Tutorial: Cutifying Re-usable Grocery Bags

I'd been wanting to bring my own grocery bags to the store, but knew I wouldn't get around to making the kind I really wanted from scratch. I thought about buying bags from the store, but couldn't bring myself to sport around the lovely grocery store logo. So here is my compromise: Purchase grocery store re-usable bags, and use fabric to cover the logo, between the handle straps. This is a great way to use medium-sized fabric scraps.

I've made bags two ways. The easiest is to use one piece of fabric to cover up the logo area on the bag and top-stitch it all the way around. This tutorial will show how to make a pocket. I used a piece of non-fraying, stiff linen (salvaged from our extra window shade fabric from Ikea!) for the inside piece of the pocket, but you could use any fabric and simply press a seam allowance under.

Okay, here we go:
Cut out the piece of non-fraying fabric to fit the space between the handle straps. I made a template out of cardstock so that I could trace it on future fabric.

Cut out a piece of patterned fabric with a 5/8" seam allowance added. Press 5/8" seams under. Open seams, and clip each corner off, right at the point that's created where the two pressed seams intersect. Fold and press seam allowance under twice so that the raw edge is tucked underneath (so tuck 5/16" under).
*Note you can also cut out a second piece of fabric to the size of your template, put the patterned fabric wrong sides together, so that the seam allowance hides the raw edges of the inside fabric.
Top stitch top edge of patterned fabric.

Stitch top edge of linen fabric to grocery bag toward top edge of bag, fitting fabric into the space created by the straps. I used a zigzag stitch to "finish" the edge a bit.
Fit patterned fabric on top of linen fabric in space created by handle straps. Pin into place. Top stitch down the side. Be careful not to catch the other side of the grocery bag under the seam. Check frequently, and ease out any excess fabric.

At bottom corner, stitch to the edge of patterned fabric, leaving same amount of space as your side seam allowance. Leave needle in fabric, lift your presser foot, and turn 90 degrees. Continue to stitch along the bottom, again checking for excess fabric.

Turn again at corner, and stitch up the side of the bag.
Hooray! It's a pocket!
Repeat steps for opposite side of bag.

Grocery store, here I come! And library... and Grammie's house...
By the way, Albertson's gives you 5 cents off your purchase for every bag you bring with you. My bags were purchased from Stater Brothers, Target, and Albertson's.

Ecclectic Soul

Did you know that you can blow more air into a mylar helium balloon after it's begun to deflate, and it will continue to float? We have a balloon that is almost 3 weeks old, still hanging out in the rafters. it brings great joy to the kiddo.

Had a lousy experience at the library today. We don't have the greatest kid's section at our library, which is a bummer because we literally walk there from our house. They didn't have many books that I wanted, and they don't have a kid's librarian. I asked about great books for my 2-year-old, and the librarian gave me a book-mark suitable for 4-year-olds. Then today the librarian was very subtly rude to me about my handling of an antsy Lucy, and it about put me over the top. I will still go there, but I'm definitely going to try the Whittier Public Library, as well as the Fullerton Library.

Otherwise, a great day. A really good time at church this morning. This has been a very different experience than any women's group I've been a part of. These are smart, thoughtful, insightful people. Any other women's group I've seen up to this has been an insult to my and other women's intelligence, so this has been a real joy. I also got to be in the right place at the right time for someone who needed some extra love today... God is amazing to let us be a part of how he ministers to people.

Happy girl!
Lucy's the bouncer...

Happy girl in her little house (cousin Molly inside the house). Skirt compliments of Troldehøjen, my Danish cousin's children's clothing store. Check it out--it is so cute! (Sorry... no English on the site!)

Lots of happy

So Lucy and I went to get our refund today from Mrs. Fields, and I have to say... a company's colors show, not by perfect service all the time necessarily, but how they correct poor service. Not only did I get the full refund for my stale cookie-cake (Valentine's Day), but they sent me a gift certificate for the same amount! So that's two cookies for free from them (albeit, one of them was nasty). I'm going to write to them and thank them for the service I got.

