Saturday, July 28, 2012

Don't set the table with these!

I love to wander through the discount stores, they are almost as interesting to me as a trip to the hardware store.


A couple weeks ago, I picked up these....some lonely vinyl placemats


I discovered a long time ago that a vinyl placemat is not just a vinyl placemat and these are not something I would buy for my table, I really don't like them as placemats.

BUT.....


I love to use them to make bags of all sorts. Tote bags, clutches...oh yes.....

This IS a vinyl placemat!

  And these are too......
I got so excited about how cute these totes were turning out, I wrote a pattern for them (my newest addiction) so you could make some too. I love, love, love writing patterns! These totes are soooo easy to make and the possibilities are as endless as the supply of clearanced vinyl placemats no one wanted for their table! 

If you aren't the DIY type, I listed some in my Etsy shop and the pattern is HERE if you are and want to make some for Christmas gifts...they make great project bags or market bags, strong and sturdy...not too big, a teacher might find them handy for everyday use. 

One of the rules of womanhood I find easy to follow is "you can never have too many bags" so I say, don't set the table with those placemats....make a tote instead!!


 
 

6 comments:

  1. Just hope my younger daughter doesn't read this post! She already has way too many bags - but must confess your project bag suggestions did start ringing bells for me! Might take you up on your pattern offer, once I've caught up with my Cuddlies duties - split between creating and selling at www.Etsy.com/coldhamcuddlies and blogging about how I make, mend and otherwise create them at www.ColdhamCuddliescalling.blogspot.com. Alas, those activities have also got to share my time with the Olympics and the upcoming Paralympics too! Oh, decisions, decisions.....

    Hope to see you at these sites soon by the way. Good luck with your vinyl place mat recycling too!

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    1. I know! The Olympics are mesmerizing...love to watch them.
      I love reading your blog...all the interesting patients you get to deal with, they are so very cute!
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. That's pretty neat and I bet they are strong too. What a great way to recycle and they look a lot better as a bag than as a placemat.

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    1. Thanks Sandy! They are just a nice size anything bag!

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  3. Wow! Super cute totes! I think I have some placemats just begging to be overhauled. ;) Thanks for sharing this idea!

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    1. Thank you Queen! I think they make much cuter totes than placemats for sure!

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