Pretty Produce Satchels

For a long while now, I have felt a little guilty every time I pull another plastic produce baggy off the roll. I thought about where it would end up when I was finished placing my produce in its final resting places.  

I'd read about reusable produce bags, but the ones I had looked at (and, of course, touched) had been underwhelming and, quite honestly, more like ugly lingerie bags than anything.

Being the . . . determined . . . type that I was (ok, still am), I looked up how to make my own.  I selected a light, almost gauzy muslin.  Most of the plans had drawstrings, but I didn't love the look or idea of those.

While purging and reorganizing my craft room (during the several months I was procrastinating the completion of this project) I discovered that I had an inordinate amount of elastic.  Eureka!! I suddenly knew what I would use for the "seal"on my bags. 

The next step was decorating them.  Because I must have pretty satchels for my produce, not just practical bags.

I had previously made use of puffy paint and/or glitter to "screen print" on t-shirts.  I decided this would  be the perfect method for embellishment.  I already had all the materials.

Of course the process of selecting a pattern took another several weeks of pondering.  I finally settled on the Matryoshka design because it was at the same time classic and simple.  It was also the quaint, almost cutesy look I wanted.

It took a little longer than I thought, cutting out the freezer paper designs for 13 satchels.  Thankfully the "screen printing" went rather quickly.  

When I looked at the black (and some green) little figures, however, they looked sad and a little . . . shall we say, "Morose."  They needed something.

Out came the pretty, pastel, and brightly colored puffy paints!  Soon there were little scarves and designs in an array of "happy colors." 

Finally I had some pretty produce satchels and was ready for a guilt free market day.  

Sometimes, now, I look at my grocery basket and simply smile.