Some years ago now, I made my grandsons some marble bags, if one could call them that. They were simple pouches made from painter's cloth and with ties that require wrapping about the top because they have no drawstrings. Pathetic. I have been looking for something more suitable ever since.
I found it! *This tutorial* is just wonderful and I can not recommend it highly enough. Even I understood it. Oh there is that one unfortunate bit where she doesn't mention that she sewed a channel for the drawstring, but she did show it so that's good.
Even though I made the bag a little larger than suggested, it's not quite big enough for a marble bag so this will serve as my prototype. I must get something besides ribbon as the drawstring, too — way too prissy for boys.
My poor husband has been suffering this winter because of all the hard work involved with shoveling snow. My arms may hurt, but his neck bothers him most. I saw *this nifty pillow* on Pinterest and created one that better suits him, which means that his is a bit narrower in the center and wider. He finds it helpful.
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If I don't use these photos, the opportunity will be lost. The red really popped against the snow. John is unimpressed with this shot because he says one can't see the house. Well I can't help it if the snowbanks are this high!
This is a lovely home in our neighborhood...
and that is how it will look in spring. Why, yes, I did climb a tree to take the shot. ; > Yes, it is the very same house, but John was going way too fast as we passed by for me to get the entire structure.
Be it ever so humble...this is our wee home nestled behind mammoth snowbanks and at the edge of the forest. We have since had nearly ten additional inches of snow. The good news is that the storms are slowing down and not coming as often.
wow.....love the red houses in the snow. We are a bit warmer today but back to the deep freeze tonight!
ReplyDeleteThere are many big, beautiful homes, but I would choose your home over them all. When we had a big home, I would walk around loving the rooms, but all the time thinking that we didn't use them. How is it a home if you don't use the space? I, too, love the red against the snow. I can just imagine the red decorated at Christmas and snow all around. I would be taking pictures, too! Your marble bags will be great! I used to make bags something like those for our grandkids rather than stockings. They had stockings at home. Maybe I just enjoyed making the bags. I try to visit her first thing every morning so it's wonderful to find your posts. Please let us know if the new pillow helps John's neck.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful pictures....I love your view of things. I should snap some pics sometimes so you can see how VERY different it is for us. The marble bags are great. Aren't tutorials wonderful? Enjoy your day Vee!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your storms have slowed down. We have a cold week now, but next week will be more of a warm up! Hurray!
ReplyDeleteI love your wee home, and the love that you put into it. The other houses are nice too. Of course I love the red, and with it contrasted in the snow!
Deanna
Oh! You have such a lot of snow, Vee. We didn't get nearly as much this year...but is has been VERY COLD! I love your marble bag. I loved playing marbles when I was a kid in the schoolyard. I could beat all of the boys except one and we went back forth and finally quit playing each other. lol
ReplyDeleteThat is a great marble bag- I am going to look at the tutorial. Thanks- xo Diana
Lovely photos ! I remember playing marbles as a kid and my mum made bags for us to . Nice job I like it ! One reason Papa here got a snow blower to save his neck and back from shoveling makes it so much better all round and easier on us both ! Nice houses both of them . Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteOohh...such lovely shots...love those red houses and barn (I think it's a barn). Hopefully this spring, our house will be close to that in color...have always loved red houses. I made myself one of those "dog bone" pillows several years ago and they can be quite comfy! Your home sweet home looks so lovely all nestled in the snow banks. Tonight were are to get our first substantial snowfall...then I'll be ready for SPRING!!
ReplyDeleteYes, a barn. This is a quintessential New England set-up with an attached barn via a shed. You will note that the same is true of the second home. One can walk right out through the house and into the barn without going outside. Very convenient!
DeleteI think you underestimate your sewing abilities. Just look at that cool neck pillow! And oh, I have such fond memories of my youngest playing with his marbles for hours. He would line them all up and plot all kinds of battles and strategies, good memories. And the poor kid never had a marble bag!
ReplyDeleteAnd, ah yes, the snow. We don't have as much as you do, but we have plenty. And cold, cold temps! That picture of the house in springtime is lovely.
By all means, you gotta love a man who will carry the purse! On the subject of his neck, I, too, have neck problems (arthritis, bone spurs, etc). Been dealing with it for many years. I'm glad you've found a pillow that helps him. My recommendation is a buckwheat-filled neck pillow that comes from http://www.bucky.com/neck-back-pillows/ The buckwheat hulls inside the pillow conform to the neck and give firm support. I have been using mine since 1998 and cannot get a good night's sleep without it. The foam-filled ones are too soft for the support I need. Keep this in mind if your hubby's current solutions are not working.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet grandma to make marble bags for her boys! How about some twine for the ties? Would you mind if I use the picture of the house you took from the "tree" for one of my paintings? I love it! The red house with the white snow is beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteMy comment didn't make it! Your marble pouches brought back wonderful memories. I loved playing marbles as a child. The red houses look wonderful against the white snow. I am not going to complain anymore about the 7 inches we may get tonight after seeing all of your snow!
ReplyDeleteI still have my marbles from childhood. I have them in a jar! you did good on all the sewing!!
