As we head into November, I had an opportunity to spend Saturday at a gardening conference that included touring a nice pollinator garden and hearing about research based information on the benefits of native plants. We also saw some beautiful views on the two-hour round trip.
I’ve been sewing or maybe it should be called crafting since I tear everything down and try to reuse the various pieces.
A friend gave me an old denim skirt so I made her a bag out of it.Β She takes piano lessons, and I thought maybe she could carry her sheet music in it.
She also gave me a couple of legs of some jeans she had cut off so I made her a small hip bag to hang on the loops of her jeans when she doesn’t want to carry a purse.
Denim makes up a large part of my wardrobe. Should I acknowledge that? Why not, it’s the truth.
When I retired from Corporate America I took two car loads of suits and matching shoes and bags to the Women’s Employment Network. Since then, I dress for comfort the vast majority of the time.
I really enjoy crafting, but it takes some time because I don’t have patterns, and I wing it. We all know though when we wing it, Jack the ripper gets used a lot to take out seams that don’t work.
Here’s the bag I made myself. What’s the little piece loop sticking out? You can hang your sunglasses there. There are also slots on the inside lining for a driver’s license and credit card.
After the conference on Saturday, we headed northwest a little to an apple farm that had a nice assortment of apples, fresh cranberries, and desserts.
I just happened to pick up a pumpkin whoopie pie. This is rather large even for a whoopie pie so I think it will get cut in half.
Happy last Monday in October. I hope it’s a good one. πππ
I like denim, too. Your bag is beautiful and fun. I remember having denim shoes with cork soles when I was in 7th grade. This bag would have completed my look!
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I bet the other girls were envious of those styling shoes. π
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Oh yes! They were almost too cool for school. π
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The bags are really creative. They look great, they’re functional, it seems you thought of everything with the sunglasses hook. I am looking forward to dressing for comfort.
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Comfort is good to go along with the no alarms, conference calls or meetings. π
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Ahhhhhhh
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If you were looking for a supplemental income, those original and creative bags would do the trick! They’re really cool!
I remember the day I ushered my “teaching clothes” out the door and began “part two” of my life as a stay-at-home mom – jeans for 99% of the places I went. It’s the same today in my grandma years!
I am glad there are wise, concerned people out there taking care of the pollinators for the rest of us who’d starve eventually if not for you. Thank you for being part of that mission!
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I never understood why my Mom wore jeans most of the time. Now, I do. π The pollinators did pretty good this year according to the stats. I think more folks are planting native plants which is making a big difference. Some of those new fancy plants are sterile. They don’t exactly advertise that, but it’s the truth. I have no problem planting enough for both of us. π
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RE: planting enough for both of us: I was buying a parsley plant from a farm market and the cashier went to pinch off the swallowtail caterpillar that was on it. I stopped her and told her THAT was why I was buying the plant. I knew the little fellow would have plenty to eat in my herb garden.
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YES! At the butterfly garden I saw on Saturday, they had used parsley plants to edge the walkway. π
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I love those hip bags! You have a pattern for them and the tote now though right- One you made? The tote bag is lovely and I’m sure she’ll love both the hip and tote bags.
I made totes from scratch, and aprons once and didn’t have a pattern for either so after some trial and error I finally had a usable pattern that I still have should I get the bug to make more. I hear you regarding Jack the Ripper. My Jack sees more use time than my sewing machine!
When I could wear sleeveless I tore up a sheath dress I loved so I could make a pattern of it and make myself two new ones one summer. I ended up making one and wore it for several summers. Alas, I can’t wear sleeveless anymore, but I do love a nice sheath dress.
The fall colors there are stunning! So many oranges and reds!! Enjoy that Whoopie Pie it sure looks yummy.
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Yes, I made notes when I made the second one so it should be easier if I go for number threee. π Sometimes, my husband will ask why is it so quiet – well, I’m not sewing, I’m ripping. π
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π
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Very creative! π Beautiful bags.
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Thank you. π
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I love recycling fabric in this way! As a quilter, I’m always on the lookout for reusing a piece of fabric that still has lots of life in it. Now, if I could recycle some of my wasted moments…
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If you could figure that out, you would be an immediate billionaire. π
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You continue to impress me with your winged creations. Keep it up. I hope the Whoopiβs pie was good.
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Good to hear from you, and it’s only about eight more weeks until we gather again. Linda S. left this morning heading down to keep the light in the window for the rest of us. π
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You are so very clever, I really like all your denim projects.
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Now, if I could just cook like you do. I think my hubby would appreciate your cooking skills more than my crafting skills. π
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You gave me a chuckle. I’m sure your creations in the kitchen are just as good. π
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You are so creative! I love your denim bags. And the whoopie pie looks sinful!
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I love pumpkin flavor even in my coffee. π
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The denim bags are very impressive. Your friend will just love hers. What a nice thing for you to do.
