Creative Ways to Recycle: Reuseable Sandwich Bags

I absolutely hate washing out and drying Ziploc(r) bags and I can't imagine it being anyone's favorite thing to do. So, today I stumbled across some inventive ways to make your own reusable (and stylish) bags.

From The Party Dress blog:

Here’s the how-to:

1. Cut a rectangle approximately 8 1/2″ x 16 1/2″ out of oilcloth with pinking shears or sharp scissors.
2. Turn edges under 1/4″ and stitch with machine.
3. With wrong sides facing each other, fold over oilcloth leaving 2-1/2″ of extra material for the flap.
4. Stitch along sides to form the pocket.
5. Attach velcro on flap and pocket of bag.
6. Enjoy your reusable sandwich bag and hand wash with soap and water.


CraftStylish also has some easy-to-follow directions using polyurethane laminated fabrics (i.e. table cloth material - great use for an old table cloth!)

You can also check out ehow for Reusable Sandwich Wrap directions.

Not feeling crafty? Check out these sites:

• The Reusable Fresh Snack Pack is washable and see-through. As a plus, the flap can fold out to become a handy place mat.
• Dajo Bags come in sandwich and snack sizes (a cute drawstring style) that look like they'd fit anybody's lunch needs.
• 3 Green Moms offer the lunch skins which can hold both sandwiches and snacks in one convenient size.
• Snack Taxi is another sandwich style bag that comes in a variety of colors.
• Wrap-N-Mat unfolds completely for easy cleaning and to act as a place mat while eating.
• Happy Sacks offers a variety of different reusable and biodegradable bags, as well as boxes, utensils and bottles.
• www.greengoosebags.etsy.com
• www.crafttwins.etsy.com

A New Computer, Yay!

So I've been absent from blogging for a while since I've been sans computer, but I've been amassing quite a long list of articles to share and comment on!

Let's start positive with a recycling project from WikiHow and ThreadBanger:

How To Make Flip Flops from an Old Yoga Mat

What to Do With All Those Plastic Bags?

Now as much as I diligently try to remember my reusable shopping bag, there are times when I end up at the grocery store without one. Or as I found out over Thanksgiving, my mom hoards them to line her trash cans (yeah mom for reusing). So after a while, if you are like me, you end up with a nice supply that I usually take some place to be recycled.

Here's an interesting alternative:



Marlo's Crochet Corner gives instructions on how to crochet your very own recycled plastic tote in several designs including instructions on how to make a plastic ball of "yarn". Now I haven't crocheted in years, but I found the process fairly simple. I'm probably 1/2 of the way done with my gigantic tote (ok so I went a little crazy with it). But it seems likes it's going to be an extremely durable bag great for the beach!

Click here for instructions!