ReplyDeleteVee your marble bag looks great. Here's a suggestion , instead of ribbon, if you have a pkg. of folded bias binding, it works well. Very strong. Just one row of stitching to secure the two edges together and it's ready to use. I prefer the narrower width, but the wider one works well too. You have lots of snow, but I think we have even more! March is almost here, and spring is sure to come soon....
ReplyDeleteWhat great photos! I am inspired to believe (against all instinct) that Spring will return.......What a winter, and I think yours was probably worse....Lovely marble bag you made! My daughter made me a little pillow years ago for the recliner. It's filled with buckwheat groats and not overfilled and works so well....I have arthritis in my neck....The therapist gave me some really simple exercises which are simply pressing gently against my resisting hand one direction at a time, five times each direction. They are left, right, back straight and back upwards and forwards..........It strengthens the neck muscles for me. But of course, maybe you should check with your doctor before doing anything since every case is different.
ReplyDeleteCunning little drawstring bag! You clever girl! UGH to the snowbanks! Ours are huge too, BUT today the sun feels warm and there's melting going on up on the roof and in the driveway. I saw a robin bobbing up and down my snowy backdoor path, trying to jump up into the sidewalk planters to get at the exposed bits of dirt and forage for Lord knows what ! Come on Spring!
ReplyDeleteOh such pretty pictures. Love the spring one and your home looks lovely nestled in the snow.
ReplyDeleteNice marble bags. I have a bunch of old marbles in a couple of old mason jars next to some old jars of buttons just because I like looking at them. : )
Wow, you all have gotten a lot of snow this winter season. I LOVE the red peeking out over the snow banks, and your marble bag is cute. I'm checking out your neck pillow link, I've made one for my husband years ago and he is in need of a new one, I don't think it will last another washing.
ReplyDeleteI love red houses any time of the year. I don't know about you, but I am dreaming of green grass right now. I may kiss the ground when all this snow is gone! How wonderful that kids still play with marbles. I remember thinking they were so beautiful when I was growing up. I never really learned how to play, I just liked to look at them!
ReplyDeleteThe photos are beautiful -- the red houses against the snow in particular. But I also like the contrast that you showed between the one house now, and then how it would look in summer. The marble bags are so nice. A couple of years ago I made some MUCH larger ones for my grandkids to keep Legos in. The sacks open out to make a flat playing surface for Lego projects, and the drawstrings allow the kids to hang the sack from a peg rack, doorknob or bedpost.
ReplyDeleteLoved your neck pillow too. I made one for my daughter a few years ago and keep thinking I should make more. Thanks for sharing! You did a beautiful job on all your projects.
I like the snow pictures, they keep me cool in our heat.
ReplyDeleteMerle..............
Somewhere in that deep jungle called Christopher's closet, there is a container that holds the marbles my husband played with when he was a child. They were hardly played with in C.'s childhood, kids he knew didn't play marbles, anymore!
ReplyDeleteI'll check out your tutorials, thanks for the link to the bags. Great pictures, the red building against the white snow really does pop. I'm not bothered that I can't see the whole house. I can stand in my driveway and the snowbank is so high, I can only see the roof of my neighbor's house. Lookin' good Vee.
ReplyDeleteI love the little marble pouches, Vee! Also, your wintry photos are so pretty, as is your thinking ahead to Spring shot!
ReplyDeleteLove the little 'marble' bag. And I agree, no ribbons for boys. The snow is high there and at home too. I love the photo of the old house with it's ell in the beautiful springtime. Such a typical Maine house. I guess home got another foot of snow today too. It's snowing here as well but only a couple of inches. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHello Vee, Yes, I gotta love my man, cause he carries my purse also! I loved those bags! I will have to check out the site! Thanks for sharing and I agree the red buildings made that picture. Now, Where did this day go! One trip to town and a few stores and puff it's gone...
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you as always! Roxy
You're right, the snow with the red houses was too pretty to pass up. Golly, is that how much snow y'all have had!? Winter is definitely wearing out it's welcome. I'm ready for Spring too. Y'all stay warm and safe up there. ~:)
ReplyDeleteI love the marble bag! The boys are going to love these - with ribbon or string I think! Good job on the neck pillow - thanks for the links. I think you have even more snow than we do - crazy winter indeed. Your pictures are beautiful. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos! I love the little marble bag, I will have to bookmark that one for later only I will make it into a jacks bag for the oldest grand girl. Thanks for the pillow link too, I have been waking up with a crick and am wondering if this might help, worth a try. Hope you are staying cozy.
ReplyDeleteWonderful. I love that last photo of John bringing your purse in. How fun those marble pouches will be and yes something besides ribbon will be good for the tie! Yikes you really have gotten your fair share of snow. Love the red structures against the white snow!
ReplyDeleteI am encouraged to know that boys are still playing with marbles. I was worried that they were being abandoned in favor of the many technological devices. Your marble bags turned out so nice, although I suppose the boys might prefer something other than ribbon.
ReplyDeleteGlad you popped in the photo of the red (partial) house in the snowy setting. So pretty! Speaking of pretty, that white house in your neighborhood is stunning in winter and spring. I must admit the spring scene looks especially attractive to me right about now.
