Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Heavenly Hemp

My resolution not to use plastic bags is going quite well and recently I've been thinking about Christmas (I know I know it is far far too early) .... but my thought was that wrapping paper is kind of a waste too and why not just make beautiful gift bags to present your presents in that they can be reused and reused and reused. After all - Santa just uses one big sack no? And it was Santa's sack that made me think of making reusable gift bags for this years pressies.

So on a recent trip to JoAnn's (have you seen the price of fabric at that place? choose carefully and you can save SO much cash while adding to your material stash ... perhaps that is bad advice to all you material addicts!) I purchased some hemp (cream and brown) and here are my first attempts at reusable gift sacks. (These are just the first version of the wine bottle sacks - I'm working on much bigger sacks too.)
Each little sack as a felt applique image and embroidered message ...
It was so bright and sunny outside that I thought myself crazy for making Christmas goodies and the sun and the texture of the hemp made me think of straw beach bags ... and straw made me think of bunnies and then I was off and made this ... my rabbit hutch bag ... I know it doesn't look like a rabbit or a hutch but it was named after my thoughts of sunny straw and bouncy bunnies ...
... and I'm really not a big bag person so I'm not sure why I keep making bags but there was something about this one that made me feel happy and smiley. Perhaps it was the polka dots? or the little felt flower with sparkles ...
... or perhaps it was just the love I have of making things that got to me.

15 comments:

Kitty said...

I love hemp! And those bottle bags are lovely ... but you need a good slap for saying that 'C' word in July!!!
x

Sarah said...

I love the rabbit hutch bag, what a great shape.

LizzieJane said...

My goodness Rachael you really do make the loveliest things. I agree she does need a slap for scaring us all with the "C" word in July!

Phill said...

Really cool design on the rabbit hutch bag, and I love the hemp, especially on the wine bottle bags. I think it looks very "Country Christmas." Greats ideas!

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

Most inspired to make reusuable gift bags! Love the ones you have made for the wine bottles - hemp looks like a great fabric choice. Your new bag looks spiffy!

rachelmp said...

ohhhh, I love your bag and your felt flower. I hate plastic bag use so good on you for reminding us all!

Kellie said...

I just love the spotty bag! My absolute favorite!!!!!

Rachel said...

What a great idea! Even though we recycle, I always feel rather guilty about the amount of wrapping paper that is just wasted - that's such a cool alternative. And the bag is gorgeous - love it!

Anonymous said...

Rachael,
I have also started to have Christmas in July thoughts this week and making some beaded crackers. I like the idea of a hemp bag will try it out.
Sharon

Barbara Brown said...

i love the dots. i just purchased lots of dot fabric. great idea on the bag wrapping.

Brierley + Clover said...

I've been thinking of Christmas too - I always get inspired around a week before the big day - by then I'm too busy with everything else. I love the spotty fabric and flower with the natural hemp - lovely!

* elizabeth * said...

I love that bag! I was just working on something like it. And bravo for starting Xmas now. you're an inspiration.

periwinkle said...

what a great idea - i might have to do some copying :-)
love all the bags
lisa x

Julz said...

Hi Rachael, love the hemp bags - fantastic idea - though agree with the others - way to scary thinking about "C" just yet :) My cupcake swap gift is just about ready to leave these kiwi shores to make their way across the great divide to the USA. Thanks again for organising such a fun swap. Hugs Jx

Jo said...

just thought I'd say "hi" , reading about your christmas bags, great idea, if you read my blog I've just joined Morsbags - Josie x