Last night I went to Ann Taylor Loft to use up my gift certificate, and shop for a couple of essentials... new jeans, black pants, camisoles. I got this black shirt, too, and I was pretty happy with it. It was fun to have money to blow there... thanks, Bud!

A big win

Spring was getting into me today... I sat outside this morning with my computer and drank my coffee while Lucy poured me "refills" from her teapot, swept the cement, and asked me to draw yellow snowmen (should this worry me?). I was feelin' the spring of it all, and decided today was a good day to try something new. So Lucy and I headed to Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs, thanks to L.A. by Stroller (a gift from my sister).

It was such a great little park! It's all tucked away in an industrial neighborhood, and doesn't feel busy at all. There are pretty gardens, a little stream, a tiny Indian "village," a little aviary, a big windmill, a carriage house, but most of all, a life-sized steam engine, boxcar and "bagoose" (as we call them here). The only problem was that the train stuff is only open from noon to 4, and just when I was about to give up and go home (about 12:22), the guy finally came and opened the gate. However, when he did, we really had fun. You can climb up into the engine and caboose, and the staff person there gave Lucy a balloon. He even let her push the buttons that made the "ambiance" noises (chug, chug, puff, puff). It was a great day, and it was FREE! Only about 15 min. from our house, too!

Hats off to my sister and others who inspire me to want to get out with Lucy. This is one of my dreams come true about parenting... getting to take my kid out and around and watch her discover.

Better get cracking

I found this fun little site that gives you a map of all the states, and then all the countries you've visited. At first I thought, "Hey, I'm going to have a little something going on here!" But now all I want to do is book flights to really big states and countries so my map looks bigger. =) Montana and Texas, here I come!
My country map looks even sadder, so maybe I will need to start with Russia, Australia, China, and, like Sudan. And Brazil.

Too lazy for real pictures

Okay, Ryan, this post is not for you. It's all crafty, crafty.

This is a bad picture of a little yellow sweater that my sister bought from me to give as a baby gift. I looove this sweater and decided to learn from my mistake, and make it again with navy blue yarn. Problem? I am about 1/128th of a skein short on the navy yarn. This is ironic, as I originally chose navy blue to get rid of the navy yarn that I had. Ah well. Hopefully I can sell the navy one when it is done.



And one example of my new obsession with little draw-string bags. They take about 10 min. a pop, they use up scraps, and they are super useful. This one was for my sister to hold crayons in her purse. My dear brother was trying to figure out my obsession with bags, and really it boils down to modular organization. To demonstrate: Lucy's going out bag might need the following when packed to the hilt: Diaper, wipes, bag to toss the diaper in, hand sanitizer.; books; crayons; small toys; snacks. if they're individually bagged in cute bags, you can grab which modules you need for each occasion. Sensible, no?

I'm doing another craft boutique in April, so I'm trying to get a few things stockpiled. I'll get a few pictures when I get off my duff.

This is what life should be like

The deal of the year

We just found out that our neighbors are moving. While they have a few habits that are mildly annoying, they have been good neighbors, and always kind to us. They had a yard sale this weekend, and I walked away with a couple of nice little tid-bits. A few movies and books that her kids have outgrown, Candyland, and THIS:I had been looking to see if I could find this used, but never found it for a good price. It retails new for $40. I got it for a dollar, and it's never been used!! I'm pretty excited to have a way to re-use broken crayons, and the idea of making our own crayons to give away to little friends is just super fun.

Note: This post is dedicated to Susan, who loves a good deal!

