WOYWW 579

IT AIN'T WHAT YOU DO, IT'S THE WAY THAT YOU DO IT
AND THAT'S WHAT GETS RESULTS

While I was pootling around in the JanCave last week, a new acronym just popped into my head - so as well as WOYWW, UFOs, PiFs, etc etc, may I present to you:

                                        INUITS
                         (It's No Use In The Stash)

I am on a mission to use up fabric and yarn, the giveaways, masks and wallets have made good inroads and this week, I stumbled across a Childrens' cancer charity called Beads for Courage - the children get a bead for each stage of the treatment and they need a bag to put them in. Just a smallish lined drawstring bag and as I have sufficient fabric and cords/tape. I thought it would be something I could do.

So that's what you find me doing, cutting out the rectangles of fabric using that template...

...and finding the right fabric to be the lining.

There's very little wastage and before anyone mentions the word Patchwork to use those bits up, it ain't going to happen - I'm not the sort of person to hold onto every scrap!

I do like this colour combo:
I'm trying to sew a variety of colours as the children range from toddlers to teens.

And this was the final piece of a 3m length of fabric that the lovely Debbie Rock donated to me ages ago...it's been so useful and this seemed a good way to finish it off:


The charity has a label they like sewn onto each bag:

Which arrived with a little card for you to write a message on. The gorgeous black and gold elephant fabric is a wrap skirt which my mate Lynne donated to me - it was her late mum's and is much better used for something than being in a drawer.

So the stash slimming is in full swing!!

I started using my tote and Betty kicked off because she fancied it too - so I've made another to giveaway out of this lovely hare fabric:
That was the last of the sage green lining too - woohoo!  So if you fancy it, just let me know in the comments.

And this pic is just for Julia:
See, I do listen sometimes...... ;-D

Have a good crafty week everyone, keep safe and well xxxx


37 comments:

Helen said...

the bead bags are fab - what a great idea! I love that bright dotty fabric! Have a creative week. Helen # ?

Sarah Brennan said...

You are amazing Jan and so generous with your time and stash. Thanks again for the masks. I wore one to the hairdresser yesterday and it was great because my glasses didn't steam up when I was wearing it. Stay safe and Happy WOYWW. Sarah #1

Sue said...

Jan, You are so kind to make the bags for the kids beads.

I adore the hare fabric.

Happy WOYWW
Sue

glitterandglue said...

Morning Jan. Phew! I'm going for a lie down after reading all you have been up to this week. What a lovely way to celebrate getting through horrible treatment - and a beautiful way for you to use up even the smallest pieces of fabric (well, ALMOST the smallest pieces). Great for the bags to have the little labels, too Enjoy!!
Love the acronym... but confess I haven't got around to doing anything with some of my own stash yet!
Take care. Stay safe. God bless.
Margaret #3

Susan Renshaw said...

What a super idea to make the bead bags - your process is so precise too.. Love all your makes!
Happy Crafting!
Susan #8

Mrs.D said...

Morning Jan,
Do you do anything except sew? Does your man have to feed himself, your out put is amazing, you always seem to be finding new things to produce masses of lovely pieces for. Those bags are a lovely idea, and the children will really love those bags, especially any made from the elephant material. Keep it up, and keep sharing.
Chris #7

Crafting Queen said...

What a wonderful idea and I love all the beautiful fabrics. I still love using my beatuiful bag you made for me. Have a great day. Hugs Anesha x

Diana Taylor said...

What a fantastic idea for the children, and such lovely little bags you're making too. I don't know where you find the time or energy for all the things you do!
Hope you have a great week,
Hugs, Diana xx #14

Julia Dunnit said...

Love the idea of the bead bags, and love you for making them, what a brilliant way to keep the children looking forward in treatment terms. No one could ever say that you don't have a range of fabric choices....starting to look a little eclectic missus! I think INUITS is definitely coming upon me, and as a scrapbooked, its even more true, because once Ive turned it from stash into (‘art’) a page, I can still keep it! Like the hare fabric very much, but not as much as the ribbon tag!!!

Lisa-Jane said...

I love the idea of those beads! It's got my cogs-a-turning! What a lovely thing to be able to do for them. Gorgeous combo on the fabric too, as always - very funky. I'm so looking forward to setting foot back in Wales tomorrow! I shall wave as I pass you at the end of the M4! xx Have a great week, Lisa-Jane #16

lisa said...

Morning Jan
You do make some amazing things. What a generous heart you have. The world needs more Jan's. I've been happy making my masks but you never stop, although you did make me laugh out loud with your scraps. See I have a paper crafters habit of keeping every last bit of paper and that's transferred to fabric, there's always the question of what can I do with it....hence the lockdown quilt I've done.
Love the bag, hare's always remind me of you. I use the bag I had from you years ago all the time. Love it!!
Good look with your stash busting
Hugs Lisax #17

Annie said...

