Oatmeal and a little tutorial.

Ah, oatmeal.  I love to start my day with it.

I just heard of another interesting breakfast that I am going to try.  You put about 1/4 cup oatmeal in a microwave safe dish, and put a cored apple in the middle of it.  Put a teaspoon (or so) of maple syrup down the center of the apple, add 1/2 cup of water, cover with a napkin, and microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Doesn't that sound awesome?
I'll let you know how it turns out.

My first job this morning was to reconcile Quick Books.  I hate to pay an accountant to do it.  And I am stubborn enough to work at it until I get it.
It's kind of like balancing your check book, and once I got used to navigating around, I decided I could do it myself.

TA DA, I did it.

Now on to the tote bags.

Here they are, all wound up and waiting for me.

First thing, pin the hemmed edges.

Now you don't have to use a needle container, but it is the perfect size to measure the corners with.  You can cut a cardboard template if you want.
I mark all four corners.

 And no, there is no reason to have two different kinds of pins.

Then I sew across the corners to make the bottom square.

Someone asked about my sewing machine.....it is a Necchi, and it works so well, because it is a gear driven machine, not a belt driven machine.

Six done.  Six to go.

I chose several different colored straps.  This is all vintage material from old rugs that I washed, then washed again, then took apart, and rewove.  If that's a word.  Rewove.

Somehow I like the idea of making these "original carpet bags" out of these old rugs, rather than making them into rugs again.  A new life, so to speak.

I have more old rugs to be torn apart.  Not sure how many bags I want to make though.
Any other ideas???
You have to admit, they have a lovely "used" look to them.  They look friendly.
And yes, I know, I am crazy.
But good Lord, it's fun.