it was not intended for this gift, it was going to be for me but then it came to me, Emily is studying environmental conservation...a bag made from a recycled sweater and shirt from the thrift store would be GREAT for her. It was going to be a "welcome back to school" gift but it was not done in 
time so it became a Christmas gift. I used a LionBrand pattern, part of the yarn from two recycled 100% cotton sweaters, a recycled 100% cotton shirt and a magnetic snap. The pattern is not something I would do again...WAY to many pieces to sew together for my taste, but I like the way it looks. The lining was seamed together by machine - thanks mom :-) - and the main lining and strap lining were sewn in by hand using a blind hem stitch. Very time consuming but I was really pleased with the way it turned out!So now it's time to slow down again. I've been unraveling sweaters from my huge haul at the thrift store "all sweaters $1 sale" last spring. But there are babies on the way this summer so I won't be slowing down for long. Part of hibernation is looking for patterns and planning the year's projects. whew, it's good to be January!
God bless your stitches
