Back to all the unfinished projects in the “Tote Box”.

I had several tote projects that I had just thrown into a box way back. I believe some of these have been in there for many years. I finished up a couple of the bags last week and posted about them.

This week I found another bag but it just needed mended. I made this “handy tote” a very long time ago–I posted about it on October 3, 2013 on my other blog, KTGreenDesign.com. There is a PDF there with a tutorial on how I made the bag. (I didn’t check how accurate this PDF is, so make it at your own risk if you dare! Of course, I say that about all my tutorials!)

I should have called it the Flamingo Bag! I LOVE this fabric and never found it again. It’s kinda “Old Florida”. Bought it in a fabric warehouse that closed not too long after my visit.

I created it to carry all that golf stuff around, like balls, and markers, and gloves……so much stuff. Yeah, I used to play golf–a lot–but never got any better and didn’t enjoy it. I haven’t played in many many years and do not miss it!

This bag has a LOT of great pockets and I used it so much that the strap frayed. It was made out of burlap and matching fabric and was kinda itchy, anyhow. I liked the exterior fabric so threw out the strap and then tossed the bag into the “Tote Box”–never to be seen again. Well, until I decided to go through that box. Fixing this was easy-peasy.

I have a bunch of this hardware and I don’t know why I ordered it! I’ve had it for a while so figured it would be safe to use on the flamingo bag. (If I ever figure out why I ordered it, I’ll just order more!)

I also have a nice roll of 1 1/2″ neutral colored webbing that matched the bag perfectly!

I was easily able to remove some stitching along the top and insert the strap holders. (Since it was so easy to remove, I went ahead and restitched the entire top so it wouldn’t come apart in the future.)

Then I made a “guitar strap.”

I reattached the button with strong upholstery thread. I think the flamingos can last another 12 years with all the updates! I won’t be taking the bag along on golf outings but it will be perfect for visiting craft shows and farmers markets!

I finished one Sandhill Sling. (Probably more about that when I finish the second one!)

I have these two sugar skulls that I embroidered onto denim probably a decade ago.

I have plans to add the one on the left to a bag but the one on the right has a bunch of long thread satin stitching and didn’t think I could use it for a tote because the stitches would get snagged. So I added denim to it so it would fit into a large embroidery hoop, gathered it, glued it, put wool felt onto the back and made it into wall art.

It’s on my pegboard in the sewing studio now but will come into the house when I put up my Halloween display.

I only have three WIPs from the tote box left. I should be able to finish them up very quickly and get back to making denim quilts. Tote Box, Part Three, next week!