The Vacation Market Bag:

While packing for The Trip, I realized, I'm sure, as the cobbler did when sending his children outside without any shoes, that I had no proper book bag.  This summer, I have made over a dozen of these things in all shapes and sizes, but, alas none for me.
Despite the busyness of travel preparations, I sat right down at Close Friend Sewing Machine, determined to have a mama's collection Market Bag of my own.
My vintage stash provided the tablecloth that had spent too many days outside on various tables to be useful as an actual tablecloth anymore.  But never no mind!  It's good parts made an excellent weight for the transformation into useful market bag.  Cast away hand towels of long ago made an appropriate pocket and seasons ago blue and white striped porch cushion fabric finished up the project with a fun lining.
Stout and solid to carry the multitude of books that I think that I need on holiday.
I believe I did read from three of them, including my Bible and notebooks that go with that, so the lugging of my little library was not totally wasted.
Fun things, new tote/market/book bags.
Fun thing to carry around previously used/loved items in a whole different form.
Fun thing to have collections that constantly shift and change.

What does your favorite tote bag look like?

Farmer's Market Bag!

Every Saturday, as I get ready for the Farmer's Market, I think of how fortunate those of us in isolated Southern Indiana are to have such an assortment of fresh grown, mostly organic produce.  The FM is truly a highlight in these southern counties and I for one like to celebrate it.  While getting ready for The Retreat this summer, I thought it was only fitting that my guests should have their own Market Bag to corral all their purchases.  It was during that process that I received my first copy of MaryJane's Farm magazine.  Within it's wondrous innards, I was pleased as punch to find the pattern for the Perfect Market Bag.  Sensibility told me that to make eleven of them in time for The Retreat, was a bit of a stretch.  But maybe one.  Maybe mine, could be the first of many MaryJane Farm's Upcycled Market Bags!  It got taken out for it's maiden voyage this past Saturday.  I must say, I felt rather proud wearing an official Market Bag.  Especially when a lady in a crocheted products booth was eyeing it carefully.  I could see her trying to figure out the pattern from where she sat.  This little sweetie is embarrassingly easy and you can bet that there will be more to come.  Eldest/Admin wanted it terribly, but she saw that the practicality for her, armed with baby paraphernalia, would probably not be doable.  She did, however, order one with longer handles for her Mama Multihanded Needs.  Could I alter the pattern?  With sisal twine invested, you can't really waste for the effort!  I shall attempt this challenge!

So my Little Market Bag shall accompany me every Saturday.  I shall trade my blackberries, corn, tomatoes and wee little Amish pies soon for squash and more autumnal veggies.
But probably not the books.  As you can see, Youngest Son, scored quite a pile again this week.  He's on his own carrying his Book Obsession. 
Or maybe.  Maybe he needs a Mega Mama Made Market Bag for his book purchases.....!!

Hmmmmmmm..........