Fabric Christmas Gift Bags

Last year I started making fabric Christmas gift bags instead of wrapping presents in reams of paper every year. I think the eco-guilt finally got to me one Christmas when I saw all of the ripped paper lying around the floor. Here is an insanely simple drawstring bag that you can use for wrapping Christmas gifts. I make them in all sorts of sizes for stocking stuffers or gifts but the basic principle is the same.

(made for wedding scrapbook gifts)

(made from leftover pant legs - what can't you do with leftover pant fabric?)

(made from leftover tablecloth fabric from my pillow covers)

For this project, I used 1 piece of fabric (size will vary but it should be cut into a large rectangle), scissors, matching thread, matching ribbon (thin, not too wide), a taped safe and a sewing machine.

First, I cut out the fabric. In this example, I was wrapping a scrapbook so I used it to measure how big of a rectangle I needed.

I cut out the fabric based on the amount needed to cover the item with a little room on the sides and about 2 inches extra on each side (for the drawstring top). If you aren't good at eyeballing fabric and then cutting a straight line, you could use a measuring tape and dressmaker's pen then cut.

(Sorry that the picture is so dark, it's November after all)

After the piece is cut out, it's quite simple. Fold one edge under about 1/2 inch (less or more depending on the type of fabric that you have. You want enough space to run a ribbon through the gap though. Pin this edge down and sew it. I just did a zigzag stitch on mine (sew and stop fraying at the same time = awesome).

Then, pin down the cut edge and the bottom (which is now the edge that was not rolled under and sewed before. Sew this down then serge (or zigzag) the edges to prevent fraying.  Turn the bag inside out so that the good side is facing and all of the seams are on the inside. Poke the corners out with your finger.

Using a small knife, cut two holes close to the side seam then pass a ribbon through attached to a taped safety pin. Cut the ribbon and tie both ends to create a knot. Done!

Estimated time for this project: about 20 minutes for the sewing and 20 for the ribbon. This is seriously fast: cut, zip, zip. Sometimes, I do all of the sewing and then thread the ribbon into a pile of these bags another evening. 

Notes:

• Try to make these out of a machine-washable fabric, just in case you wrap something that spills. Almost all of my bags are made out of leftover upholstry fabric. 
• A serger is excellent for sewing up the edges.

Ideas:

• I have tons of these to use for wrapping stocking stuffers and presents. They are all sorts of shapes and sizes. I even have tall long ones for magazines and small ones for gum and cough drops. 
• I've reused fabric for making these: old dress shirts, pant legs, tablecloths, curtains, etc.
• I've made my bags in a color scheme that matches my Christmas decor (red, cream, brown). That is totally possible! You could use a red fabric with red ribbon (or yarn).

What to pack for your trip to Paris

Are you planning a trip to Paris? Surely, you are wondering what to pack as well then. Here are some of the items that I packed and what I wished that I had packed. Hopefully I have covered everything that you will need in one suitcase (yes, ONE).

Carry-on:

• a few really good magazines
• your iPod, fully charged with new songs, podcasts, apps or TV shows that you haven't seen yet
• your charger cord for your iPod
• An adapter for European outlets
• Lip gloss or chapstick (less than 100g)
• A lined pad of paper and a pen: to record thoughts, events, your agenda, etc.
• Your sunglasses: despite the time of year that you are traveling
• Your laptop: there is a huge debate about if you should bring your computer or not. I did not but I seriously wish that I had. That doesn't mean that I would have spent hours on end on the computer, but I could have uploaded my photos every day and used the wireless internet on my computer with my keyboard (the computer in our apartment had a French keyboard which drove both of us insane).
• A Paris guide book
• Your money
• Your Museum Pass, any tickets to events that you printed out beforehand (Eiffel Tower, Seine Cruises, etc.)
• Any medication that you must take while you are traveling in a plane
• Any jewelry that you have brought with you for the trip

Suitcase:

Clothes:

• 5 shirts (all of them that match your pants, coat and shoes) fitting the seasonal weather
• 3 pairs of pants (all of them that match your shirts)
• 2 sets of pajamas
• 5 pairs of clean socks
• 6 sets of clean underwear
• 1 jacket or coat that matches everything and fits the seasonal weather
• 1 really great scarf that matches everything
• 2 pairs of shoes (one that you are wearing, one you have packed) and both are good for walking for 8 hours on end.

Items not to bring:

• Pumps or boots with a heel: seriously, walk in it for 8 hours then see if you can do that for 10 days.Then don't pack them.
• Your purse, wallet and almost anything from it: this is not the place to carry around a purse. Keep what you need in the pocket of your coat or carry around one small back that has your RER pass, Museum pass, keys and a little bit of money in it.

