Category Archives: Bags

End-of-school-year teacher gifts

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For most of the past seven years, I have taken advantage of my sewing and knitting talents to create handcrafted gifts for the grandkids’ teachers at Christmas and at the end of the year. I’ve even heard that some of the teachers tell my daughter-in-law they look forward to those gift occasions. (Whew! Sometimes I worry that they’d rather have a gift card.) A month ago a Tucson friend of mine posted on Facebook a small zippered bag she had made. She shared the link to the tutorial on Amanda Niederhauser’s “Jedi Craft Girl” blog. I thought the bags were … Continue reading →

The best kind of compliment

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Thursday afternoon, around four o’clock, I was working killing time in the TV room when an incoming text pinged. Here’s what I read: “So, I have now seen both [your sons] with these handy fabric/mesh bags that they carry all of their gadget cords in. Do you happen to have an extra?” What a compliment! A) To notice something I made; B) To realize I made it; and C) To comprehend that you’re in such high standing on my friend list that I’d make one for you in a heartbeat. I didn’t have any extras around, but I dropped what … Continue reading →

The Bag Lady

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“Marcy’s Coat” has been put on hold for a couple of days while I attend to higher priorities. This particular higher priority was mandated by a baby shower I will attend on Sunday. The new-mom-to-be is a chorus colleague of mine. She’s been dealing with a lot of physical pain unrelated to the pregnancy, and feeling much stress related to the confluence of pain and pregnancy. I suggested I teach her to knit as a method for reducing her stress. As much as she wants to sign on to this plan, our calendars prevented our getting together during the past … Continue reading →

A Travel Tote

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On the evening before wheels-up to France, I finished the tote bag to keep me sane on this trip! My friend and fellow fiberphile, Mary Lou Alexander, recently destashed and transferred some goodies she no longer needed to my stash. I wanted a new bag for this trip and started digging into her upholstery fabric remnants. Voila! (as they say in France). Marcy Tilton has designed a number of great handbag patterns for Vogue, but Vogue 8590 fit my needs. My small travel purse doesn’t carry enough things to get me through a long plane trip, so I always like … Continue reading →

Gym Bags Aren’t All Big!

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I spend Tuesday and Thursday mornings in the pool at the JCC Fitness Center around the corner from my house. First I take the class that’s designed for arthritis sufferers, then I stay afterwards for an hour of water volleyball and laughter. This is a volleyball game unlike any other. There are three beachballs in play at all times, and every so often someone will call out, “What’s the score?” Someone will shout back, “87 to 13”, or some other random set of numbers. We have great fun, and we get darned good exercise. I don my swimsuit with shorts … Continue reading →

My Go-To Gift

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My older son visited from Dallas last weekend. In a Monday evening text, he asked if I’d like to have lunch with him on Tuesday. When I woke up Tuesday morning, I realized I needed a quick gift to send back to Dallas with him. I’ve made a number of Nancy Ota’s Zip It bags over the past few years. My grandchildren’s teachers received bags for Christmas last year. I frequently give them as gifts to friends who will be traveling. My favorite use is for all the adapters one needs in this age of technology. No more digging through … Continue reading →