After seeing the pile up around your house, I can sympathize with your sore arms and John's sore neck. I can't imagine keeping up with that at this stage of life. You are a sweetie for making him a special pillow.
You have me chuckling with that last comment. Yes, you really do have to love the man who will carry the purse.
I wondered if there was still a marble season anywhere! How well I remember it from by-gone years. So glad your grands are still playing marbles. I think I might have to take mine on a marble playing retreat! Great bags...enough to encourage anyone to take up the sport. :)
ReplyDeleteSnow? It sort of passed us by this year...but I think you got your share and ours! Tell John I'm sorry he was left holding the bag!
How nice that your grands play with marbles. I don't think mine have ever played with marbles except with board games that use them. Love the photo of John and the purse--a very good man indeed. ♥
ReplyDeleteJohn's neck pillow is wonderful! Is it one of those that is filled with rice...that you warm in the microwave? I have been meaning to make something similar to put in beds on winter nights. The boys should love their marble bags!
ReplyDeleteLove the red house/barn in the snow! I love red anyway, but it is perfect in the snow. Personally, I think that is a good enough reason to paint a house red. Your own house is charming...as is the purse carrier who belongs to you. :)
My goodness, I don't know how you all keep up with all the shoveling. I couldn't begin to do all that now. You are sweet to make John that pillow for his neck.
ReplyDeleteI think the marble bags are neat. I don't have any marbles, I've been told I've lost mine. :)
The houses are beautiful in the snow, especially the red buildings! Your house always looks nice and it's always fun to see a guy carrying a purse. teehee!
For the grands marble bag, how about using a leather strip? We bought a Marble maze game for our grandsons this year for Christmas. I wasn't as clever as you, I just put them all in a Plastic container with a lid! Lovely snow photos.
ReplyDeleteLove the little bag...I made laundry bags for kids when they went off to college out of the ticking and made just like this little bag. They filled them to the brim with dirty clothes and headed back to mama....LOL
ReplyDeleteoops..and meant to add ....THAT IS WAAAY TOO MUCH SNOW TO BE COMFORTABLE...!!
ReplyDeleteIt's lightly snowing here this morning.
Oh I love that RED home!! against the snow it is GORGEOUS.
ReplyDeleteYour home is really nice too.
That marble bag looks good for many different things! V had to sleep with a pillow like that for months for neck pain--it was very helpful and eventually his pain went away.
ReplyDeleteWe are catching up to you here, Vee! We had a foot of snow yesterday, almost as much on top of that today and it will snow all weekend!
V and I were away for 6 days to get a little R&R in New Orleans. It was not warm ther, but that was good in a way as we did a lot of walking around.We loved the World War II Museum there and saw a few plantations.
Unfortunately, I had a 24 hours virus the days we flew home--not a fun way to take two connecting flights, and it made me weak for a few days. Now V is coming down with it. With all this snow we are just trying to keep up with the shoveling!
I love your marble bags and now I will be making some for my grandsons!
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing what YOU see! I can't even IMAGINE how you handle that much snow and cold for that long a time!
Yes, you MUST love a man that will carry the purse!!!
I vote for some leather strips for the boys' bags! I have two beautiful, leather marble bags that my mother found at a rummage sale years and years ago along with some great vintage marbles. I have to wait for the little guy to get a little older though as I'm sure they'd end up in his mouth. Wow that's a lot of snow!
ReplyDeleteOh Vee, I do hope spring comes soon for you. We have spring now but there are freezing temperatures for a night soon and that won't bode well for all the blossoms. Maybe it is better for spring to come when the calendar says it should. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteOh your so lucky to have a garage!! I hate to tell you this sweet friend, but we have another storm heading our way tomorrow/Sun-Wed. Sigh...I so enjoy your pics and your stories...they sure make me smile. Blessings
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos, but I have surrendered to winter 2015! Bring on the spring!
ReplyDeleteOMG... you really are buried in the white stuff!! I hope it melts slowly.
ReplyDeleteUse funky shoelaces for drawstrings. They'll love it.
You've been a busy little beaver with that sewing machine and camera. Love it.
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine that much snow! We are scheduled to get an inch or so of sleet tomorrow.....I enjoy your house photos. They all, including yours, look like nice places to live. About the marble bags, you might find cording in the curtain/upholstery section of the fabric store. Also you might look for parachute cording (I think that is what it's called).
ReplyDeleteGreat photos. I like it
ReplyDeleteJohn is definitely a peach. I hope that his sore body is healing from all of the wicked shoveling this winter. Love the little pouch you made. I bet the local hardware store sells various ropes by the foot or yard. That would work just fine for those young fellows.
ReplyDeleteMornin' Vee, Up early this a.m. and catching up on your blog. I love your last pic of John w/ your purse. How many times I remember my dad carrying mom's purse! My dad talked often of playing marbles when he was a kid and all my nieces/nephews love marbles too. Your post about neither of you feeling great and being cranky...we were without power for 50 hours about 3 weeks ago due to ice in Georgia. Talk about cranky. John and I were sick of each other!!! lol
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