Tote Bag - E is for Environmentally Friendly

The last time I went to Berkeley Bowl, I swear I didn't see a plastic bag in sight. Everyone had brought their own canvas bags. It's a great thing that this is catching on. I just have to make sure to remember it as I'm leaving the apartment on a grocery run.

I went to Joann's and bought the biggest canvas bag that I could find. This thing can fit an amazing amount of groceries. I'll have to sew in a piece of vinyl or something to reinforce the bottom, though, because a lot of groceries can get heavy. I loved this yellow "E" that I found. I think my bag looks very collegiate and it's UC Berkeley colors of course.

Sweater Pillow

So I finally made my pillow which also required me to learn how to use a sewing machine. My roommate Diana graciously taught me how to thread the needle and bobbin. I decided not to use terry cloth because I saw this cute blanket made out of a thermal/sweater material at Target for $10. The great thing is, the material has lines on it which made it easy to guide my sewing. I bought a 24'x24' pillow from Joann's. Click the picture to see an enlarged image.

Materials:

Sewing Machine
Thread
Towel or other large piece of fabric
Ready-made pillow insert (24'x24')

Instructions:

Click here to be directed to Martha Stewart's website.

Summer Crafts

Pencil Box

Materials:

1 small cardboard box
extra small pieces of cardboard
1 sheet of scrapbook paper
Hot glue

The pencil box was made out of a cardboard (raisin) box. I simply wrapped it up like a present, leaving the top open of course. I pasted extra cardboard to the inside of the box to reinforce it. I also kept it kind of tall so that it wouldn't fall when it had pencils inside of it. The letters were bought in a box of metal letters from Michaels.

Recipe Box

Click to enlarge image.

Materials:

1 wooden box ($2.99 at Michael's)
1 pack of glass beads (for the border on the top)
1 pack of metal letters
2 sheets of pretty scrapbook paper
brown ribbon
1 sticker sheet of letters
3x5 cards

The orange swirls and brown ribbon were inspired by a pretty wedding invitation that I saw in the craft store.