Latest Bags...

I am very sporadic at posting on this blog, but figured you'd enjoy seeing the latest bags. I currently am enjoying making the regular shopping fabric bags and then adding a cute side bag that matches for smaller items (or even packing a lunch).
The first set is actually for trick-or-treaters, big and small!
Enjoy!
GBLS

Some pictures of bags I've made.

Most of these have been scattered to friends and family around the globe.
If you'd like a bag, I'll send you one for free as long as you promise to use it and NOT paper or plastic AND send me a picture of you with the bag in action! Just comment on this page and include your email address (write out at and dot so you don't get spam) and I'll write you for your address.
Happy Saving the Earth!

Green Bag on the Other Side of the World!

My friend "The Dish" is over near the grand wall serving people in a teaching capacity. She loves where she lives and whom she serves. I love The Dish.
Here is a picture of The Dish with a bag I gave her the last time she was state-side.
Way to use fabric, The Dish!

Green Bag Ladies Event

The event, last week, was a great success!
Both those of us who hosted the event and those that participated, had fun.
We made at least 5 bags that night with inspiration for more.
(The other hostess made 10 more bags the following couple of days -- yay!)

Local Green Bag #2 being used

This is from a different friend (same material) who was shopping with her son and took a snapshot.
Less plastic & paper bag waste = happy green bag lady in Sacramento!

Local Green Bag Picture #1

Tasty treats.
Anonymous bag holder.
=1 less plastic bag!

First Sacramento Event

Next Thursday, we're kicking off our first event.
With sewing machines and fabric in hand, a few of us are going to gather to put a small dent in the paper and plastic waste that our consumerist America doesn't think twice about. We'll be hanging out, sewing, and talking about alternatives to plastic and papers, such as the bags we'll be sewing.
Stay tuned for the story on how it goes!

Fabric Wrapping

A friend of mine (okay, lots of friends of mine) is having a baby in a few months and instead of wrapping her bag in paper or the usual bags, I wrapped it in fabric, using safety pins, that goes along with the gender of her baby.
The card with the gift said I'd happily convert the fabric into either a tote bag or laundry bag for her baby.
So, I'm making my first laundry bag any day now...

Over 20 bags so far...

Last weekend I made 5 new bags. I am so excited to have a sewing machine with some choices for designs. It makes a more plain bag really elegant.
I'll try to upload pictures soon.
I've also heard of a bag lady receiver or two who has taken pictures with bags in use and will post those once I get them.

First Event

My green bag lady partner in action and I are hosting our first event!
We are gathering some women and sewing machines together to get the word out and to slow down the use of paper and plastic.
We'll let you know how it goes.

I have one other event in the works. More details to follow...

Bag Give Away

I just made a t-shirt back for a local youth group.
I was asked to speak and shared about what an incredible opportunity these young people have to make a difference in this world.
During the middle, I offered a bag as a prize.
They are about to launch the 30 hour famine where you stop eating for 30 hours to raise money for starving children around the globe (26,000 kids die a day of starvation). The bag I made was pretty 30 hour famine t-shirt someone recently gave to me.

Back in the Swing

The old sewing machine is RIP, but now I have an even more useful friend donated (in chunks of time) by a generous friend. Thanks Friend!
I am currently finishing one of the prettiest bags to date with material donated by a friend nearby.
I'll post pictures (in use, hopefully) soon.

Farthest Bag

One of my friends lives in China.
She is taking a bag back with her. It's pretty snazzy.
We're hoping she'll send a picture with the bag getting some use on the other side of the globe.
Here's to saving the earth!

Other Bags I've Made

These bags are going as far as Maryland and Texas and CHINA, as close as across the street, and down into So Cal. Enjoy!
One bag went from Berkeley to Seattle to Maryland within the span of one week!
The little bag at the top is actually a produce bag I made for our housemate with an old Star Wars shirt that didn't fit anymore. It turned out better than I expected!
I learned t-shirt bags are sooo much easier to make and hold a fair amount. They're not as cute and even sturdy in some ways, but great if you're trying to make a bunch to give away.

Temporary Setback

Last Friday, I was making the cutest little bag for a little girl neighbor when the needle died on my machine. This had happened before we bought it from a friend a couple of years ago. Husband tried to fix it, and amazingly, didn't. Not that he didn't try or couldn't have, but there was a shredded plastic gear in an otherwise metal machine. It's such an old machine, it would be too difficult to find a replacement.
Thus, bag lady-ism is on hold in Sacramento for a few days.
I am getting a sewing machine for February from a groovy friend who is willing to part with it for a bit.
Updates and pictures to come!

Inspired by Green Bag Lady in TN

Teresa Van Hatten-Granath is a very special woman.
She cares about the well-being of our earth.
She has begun a small, priceless revolution with sewing machines, fabric, and persistence.
She makes fabric bags so that less plastic bags (and paper which aren't as eco friendly as you thought) are used. She gets tons of fabric, postage, helpers, and sewing machines donated or loaned for the duration of her project. Her goal: reduce waste.
http://greenbaglady.blogspot.com/
I want to be like the original green bag lady. Since I live on the other side of the country, I figured I'd try to help with plastic (and paper) bag reduction in my area.
If you'd like a bag, to donate fabric or postage, or to be a sewing buddy, please leave your EMAIL address spelling out AT and DOT so you don't get spam.
I'm attaching a picture of the first bags I've sewn to inspire you. (so easy)