Toiletries:

• a double duty shampoo/body wash
• a bath puff or face cloth (if you use one)
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• floss
• your make-up (just the basics that you use every day)
• face wash and moisturizer (if you use this)
• deodorant
• a small supply of tylenol (just in case)
• Any medication that you take daily or use often enough that you have to take it with you
• a nail clipper
• 1 bottle of Melatonin (to help with jet lag)

Items not to bring:

• your body lotion unless it is in a smaller bottle and will fit in your toiletry organizer
• nail polish, nail polish remover

Other items in your suitcase:

• 2 reusable grocery bags for shopping. Carry these with you as you travel around the city and use them instead of plastic bags as you cannot recycle in the city centre.
• One knitting project -- or any other craft that you do. Bring one small project and do it in the evenings while you are resting after a long day. Just an hour here and there. You'll be very happy that you brought it.

Notes:

• Try to keep the weight of your suitcase under 30 lbs (if you can) as your limit will most likely be 50 lbs. You will need that extra space and weight for the items that you are going to bring back: wine, cheese, books, souvenirs, etc.

A paperless office

I work at an office that is moving from paper to digital resources and workflow. I have been thinking about how to do this. For example, what would happen if they took the printer away from your office? What would you do?

1. Computers: If you want to go digital, then you have to have computers. This seems silly to say but I don't just mean a computer at your work station, but also a digital method of writing notes in meetings and such. Laptops work better, especially ones that dock and allow the user to use a screen like a desktop.
2. Shared directories: have a shared directory for documents on a server. This means that you can save a document but everyone can see it. When you want a colleague to edit a document, send them an e-mail with a link to the document on the shared drive instead of printing them a copy. Also, on the shared directory, save documents in a logical file structure so that you and your colleagues can find things.
3. Digital editing: I was used to printing out assignments and essays and manually editing them. Now, to save paper, I want to take advantage of editing my documents digitally. This could mean running a really good spelling and grammar checker (within the document on a tool on the web) to sending the document around as an attachment to others to edit and then send back to you.
4. Switch to digital bills, payslips and reports: this means switching all of your bills at home to electronic stubs. If you have the option to switch to a digital paycheck and pension report, then do so. I will do the same for any other work-related reports like union updates and such.
5. Digitize the to-do list: if you keep post-it notes or any other paper-based way of keeping a to-do list, it's time to go digital. Create a word document for each month to record your to-do list. You can update it as you have done an item and then each month, save it as the name of the next month and delete the completed tasks in the new file so that you don't have to constantly rewrite the unfinished tasks.You might even have an e-mail software that has a built in calendar and to-do list to help you stay organized.
6. Keep a word document to record running thoughts: need to do something at home? Do you suddenly remember how to cook supper and have the urge to write it down and stuff it in your purse? Keep a USB key at work with a Word document on it and record these thoughts in the document. Open it on your computer when you get home. I call this my "Memory Management" document as I often find myself writing down things that I want to create or sudden epiphanies on how to organize my finances.
7. Don't print off e-mails: keep them digitally, store them in an archive that is stored on a shared drive or one that is backed-up often. If an e-mail contains important information that you need for a meeting, read through it a few times before the meeting instead of printing it.
8. Use word documents to record all actions that were taken: no matter what you are working with, but use word processing documents, spreadsheets, project software, or presentation software to keep it online. Don't print things out and submit them and don't work off of paper lists. Do it all with digital documents that are stored on a shared drive.
9. Take screenshots: instead of printing off information so that you have a copy of a code or confirmation number, use the screenshot software on your computer (mine is called Snipping Tool because I have Windows 7) to take a screenshot and save the digital image in a folder that you will refer to for this type of information (ex. Confirmation numbers).
10. Write up meeting notes: if you had to record meetings on paper, as soon as you get back to your desk write them up in a word document on the computer. Save it in a folder like "Team Meetings" with the date as the name of the document.

The 2011 Experiment

I am running an experiment this year to see if I can stop annoying habits and start good ones. At the beginning of the year, I wrote the list below of everything that I wanted to do in 2011. My motto for this year is: stop saying "I should do" and actually DO. Now that it is almost November 2011, it's time for me to check in.

Complete:

• Wear more skirts: done. As a matter of fact, I made at least 6 skirts this summer and I have worn them all at least once.
• Loose weight: I started a walk/run program in June that helped me lose a whole dress size and gain some muscle tone.
• Watch 1 new movie every month: I think that I have seen at least 6 new movies this year along with many James Bond movies that I had never seen before. 
• Attack the unfinished craft projects: doing, not completely done. However, I have created this blog which has given me a lot of motivation to finish my stash and to do new things.
• Wedding: we got married in October and we made almost everything ourselves. It is already paid too.
• Honeymoon: we went to Paris for our honeymoon and had a great time! It was a big trip and I learned a lot. This trip is already paid as well.
• Address energy consumption in our apartment: I have actually written a blog post about this and we unplug everything possible whenever it's not in use (save the fridge, stove and PVR).
• Produits Lemieux: we made the switch to eco-friendly products in August 2011. These are awesome, they come in bulk and they really work. I feel better using products made of natural ingredients as my cat licks everything.
• Drink less Coke, drink more water: I stopped drinking Coke in May 2011 and I have never felt better!
• Knit a baby blanket: I completed a baby blanket in April and I have started two more. I also learned some new stitches and techniques. I only started knitting in October 2010! 
• Reuse containers: I have tried to reuse every container, box or packaging that comes into my house before it goes into the recycling. Just check out my posts on pump containers, small containers and yogurt containers.

