Tote Bag Stories: DIY Closure for Bags without Zippers

I love all kinds of tote bags! They're inexpensive, sturdy, and can easily be thrown into the washing machine (I prefer to air dry because they can shrink in the dryer).

I have quite a number of tote bags and use them as an everyday bag or for something more dedicated like a wine tote bag, even a tote bag that I decorated myself and gifted to a friend. 

This tote bag is a souvenir from a trip to London many years ago. I got it from Marks & Spencer Food Hall. The canvas material is thick and there's no branding, just the word organic. In this context, it refers to farming methods that does not use pesticides, but it can also mean "natural development." Clean and natural, I like that.  

Inside the tote bag is a pocket to keep my water bottle standing upright...TADA! If used as a grocery bag, this is the spot to put bottles (ex. wine, olive oil, vinegar, etc.) so they don't tip over. 

The tote bag is very roomy! But since I plan to use this as an everyday bag, I want to add a mechanism that will allow it to close like a button or ribbon-like ties that I can knot together. 

I found these in my recycling stash: a strip of twill tape and a lanyard once used for IDs/nametags.  

Don't you think these can be used as a closure mechanism?

I cut the twill tape in half. I sewed (hand sewing) one at the center of the tote bag. On the opposite side, I sewed the other piece but also included the hook portion of the lanyard...TADA!

I found a simple and easy way to close my tote bag...TADA!

I had some extra twill tape that I also sewed on one end of the tote bag -- a place to hook small items (ex. keys or hand sanitizer) that can easily get lost at the bottom of the bag...TADA!

And that is how I updated a tote bag from blah to TADA!

On another creative note, I'm excited about this Notebook Project that I am a part of. It's like a penpal exchange, except that it's among seven people living across the United States. We pass around this beautiful notebook, fill it with words, photos, and tokens of joy (ex. stickers, collage, artwork) and get to know each other in a rather old fashioned way. I'll write more about it in a future post, but this idea may inspire you and your community, and turn ordinary days from blah to TADA!

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Summer Dressing

Today, instead of the traditional crafting I'm used to do, I decided to craft a summer outfit. Here is what it looks like:

It's something I'd wear for a morning at the farmer's market, lunch with the girls, an afternoon of thrifting for treasures, and shopping for craft supplies. Oh summer, I'm glad you've arrived!

Reminds Me of a Picnic

When I need a little dose of "cheap thrills", I head over to the dollar section of my neighborhood Target. The bins are filled with items ranging from $1 to $3. Many of them are functional like list pads, fridge magnets, journals and toys. And since the holidays are just around the corner, cute things abound! 

I picked up this adorable pouch {one of three designs}. I've told you that I fancy pouches to keep organized; these also allow for crafting on the go.

Here's the other side. It's cute alright but I'm pretty sure there are hundreds of girls out there who own this same pouch. I need to make it stand out a bit...a touch of blah to TADA! if you know what I mean.

I found some felt remnants and buttons begging to be used.

And because we have an "apple" theme on the blog this week {inspired by a day of apple picking}, I decided to make this apple out of the felt and buttons.

I sewed it onto the pouch with needle and thread.

And those metallic zipper pulls?

I replaced them with gingham ribbon.

Doesn't this remind you of a picnic at the orchard?

I like how the pouch is large and has two pockets to carry my daily essentials. And now, I've made it my own. TADA!

Paper Bag Projects

Happy Monday! Now that we're gearing up for the holidays, I'm thinking about gift wrapping. Paper bags are a quick go-to solution for me, especially when travelling. When packing, I cushion the gift {ex. hostess present} in a few layers of clothing in my suitcase, and I can easily include a paper bag {with tissue enclosure and greeting card} folded flat.

I usually have a stack of brown paper bags in a closet somewhere, waiting for their turn for a blah to TADA! make-over. Now, their moment has arrived. This week, it's all about paper bag projects on my blog.

I'm using Cath Kidston's polka-dot collection as the design element. 

 I draw random circles on the paper bag with the aid 

of a coin and pencil.

I fill in the circles with watercolor.  

I let the paint dry and do the same on the 

other side. 

TADA! A simple solution to an otherwise 

blah paper bag. 

The fun of this is that you can experiment 

with different colors and circle sizes. 

Have a lovely day!

Tea Box to Gift Box

In the past few days, we've turned empty tea sachets into cute envelopes. Today, let's see what we can do with the box that those tea bags called home.

blah: empty tea box

I really like how the flap opens and how it "locks" itself to the rest of the box when it's time to close it. 

Air out the box for a few days to get rid of the tea scent. Then give the box a make-over with several coats of paint, inside and out. 

To add color and whimsy, I tore this page from an old magazine.  I'll use the playful illustrations to decoupage.

 Cut-outs of girly things...they remind me of paper doll dresses.

Randomly attach the cut-outs to the box and seal with a layer of Mod Podge. 

 Finish with a cardboard handle {use hot glue to attach it}.

TADA! Doesn't it look like a lady's handbag?

Tuck in a gift like a scarf or make-up for your bestie or some hair accessories for your little niece.

Don't be surprised if this box gets used over and over again. Well, because it's adorable... and because that's what recycling is all about. TADA!

Lots of Hearts

If you're looking for some Valentine's Day projects,

you've come to the right place.

Today's inspiration is this Marc Jacobs clutch that I spied at the mall. It stood out in a shelf of black and tan bags with its blushing color and medley of leather hearts. Wouldn't it be fun to recreate?

blah: an empty amenity bag snagged from an airplane

blah: heart-shaped felt cutouts

Attach the hearts to the face of the bag

It's best to lay out the hearts before

securing them with hot glue

TADA! This bag's got to be in love!

Fill it with beauty products for a favorite friend!

A Skirt Make-over

This week, I'm featuring a round-up of fashion-forward accessories headlined at the The Today Show. What's TADA! is that they are all handmade by very crafty bloggers.

Today, it's all about the bag.

The inspiration: this envelope bag

blah: an old, extra-large thrifted skirt made of suede

TADA!: a very sexy shoulder bag

You can follow this tutorial by

Veronika of Tick Tock Vintage.

Aren't you excited to make your own?

I'm Off to the Beach

Happy Monday my Dears!

I hope none of you were greatly affected

by Hurricane Irene.

I'm taking a little blogging break this week.

I feel the need to dip my toes in the water.

So I'm off to the beach!

But don't worry, you'll get to read something

everyday this week. I'll be sharing what I

packed in my beach bag.

Here's an inexpensive bag I got a few years ago.

The print makes me smile.

All. The. Time.

Here are some of the things I've stuffed it with.

But you'll have to tune in tomorrow for

the details.

Have a fun day!

From Dining Room to Dressing Room

As much as I like crafts and fashion, I love things

for the kitchen and dining room too.

Utensils, tumblers, plates, platters, napkins

and placemats always help to achieve a look

for daily meals or for entertaining.

Here's one of many placemats in my arsenal:

Not exactly blah. In fact, I found it so TADA!,

I decided to use it for something else.

I turned it into a clutch!

TADA!

Here's how I did it:

I folded the placemat into thirds.

I sewed the sides of the bottom fold with

sturdy thread or fisherman's twine.

On the top fold, I attached an accent (this is

really a buckle). You can pin on a brooch or sew on

a big button too. A small strip of Velco acts as a

closure mechanism.

I wonder if anyone will guess that this is placemat

when I wear it with my little black dress? *Wink*