The Good Life

This picture is from after my little "tea party" with the two gals I used to work with. They both came in as I was leaving, and now they single-handedly run the place, and that's not an exaggeration. They are neat women, and it was a good chance to catch up. However, why didn't I take the picture before they came--my table looked so cute with berries and white dishes and croissants on the table.
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I wasn't superstitious until I had a kid... then it seemed to just creep in. "Hey, it sounds like she's asleep!" The next minute: "Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" You know how it goes. =)

So it makes me nervous to say that I am at such a good place right now. Lucy has matured in a lot of key areas, and not only is she easier, but I'm really enjoying her. I feel like my parenting skills in the area of managing her expectations, discipline and disappointments have grown. I've been able to enjoy so many more of my own things while still interacting with her--my sewing machine has been out in the middle of the day, I can crochet while having a tea party with her, and I'm able to work on my scripture memory while she is playing with me. Today we looked up Ethiopia, as we just learned that a friend is looking to adopt from Ethiopia. We enjoyed learning that there is a particular type of Baboon only found in Ethiopia, and that their flag has 3 horizontal stripes with a star pattern in the middle. What fun to share those things together.

I've been thinking that this is a great time for me to take advantage of. I'm able to re-engage my mind a bit more. I'm settling into a good scripture reading routine, and I'm doing some thinking about some issues that have started to become important to me, such as how Christians address environmental issues. I'm at a great place of separating unhealthy guilt from healthy conviction about things like scripture memory, engaging my mind, etc.

Anyway, just taking a moment to pause and thank God for this time.

Friday evening, 7:30

So in the middle of the policing, we got a call from our dear, dear friends from Nebraska saying their flight to China had been changed and they were now to have a 5 hour layover in Los Angeles!! Jamie and Zeke are to blame for Steve and I getting married, for those of you that don't know. =) Jamie and I worked in the same office, and Zeke and Steve were study partners, and they sort of nudged Steve to ask me out. So I flew about looking for a babysitter, and my dear brother rearranged his plans and babysat for us. Thanks, BUD!

We were joined by Phil (also friends with J&Z), who graciously drove their suburban out to LAX for us--Thanks, Phil! It was a huge blessing, because their vehicle fit all of us perfectly (J&Z were traveling with another couple), and because Phil knows that area very well.

It was the kind of evening that is so fun it almost hurts. We always seem to pick up right where we left off with them, and their friends were the kind of people I know we'd be friends with if they lived close. One of the funnier moments to me was watching how fascinated they were with the flowers out in front of Trader Joe's in the dead of winter. I think I forget what a blessing it is not to live in -17 degree weather. I may complain about L.A., but I am thankful indeed for January lows of only 42 degrees!

I still have that joyful ache from that visit. Jamie, I still miss you like crazy! You sure God isn't calling you to CA? I swear, there are tons of ministry opportunities here...

Friday morning, 6:15

The Los Angeles Times published an article in early January about the rise of a particular stolen car part for cash because of the resale potential. I was going to post it here, but just can't out of principle. Why post instruction for criminals? Well, sometime between 10:45 p.m. and 6:15 a.m. we became victims of this crime in front of our own house. Steve discovered it when he was about to drive to his Friday morning coffee appointment, though we didn't realize it was stolen until noon. We waited for the sheriff to come and take the report, thinking they would laugh at us for reporting a stolen car part. Turns out it was reported as Grand Theft, an we were quoted up to $1300 for replacement. Guess what? There were prints! They sent their CSI gal out to lift the prints (no, she didn't look much like Catherine Rivers, though much nicer), and we were told we should hear something this week. It was quite the Friday for us! Thankfully we were able to call around and discovered that the $1300 price would have been at the dealer, and for a much newer vehicle. We did much better, though it is hard to be thankful for spending $200 for a part you owned free and clear 36 hours before. We are indeed thankful that the truck wasn't stolen and that nothing else was damaged... especially our family vehicle!

Coming to a blog near you...

A catalytic converter, platinum, 6:45, Nebraska, China, a police escort, and an oatmeal cookie.

That's all I got for now. Details to come.

The Fridge That Got What Was Coming To It

You should all rejoice with me, especially the women who read this post and totally get what a big deal this is. Am I right, ladies, that we often do things like apologize to the waiter/waitress when we ask for water? Why should we apologize? It's their job to do that, they don't mind doing it. How have we put them out? Not apologizing doesn't mean you're being a jerk about it.

