Target and Reusable Bags

Target gives a $0.05 credit toward your total order for each reusable bag you bring to the store. (Here it is from their website.)

Chin Strap for Toddler Hat

My little boy has a sun hat (which he doesn't much like to wear...) but it doesn't have a chin strap. Whoever designed hats for toddlers without chin straps obviously is NOT a parent. Because this guy does not like to keep his hat on. So I attached a strap.

1. I sewed a tube of fabric.
2. I turned the tube inside-out with a safety pin (you know what I mean, right?) to hide the line of stitches.
3. I put a string of elastic through the tube.
4. I cut a few stitches from each side of the hat's lining to insert the tube and elastic.
5. I sewed it all shut! Not perfect, but I think it'll work for awhile.

He wore it long enough to get a picture!

Things to Always* Buy Used...

I saw this post and agreed with some of it:

1. Cars.
2. Sports equipment.
3. Houses.
4. Craft supplies.
5. Home furnishings (thrift stores & garage sales often have great finds!)
6. Furniture
7. Kid's Clothing
8. Musical Instruments (unless it is your profession!)

*Or usually; there are exceptions to every rule!

My exceptions:
Cars: Usually it is best to buy used. However, sometimes dealerships offer rebates or warranties that can be very valuable.

Craft Supplies: I would like to start buying used things, but haven't because usually I want something VERY specific. I also usually have coupons!

Furniture: Possible exception of couches, I truly appreciate our new couches!!

Kid's Clothes: I feel that kid's clothing can be so cheaply found on clearance at some stores (Target, Walmart, Sears) that you can't do better at the secondhand store for casual or low-quality items.

What are some other things to always buy used?

Clean the Coffee Maker

Your coffee maker will last longer and your coffee will taste better if you do this simple step to clean your coffee maker once every 6 weeks or so.

1. Place one part white vinegar and two parts water to completely fill the water section of your coffee maker. Turn the pot on and let it run through. Let this sit in the coffee pot for 15-20 minutes.

2. Dispose of the vinegar solution. Rinse the pot.

3. Run three cycles of plain water through the pot to rinse out the vinegar.

Finishing the Unfinishable Project 3--T-Shirt Purse

I really love bags. Every time I see a bag, I want to make it!

This bag was made from t-shirts (except for the handles, which I used from another failed project). The colors are a bit wacko because it was actually a test for an actual bag I made (with actual fabric, stay tuned for that picture). I made the bag sans handles a year ago using this tutorial (I had to dig really hard to find the tutorial...so check it out and see if you want to make one!)

Here is a picture of the lining.

What needed to be finished was actually simple...it just needed handles...so I added them and they look awful. What should I do to make it better? What could I use for handles?

Other Bags to Make:
Make it and Love It
cinched backpack
more cinched backpack
Craftster a different t-shirt bag link
yet a different t-shirt bag
bags from pillowcases
with your own bias tape