Saturday, December 28, 2013

It's in the bag!

I'm embarrassed to say this, but I didn't give my twin sister a birthday present this year.  Bad twin, I know.  My intentions were good, but we all know about that road.  Here's what happened:

Back in September in the after school program at my shop, we were making small drawstring tote bags from denim and scrap fabric based on this Lunch Tote tutorial.  I really liked the one I made as a class sample, and was thinking that I'd give it to my sister as a project bag for her knitting for her birthday.  But then I noticed that one seam wasn't quite perfect, and it wasn't one that would be easy to just re-do.  In disgust with myself, I banished the bag to the armoire in my shop.  Every time I opened the cabinet door, though, I saw the bag - a constant reminder of my failure, a project that defeated me.

That just won't do.  Aren't you supposed to start the new year fresh?  I couldn't start the new year with that project hanging over my head. (ahem, ignore the 4,327 other UFOs I have going at present...)  So today, I pulled it out, made a fabric yo-yo, covered the yo-yo with a button I'd been holding onto for just the right occasion, and VOILA!

I love the bag all over again!  There is a drawstring top to keep her projects in,


but also to allow her to use the bag like a yarn bowl. (For those of you who don't knit or crochet, when you pull on your yarn, the ball of yarn likes to roll around, escape, if you will.  Think of that song, "On top of spaghetti" - but substitute the yarn ball for the meatball.  A yarn bowl keeps the yarn in one place, allowing you to pull the yarn as needed without having to chase the ball.)


I bought her a skein of hand-dyed yarn, a set of handmade stitch markers and two hat patterns to go in the bag, all from my shop.  I hope she likes it!  (yeah, I know Christmas is over, but she's spending the holidays in Puerto Rico, so she doesn't know that her gift hasn't arrived yet)

I hope your holidays have been merry and bright!

Erin

8 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I think it is a very nice bag and love the extra little touch of cuteness. She will love it.

Caz said...

That is a lovely bag, and I really like the embellishment.

Julie Fukuda said...

I love creative solutions ... use them all the time. Your sister will love it!
If I could send you a present, it would be more time to post your activities. It is so good to see what you are up to.

Wacky Woman said...

You are a good twin for sure!

Shay said...

Your sister is going to love her tote. It's darling !

I hide imperfections in all sorts of creative ways but Im definitely stealing your idea at some stage...genius!

Anonymous said...

Tom and I are so chuckling at your post!!!! Was it possible that you "forgot" her b'day??!!!!??? Nope...just slipped by...I understand. That gift is awesome!!!! and the bag (by its lonesome) would have been great but the 'goodies' added are beyond..........yup, she won't know it's late...she's not home...just shared the story with 1 or 2 of your friends and we won't tell... May you and your family have a Joy-filled New Year!!! Hugs........

Jindi's Cottage said...

Love the yo yo/button embellishment...it wasn't a failure it was just waiting for the perfect finishing touch...great for a knitting bag/yarn bowl in one...lucky sister...

Nancy-Rose said...

Happy New Year Erin & family!