There are about a million things I love about my mother, but the fact that she is so darn easy to please is close to the top of the list. I’ve probably made several hundred hand crafted gifts for my mother over the past 50 years, and the woman still has every one of them. Even the clay pitcher I made her in the 3rd grade. That thing is lopsided, painted with the most hideous shades of brown and green, and wouldn’t possible hold an ounce of water without leaking. But my mother still has it – and prominently displays it in her kitchen. And each year her Christmas tree is adorned with ornaments made out of egg carton pieces that I’m guessing I made her about 45 years ago. She has every hand made item each of her children ever made her. Amazing.
So, when I read Angie’s post about making tote bags out of black oil sunflower seed bags on The Big Red Couch blog, I immediately thought “Oh, mama would LOVE one of those.” Of course, I have no idea if that is actually true, but since she has always graciously accepted every hand made gift I’ve ever given her, I knew she was the one person that would at least ACT happy about receiving this bag. She did not disappoint me. Here is her bag:
And here’s the back of it.
I think it’s pretty awesome that Angie was creative enough to find a really cool use for such a pretty seed bag. I routinely buy these black oil sunflower seeds for my chickens, and I’ve thrown several away in the past. I won’t be doing that anymore. Mama seemed so appreciative that I plan to make her a few more to use as shopping bags. I wouldn’t mind having a few myself, but I never go shopping, so that wouldn’t make sense.
I bet these bags hold up for a good long while. We’ll certainly find out. Mama will never get rid of them. That’s for sure.
Bee Free,
Penny
Tags: hand made shopping bag
What a neat idea! And, so sweet of you to make one for your mom. My mom kept a lot of mementos I gave her, especially cards, and when she died I was able to go back over 20 years and read those cards that she kept. If your bags are sturdy enough, you can also use them for grocery shopping. BYOB is the hip thing to do these days, you know?
Hi Lilla – I’m hoping it will hold up to grocery shopping. The material is pretty strong, and I reinforced the handles, so it just may work. Mama said she’ll let me know. We’re all about being “hip” ya know
I tease my mom about saving all that stuff, but I really do think it’s sweet. When she got her bag she told me “You have more talent than should be legal.” That is in no way true – but she just makes my day by saying things like that. And I think it’s sweet your mom saved things that had all those mementos to go through that your mom saved too.
Wow these are absolutely brill……. ya clever clogs lol
x
Marmitetoasty – um, thank you. I think. Is a clog the same thing as a doodle?
clever clogs is a term of endearment that ones says to someone that one thinks is very clever and smart and gifted
x
YOU tease her about saving all that stuff? Nuh uh.
That bag is great. I tell my husband all the time that I will need a room just for all my reusable bags…..diff shapes and sizes…colors and styles….you just never know when you may need one or what you may need it for.
So sweet of you to make one for your mama.
Marmitetoasty – Well, thank you! That is very kind of you – I know I’m a doodle, but I don’t think I’m a clever clog. I’m not very clever. Or smart. Or gifted. But I’m happy you think so
Frugalmom – Oh hush! You know I only save useful stuff. Hey – once you get your chickens you can start buying them bags of black oil sunflower seeds and making your own reusable bags! How cool will THAT be???
love the bag. i still have 3 bags that were gave to me. use them all the time.
they are the best gifts i think i ever got for texs dad and one lady put our shop name on 1 for me.
Sew Clever!!! I adore the bird bag! As a Mom, I would have just loved them. Just finished catching up on all the blogs I missed while traveling–loved them all–sorry about your little hen. We do become attached to our two and four legged friends, don’t we? Your pups are growing! They, like children, never stay little for very long. Take care.
Hi Charlotte – My mom is crazy about the one I made her. And after she saw that picture, my mother-in-law wants one. I like making them, and I’m glad people like them and will use them.
Hi Cotton Lady – welcome back! I hope you had a great vacation. Yes – those pups are growing like crazy. I seriously wonder just how big they are going to get! And they are just as sweet as they can possibly be. How was Iowa?
After seeing my totes I have had several people save their bags for me and offer to send them. If I had a day to set a side I could make tons of these now. LOL
Hi Angie! Your instructions were wonderful, and the bags are really kind of fun to make. My mother brought a couple of dog food bags up when she came to visit and asked if I would make her a couple of totes out of them. She just LOVED the bird seed tote. Thanks much for posting such a great and detailed blog on making them!