Anyway.

So for weeks the fridge has been dispensing the weirdest clear, filmy stuff, almost like tissue, into the water form the dispenser in the door. After 4 new filters, we called the repair man (thank heavens for extended warranties!), who ordered us a new filter. Okay. After THAT didn't work, we called him back and he ordered parts to replace the system, which he came to install today.

In addition, the fridge has been making a sound for about a year that sounds like a ghost. In May he came out and said, "Well, I don't hear anything, but call us if it continues." So I put it on the service request when he came last week, and he said, "If it's still doing it, I can replace it next week." Cool.

Well, today he said, "If it's still making that noise, give us a call." I said, it has been, I did, and I want you to fix it. He said, well, I have to send the part I replaced back to the company to prove it was broken. I say, look, it was making the noise up until literally 10 min. before you came. It's doing it daily. This needs to get done. Tell me what I need to do to get it done. He says, well, you can call and ask for someone else to do it. I say, okay, I will. Now, when I read that, it totally sounds snotty. However, it was really not a confrontational conversation, nor was the tone of either of us mean, or even unpleasant. I was sincerely saying, "Help me figure out what to do here." Well, he still wasn't happy, though tried to hide it. I thanked him for his work and time, and he left.

5 minutes later he came back with the parts, and 45 min. later the fridge had been Ghost Busted. Triumph, people. Triumph. Oh, and a clean fridge.

But guess what? Now I miss the ghost.

The Birthday Girl

I am still just beaming with the pure, lovely fun that was Lucy's birthday. While she was napping, Mimi and I set up the birthday cake, the gifts, and some balloons on the table, while Steve and his dad put together the new playhouse. Since it was raining, they brought it into the house so she could play with it inside for now. It was just the perfect little party. She was enchanted with everything and just happy! She flashed around those beautiful, wide eyes, just taking it all in. She loved everything... "A big, bew-fwul bir-day cake!" "A swide!" "A Pooh Bawoon!" She even said "Thank you" for things. Talk about feeling loved for giving a gift! We just smiled and laughed and laughed.

Lucy: A Recap

Thought you might enjoy a little fly-by of Lucy in honor of her 2nd birthday.

Hours after birth...
The first month

Mother's DaySeptember, 2006

Pulling up!
Oh man, I gotta put this in just because. And the Ninny (pacifier) lust...

Blue eyes
I rock at Easter eggs...
Um, did you want something?
The hills are alive!
Full -body car-wash.
Don't get too attached to those bars, kiddo.
This was my dress when I was her age. I love you, little sweetheart! Happy birthday!

Stuff I love

Yarn. Sipping chocolate. Good, good music--vocal, classical, folk, jazz, rock, choral. Being able to shop for something I really want with a big fat gift certificate. Handmade bags. Slippers. Rice cozies. Reading a really good book. Organizational communication. Being organized and neat (not necessarily the getting there). Cool handmade things (not old popsicle stick crafts). A real Italian cappuccino. (I've only had a few in the States that have lived up to the goodness of an Italian one.) Really funny stuff--Brian Regan has been known to make me nearly weep with laughter. Running when I'm really feeling good, and feeling like I could run forever. Well-made clothes. Watching Lucy grow up. The moment when Steve comes home every day.

That'll do for now. I love lots of stuff.

The day that God made me...

Steve was off today, and got up with Lucy so that I could sleep in. Oh, divine coziness! We lazed around much of the morning, in which I also got to munch on chocolate chip cookies for breakfast (on the sly of course--Lucy is a formidable cookie hunter). Then after we got off our hineys, we headed out to Newport, parked at the tip of the Balboa peninsula, and ran along the beach for an hour with an elated Lucy. The day was amazing... gorgeous, haunting clouds, an incredibly clear view of Catalina Island, cool without being miserable.

