I got the bottomweight fabric necessary to start me on my Christmas "shopping bags for everybody" project. With materials and tools now at my disposal, I went home and learned how to use a serger and how to use my sewing machine to do simple appliques. Below is the first bag...not professional quality, but sturdy and neatly done.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYA3FYql6bdEyxX9rgBZObCoGB1vF2qJhNC9ObBT3_FBZJj3A1Cmd06ABhlRbU2R8ajaMv_NC2AsD6b1pM5jI0pCzT2mU0tS7NbD5qQ2MwiUrF1I2rlChI5vmorpNkHJpk_PCGtnjq2pQS/s320/img_9021.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjOGKVHFeKMZQ9POPoT29EU2Hs44Vd1ZIbi-0gvsrtAPr7gTxwnucmvJO0x9yplRPCWWye-XK-kwXyvzBzsxn7KooQpHU9f1RWUR0HhHs1TlQGMcVr3MqL97FGl7mEmSvkjiKuYkCI_Hc/s320/img_9025.jpg)
After sewing around the bottom, I used the serger to give it a quick finish. SOOOO EASY! I think I'm in love. Thank you for the early birthday/Christmas present, Mom!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4xb9Cn28xI-IarudVlmrvr_7ABsi7KXm8Bm52D-XkVySuAlTr8Ale0UV_ALKu2mWBjidKRt3zxfpqJyMB56pTU-NIjwp-s885Gjk96oW9TzdqP2t8y6C4tXZ76-02c1F9RRo6nQsiGFuF/s320/img_9024.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYUL8UZlNoi61LvGWug18Wt0KEqpAqjc8aO2HsYghNcSa_fvkhT1S-s2edxlK6tSLX3ZhL9kRVVqQsQuOIu7gZsEfceS8EfPV7lfb2LLDqLJQbCgIMyYlY3ih9Cd9aCp5Sv_rV1tAWL7a/s320/img_9039.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp4I3YTPAbHhXLxb-4wND53U-WBjDWri_13BWq5aTBWLWEH-sFuF0Js01ZKq7BZtQv9DEzXPnTrjjvTcu2RbuWEjdt6enHFBzjfGJ2dh8mHury90D_VzaOKKZgKiByE5X2caSh0pA_qAq/s320/img_9030.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlUkboOKIoovMI5_lXPTB34S-9Y6OAZ71a2iYslJGRf7pHr1XBqNy3BGwv4kh3v0y00SN6cEMYXLyJa7I-CljzL7w86DoFEjTX-j9p73V1MRH2B8_y9LuXImvvhLVC5MFLBsicOAGV3K0/s320/img_9018.jpg)
And for my final sidenote, I've been meaning to post this photo since November 1. It's the huge batch of Three Bean Casserole that I made and froze. Four solid meals worth. I carried the casseroles down to the freezer in the huge pan I made the batch in. I got it at an estate sale. It's black enamel on the outside, bright red inside, and absolutely enormous. It makes me very happy.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CZJ3nyDg_ZocYurKuzRfJaJtM_Ot_fxRE-20laWXTnsfd5XEZaaMw51w4gxVn6ixhr11LnGje5lKuZAzcjqpD-EPdVbD7JiYfw3yIRF4Bxg2WKn8v7Vw2uNWdENy7F8Wy7tjqDd53lv_/s320/img_9009.jpg)