Repaired a Bag with Discards

I like multi-functional bags and this is one I received as a gift.  



I have been using pouches since my handbag was snatched in 2005, so I like it that I can use it as a regular bag with its strap attached or as a pouch after taking the flaps out from its back pocket.  

I can no longer use it as a pouch, ever since the clasps attached to the flaps were damaged.



So, I decided to repair it after figuring out what discards I can use to fix it. 

Can you guess what this discarded material is?  I used it to wave in the belt and give the bag support since the flaps can no longer be used.

 

It is a cut out from a shampoo bottle!



So, the material I needed to repair it was a black shampoo bottle and a long woven belt which makes adjusting the length to hang the pouch on the hip easy.



When measurements are required in my craft work, I usually use paper with grids on it as a guide.  So, the other discard I used was a page from my children's exercise book for writing in Mandarin. 



I folded the sides of the paper up so that it fits the size I need to make backing for my bag.  This is the template for the bag.




I folded the template in half and half again. 



Then I opened it up to mark as shown, areas to cut out for inserting the belt.  The dotted lines on the templates represent the folds I made.  In doing that I am able to centralize the cut outs for the belt.




I placed the template on shampoo bottle once I have cut open one of its sides.  Marked it accordingly with a sharp pen. I decided to cut the width wider than the woven belt I am using so that a broader width belt can also be inserted.   

This is how the backing should look like after the belt has been inserted.



I cut curved edges off the corners of the plastic sheet to prevent the sharp edges from damaging the fabric.

As the plastic backing is wider than the openings of the pocket, I had to fold the plastic in half before I can insert it.

Remember to position the clasp of the belt in the right direction so that you can buckle it.

As you can see, the bag does not slouch over with the plastic backing inserted.

I like the pouch even better now as I can use it without the flap or belt showing.

Midori Style Note Book with Pockets

I discovered that Japanese travellers carry with them Midori note book to record their trips.  Midori Traveler's Notebook is a leather-bound notebook.  Travellers can write down their thoughts and memories and also attached things of sentimental value that they have collected during their trips.  They can also customized their Midori note book by adding the following:

-inserts or sleeves

-different types of paper, such as, grid paper, plain paper, and colored paper.

-decorations, such as, stickers, trinkets and charms.

-string or beaded bookmarks.

These books also come with elastic bands to hold everything in place.  It can be a costly hobby to maintain if you are someone who is sentimental and enjoys recording everything in your life.   

This instructional video I found on YouTube, will give you an idea what a Midori note book is about. If you like what you see, you can consider making your own if you are not willing to buy one.

I like the concept and it inspired me to create my own note book as I have been trying to find ways to make use of old exercise books and papers that my children no longer use.

Here is what I used in this project:

1) Legal size printing paper (stained yellow over time).
2) old CD cover.
3) rubber band or thread and needle to sew.

I measure the the height and width from the inside of one side of the CD cover.

The width the paper is good enough for this project.   I marked on the paper the height that I would like my note book to be so that it sits neatly inside the CD cover.  For this CD cover, a height of 11.5cm is just right.  After marking the height, I folded the paper (horizontally) so that I have two sections of the same height.

There is a portion remaining which I was not willing to cut out.

As I did not want to waste that section, I decided to make sleeves or pockets out of them which I can use for inserting souvenirs.  To make it, I fold its corners at right angles to touch the edge of the 11.5cm section of the paper.

I then fold the pointed end by about 2.5cm so that its edge meet neatly in the centre as shown below.

Now I am ready to cut out one side of the 11.5cm section, as shown.  What I have now is a separate piece 11.5cm in height while the other piece has the angled flap to create the pocket.

Once I folded the angled flap towards the 11.5cm section of the paper, I will have 2 pieces of paper in the same height.

Once I folded the width of both sections in half, they should l00k like this.

I opened them up and arrange the pages, one on top of the other.  The first page is plain and I alternate it with the ones with pocket.

This is how the pages should look like with a rubber band in the middle to hold the booklet together.  I can now place the booklet in the CD cover.

If you staple or sew the pages together, you can add another set of booklet in the CD cover. However, it will not be a good idea to have too many of them in the cover as you will be sticking "flash cards" or souvenirs into the pockets.

