A device for containing items, the device comprising: a flexible, approximately elliptical base that has a perimeter and that comprises a first layer of material and a second layer of material, wherein the first layer of material includes an opening; a flexible lip having a length that is approximately equal to a circumference of the flexible, approximately elliptical base, the flexible lip comprising at least one piece of thin material that is configured to form at least one envelope; wherein the flexible lip is attached near the perimeter of the flexible, approximately elliptical base such that, in a first configuration, at least a portion of the flexible lip is disposed substantially perpendicular to the flexible, approximately elliptical base when the flexible, approximately elliptical base is deployed flat in a substantially horizontal position; at least one cord running through the at least one envelope of the flexible lip, wherein pulling the at least one cord forms the device into a first bag that has an annular passage that is nearly completely closed by the at least one piece of thin material of the flexible lip; and a flexible wall that is attached to the flexible, approximately elliptical base such that the flexible, approximately elliptical base and the wall form an approximately cylindrical bag when the device is in a second configuration; wherein the flexible wall of the approximately cylindrical bag is disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material of the base when the device is in the first configuration, and wherein the flexible lip is disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material of the base when the device is in the second configuration. a flexible, approximately elliptical base that has a perimeter and that comprises a first layer of material and a second layer of material, wherein the first layer of material includes an opening; a flexible lip having a length that is approximately equal to a circumference of the flexible, approximately elliptical base, the flexible lip comprising at least one piece of thin material that is configured to form at least one envelope; wherein the flexible lip is attached near the perimeter of the flexible, approximately elliptical base such that, in a first configuration, at least a portion of the flexible lip is disposed substantially perpendicular to the flexible, approximately elliptical base when the flexible, approximately elliptical base is deployed flat in a substantially horizontal position; at least one cord running through the at least one envelope of the flexible lip, wherein pulling the at least one cord forms the device into a first bag that has an annular passage that is nearly completely closed by the at least one piece of thin material of the flexible lip; and a flexible wall that is attached to the flexible, approximately elliptical base such that the flexible, approximately elliptical base and the wall form an approximately cylindrical bag when the device is in a second configuration; wherein the flexible wall of the approximately cylindrical bag is disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material of the base when the device is in the first configuration, and wherein the flexible lip is disposed between the first layer of material and the second layer of material of the base when the device is in the second configuration.