What a gem you are Jan. I love the bags and how lovely they have special labels for them...that made me smile. It's such a lovely way to use up small pieces of fabric too. I've lots of small pieces left from mask making but mine are not only big enough for patchwork....and when am I likely to have time for pathwork? Just can't throw them out lol
Hugs,
Annie x #10

Mariane said...

WOW, wow and wow. THAT is just great to have such af project. Good course.
I love all the fabrics you have shown. And I love especially the tote bag with the hare:

Thank you so much for sharing!

Happy WOYWW
Mariane #18
http://art.cordes.re

Sue Jones said...

That's so wonderful !! Every single week you inspire me Jan xxx My son died 30 yrs ago this week from cancer so this really touched me . Have a great week you Fabulous Woman xxx Soojay #19

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Jan, you are so generous with your time and your stash and I know for sure that the children are going to love getting these little bags. I'm not telling you yet what the salad spinner is for but it is to do with the paper crafting and years ago there was a kids toy that did the same thing but sadly I don't have it anymore so this will do the job in a similar way. If I was lucky enough to get that gorgeous bag I would be proud to use it, it's adorable. Have a lovely creative woyww and thanks for the visit over at mine, Angela x15x

Camilla Fisher said...

Love the hare bag. You're amazing with all the stuff you do. I like the idea of the bead bag. xx

Neet said...

Well my jewellery roll had its first outing last week. Went up to the caravan to check it and stay overnight - didn't happen! We had a burst pipe and the boiler would not work. It was gushing water underneath the caravan. Looks as if something may have bitten through the pipe underneath (because the same thing happened to our neighbour). So it went up and came back. I tell you - a reign of bad luck at the moment.
Now my leg is not healing as hoped so all steri strips off and more put on and bandaged again toe to knee.
Enough of me and my whinges, love the spotty fabric (the white background although I do like the other) but this seems to be the perfect one for the bags. You are a true sewing angel with all these things that you do. An d such a worthwhile cause it is - love the labels. Just think of all the happiness you are spreading all over the place. I think I have a skirt similar to that one but no elephants.
Love the new on offer bag - hope someone else really loves it, no reason not to.
Hugs, Neet 11 xx

Twiglet said...

Jan - you need to bag up those offcuts - I'm sure someone would buy them - even if just to raise money for charity! It must be our age - me and Annie hate to see scraps go to waste- lol. I love the last photo with the detail and your little heart tape - great idea. You are good at stash busting. I think I made a few bead bags for Jozarty when she made things for their local cancer ward. A lovely thing to do. xxx Jo #13

shazsilverwolf said...

Hiya Jan, I've heard of the Beads of Courage somewhere before, no idea where though! Thats me all over, odd bits of info!Love the black & gold fabric, that'll make great pouches. And the black spotty one- can you see the theme here, rofl. I've started making myself throw small pieces of cardstock away, I know darn well I'll put them in a wallet, and eventually end up sorting the wallet and tossing them, so I'm doing it now instead of later. Hope you are all well, love and hugs to you all, Shaz #5 XxXxXxXx

Christine said...

Sorry I haven't been in touch, really not been up to it . . . my own fault!!
What a superb use for your leftovers, and what a wonderful encouraging idea for the children.
Take care and have a good week
Christine #26

Eva said...

Jan what a heart warming idea, to make the bead bags for the kids. God bless you.

I adore the hare fabric too!

Stay well and take care of you.

Eva from Austia (Now our city is a now little hotspot of Corona, I'm so sad).

My name is Cindy said...

What a fab idea, those bead bags are lovely - the little tag goes especially well with that fabric from Debbie!

Please add me into your giveaway - anything to help a fellow crafter de-stash!!

I have news for you - Christmas crafting actually started in January, I do one batch straight after Christmas then try to get back to it in the summer. But it often doesn't happen quite like that.... This year, because I have no other commitments at all, I'm hoping to crack it in two weeks. Maybe 3. or 4 LOL.

Happy WOYWW stay safe, stay well, Cindyxx

Belinda said...

Good morning or is it afternoon for you now? Hello friend! I am loving your new acronym. I have an overflow of INUITS. But with my return to scrapbooking and my latest round of cardmaking is making a difference. I love the idea of the bags for beads. There is so much you can do with your sewing skills. I need to find some opportunities to volunteer some of my paper crafting skills for charity. You are so motivating! By the way, did I see Paddington in your fabric scraps? I love Paddington! Stay well, my friend!
Belinda #27

Crafting With Jack said...

Jan, you are such a kind person to make these bags for charity - not to mention your beautiful giveaway, which I would love. I am sending my machine in to be looked at. The thread is always breaking, I follow the instructions in the book, but it is such a pain. My sister used it last week and it happened to her several times, so it can’t just be me (which is what I thought). I am going Google sewing machine repair and see if I can find someone, as the shop closed long ago. x Angela #25

Ali Wade Designs said...

