#184 Sew a Reusable Sandwich Bag

Reusable sandwich bags have become very popular recently and they are relatively easy to make. The first thing you need to do is acquire some kind of fabric that is washable, preferably just by wiping it down. If you want to re-purpose something you already own then try using plastic coated table cloth, maybe one that is cracked or stained and might have been destined to a landfill.

I didn't have anything to re-purpose, so I used some place mats I purchased from Target on clearance. The first thing you need to do is figure out the size you want to create your sandwich bags. I like Brownberry bread, which tends to be winder than say Wonder Bread. So, I cut my fabric a 8" width and 15" length.

I sewed a 1/2" hem on the top and bottom of the length of the fabric. Then I folded a 1/2" hem on the edges of the long sides and folded the bottom up to create a pocket. When you create your fold, make sure that the top will fold down over the pocket by 1-1.5". Stitch the hem with the pocket folded in place and top laid open flat. Attach velcro to the center of the top and pocket.

I do have to admit that my stitching job is not the prettiest on this. Due to the plastic nature of the fabric it did not pull under the foot very easily and would stick, so there are spots where the stitch that was doubled or tripled. And because the plastic fabric would leave holes where the stitches were placed if I removed them, I just left the stitches as is.

Now we are all set to go on some park playgroups that we will bring along our lunch too.

#183 Turn Boxes into Pony/Barbie Condos

I save my shoe boxes because they are good for so many things, including this time. Today, my daughter is using every empty shoe box in our possession as a condo for her ponies (she is in love with ponies!)

I lost my breath when I saw how much all those pony "locations" cost. So, I offered up our boxes and came prepared with duct tape to her room. We first laid out all the boxes on the floor so we could fit them appropriately and then I would tape them together two at a time, and then two bunches at time.

She has them all crammed in there, so we could probably use a few more boxes and make it a little taller. BTW - we do have it against her toy box to offer additional support.

Later today I will also be contributing a couple of magazines for her to search through and find images for her to glue on the boxes to furnish and accesorize her pony condos.

Red Velvet Pancakes

Red Velvet Pancakes

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 large egg, lightly beaten

3/4 buttermilk (or use whole milk and add a 1/2 tsp of lemon juice)

1/4 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons butter, melted

red food coloring (I used about 1/2 container)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Combine all ingredients and whisk until smooth (or a few lumps remain). Cook over medium high heat in a frying pan or at 350 degrees on an electric griddle. Makes approximately 12 4" pancakes

Free Veggie Seeds and Gloves from Annie's

If you bought 2 Annie's products between 1/5/11 and 4/30/2011, you can submit the UPC codes HERE to get some free vegetable seeds and gloves (adult or child).

This is a fun freebie for us since we garden. I love that they demonstrated using a box to plant in.

And if you are local to me, Just Food Co-op has Annie Homegrown Pasta & Cheese Dinners on sale for 99-cents a box (2/2-2/15).

Posting on Northern Cheapskate

If you can't get enough of me on here, then venture on over to Northern Cheapskate and check me out! This month I have started guest blogging over there a couple times a month. The posts will feature way to be green and/or be crafty. I will post over here that I have an article so that you can go check it out.

Today was my first posting called "Stop Your Toilet From Taking a Leak" and she also introduced me to the blog in another post as well.

Thanks for this opportunity Christina!