weekend project: outdoor chandelier

easy peasy. can't get much more simple than this project - making an outdoor chandelier from a wire hanging basket, a few crystal drops and some jam jars filled with candles. head over to sunset magazine for the details.

weekend project: oilcloth lunchbag

this week's weekend project: make an oilcloth lunchbag. a project that has before and after steps that are just as nice as the project itself (that would be shopping for fabric and then eating food in the park!). if you have no oilcloth then any sturdy fabric would do, in my opinon...

i've been meaning to make one for ages, but every pattern i have come across seemed needlessly complicated. i know, i know - it's just a simple sack, but still - if i have to reread lengthy instructions a few times while scratching my head and taking a break for coffee, then it's not intuitive - and with my attention span i need my intuition when it comes to sewing...

i was delighted to find, and now to share, this super easy how-to, from the lovely martha. the instructions are so easy they're all right here:

cut main piece 29 1/2 by 8 inches and two side panels, each 12 1/4 by 5 inches.

1. fold long panel, inside out, into u shape with 5-inch bottom.

2. make 1/4-inch cut at bottom corners of side and middle pieces so bag folds smoothly. sew-in side panels, leaving 1/4-inch seam allowance.

3. turn right side out and top-stitch all around, 1/8 inch from edge.

images and how-to from marthastewart.com.