Reusable sandwich baggies and garden pix

With it being back-to-school season, I thought I'd post a reminder of a tutorial I wrote for making reusable sandwich baggies last year.

A publisher came across my tutorial recently and wants to include it (plus a few of my others) in a 2011 calendar, which is pretty exciting for me. I wanted to spruce up my photos since the originals were taken on a dark December night in my basement, so here's a better shot for you of the finished product.

Yes, the snaps are from the remains of the girls' old baby clothes. I know it looks a little wonky, but the point of the project is that you can probably make these from old stuff you have lying around the house. And of course they're reusable, so that makes them double green. Or would that be "dark green"?Hmm ... a new phrase ... Go (dark) green! 

I'm such a geek.

These are quick and easy to make so I couldn't help but experiment with another design:

Yesterday I mentioned our garden but didn't include any photos, so here's a visual of where things stand (and sprawl) today:

The first of the butternut squash:

I might have gone overboard with those this year, but the squash ravioli will be enjoyed all winter long.

Corny:

Cucumber balls:

They're not supposed to be balls. They're just growing that way. Could this be an overcrowding issue? Anyone? Anyone?

A baby patty pan squash:

This poor little pumpkin is growing in between the slats of our fence. I was about to set it free but then I thought it might be interesting for the girls to see what happens.

Comments

[Leah]

Thanks for the tute. and your garden is making me green with envey. Nice Job. Oh and I love the book binding too.

[Randi Dickinson]

Yum-o on the butternut squash ravioli! My favorite. Your garden looks amazing. Sadly mine did poorly this year and we plan on building raised beds next year for ours.

[Jodie]

Those bags are awesome!!! I love how you have reused the snaps for baby clothes, what a great idea...

Your garden is looking amazing, fingers crossed my up and coming spring/summer garden produces as much as your lovely one has...

Take Care :)

[nis]

I love the bags...great idea! Also, fun new redesign of the blogorama! :)

xoxo

[Gillian]

'Dark green' - I reckon it will catch on!

[Carolyn L.]

The new look looks great, Megan!

[The Leftoverist]

I will definitely not be making any dark green bags since I can't sew worth a %$, but if any of your wonderful readers want to make me some, I would love them to death :)

And what a bountiful garden!

[funkyjunksisters]

We just discovered your blog, we love the reusable sandwich bags. Do you mind if we share it on our blog? Also, can't wait to see how the pumpkin between the slats turns out!

Linda & Dixie
The Funky Junk Sisters
http://www.funkyjunksisters.blogspot.com

[Megan]

Thanks so much, everyone.

Our garden has been fizzling out a bit on us for the last week or so. Something with a pointy beak seems to be attacking our butternut squash and the zucchini isn't as bountiful as in past years. I might need a refresher course next spring.

Oh and the between-the-slats pumpkin's life came to an abrupt end. It just sort of shriveled up one night. So much for my attempt at hands-on science lessons in the garden.

The sandwich baggies are getting lots of use already. In fact, Bo gets upset with me if I use tupperware instead. I try to explain to her that leftover spaghetti just won't do well in a fabric satchel, but she isn't buying it.

Thanks about the redesign, too. It actually was an accident, but it feels cleaner to me so I'm sticking with it for now. That's another class I need to take: web design!!!