Making trades

Yep, I am off to Seattle at the end of March. This is the last time that Teesha Moore is hosting Artfest on the beautiful Bainsbridge Island. Just before any art retreat family members are forgotten because we are working on our trades. Readers who don't know what trades are I explain it in few words: " it's an exchange  or  gift of kindness" to friends and strangers at the retreat. So we create our best, a small item and you see the first night people are carrying shoeboxes or cigar boxes with their items to trade.
So I came up with this idea for my trades when I discovered on my last trip to JoAnn's a very Anahata look-a-like shopping tote under $2. This is made out of recycled material. I gathered all different bags from Roots , Lululemon (  canadian, yah!), Sobeys, JoAnn's and leftover oilcloth.

I cut front and back into 4 1/2"x 6" pieces for my zipper mini pouch. I have always lots of different coloured 7" zippers on hand because you want the right colour to have the pop effect and some ribbon for the taps. Little details like top stitching and adding a tap on the right side makes it even nicer.

Sewing with oilcloth or any similar material which shouldn't be pinned I discovered one of the best tools from Clover. 

Wonder Clips

Here are my mini pouches :

blurry blueberry from Sobeys

JoAnn Fabric

Which one to choose?