a general dumping ground for STUFF.  It actually stays cleaned off now!  Can you believe that I didn't have to clean anything before I took this picture?!

More crafty stuff...

I made this nifty little zippered pouch to go with the purse I showed you a few posts back. I didn't want to put a zipper on the main bag, so this is perfect for the little bits and pieces that are always in the bag.

I Love Thrift Shops!

I just spent a whopping $7 at the thrift store today, and got a ton of fabric for some projects I am working on. I'll post some pics when they get finished. It's amazing how much fabric can be re-purposed from an old skirt! Not to mention that I discovered how many people make their project and then don't want the left over fabric... more for me!!!

Another project I've been working on...

Here is another project I have been working on with my new sewing machine. I'm starting to learn how to read a pattern better, which helps tremendously! I managed to get to the fabric store the other day when they had a great sale on patterns... 99 cents each! I spent $10.00 and saved &137.50! I couldn't believe it when I looked at the receipt! I can usually find good fabric on sale too, its just a matter of waiting and reading the flyers!

A purse I finished last night... first project for myself!

Now I get to look through all the patterns I bought and decide what to do next! I don't know why I didn't pick up on this utilitarian hobby earlier, its great fun!

Early Christmas Gifts

My wonderful husband gave me my gift early this year... my very first sewing machine! I have been having fun learning how to use it. So far I have made lounge pants for Rob and Stephen, and a bag for a young lady I know. Here are a few pictures... not bad for my first try!