Hey all, how you going, glad you liked the big reveal and wow lots of you like Lisa Leonard's lovely wares as much as me! (Don't forget this is open til Midnight Friday so you can still enter here – more than once of course!)
Today I have been on a painting binge, other girls go get pedicures and trips to the mall, I put my painting clothes on for the day. I finally got the sofa on the deck, the one that featured in my night-time feeling blue video, painted all nice and clean….yup you guessed it…pure brilliant white. It turned out much better than I hoped, why oh why didn't I do it before? After that I zapped a few other things including a 'new' old table to sit alongside the sofa for books and cups of tea and the like.
Now onto the { SeaSalter bag } I was recently talking with lg about bags, she had bought this perfect little bag to fit into her handbag, that you can whip out when you need a shopping bag. I liked the idea of this lightweight tote – I wanted a bag to use instead of those horribly un-stylish green bags I use for groceries, you know the ones you buy for a dollar and re-use instead of using a plastic one?
I wanted this to be quick, easy, no pattern, no lining, just cutting right into the fabric and I wanted it most importantly to be lightweight so that I could pop it into my pocket when I am out walking or just have it in my handbag when I go out to the markets and thrifting on Saturdays.
I also wanted it faded and old looking and so I thought about using one of the pillowcases to the thrifted doona cover I used to make the quilted beach mat (go here to read more about that) because that was nice and thin so not too weighty and obviously using a pillowcase means much of the work is done for you.
It was oh-so-easy and now I am on a mission to replace all those icky green bags in the back of my car boot with a stash of nice handmade Beach Cottage ones…just call me Martha as I float around the beachside cafes with my handmade, environmentally-friendly, upcycled bag swinging from my shoulder 
and you can find more on my Saturday treasure hunts right here.
And so people I present you with the SeaSalter Bag – just right for a baguette,a bunch of flowers and a coupla Peroni's.
See you next week, enjoy Saturday, it's my fave day of the week and we have friends coming for dinner including a chocolate dessert from a foodie blog. .
Be good.
here's how I made it... SeaSalter Bag step-by-step
I love it Sarah- great job!!
Such a cute bag! It’s making me think that I need to get something similar for myself.
you do make me laugh and Sarah my dear you are the best medicine in the world…..thank you so much, gosh I enjoy your videos so much…..and your beautiful voice…so sweet…
ox ~janice
Love your Bag…..you did a great job. Now I’m thinking just how right you are – all those ugly $1 green bags in the trunk of my car have got to go. I didn’t have much planned for this weekend and now I’m on a mission to find some fabric and make a bag or two of my own. Thanks for the inspiration Sarah. Have a happy weekend.
Vicki
BTW – loved your Video yesterday.
I HEART your bag! That is great! I know if you got to making a bunch you could sell them on your blog. I love the fabric and worn look. GREAT “green”!
Have a great weekend with your company…and your chocolate.
LOve the photography!
brilliant use of p.slip and great instructions! i will probably do this project! did you paint the woven sofa on the patio? wow – brave! still loving the bathroom, and am thrilled for you that your vision of the dining room came to be. very impressive, ’cause you had your work cut out for you! jkj
I had to come a look at a post that has Seasalter in the header! I really like the bag – very Whitstable, too!
Pomona x
Lovely idea,
best regards from Germany,
Silke
Love it! I love to make my own bags.
Have a great weekend!
Smiles,
Rachel
the pressure is on now, better dig out that recipe…….
Cute and practical.
I will be doing that! I’m always picking up old worn pillow cases-I especially like Ralph Lauren because they are so durable.
Have a fun weekend.
Great idea, thanks Sarah.
Have a wonderful weekend
Alison
I love this bag, it’s so much better than those “earth friendly” ones at the stores. I haven’t had a sewing machine in years. Now I’m going to have to look into getting one so that I can make this cute bag and other goodies you’ve shown us. What a wonderful incentive to start sewing again.
Enjoy your weekend.
Hi Sarah, I was sitting here reading your post…reading how you went on a painting spree..and I thought to myself “I’m totally afraid of white” and then I had to laugh, because who is afraid of white!?! Most people are afraid of color…leave it to me to be afraid of white. I think your pillowcase idea is fantastic! I had been sewing kitchen towels together, but I’m going to try this! Thanks for the inspiration!
Michelle
Very nice! I like my reusable shopping bags though but just for groceries! I can see me using your bag for lots of other things!
Thank you for visiting and your comment on the seaside post! We still sit on the beach at Whitstable eating fish and chips out of the wrappers, and last time our neighbours were two guys with a cool bag full of Special Brew – obviously the Dom Perignon types weren’t attracted to our little party. But I know what you mean about the beach huts/property prices – and this year some of the shops are definitely the sort you wouldn’t expect in East Kent – more Islington-on-Sea! We tend to go weekday evenings when it’s pretty quiet, and the weekenders aren’t there. I suppose the London money enables things like the lovely cheese shop and ice cream shop, but in my blog post I wanted to highlight the little bits of beauty that are free – like the sea and the sky and the view!
Pomona x
Oh Sarah, I just love the Seasalter Bag! Already copied the directions and thinking about going to the thrift store to look for some pillowcases.
AND, I love your dining room redo, looks so inviting and comfy. I just bought one of those shell orbs the other day thinking I would do something with it and here you have it very simply and stunning in your tablescape! Love it.
Hi Sarah! Precious bag! Here you go making beautifulness again. I just love your beautiful blog and your pictures.
Hope you’re having a great weekend.
Be a sweetie,
shelia
Hi Sarah,
You are always the first to start a trend…the pillow case seasalter bag – yay!
A very good idea, pillow cases and sheets for big projects like curtains and slip covers are the best, most affordable way to buy fabric, been doing it for years. In fact, the dust ruffle in my master bedroom is made from lace patterened sheets, and I made slipcovers for the wicker chair with the rest of the set(you can see it in some pics I posted).
I must say though, I have yet to walk around town with a pillow case on my arm,(except for when I was a kid – at Halloween!) but there is a first time for everything! You’re very clever!
Have a great weekend!!
Heidi – Heart and Home
Hi Sarah
Fabulous creation! Once again your handiwork and photography has me captured. xx Julie
What a great bag! I’m definitely going to make some of these to hold stitching projects, shopping, whatever! Love your blog and your make overs are wonderful.
I LOVE this bag, so cute.
I am drooling over your photos! They are delightful. I love the bag as well.
I envy you-living by the beach has always been my dream. I love the bag and plan to make one and since I sell patchwork quilts at grammysquilts.com, I plan to add a page of quilts that will make the perfect beach quilt. Will probably put some on sale for end of season. They can be used as outdoor bench, couch, and swing quilts for the fall.