Tuesday, August 9, 2011

to market, to market and home with more bags

I have an overabundance of plastic grocery bags....they are like rabbits.  Despite the fact that I grocery shop with reusable bags, I somehow still end up with a plethora of plastic ones.  I actually like to have some of them on hand for wastebasket liners and for bagging up things here and there. So I've been stuffing them in a bigger bag and keeping them in our laundry room. They started to take over my space.  I am certain that they were planning a coup.   They looked unassuming, but I could tell...they needed to be dealt with.  So I did.
 I made this adorable grocery bag holder.  It has elastic at the bottom so you can pull out one bag at a time.  It has a great big opening at the top for stuffing in more bags.  And it holds a lot of bags.  Whatever it doesn't hold, I've decided I don't need to keep.  I'll take them back to the store and recycle them at those big bin. 
I also like it because it's make out of cute fabric and it makes me smile.  It was super easy to make and because it's quilted, it seems to be pretty sturdy.  I didn't quilt mine quite as fancy as the tutorial suggested, but I like how it turned out.
 I used this tutorial (thanks AnneMarie!)  and made it from material that I had on hand.  I think it would make a pretty nice gift....in a practical, kind of way.  Not sure that a grocery bag holder has the same appeal as a piece of jewelry or a candle does in a gift giving situation, but still.  Since I was ambivalent about the gift-ability of the bag holder, I only made one.  for me. 

20 comments:

Stephanie said...

I've been wanting to make one of these, our bags have also gotten out of hand! Thanks for sharing the link. Love your fabrics and that it's quilted, i haven't seen these quilted before... very nice!

Christina said...

This is super-cute, and I think it would make a fabulous gift! You'd just have to make it for the right person and occasion (like a house warming gift). After all, one person can only use so many candles, and a practical yet cute gift like this would be perfect.

~ The Jolly Bee ~ said...

I hope you've got it on display and not hidden away....It's really cute. I only use canvas bags at the grocery store, but I end up accumulating those bags too -- from all the other stores I go to (not that there are that many, but still!). Having a dog here means they get put to good use.

Debi said...

Cute... I have one that was gifted to me but the top is very small. I like the more open top of yours... also love the fabric.

AnneMarie said...

It looks fantastic!! I love your fabric choices - gives me more ideas... :) Glad you liked the tute. AnneMarie

Tracy said...

That is a LOT of plastic bags...LOL! LOVE your bag holder--it's wonderful, Lisa! I made a bag holder a couple months ago--very easy weekend project. Love the quilting on yours. Thanks for the link & fun! :o) ((HUGS))

Meg said...

Too cute! I think your plastic bags have been talking to my plastic bags, because mine are about to take over the laundry room! Looks like I need to make one of these.

Leslie said...

Super cute! I have one that I use all the time. Cute and useful!

no spring chicken said...

I like how you think. Who knows whether the recipient will appreciate it properly so why take chances?

It really is wonderful and I am formulating a plan as I write... The sewing machine is coming out and I'm on my way to pay a visit to AnneMarie!

Blessings, Debbie

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful project - useful AND beautiful. I like the top being open.

Ruth said...

I love this bag holder. Wonderful job.

Ruth

Ellen said...

Very nice. I made several of these years ago as presents and never got around to making one for myself. Mostly we use fabric bags now, but still have a boatload of paper and plastic.

At Home Mommy Knits said...

Just this last weekend I made the exact same thing for my bags. It hangs in my laundry room since I use the bags as garbage bags in their. Yours is much prettier than mine!!

Green Acres in the City said...

I might just have to make one of these, plus they could be great christmas gifts!

Gloria said...

What a great idea! It turned out very cute. I have those plastic bags (like bunny rabbits) around here. It is hard for me to throw them out! :)

Such a useful, but pretty gift idea...:)

xoxo....Gloria

From All Stitched Up said...

Cute project and very useful! My husband loves to collect those bags - mabe he'll get a bag holder for Christmas.

Cathy said...

I had this project on my to do list...you have moved it closer to the top now. Thank you.

I too like your fabric choices.

sara said...

Oh my goodness, this could literally save my sanity, I use re-usable grocery bags but having two teenagers in the house means the plastic ones are always finding their way through the door, and I must admit that sometimes they are useful. I can see myself making a few of these for sisters and friends, thanks for the link. Your grocery bag dispenser is fabulous, gorgeous fabrics.

Yarny Days said...

This is SO adorable. I especially love its shape...

Kristyn Knits said...

Love this project!! Useful but oh so beautiful!! I keep mine in my kitchen recycle bin, but yours is much more stylish! Great Job, lease!!