Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Toting things around...a giveaway

Isn't everyone's dining room used to store stuff???
No?

Our house is not large but it should be large enough for two humans and a poodle.

One of us, I'm not saying who, is a "collector" 
A collector is different from a hoarder. I don't know how but it feels better to me. Yep, it's me, I'm the collector. I suspect crafters have the collector genes. 
One of the things I love is a tote bag. 
We are trying to pare down in anticipation of moving house soon. If we knew where to move we'd be gone already, so in lieu of knowing , we're getting ready. One day I decided to bring all the tote bags out in one staging area to see what I had. By "all" I mean the ones not in use and that I could see.

Hence the first photo.

In an effort to sort them, I created categories.
Self made totes of fabric
plastic such as Houston Quilt show edition bags
quilt show advert bags like Handiquilter of mesh
Embassy Hop collector bags from DC trips to embassies
Tote's given me by friends
Advertising totes given at trade shows
Totes won on shop hops for visiting each shop
book bags given to dh at symposiums

I made piles of each in the dining room, piling them on top of "goliath" the bookcase from IKEA. I thought I was buying one like the others in the studio, but after dh put it together I realized it's a foot taller and wouldn't fit. I had to relocate it into the family room to hold excess books. (have I mentioned I'm a collector??)

I admit to having more than one bag from the book fest which leads to a giveaway!! 
I will share. It's hard for me, being a collector and all, to let anything go. I already sent some to Eliza who loves to read and uses tote bags til they fall apart. I learned it's okay to let go if they go to someone you like! 
So I am willing to let a few more go to a couple people. Yep. I'm going to. Let. Go. (a little)
The book festival used to be marvelous. On the mall in front of the Smithsonian, there was a city of tents, each one hosting a steady stream of authors talking about their books. Heaven! I heard and met so many people I admire, and felt so energized after.

We got tote bags.

Any day when I receive a free tote bag is a good day.
When I visited Houston Quilt show, vendors gave out tote bags too. Since they gave me one each day, I am willing to share them with you. Of course I'm keeping some, heh heh.

They are handy to store projects in, to carry your projects in the car, to store quilts, to use on shopping sprees.

My collecting doesn't stop at mesh bags... I also love the plastic zip bags blankets come in for holding WIPS
and fabric collections...
and have a selection of plastic bins to use in an effort to stash supplies
One of my handiquilter bags is holding those, kind of.
Two memento totes from embassy hops... Keeping these!! Memories of touring the embassy are good.
My memory of Argentina was watching dancers doing the tango to a quartet of musicians so good we bought their cds. We ate smelly fish in Finland, drank beer and ate chocolate in Belgium, danced to music from the Bahamas.
some of my hand made totes. I use them. I pretty much use these totes instead of a purse now, so one's always in use. Storage is a problem however. They kind of defy storing.
So that's kind of my Confession  sharing of a system. It's not perfect but each bag holds a memory of an event I attended. It takes up more space than a digital image, but it's useful.

I'm willing to share. I want to share with you, the friends I've gotten to know as quilters and readers.
The people who seek to organize and need to carry or store their stuff too.
I know you can relate to me.

Please, tell my husband it could be worse!
now it's your turn... to win entertain me with a story of what you'd tote/store in the bags and I'll choose winners and send them out.
  Would you prefer book festival or quilting??

These need re-homing. 
I need to stop collecting them..... Bwaaaaahahahahahahahaha!
 
We'll be connected in a way. I'll know they went to a good home.








 

14 comments:

Lesley said...

My dog likes to be carried in a tote bag in the summer when she gets hot! She only weighs 8 lbs so it's not bad. I don't need any more bags though-just think it's funny! You can see her on my insragram-I'm lesleyg209

Libby in TN said...

And I thought I had a tote bag problem ...

Quiltdivajulie said...

I prefer quilting (over books). I use the tote bags to take supplies when I teach, I also use them for lots of other outings. I use tote bags for groceries (the ones that are strong enough - and hopefully washable just in case something leaks). And as far as storing the hand made totes, I bought a bunch of the Ikea dog tail hooks (cheap, colorful, and fun) and use those to hang the bags on the wall so I can see them. Really enjoyed your post!

Home Sewn By Us said...

I have to tell you that I save every single plastic bag that sheets/pillowcases (even some bras) and I make luggage tags out of them. I also made a name tag-type pouch for my niece who is a nurse with some of this plastic as well - she keeps her swipe card in it, plus I added a zipper too. I'd give you the link on my website, but don't want to overstep. Anyway - nothing wrong with being a collector! ~smile~
Roseanne

Tu-Na Quilts said...

I sure could use some of your plastic blanket/sheet bags with zippers to store my stash while I am gone to my other house. I was just thinking the other day that I need to get some. You know I gotta make sure that precious stash doesn't get dusty until I get back to the area to start using it again. That cute poodle bag would be perfect in my Parisian guest room hanging on the hooks under the mirror that I bought at goodwill. Yes, my guest room has a theme (much to my interior design daughter's chagrin) and it is red, pink, black, and gray. We also have a painting of a couple kissing under an umbrella on a Paris street. I also have two pics of the Eiffel tower hanging on the wall behind the bed. My husband took them when we were there three years ago. So, you see, I could make use of these items and love them too. Karen
kthurn(at)bektel(dot)com

LA Paylor said...

hey now Karen, and others, I'm not giving away my own poodle bag or any I made! At least not at the moment lol. It may come to that but I hope not. Not giving away the plastic (torn) zip bags either.
I'm just sharing the mesh quilting or Library of congress book fest bags!!

Sherry said...

Ok, are you my "sister from another mister" or what! LOL

I also have a tote bag problem. . . .so while I would love to have a "historic" bag. . . . I don't need anymore.

The last time that I had all my bags in one pile it was almost 3 ft. tall. . .so I know exactly what you are talking about!

Have fun finding new homes for them.

Home Sewn By Us said...

Leeanna, here is the link to the pictures of the pouch with the clear pockets: http://homesewnbyus.com/local-quilt-stores/ I didn't share the name of the pattern in my post because it was awful (and if I can't say something nice, I don't say anything at all). If you really want the name of the pattern, I can find it! I don't think I've written a post about the luggage tags . . . but that makes me think that I need to! HAHA Roseanne

barbara woods bewtjw@gmail.com said...

i could store{hide}some fabric because hubby thinks i have to much

claudia said...

I know these will all go to good homes. I collect totes as well, and books, fabrics, yarns, looms! In fact I was just at the local DIY store looking to get a system to hold some of my collections. It's either that or add on to my house. I think the shelving system will be less expensive!

Unknown said...

I love mine and will put them to good use!

easyweimaraner said...

I love them too and YES to get one makes my day too :o) it seems I'm a collector... and we have a hoarder here... a dangerous mix, but I'm armed with a lot of BIG trash bags ;o)

Anonymous said...

I am also a tote bag person! I use them for each of my knitting and crochet projects. I use 3 bags for work; lunch, craft project and the other for work related stuff. My city is stopping plastic grocery bags so now I will need some totes for groceries! Help!!
nikilsend(at)outlook(dot)com

Tails Around the Ranch said...

You and Wayne must be twins from a different mother. I've never seen so many totes as when he moved in! While I consider myself a collector, I've learned to let go when they no longer serve my best interests (or space 😊). It's extremely cathartic to make way for only the useful and lovely. I'm sure your nest will be pawfectly ready for baby Milo. 💕