Keeping Your Bags in Shape

I discovered a new way to keep a round bag I crochet in shape.  I made use of the inner packaging from this cookies container.

This is how it looks like.

After washing it, I cut a slit at its vertical edge to make it fit perfectly into the bag.

So, be on a look out for these PVC inserts in all shapes and sizes.  There may be one that can be used to keep your bags in shape.  Throw in some silica gel packets to reduce the chances of moisture getting into your bags. You do not want your bags to smell musty from growth of mold.  

You do not have to buy silica gel as they are usually supplied with food product or health supplements that you have purchased.  You should avoid using silica gel packets that are stained.

If you cannot find PVC inserts in the right size, you can use cushions that have gone flat on you.  You can fold it up and tuck it into your bag or cut it up to size to sew.  

It does not matter if the cushion protrudes out of the bag.  Hopefully, the dustbag that you have received on purchase of your bag is large enough to hold and protect it.  You can also re-use your neck or baby pillows that you may have kept in storage somewhere for the same purpose. If the baby pillow is too small, wrap a towel around it to fit the bag.  You can also slip towels in laundry bags

Don't forget to add the silica gel packets.  There are many ways you can make use of them if you start collecting them.  

I like keeping empty bottles with grooves on them. They make it easier for me to cut the bottles neatly to the height I want. I use this 1L size oval shaped container to store all the brushes I used in my kitchen.  Sometimes I will also leave my knives with the brushes to drain them after washing. 

Check out how I decorate the empty containers I used for storing my stuff. The one decorated with granny squares was actually a lantern I made for my children. These 5L cooking oil bottles are great for storing my packets of coffee, onions and tubers.

Other than using them as storage containers, I also use them like a pail for soaking in water:

-my laddles to soften food stuck on them to make it easier to clean.
-my vegetables like celery, beans, tomatoes, bell peppers. I place a prestle or a cup on top to make sure that the vegetables stay in the water.

Recently, I discovered that it is a great way to keep the shape of my crochet bag.  I made it because my sister told me that, while at work, she don't like to carry her handbag out for lunch and that she is looking for a small bag big enough to hold just her keys, handphone and a packet of tissue.  The first one I made did not hold its shape well once she puts her stuff in.

I like this version better.

She can decide how much of the bottle she would like to cut off to hold her stuff. The cord I used as a handle was taken off a shopping bag.  

So, she can easily change the colour with cords she can find from her own collection of paperbags. She can even use her shoes laces.

I chose a pattern with large holes so that she can slip receipts through them as it will be easier for her to remove them to show the staff when her dishes are ready for collection.  She can also personalise it by inserting one of those drawstring bags we often received with gifts.

I hope she will consider inserting cut strips of plastic bag through the holes to match her outfit like I did for this bag I made with leftover wools.

Vinyl records? Vinylized for good.

I remember the good old days when my father used to play his vinyl records on his turntable, set in a huge wooden box.  That was a very popular way to listen to music until the 1980s when the compact disc (CD) players came into the market.

CD became a popular way to record music as the quality of sound playing from one is better.  And, as there is less possibility of scratches on the surface to affect the sound, some owners of vinyl records have their favourite oldies saved on disc.  

So, what happens to all those vinyl records that are no longer in use?  Why bother to know?

Vinyl records are made out of polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated as PVC.  It requires hazardous chemicals in its production.  If discarded vinyl records end up in landfills, the additives used in its process can leach into the ground to reach groundwater.  We can't be burning them in incinerator either.  Dioxin released from that process can travel on air currents and is carcinogenic to any breathing life form.

Tipton Eyeworks has a solution.  They are vinylizing to create their eyewear.  And if you are wondering how they go about doing that, watch this video.