new bags :: a little sewing challenge/ game

This post is all about crating/sewing the quick, easy, artistic, inexpensive, and fun way! This weekend I was looking for a fun hand project that could be done on the couch with the kids around me, and I also needed a baby shower gift for Sunday, so this is what I came up with. I had these two inexpensive canvas tote bags (you know the ones that come in a 3- pack at Walmart or Joann's) that were from an abandoned  project a few months back. The bags already had the bird ironed on but nothing else so I thought a scrap project would be nice.

This is how the first one turned out! I loved it! I loved it so much that I decided to put in a lining with pockets so that I could use it as a purse. The whole thing came together quickly while the kids and I watched a movie. Perfect. I just used scraps and I worked long hand stitches with embroidery thread. I didn't do any measuring or anything like that I just built this little scene as I went, it was so much fun! (The bird and leaves are free downloads in the shop if you would like to give this a try.)

This is my camera pocket and cell phone pocket.

The second one was a lot of fun too. I basically did the same thing except this time I decided to challenge myself and make this one different than the first...you know the same feel but a different scene. I'm telling ya, this freestyle stuff where you don't plan ahead of time what you will do but just make it up as you go, is awesome! It makes the project so interesting and challenging.

Since this bag was going to be a baby gift I put two large pockets inside for diapers and wipes and then a cell pocket on the other side. I just love that lining fabric, click on the picture and you can see that it's little clogs! The sweet mama who received the bag really liked it too which makes it even more fun for me!

So here they are two very fun, easy, inexpensive projects that look different but have the same style. I finally used the abandoned bags, found a way to use up my favorite fabric scraps, and got a purse and a baby gift out of it, not to mention the fun I had making them! You know, this could be done on just about anything laying around the house....a shirt with a stain, an old pair of jeans, an old purse, a pillow or blanket, a dress, an apron.... Now I challenge you to get out of your box and try to make something beautiful with things you already have. Make it up as you go and see what comes of it! Lets make it a "use your scraps" game! If you want to play along let me know and when you are done send in a picture of your project and tell me a little about what you did, then in a week or so I will post the pictures here with a link to your blog (if you have one). Won't that be fun?! I will see if I can find someone to judge and whoever wins will get a $25 gift certificate to my shop for patterns or fabric! I am so excited! I love when things like this pop into my head while I'm posting! I guess we will need a few rules too. OK here they are...

Rules:

1. You must use things that you already have.

2. Of course most of the embellishments must be made using scraps.

3. You must enter here in the comment's section.

4. And you must send in your picture, description, and blog link (you don't have to have a blog) by Friday November the sixth to mamacaffee@hotmail.com.

(If you think of anymore rules that should be in place let me know)

Let the games begin! I'll be back soon with the story of how Molly ended up with a live lizard attached to her nose. And yes, I have pictures so don't you worry!

NOTE: I just moved the date back to the 6th because Jean fussed at me (not really, but she did call me out ;) for starting a challenge right before Halloween. I forget about Halloween because we don't ever do anything for Halloween, so sorry. Now that will give you 6 days after to work on this, so sign up!