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STYLE MATTERS: The beauty of recycling

By Judie Schwartz, Rocky Mountain News (Contact), Evelinda Urman, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 19, 2008 at 6 p.m.

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For step-by-step instructions on how to make this bag, go to abcnews.go.com and type "simply sublime bags" in the search box.

Photo by Simply Sublime Bags

For step-by-step instructions on how to make this bag, go to abcnews.go.com and type "simply sublime bags" in the search box.

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Evelinda: Style Matters has moved way beyond recycling our newspapers and plastic soda bottles. We have found a way to use household items that you would probably donate or chuck. We're turning them into handbags.

Judie: Think we're kidding? We recently came across a book called Simply Sublime Bags by Denver native Jodi Kahn. The book has 30 do-it-yourself "Low-Sew, No-Sew" bag projects. Each requires little or no sewing with inventive methods of construction, like using duct tape for reinforcement. Kahn was recently on Martha Stewart's TV show and Good Morning America demonstrating her new chic and cheap bags.

Evelinda: Kahn was always a craftsy person, and one day she was looking around her home for a personalized hostess gift. She came up with the "original no-sew tote," a canvas or vinyl bag made with masking tape and nylon web straps. It was an immediate hit. "Pretty soon everything becomes a possible bag, each loaded with style," Kahn told us. "The bags can be used as recyclable shopping bags and also make great gifts."

Judie: Here are the tools you will need to make your own bag:

NO-SEW ITEMS

* stapler

* any color duct tape

* ruler

* pencil

* packing tape

* iron

* hot glue gun

LOW-SEW ITEMS

* sewing machine

* needle and thread

Evelinda: The book includes patterns (templates) and lists of places to buy materials, even though Kahn insists most of the items can be found around your house. Some of our favorites:

* Pet stores and camping stores to buy dog leashes and bungee cords for purse handles

* Wallpaper stores for samples of interesting patterns and textures

* Kitchen stores for place mats and potholders

Judie: Kahn says the easiest item in the book to make is the "hot pocket" eyeglasses case. Stitch the sides of an old potholder together with embroidery thread and, voila, in 15 minutes you have a cute case that even the Style Matters gals can make.

Evelinda: The most popular item is the "tee time" bag, made from old T-shirts. Recycle a kid's T-shirt and turn it into a handbag. Repurpose a large men's T-shirt and turn it into a tote. "People love this bag because it is truly recycling," Kahn said. (For step-by-step instructions on how to make this bag, go to abcnews.go. com and type in "simply sublime bags" in the search box.)

Judie: Kahn shows readers how to construct bags from shower curtains, Monopoly money, carpet remnants, AstroTurf and even an old Twister game mat. Evelinda's favorite was the Tootsie Roll wrapper coin purse. She quickly figured out that she would have to eat two dozen to three dozen Tootsie Rolls to get the required material. My guess is an extra-large tote made from Tootsie Roll wrappers is in her future.

Blog with Style Matters at style matters.us.