Tag Archives: bag

Finished Friday – C2C Crochet Beige Tote

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I’ve finished another project from my sewing project bag. The sewing part of this project was a learning experience. I figured out techniques that I can use in future projects.beigetote-kI crocheted a tote bag, although I suppose it could be considered a handbag.
I crocheted the c2c (corner-to-corner) stitch pattern using 2 strands of 4 weight yarn, to make it sturdier to hopefully give it a long life.
My plans for this bag changed, as I went along. For the straps, I originally was going to use loom knitted icords.
By the time I finished the body of it, I changed my mind and chose to crochet wide straps using c2c. I made one long strap and looped it around the body front to back and hand stitched it together. It was half finished in the above picture.
I decided to set zippers in the pockets. It was risky for me, since I’m not very skilled at zipper setting. However, I figured out a way to set the zipper that turned out pretty decent.
The bag lining has two pockets; one pocket is deep enough for my 8 inch kindle fire and the other pocket is a good size for a mobile phone with room for other things like a comb and stuff.
I’m surprised the lining turned out as well as it did.
I used the blanket stitch to hand-sew the lining in the tote. It’s not perfect, but it’s quite okay for me.
All along, I played with the idea of either a simple flap closure or a zipper on the top. Well, I figured I’m this far into it, might as well go for it. It took me a few days to figure out how to set the zipper in the top that required only my limited skilled.
I crocheted 2 strips and hand-sewed one on each side of the zipper and then I crocheted it to my tote.
Tah-Dah! The zipper looks okay and works great.

Here’s wishing you all a weekend
full of fun and happiness.

November Tomato Update – Harvest & ripening

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toma1When the weather guy announced a high chance of a frost in the forecast, my husband harvested our tomatoes. He left a little of the vine on them as suggested by SalPal on my post November Tomatoes.
My husband left the main plant in tact and re-covered it with cheesecloth because it still has blooms and it may or may not die with this frost.

From many years of experience, my brother knows oodles about tomatoes: growing, propagating and ripening. He told me that one of the best ways to ripen tomatoes is in a paper bag or cardboard box with either a banana or apple in with them. The ethylene gas produced by an apple or banana helps the tomatoes ripen better. We agreed that a banana seemed like a possibly messy idea, so an apple seemed the best option.
The bag or box needs to be closed and put in a cool dark place and checked every day, if your tomatoes are at different levels of ripening like mine are.toma2We haven’t tried one yet. You can’t tell it from the photos, but the reddest ones are still bit under-ripe.

Regardless of the taste, it’s been really enjoyable watching the volunteer plant grow and produce in November. It’s been a rare treat and that in itself is worth the attention and care we’ve given it.

 

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Puppy’s got a brand new bag

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7-2-2016-toolpupyMy husband brought home a new tool bag. When he set it on the floor, Sheli climbed in it like he was staking claim to the new bag.
My husband couldn’t resist picking the bag up to see if Sheli would stay in and I couldn’t resist taking a photo.
Sheli was quite content to stay in the bag, but quickly hopped out of when my husband set it back on the floor.

Pets gotta love ’em.

Blue Jean Water Tote

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1-jeantoteI needed a tote for my water that I carry to the garden, on walks or short trips away from the house. I wanted  something simple that also had small pockets for keys and little things like that. I studied on it awhile and came up with a pattern using a pair of may husband’s old worn out blue jeans.

I cut off one of the legs and folded it, sewed the sides together and it made 3 pockets: 1 for water bottles and 2 for little things.
The other leg and rest of the blue jeans went for straps, flaps and stuff.
Once I got started on the project it went together quite well.
It’s not necessary for me to worry about insulating the water bottles to keep them very cold. We don’t like our water very cold.  I have enough room in the water pocket to wrap the bottles in a hand-towel to take care of condensation.

I didn’t make a tutorial for my jean-tote, but I did take alot of photos. lol
I’m pleased as peaches with my tote. I know it’ll be real helpful this Summer.

Do you have a special water tote you use for gardening, walks or short trips away from the house?

Do you have a favorite pattern for old worn out blue jeans?

Here’s wishing you all a great rest of the week.
sewing

spgrnbgln