Happy WOYWW. I love the idea of the bead bags - and their labels are gorgeous. A fantastic way to use up fabric. Obviously I would like to be in the draw for the hare bag - stunning. My nan would say it is too nice to use, but I would definitely use it a lot (well, when we go out anywhere apart from going to Tesco for Click n Collect or the chippy for a takeaway!). I realised yesterday that I haven't used a handbag or my nice rucksack that I use when going to craft workshops (a bit of a walk from where I can park for free in Haverfordwest to the craft shop in the centre) since the 9th of March. I took Buzz the Dog to the vet yesterday and he had to go in by himself. I ventured to Boots afterwards (the vet suggested Piriton tablets for him) - and that was not the pleasurable experience it usually is. I just wanted to buy what I needed and get out as soon as possible. There was a queue to get in Laura Ashley (they are closing down and have a 50% sale) and TK Maxx, and for the new Costa Drive-Thru. It seems that a lot of people are quite happy to go out into shops etc again. Stay safe. Ali x #29

Shoshi said...

Lovely post as always, Jan. I love the new acronym! You can enlighten me - I have seen PiF several times and have no idea what it stands for!! I love the little bags for the beads, and how nice that they have a special label to sew on. Anything that helps poorly kids in hospital is great - there's a charity that does "Ostomy Bears" for children with stomas. Each teddy has a little red fur fabric stoma and a paediatric stoma bag that attaches with velcro, so the kids can learn about changing their bags. People are so imaginative, aren't they. I've heard that in some hospitals they ring a special bell when a child gets to the end of their chemo and everybody celebrates with them. I adore all your colourful fabrics and the elephants one is very stylish - love elephants!! Betty looks extremely smart in her white lace frock and with a nice tote to set it off.

Thank you for visiting - you are right about Ruby staring - the kitties always win the staring matches! I don't know how they can go so long without blinking. Tofu is very tasteless, which is a good thing because it is neutral and takes up whatever flavour you put with it. I am doing it again for supper tonight with the same marinade as before, but I'm dry-sauteing it this time, coated in some cornflour, to try and crisp up the outside. Glad you like our pots of flowers in the garden!

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi x #9

Kathryn Frantz said...

Hi, Jan!
I need your help! As you might have already guessed, there’s lots of INUITS living at my house!

I also have Myrtle and Mabel! They would make great girlfriends for Betty! At one time, my husband and I owned an Olde Tyme Photo Studio. Myrtle and Mabel loved to display the costumes!

Happy Wednesday! Stay safe and well.
Kathryn #31

Catriona said...

Love the new tote and the little bead bags. How strange to see the wrap skirt-I made three bags from a very similar one a few years ago! Hissing down here at the moment so the garden won’t need watered tonight.

Lynn Holland said...

Your an inspiration to us all missus. Well done 👍 xx

Tracey@Hotchpotchcreations said...

Jan you are doing a grand job on slimming down the fabric stash, what a lovely idea for the bead bags something I was unaware of and I thank you so much for bringing it to my attention. Love the hare fabric of your giveaway, they look so carefree as they hop skip and jump.. Happy WoywW Tracey #12 xx

Shoshi said...

Ahh, so THAT's what PiF means! I often wondered! Thanks for the prompt reply!

Shoshi x

Stacy Sheldon said...

OOh what a cool concept Jan, I love that they provide you with the labels for the bags too. that makes them even more special looking. I would have never guessed that bag started out as a skirt and the bunny tote is fabulous too :) YAY for stash busting no matter what you name it, ~Stacy #28

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Such a great post. I love the tote. Your fabrics are always luscious. I am familiar with the Bead Courage. Our little neighbor girl has over 180 beads last count. Her mother was helicoptered to the Children's hospital and Ellie Grace was born less than 1lb. almost 6 months a touch and go, but they are all home and doing wonderful. We all take too much for granted. I did not post this week, just too many things in our world happening. WE have over 90 temps and need rain badly. But forecast is winds/hail/tornadoes so praying they are wrong and we get the 2 inches of soft rain with just thunder andlightening !!!
Have a good week.

BJ said...

Oh my life HARES - what was my maiden name again????
I can't resist pop me in the mix please.
The little bags you are making for the charity are brilliant each will be treasured.
Just wondering is there any other way to do a jigsaw??? BJ#24

Marit said...

I always love to see the color/fabric combinations you make - you're such a talent! Thanks for your visit to my blog, have a great week dear one, stay safe! Big hug from the Netherlands! Marit #20

Anne said...

Very late but wanted to say hello and thanks for kind words. Awake early and unable to sleep so here I am catching up with some of my favourite people. I need to bust my stash- not for a while yet though :-) Anne X 25

SusanLotus said...

Really true! It's all about attitude.
Thank you for visiting my site earlier. That it was so many weeks since I was online ... thought it was yesterday ... Time just flies away.
Have a great summer day!
Sussie

WOYWW 769

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