Lunch was clam chowder in a sourdough bowl at Charlie's Chili, right on the beach. Perfect for a cool day! And Lucy ate like a champ! Then off to Kéan coffee, and the drink God divinely orchestrated just for me: Sipping Chocolate. Guys, they steam milk, toss in a huge handful of chopped chocolate, then steam it all together. When I had my first sip, I think I was ready to just close my eyes and let my epitaph read, "She died doing what she loved." I must now learn to do this at home. It is basically molten goodness that must be put into my soul more than just once.

Lucy fell asleep on the way home, and has been a good little girl all afternoon. I'm on the couch right now crocheting and reading craft blogs, listening to Mozart Piano Sonatas while Steve is coloring with Lucy. Thanks, God for putting all this together for me--excellent job!

What I've been up to

I think it took me a full 2 weeks to recover after Christmas and travel this year. I don't know why it seemed so busy to me this year! But now I am writing lists and doing projects and anticipating the advent of family groups in late January/February. I think I've recovered sufficiently so that I am actually looking forward to our visitors. Mimi and Papa will be here to celebrate Lucy's SECOND (yikes!) birthday, then the Nord/Hofer gang will swing through on the way to Disneyland, and then Sari & co. plus Mom and Dad will be here for Emma's birthday in mid-Feb. I'm looking forward to all of it--full house, good food, lots loud, messy fun!

Here is one of my projects from this week. I have continued making my modified reusable grocery bags, sewing a cute pocket onto the sides to cover up the uggo grocery store logo. But there isn't a great place to put them, as they tend to fall open when hung, not to mention they are a bit unwieldy to just bring in at the store. So, one funky old pillow case and 20 min later, voilá!

This was so easy that I think I will have to replicate this idea now and again. Doesn't this look like this would be great for lugging toys or library books around? Thrift store, we must meet again!

P.S. Kristen, you are not allowed to look at my stitching! =) And next time, I need to renew my friendship with your serger.

How I spent the New Year

The original plan was to go to bed at 9, so I'd get a good 8 hours of sleep before I left the house on New Year's Day at 5:15. This was not to be. Lucy didn't nap that day, then fell asleep on the way back from the park, not to be aroused by anything short of Gabrial's trumpet. This meant a cranky and late bedtime. This then meant she was up from 11:58 to 2:00, screaming like a banshee, the likes of which I have not seen for a year. So up I got at 4:45 after my meager night of sleep, and managed to have a delightful time at....

The Rose Parade!

This was for my Mom's 60th birthday. She totally doesn't seem 60 to me. She's fit and fun and healthy and busy, no different than when she was 50. We had a great time at the parade. We were packed in like sardines, and the 3 furthest seats from the aise, so we were squished up against the bars of the grandstand. Now, let me tell you, I took precautions. I went to the bathroom before we left the house. I went to the bathroom again before we went to our seats. I usually have a bladder of steel. Yep. Had to go. BAD. So I got up during a bit of a break--in fact, just before a float broke down, so no one missed anything anyway. And guys, I totally worked the crowd. I said things like, "Well, you all look like nice people, let's see how nice you really are!" and "Let's make friends now, because I have to come back this way after I'm done!" and "I'll be you were looking for a good excuse to stand up and stretch, weren't you!" You know the phrase that God gives the grace you need? Well, I think he lent a bit of charm to me that day, and on the way back, I had about 25 new friends. =)

The parade was super fun, and something I would totally recommend. Next time we will go to the float display the day after and see them up close.

Aren't we geeky! I love how I have, like 5 chins, and EXACTLY the same square smile as my dad! Oh, and the "roll out of bed and clip my hair with bleary eyes" hairdo.

Our week

It is impossible to think of the amount of STUFF that we hauled around Central California. Baby stuff to store in my old room (thanks Mom!), gifts to give, gifts received, jam and fruit and bread and cookies. Oh my, oh my. What a lovely time, though. Saw all the grandparents, many of the aunts, uncles and cousins, and generally just enjoyed the change of pace. Steve, that good, good man, got up with Lucy almost every morning so that I could sleep in! Now THAT is a vacation to me!


