beach bags

The beginning of August (really?)- by now I think I could pack our beach bags in my sleep. Not that they really ever get unpacked, but you know, sometimes it's nice to have a fresh towel. And lunch. All the essentials are here - everything from bandaids and calendula just in case there's a scraped knee to something to read just in case there's a quiet moment; from the ever-important rollable beach blanket to the carabeeners that keep all these bags together and help this Mama schlep all the stuff four people will need at the beach - with a babe in the sling to boot. Every square inch in that bag is accounted for. Our 10 year old gigantic LL Bean tote bag - one of many in our home - has accompanied us on many a boat, beach, and camping trip (like many Mainer's, I'd guess - I don't remember actually buying any of them. They just appear. and then they multiply). While this one may have worn handles and stained-on canvas, I know it still has many more trips to go. Especially with the new applique pick-me-up it got last night. Want to do your own? select fabric. apply ultra hold Heat N Bond. cut desired shapes. peel off backing. iron on. voila. no sewing required.

The sun is up, and so are my little ones. To the beach we go!

Comments

[kristin]

oh it looks so nice.
enjoy the day at the beach together.

[Casey]

beautiful

it's a good day for the beach here too; have fun

[Eren]

Have a wonderful day~!!!

[lee]

We have a joke about bags in my family from when I was a kid and had a cabin in the Adirondacks. We always had the food bag, the book bag, the dry clothes bag, etc. Finally we joked that we needed the bag bag and eventually we found a bag that said "The Bag". Such fabulous memories...

[jenny]

It's kismet! I've been lurking here for a few months, completely enjoying your site. Yesterday I posted my first real embroidery project with a bit of an 'I don't sew' remark and also, a link to you. And look...a no sew beach tote! Coincidence? Of course it is but thank you anyway.

[heather]

love! your tree reminds me of a thankful tree we do at thanksgiving. i hang just the trunk (made out of brown paper bag) on the wall, with a basket of "leaves" and marker on a table next to the trunk. in the weeks that lead up to the holiday, friends and family write on the leaves what they are thankful for and attach to the tree. keep tape close by. emily and her friends really enjoy this. have a great day at the beach!

[annette]

beautiful tree! these are the best beach bags, aren't they!?

[erin]

love the bag, amanda! enjoy your day!

[Stacy]

How wonderful! I have a few of those bags and while they wear, they never wear out. Your creativity continues to amaze and inspire me.

[Crisanne]

Love the bag applique! I'd like to know about the basket...

[Stefani]

Looking foward to pictures of sandy toes, surfers and whatever comes home from the beach in that gorgeous bag of yours! Have a beautiful day.

[Laura]

I love the tote and I have the exact same picnic basket! Your family outings always look like so much fun.

[michelle]

beautiful bag...it dressed it up perfectly!

[Joy]

"I don't remember actually buying any of them. They just appear. and then they multiply."

Oh this had me rolling with laughter...I thought it was just a weird fluke in our closet or something.

Thanks for the "Finding Your Inner Mama" recommendation a few posts back...I've really been enjoying reading it.

[lori]

Cute bag...boy that heat n bond looks like a great thing!
My 16 year old crafty daughter will love the tree...she paints them, takes pictures of them and sews them also. ~grin~
Have fun at the water!
your friend,
Lori

[amy]

Very cute bag! My little one has a bag that is never unpacked and then when I do unpack it or she dumps it out we find odd things in there. Such as the stretchy frogs I thought she'd lost and a change of clothes from 6 months ago that doesn't fit her anymore!

[emily]

we had the same beach bag growing up and every time i see it, there are so many memories that come back to me, i even remember sitting in it to get out of the sun- to be that little again- such memories. reading your blog and watching your kids grow and play never fails to remind me of some tiny childhood memory that almost got forgotten- like filling the aforementioned bag with rocks so that it would be too heavy to carry so we wouldn't be able to leave the beach (the logic escapes me now, but it made perfect sense to my 4 year old self and my cousin). so i just want to say thanks for posting such a wonderful blog!

[courtney]

So cute! May I ask how well the heat n bond holds up to washing?

I absolutely loved yesterday's post too. I could just hear her saying it. I love that age!

[sarah]

fantastic addition to the timeless tote!
happy beach day to you and the babes.

[Mefuza]

I want your summer days! Enjoy the beach. Love your bag.

[SOULEMAMA]

Courtney - I think they'll hold up just fine, particularly with the ultra hold. If this were something that got washed VERY frequently, I'd probably stitch it too. And I figure if this one starts to look like they might lift, I'll just sew them down then.

For clothing appliques - I use a lighter Heat N Bond, and I do always sew that down.

[Julie]

I have one of those bags, and didn't think I could love it more....but, with the design you made...its entirely possible. Thanks. You're a gem. I'm glad no sewing in required. Sewing machines do not like me.

[zoe krylova]

we have the very same bag and like yours, it just appeared one day. i try to keep it packed and ready for the beach at all times. i love your idea and might just have to take the step of dressing it up a bit!

[Elena]

Beautiful bag ... you always make so beautiful things!

[thehomelyyear]

Hi, love your bag. How I wish we lived close enough to the beach to go regularly, but we are about as far as you can get from the sea in the UK...sigh. I shall still make a bag though.

[Zee]

It's adorable! Enjoy the beach!!!

[Kelly]

The tree is aDORable! It really has a wonderful creative punch, and how lovely to know it has the sturdy stability of an L.L. Bean. Lovin' it!

[heather wilson]

oh i was just thinking about putting embroidery on one of our bean bags....i think i like your idea much better! *its easier! lol* I will have to try both ;)

you are right, they do just multiply...we have four totes, yet we have not purchased one of them....

[Kelli]

Have a fun time at the beach! I have a very similar, if not the same wooden basket as you. I found it at a resale store last month for a couple of dollars. I love it and use it all the time!

Kelli

[molly]

i don't think i could LIVE without my boat totes. It was my first (and one of my best) baby gifts. Now I have so many--they carry pool stuff, car toys, dinner to a friend's, horseback riding boots and gear, farmers' market stuff...I love them. And they do get older with age...

But I have to confess, I'd be embarrassed if anyone ever looked in the bottoms of mine. They are SO dirty.

[Shannon]

How funny, your "beach" bag is my "library day" bag. This bag ROCKS as it can carry so much. I only wish they made the handles a smooch longer. Great idea for the applique....mine is worm, but always in use. Shannon

[kimberly/tippytoes]

I love the tree! My tote looks so naked in comparison.

[cybperry]

This brought me the inspiration I needed for a co-workers birthday present! Thank goodness for Heat- N- bond, canvas is a nightmare to machine sew.