I think those of us who are retired all live in jeans, comfy t-shirts, sweats, and comfy shoes. It’s not that we don’t care what we look like, we now put comfort and good sense first! Works for me!
Your fall foliage is so vibrant. Our colors are pale in comparison.
That Whoopie Pie would’ve been my meal! π€π€
Enjoy these last few days of October. Remember to turn the clocks back on the 3rd!
πΎGinger πΎ
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Thank you for the reminder, I really hadn’t thought of it. Here goes the sleep pattern. π
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Oh, that whoopie pie! The picture made my mouth water. I’m with you about dressing for comfort. For me, casual is best. Those denim bags are utterly adorable and hats off for turning old jeans into something useful and kicky.
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I knew you’d chuckle at the recycling part of the project. π
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Love it!
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I always tell people to save jeans. Denim is an incredibly useful fabric.
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You are quite talented a crafter, Judy. You must get so much satisfaction repurposing materials that most folks would just throw out (something I have trouble doing, much to my spouse’s chagrin).
Pumpkin whoopie pies, yum!
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I like the challenge of taking the various pieces off and then trying to reassemble. π Oh, that pumpkin whoopie pie was good.
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I love seeing what you have been sewing. I especially love those little clip on bags – how clever!
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These are really cute bags and so good for little items. Plus, you’re recycling! Thanks for sharing these!
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Your bags are so cute… and useful with all their pockets and loops. Iβve made a few bags from leftover fabric, but never with denim. You make me want to check out my jeans to see if any βneedβ to be recycled yet.
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π It is interesting when you go through jeans to realize the different weight of the fabric. I had a pair I could have sacrificed, but it was such a heavy weight there was no way my sewing machine would have been able to seam it.
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Those bags are really terrific Judy – what a creative person you are! I too find jeans are my go-to since retiring. If I never see another suit again it will be too soon!
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I second that notion. π
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As always, I am in awe. You do such beautiful work! And that photo up above is breathtaking. All that and pumpkin whoopee pie too. Life has its moments, doesn’t it?
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Yes, it does, Maureen. π
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Everywhere I go, denim seems to be the cloth of choice for all ages. And to think I never owned denim while in high school…. or what did we call them back then? dungarees. I wish I could’ve had the other half of the pumpkin whoopie!
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You’re right – they were dungarees, and they were meant more for play and getting dirty. π I would gladly share that monster of a whoopie with you. π
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Youβre really crafty in the nicest sense of the word.Your βJack the ripperβ made me laugh. π€£
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Jack and I have a long-standing relationship. π
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Denim is so sturdy and comfortable and essential. You’ve done a great job winging it with the bags!
I RELISH wearing jeans to work, as in my field, it’s not too common an office practice. I don’t wear them every day, but I could and no one would care. My ‘weekender’ handbag, a travel necessity, is the most expensive one I own, and it’s been worth every penny. She’s almost ten and she needs patches on her bottom (shh, don’t tell!)
Fabulous photos! No fall beats a New England fall β€
I love the pumpkin whoopie pie — I love seasonal treats π
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When I was working, we would have a few Fridays that if we donated to charity we could wear jeans. It was like we had won the lottery for that day, and everyone was in a good mood. π
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Have I mentioned I love my office? π
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Now that’s a whoopee pie! Yum. I wear denim jeans pretty much all the time, everywhere. Except in the summer when I wear skorts all the time, everywhere. Being retired is delightful! Your denim crafts are great–practical and pretty and keeping that stuff out of the landfills!
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You are so creative!
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Judy, once again you have inspired me to set up the sewing machine and do a few crafting projects. P.S. I planted poppy seeds in peat cups (thanks for the suggestion) and they are sprouting. That denim bag would be perfect for my Mahjongg card and coins. Maybe I’ll make a few as Christmas gifts.
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Congrats on your gardening success! That would work for cards and coins – great idea. π
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That is one delicious looking Whoopie Pie!
I too wear a lot of denim and yoga pants as I go to exercise class and walk a lot.
Your bags came out very well… nicely done.
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Great bags Judy, your Jack the Ripper made me laugh too. How nice that your friend gives you her denim and gets a few useful, well made bags in return. My daughter and her friends are trying to re-cycle clothes and toys for their children to avoid waste, and it works really well.
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Before 2008 and the financial downturn, Goodwill and Salvation Army stores were mostly seen as places for the poor to shop. Since that time, a lot more people have started shopping there so they can save money but also avoid the waste. It’s a win/win.
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You’re very clever to create these bags without a pattern Judy. I suspect you’ve refined the method over the years.
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I have lived in denim, and want to be buried in denim! I keep thinking I am going to make myself a small bag for my phone and couple other items. For when we are just shopping.
I love the autumn shots…..so beautiful.
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We have a houseguest who is a native New Englander. She says she doesn’t like whoopee pies. Now I’m very confused.
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I’d be confused too. π
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