The train at Hillcrest Christmas Tree Farm in Reedley. Lucy yelled, "No TRAIN, No TRAIN," until we started moving, then, "It have ah wheels!" It was a hit.

The foggy day and the steam engine made it so magical feeling.

A bunch of geeks in English Cracker hats.
Christmas Butt.
The tricycle... God Bless Radio Flyer!

Some images for Christmas

Still haven't got the balance right, but I'm getting there.

Don't know where that odd smudge came from on the left... This was all black! But it's my kind of Christmas photo. I've decided I need to get off my duff and start looking through some photography books.

This is where we are headed soon ... is that not perfect??
Just two happy girls!

I've done it again

My parents always tease me about the "donut story." I'm sure there are more details, but one day when I was probably 8-ish, Mom overheard me telling all the neighbor kids, "Why don't you all come in for donuts!" Mom sharply whispers to me, "Jenny, we don't have donuts!" Unperturbed, I say, "Well, can't we go get some?" So the story of my life goes. Mom always says I'm having people over for donuts. However, now I get to also be Mom in the story... I tell myself, "But Jenny, if you invite people over for sugar cookie decorations, then you actually have to make them!" I just got done with 3 hours of rolling and cutting and baking sugar cookies and gingerbread men, and when you have a countertop about 6 inches lower than it's supposed to be, this equals tired back and exhausted Jenny.

Steve, meanwhile, has been shampooing the carpet in the living room before we put our newly covered couches back into the room! I'm pleased with how they came out, and I'll post pictures when they're back in. They got re-stuffed, too, so they're all springy and stuff. And with Steve's birthday chair, I am on my way to the blue-and-brown that I've been loving. I plan to make some pillows after the holiday (K, can you help me with your mighty brain??) with a rich brown microsuede to match the brown chair and complement the blue. Then my sister, wonder that she is, is making a quilt! This is the only picture I'm posting because I can't get off my butt to take any others tonight.

Christmas a la Sew, Mama, Sew!

Sew, Mama, Sew has become a favorite new spot for me to read, especially after their 30 days of new tutorials and handmade gift ideas. It was like someone setting a whole bowl of cake batter in front of my face! Oh yes. They recently initiated a meme, and I'm going to play.

• Do you have a favorite gift that you love to give?
• If we're talking handmade, I love to give crocheted washcloths with other bath-related items--especially for babies. I also make baby sweaters, and they are the most fun to give! I made 4 little red sweaters for my 4 Earle nieces, and we're going to cross our fingers to get pictures of the girls this Christmas.
  

• If you’re making gifts this year, what are you making? (Post photos if you have some!)
• I made slippers for my Wall nieces, and they turned out so cute! They LOVE pink and blue, respectively.
  
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• Do you have any good stories about handcrafted gifts you’ve given or received?
• My dear friend Kristen heard me say I was trying (and failing) to make an apron from a man's shirt (wish I could find the link for that... I forget whose idea it was, so sorry for not giving credit!). For my birthday she made me an uber cute pink one! I should post a picture sometime.
  

• Do you have any great gift compilation ideas (a grouping of gifts just perfect for certain recipients?)
• Crocheted kitchen towels, washcloths, placemats, and trivets.
  

• Name one (NO, THREE!) thing(s) on your personal wish list (Yay for Amazon!).
• Airpot for coffee... I love having people in my home, and coffee is essential to a cozy gathering.
  
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• I love tips and tricks for making cooking/sewing/organizing/LIFE easier and more creative!
• The thing I miss the most about singing in a college choir is that more simple, beautiful blend, and doing collections of beautiful songs instead of just major works. Concordia is one of the most gorgeous choirs out there, and to have Christmas music from them would just give me goosebumps!
  
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• Do you make and sell things that would make fantastic gifts? (Link)
• I am just starting to make baby girl sweaters to sell. Here are examples, and I would love to do custom orders!
•