DIY Project: Reusable Shopping Bag

This project started as something else, a beach bag, but I wasn't very happy with the end result. Not because this bag isn't nice, it is plenty nice. It just didn't turn out like the idea in my head. I hate when that happens. I was my mistake. I didn't use a heavy enough canvas, and I didn't use a stabilizer to make up for it. So instead of the stiff, standing beach bag I wanted, I got a flimsy, foldable bag, and thus my project was failed.

Then I thought "it won't make a great beach bag, but it would make a great shopping bag". And with the parameters changed, the project outcome changed, and I went from being unhappy to very happy with this project. So, I give you my brand new, accidentally made, enormous Reusable Shopping Bag:

Shopping bag with internal pocket and key fob.

It has wrap-around straps for strength and durability, French seams throughout, an inside pocket, a key fob, and padded strap handles. I used a light canvas in gray and white chevron, paired with a light aqua lining. The bag measures 22" by 18" by 8", but still fold down to a compact little square, perfect to keep in my purse or car, easy to bring to the mall or grocery store.

I like it, and and am glad to add a pretty reusable bag to my collection. I'm even happier to make something that I'll actually use out of a failed project that otherwise would have done nothing but collect dust at the bottom of some closet.

DIY Disaster: Touch-Up Paint Fail.

I'm currently in the midst of redoing my office, and figured I'd repair all the old nail holes and touch-up any scuff marks on the walls while I'm at it. Great plan!

So, very late last night (I had planned to do it in the morning, but since I hate waiting, I figured it would be much better to do it right then, and have it dry while I slept), I started filling all the holes with spackle, and the Husband retrieved the paint from storage in the garage. While I waited for the goo to dry, I started touching up the rest of the house as well. Before long, both the Husband & I were walking around the house, paintbrush in hand, determined to erase years of wear & tear off the walls. As we stumbled to bed several hours later than planned, I noticed that the areas that had already dried didn't look better at all, they looked worse! As if instead of erasing the flaws, we had sprinkled glitter on them to make them stand out. Oh hell, what now?

Yeah... So, as it turns out, ass-u-me-ing that you're working with the correct paint is not better than making 100% sure you're working with the correct paint. Who knew? (Really wish I had a sarcastic font right about now...)

Just typing that, I want to slap myself in the face.

The full scale of this DIY Disaster is hard to fully appreciate in the photos, but I've included this anyways. For laughs. (I'll be the first to admit, I find this particular snafu rather hilarious. Annoying, but hilarious nonetheless.)

If you've every wondered what glosse-white-on-matte-white chickenpox would looks like, now you know.

You're welcome.

And if you will ever need to touch-up your walls, now you won't forget to make sure the paints match.

You're double welcome.

Wow. I'm so glad we did every. single. room. instead of just my office. (Yeah, I'm really going to need that sarcasm font...)