Altered Eclectics challenge #4 - Anything Goes

Hello Crafters!

Have you ever had one of "those" days? Of course you have, we all have. I seem to be having one of "those" weeks as well. :-( Trying to keep my chin up and looking forward to stamp class with Susie this weekend. Her workshops always put me in a good mood. And, she has a couple more special ones coming up too that I hope I can attend.

So, because of the week I've had, I'm a little late getting my project posted for Altered Eclectics. But, here it is ...and you won't believe what I've done. Could hardly believe how it turned out myself. So, set your peepers on this:

Now you're probably thinking, what the heck is so special about a crochet purse. Well my friends, let me tell you. This is an up-cycled project. I made this entirely (except the button) from plastic shopping bags. Yep, you read that right. Plastic shopping bags. I found the idea last year while blog surfing and fell in love with it. I saved my grocery bags as around Halloween the stores use orange ones. You could really make some nice ones with the extra heavy bags. For this project it took a total of 17 bags (10 orange and 7 gray). Here's a group picture of the process:

Instruction by the numbers:

1. Bag in it's original form

2. Cut the bottom seam off with scissors.

3. Flatten bag

4. Fold bag hot dog style

5. Repeat #4

6. Trim off a smidgen from the bottom to even out.

7. Cut 1" strips on trimmer for purse body

8. Cut 2" strips for handle

9. Unfold strips.

10. Cut strips once to make one long piece.

11. Lay ends of two different strips together.

12. Twist

13. Start tying a knot.

14. Cinch up knot fairly firmly (don't stretch bag).

15. Separate strips.

16. Repeat steps 9-15 for all strips and wind into a ball of "plastic" yarn.

17. Crochet purse with your favorite pattern and embellish with flower and button.

18. Ta Da!

Now, wasn't that easy? Tee Hee. Actually it is quite easy, just time consuming tying all those strips together and yes (for those who want to know) there is a bit of static going on when doing the tying and trimming. Not much, just enough to get a good chuckle out of it (like tape on a cats paw). This little bag is about 8" square. I have found several tutorials on YouTube if you need to see someone making a project. I did not connect my bags like others did because I wanted smaller "yarn" for smaller holes in the fabric. Just imagine what other projects you could do like tote bags, rugs or maybe even a beret?  I saw one YouTuber that ironed her bags between craft paper and made a wallet. Oh what fun!

You've seen my project, now get on over to the Altered Eclectics blog and check the rest of the design teams awesome projects. And don't you want to play along? You know you do. Better get a move on!

Happy Crafting!