tiny happy

making journal

Market bag 1

Market bag 2 

Kiwi diary 

I received my copy of The 2010 Kiwi Diary recently, and have really enjoyed flipping through it, checking out the great artwork, photography and poetry within. My friend Freda is co-founder of this lovely publication, and I've used one pretty much every year since 2004… I think.

Last year I was excited to be able to submit a couple of crafty ideas for this year's diary, and one of those was a design for a handy dandy market bag. I realised the other night that I hadn't even made one of these for my own household. So I used some stripy red and blue fabric and followed my own pattern to make this rather nautical-looking one. Its box-like shape meant I could fit lots in at the supermarket today. I think I need to make a few more this weekend. Hope you have a good one!

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27 responses to “for the market”

  1. Sarah S Avatar
    Sarah S

    It’s starting out as a good one, as I have managed to get away early from work on a Friday! Your bag is cool – I made something similar for a friend as a birthday present last year, and she goes off to the weekend market with hers too.

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  2. ayse Yetis Avatar

    that’s such a happy bag Melissa.
    I got my pencil case just tuesday, I can’t seem to get enough of it. thanks again!

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  3. La Tempête Avatar

    Love the bag 🙂

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  4. Margaret Oomen Avatar

    yep a very happy market bag
    Have a wonderful end to your week melissa

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  5. Hanna Avatar

    Great bag, love the stripes. I’ve just popped in to get your chocolate zucchini cake recipe as I’ve just picked three HUGE zucchini from the garden. I might have to make a double recipe and freeze one!

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  6. Lovely World Avatar

    I rarely use paper or plastic when shopping anymore. My mother made me most of my fabric shopping bags as a gift a number of years ago. It is amazing how durable they are! Your stripes are very nice.

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  7. Marty Avatar

    Your bag looks like it will hold up for a long time. I have some bags but I should get busy and make more. The few I have are never where I need them, proving I need more!

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  8. Eyecatchers Avatar

    very neat bag – great for all those “bargin buys” from the flea market!!!

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  9. Nikki Avatar

    Awesome bag. I love all your projects and stuff in the Kiwi Diary! It’s fab… and I thought I lost it last week and almost cried. heh.
    And I just wanted to say that my Mum is in it too! She’s got one of her abstract photos in there somewhere. I’m so proud of her 🙂

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  10. tinyhappy Avatar

    thanks, nikki!
    how cool that your mum has a photo in there too… i will have a look and find it!
    x

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  11. tinyhappy Avatar

    hey hanna, happy summer cake making! im making another one this weekend. 🙂

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  12. tinyhappy Avatar

    thank you, ayse! glad you like it 🙂

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  13. Hanna Avatar

    I made two and they came out great!  Actually Im eating a big piece now!

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  14. itto Avatar

    it’s been a long time I haven’t visited here, melissa, but I love love love your place. all the recent posts and pictures are sooooo beautiful! I simply adore your work.

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  15. Joanna Livingston Avatar

    Really gorgeous Melissa, I love the stripy fabric!

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  16. nicola@which name? Avatar

    i love the stripes! (and the top in the post below, love it!)
    nicola
    http://whichname.blogspot.com

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  17. louisa Avatar

    wow, great bag.

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  18. Holly C. Avatar

    Oh-I love that stripy fabric!

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  19. Catherine Avatar

    the bag is great! Love the stripey fabric!

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  20. Christina G Avatar
    Christina G

    Hi Melissa – all the kiwi diaries are sold out on line – any chance of posting instructions on how to make the bag? My goal is to get our family using cloth for those numerous supermarket visits! I’ve got a pattern from Amanda Blake Soule’s Handmade Home book for a similar purpose bag (her’s was for trips to the farmer’s market), but your bag looks much sturdier 🙂

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  21. Grace Avatar

    I would buy one of those stripey bags even though shipping to the US is expensive. That definitely inhibits my etsy purchases from New Zealand. 😦

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  22. tinyhappy Avatar

    thanks, grace- i understand. 🙂

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  23. tinyhappy Avatar

    hi christina,
    yes- im planning on posting a pattern for a bag thats very similar.
    probably one day this or next week- cheers 🙂

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  24. Lucille Avatar

    Still loving my visits here. Also just wanted to say how much I like your header.

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  25. domesticali Avatar

    Your bag is so jaunty! Fab.

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  26. Sonia Avatar

    oooh what a cheeful tote bag, Melissa 🙂
    You clearly remind me that I need to make more things for my home, family, and also for myself. Thank you so much for the reminder oxoxox hugs

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  27. Melbourne Road Avatar

    very nice bag Melissa :o) sharp and crisp!
    I need to make myself a few too. I made a library bag over 4 years ago that is huge and salmon-y orange and it is still going strong so I know the market bags would last too…now to find the time! lol :o)
    so many projects constantly running through my time…I need to be the designer and hire a seamstress…ha!
    Lori

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