My elder daughter has been on Easter break and I took two days off work this week to spend time with my two girls and I advanced to another level of motherhood, so to speak. I could now bring both of them out without any help! A feat for me, as I don't drive, I could normally only manage 1 kid at a time to the library, etc. Especially since the little one is still at an age when naps are needed mid-trip or wants to be carried. So for the past two days, I was happy that I managed to take both out to the park and the Heritage Museum at Shatin, and the younger one could walk on her own the whole time.
Talking about the Heritage Museum, there's a kid's section which is like a big playroom to the children. One of the sections exhibits toys of the olden times and have life sized chess sets like this Animal Chess which I used to play with my brothers when we were kids.
And our old favourite, the Aeroplane Chess which is still popular now. Look how at home my little one is, no shoes!
I did squeeze in a bit of sewing time in the long Easter break. My brother has a pair of blue jeans which he can no longer fit and my mother made them into cut-offs for herself and she too no longer wants them and gave them to me the last October when I visited her and told her about my sewing adventures. I pulled this pair of cut-offs from the cupboard as I had wanted to cut some squares to make a patchwork picnic mat from the old jeans but then decided last minute I could actually turn the pair into a biggish carryall when we go on a barbeque or picnic to hold all the children's knick-knacks.
Here you go, from cut-offs to a big carryall with short handles and lining which neatens the insides.
My girls took turns to use it as a jumping bag too. Very versatile. One day, I would still love to make the denim patchwork picnic mat.
It looks like you had a lot of fun with your little ones. I also love that recycled jeans bag! Very cute!
Posted by: Jennifer | Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 10:19 PM
What a great idea for the bag! The lining is perfect.
Posted by: joy | Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 10:39 PM
Delurking here... what great fun at the heritage museum. The aeroplane chess game brings back fond memories. I grew up in Hong Kong and moved away 20+ years ago, but would love to bring my 2 girls for a visit in a few years. Its good to know there are places in HK that are not less commercial.
Posted by: Angela | Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 11:23 PM
The jeans bag is great! It'll probably be no problem to collect enough old jeans for a picnic mat as well. I have a big pile of worn out jeans ready for a patchwork bed spread + some that I got cheap at the flee market.
I've been recycling old clothes as well lately, more about that in my blog if you're interrested.
Posted by: Helene | Thursday, April 20, 2006 at 11:34 PM
Absolutely sweet!
Posted by: Gina | Friday, April 21, 2006 at 12:05 AM
Wonderful! The other day I saw a japanese book on using old jeans for various sewing projects ... interesting.
Posted by: Agnes | Friday, April 21, 2006 at 12:22 AM
Looks great. I had a student last year who cut out the back pocket, along with the back that it is sewn to, attached a pretty backing and some cute straps and she had a darling little bag.
Posted by: Susan | Friday, April 21, 2006 at 04:41 AM
My kids play aeroplane chess too. How clever of you to open up the inner seam of the jeans and sew it down like that. That is one big bag with built in pockets too!
Posted by: erin | Friday, April 21, 2006 at 05:57 AM
Love the bag! I've been wanting to make some sturdy bags for groceries (to save the environment from all those plastic bags) and this might be a solution. Thanks for posting pictures!
Posted by: Julie | Friday, April 21, 2006 at 07:08 AM
And pockets! The pockets are preserved, which is so convenient! Your sewing skills are awesome!
Posted by: grumperina | Friday, April 21, 2006 at 07:54 AM
If you need another pair of old jeans, I can give you my broken 501. I believe you can chnage it to beatiful bag !
Eva
Posted by: Eva Shiu | Friday, April 21, 2006 at 09:23 AM
Looking at all the games, let me think about my childhood. And u have a creative mind to sew a bag.
Posted by: handknit168 | Friday, April 21, 2006 at 02:11 PM
Lovely bag!
I'm FINALLY back in NYC -- are you still in need of a rust colored button? I can pop out and look thru the button shops! Cheers!
Posted by: Kimberli | Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 04:38 AM
the bag is so cool! it's way more useful and better looking as a bag... such a good idea!
Posted by: Susan | Monday, April 24, 2006 at 11:34 AM
How thoughtful and clever of you to make your girls a jumping bag!
Posted by: Jeanne | Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 03:10 AM
you are SO clever! (and the tiger socks are super fun!)
Posted by: jennifer | Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 08:19 AM
Wow! That bag is a great idea. Heavy duty too as I am sure your daughters have tested. Nice job!
Posted by: Zonda | Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Your denim bag looks very nice. The one you made me still got many praises from my friends ;). Do you want any denim pants? I can bring them this Saturday.
Posted by: marjorie | Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 12:35 PM
It's a super cute bag! I have lots of old jeans waiting for me.
Posted by: mimi | Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 09:53 PM
I love the bag - what a wonderful project!
Posted by: diana | Sunday, April 30, 2006 at 07:51 PM