I decided to make a cover for the CD cover since I have a cardboard on hand which is larger in size than the CD cover.  I glued both side of the CD cover to the cardboard.

I then wrapped the cardboard with leftover wrapping paper.  This is how my note book looks like with my flash cards.

You can check my earlier posting if you would like to know how you can make use of such a note book.

Midori style note book with flash card

I have been inspired by the Midori style note book used by travellers. Here is my version which I have created so that my children can use it with "flash cards" to study.

Material Required

- Paper from exercise books (I used my children's old exercise books).  

- File fastener or book binding ring.  The ring binder I used is 1.5cm in diameter.

Method

1) Cut strips of about 5.5cm in height out of each page.  That should give you 3 strips per page.  

2) Fold the paper so that the edge touches the line printed at the side of the paper.  

3) Gather folded paper and punch a hole to insert a file fastener to hold them together.

On each strip of flash card, my children can write the question to a topic they are studying on the folded top.  The answer can be written on the inside as shown.  

Now you can create a Midori style notebook with pockets so that you can slip the flash card in it. This is how my Midori note book looks like with a flash card inserted.  

You can read how I made it at the following link:

Midori Style Note Book with Pockets

I think this is a great way to make use of old exercise books or scraps of wrapping paper and cardboard you have on hand.

Following are other ways you can make use of this note book.

- Record recipes on the blank pages and write down the list of ingredients required on the flash cards.  Slip the flash cards into the pockets created.  You can then take the flash cards out when you need to go shopping for the ingredients.

- Use it as a travel/souvenir collection book.  Insert boarding passes, tickets of shows or events you have attended into the pockets.  Write your thoughts on the blank pages.
- Save cut out of images that inspire in the pockets.  Note what it has inspired you to create on the blank pages.
- You can also use it as a journal.

Do you know that journaling is good for your emotional wellbeing?  If you are feeling down and do not know how to start journaling, read this book by Lee Crutchley, "How to Be Happy (Or at Least Less Sad): A Creative Workbook". I found a review about it shared on VaneesBabySteps YouTube channel.  At the end of the video, she flipped through the book which will give you an idea how you can go about journaling your thoughts so that you can be less sad.

When you are feeling down, note down what caused you to feel that way on a flash card.  Over time, compare the notes you have written.  You can then write on the blank pages, your reflections or points you have picked up from books or articles you read that has helped you to overcome those feelings.

 

You may also find it easier to journal in bullet style.  I have pinned some articles on ways to do that on my Pinterest board, "Bujo" which is short for bullet journal. 

DIY Eco poo scoop

The school holiday is around the corner, what can you teach your children to make?

For pet lovers out there, how about learning to make a poo scoop? That way you can make use of the grocery plastic bags you have received and the bottles from soda drinks your children will be gobbling on.

Your children can also make them as gifts for their friends who have pets at home.

You do not have to cut curves on the bottle to make it look like a scoop if you do not want to.  Just make sure that the cut edges are smooth. 

I discovered that Twister 1.5L bottles works best as scoop as the bottom section of most 1.5L bottles can fit in firmly into its top section cavity so that it will not easily drop even when you swing it. 

To use Twister 1.5L bottle, you have to cut out the narrowest part of the bottle and cut 8 slits to enable it to widen to push in bottom section of bottle.  Cut curves into the edges as shown in the picture below.  That way plastic bags inserted will not be torn by sharp edges.

Are you ready to use the scoop?  This is how it works.

Share this concept with your friends.  Let us work together towards poo free parks.

P/S You don't have to mess up your home collecting grocery plastic bags.  Here is how.

Need chairs? Go find some cardboards!

Inspired by Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban, who can build shelters using cardboard tubes as construction material?  If you would like to follow in his footsteps, start small.  Try to build this chair for yourself.



Once you get the knack of it, you can figure out how to create a 2-in-1, in this case, a bed cum chair convertable.



Need more inspiration?  Watch this video then and see if you can create the same.  A Slinky Chair to seat from 1 to 10 people.  One that you will never get bored with as you can change its form in a variety of shape.