In Progress:

• Make lunches and meals at home: we created a menu for 16 weeks that we follow. I am in the process of updating it now to follow Clean Eating.
• Spend less time worrying about grey hair: meh, it's going to happen. I'm getting older. However, I will pluck out what I can see for my wedding pictures.
• Teach my cat Felix not to bite people: we work on this but it's very hard once he's set in his ways
• 8 hours of sleep per night: this one is harder than it looks.
• Eat more vegetables: we have worked this into our menus, mentioned above.
• Spend more time with my husband: I want to spend as much time with my husband as I can before we start a family. This means doing something together at least once per week. 
• Use up all of the food in my fridge: I have become the fridge watchdog.
• Reuse old clothes or take them to the Salvation Army: as you have seen on this blog, I have been thinking of new ways to use clothes before they go to the Salvation Army. More ideas will be coming.
• Make my Xmas presents: I have been planning this since last Xmas (seriously) and I already have some items made. More will be coming. Besides, I think that it means more to create a gift for someone.
• Visit museums around Ottawa: we visited many Ottawa sites and museums this summer which was great. The Museum of Civilization is really cool.
• Spend more time doing things: I have designated Sundays as craft days where I don't have the TV on or the computer.
• Make my morning routine faster: I have been working on this and I have found solutions like taking my coffee with me in a travel mug and packing things up the night before.
• Keep resources and knowledge found: my computer is a brain, essentially. I write everything down including how I have organized my papers. That way, whenever I wonder where something is, I can look here. I will be writing about this in the future.
• Use Skype to talk with family and friends: I have had many conversations already this year and I plan on using it more.
• Stop spending money on stupid stuff: surprisingly, our upcoming wedding and honeymoon put this goal firmly in its place. I'm very happy about that! Connect more with my family.
• Stop emotional eating: I have been working hard to solve emotional times with talking or writing things down instead of eating. It is an uphill battle.
• Try a new restaurant in Ottawa every month: I haven't tried a new one every month but I have tried at least four new restaurants this year. I will do better next year. 

Unfinished:

• Make homemade preserves: we found that this was harder to do in the city as everything was more expensive and we have no car to go to the country to pick our own berries.We'll try again next summer.
• Volunteer: I haven't done this yet but I still plan to before the end of the year.
• Finish little house tasks: I have been organizing but the wedding chores took over. I plan on addressing tasks like organizing the filing cabinet after the honeymoon in October.
• Composting in Ottawa: this is supposed to be discussed with each apartment complex. I have heard nothing yet but it was supposed to be done in July 2011. I have to talk to my apartment office about this.
• Get a pair of skates: I plan on doing this in October/November. 
• Don't buy any yarn in 2011: well, this one didn't work. I had planned on not buying any yarn because I thought that I had enough to last me a whole year but it was all gone by March. So, that didn't work.
• Perfectionner ma français: I still have more work to do on this but I have French training coming soon at work. 

Using less Electricity around the House

I don’t know about you, but our hydro bill seems to get more expensive every year. This might have something to do with the fact that Hydro Ontario raised their prices but we also seem to use a lot of electricity in this apartment. I am now wondering of ways to cut back on the electricity that we use so that our bill is lower – especially with winter coming.

1. This winter, I will try to keep the heat around 22 degrees C. During the day, we will turn it down to 19 and the first person that arrives home from work turns it back to 22.
2. In the winter, I will try to wear socks and a sweater around the house so that I have no reason to get cold or turn up the heat. That also goes for my nice, fluffy blanket that I seem to carry around with me. Drinking warm liquids (hot chocolate, decaf coffee or tea, etc.) also seems to help.
3. Unplug the computer at night. It’s not in use so why let it draw power from the outlet?
4. Also, unplug the TV at night. Ditto to above. I bet it draws more power than the computer does.
5. Unplug all of the small appliances that are not in use all of the time (microwave, toaster, coffee machine, etc.). I also have a tv in the bedroom that I will unplug and only plug it in when I use it.
6. Unplug all of the larger items that do not need power all of the time (in this case, this would be our huge treadmill). Only plug them in when you use them then unplug them for the rest of the time.
7. Use cold water most of the time. Heating up water uses electricity so I will try to use cold whenever possible (for example, when using water to cook pasta or vegetables, for brushing teeth, etc.).
8. Take shorter showers so that the time required to heat up water isn’t so long.
9. Use appliances less. We tend to watch TV or a Blu-ray while playing on computers. If we cut one out of the picture (the TV or the computer) then this will cut down on the power usage.
10. Turn lights off when no one is in the room. Although, we are really good at this one but it’s a reminder.