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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DIY Mailing Envelopes

What a pleasure to see you!

If you receive packages in the mail, you're left with empty mailing envelopes such as these:

Instead of tossing them out, let's turn them from blah to TADA!

via Traveler's Company

I'm taking inspiration from these kraft envelopes with a button and string closure made by Traveler's Company. 

Just by cutting, folding, and gluing the sides of the used mailing envelopes, I've come up with these:

Smaller mailing envelopes with a red stitching detail...TADA! 

I used travel-themed rubber stamps and an ink pad to add some whimsy to the envelopes.

One the flip side, I also stamped on this stylized rectangle where I can write the recipient's name and address.

I made faux button and string closures using cardboard circles and embroidery thread.

For the little envelope, I literally used buttons and thread from my sewing kit to make the closure. Isn't it adorable?

And that is how I turned used mailing envelopes from blah to TADA! If you'd like to make letter envelopes using a brown paper bag, there's a tutorial here. 

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Three Things for March

Happy new month lovelies!

March is such an in-between month, teetering on the edge of winter, waiting patiently for the spring. There is a promise of buds forming on the trees and yet there is still the threat of snow. We're ready to put away the coats and scarves, but know well enough that we still need them. 

Because of this uncertainty, here's how I turn blah to TADA!

A walk in the park for some sunshine and to feel the cool air against my skin. This is one of the things that makes me feel alive. I know in a few weeks, new leaves will color this season's somber palette. 

Staying indoors for cozy activities. Making soup, baking cookies, brewing some English Breakfast tea. Reading, writing letters, listening to records...the whole hyyge experience!

Visiting my "happy places." The stationery shop. The craft store. The bookstore. Because they always make my heart soar.

Little rituals like these and the promise of warmer weather turns blah to TADA! 

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