Erin's "Mom Bag"

I'll be making more of these, but here is the first one... (I couldn't wait to take pictures, so I snapped these photos before I even cut off all the stray threads!). This bag is slightly bigger than a medium LLBean Tote.

It is fully lined with a contrasting pocket inside; the pocket is subdivided into 3 smaller pockets. The bottom is reinforced with duck cloth; the rest of the fabric is quilting cotton. There is some stiff batting in it as well. I made it for my sister-in-law, Erin. (2009)

2009 Sewing Projects

I need a place to keep track of these, so I figured this blog would be a good starting point! I posted about my Christmas sewing projects a couple of days ago. This is a list of all the projects I've made this year with my trusty sewing machine....

First, a bit of history: I had an old, black, cast iron Singer that I inherited. It did one straight stitch--and did it splendidly...until I was finishing up the 5th of the 6 Christmas stockings I was making last year. And it was a couple of weeks before Christmas. And it died. Kaput. May it rest in peace.

So, my wonderful husband heard about a sewing machine sale and sent me off to get a new one. WOW... the newer machines can do so many things!!! I got a Janome mid-price model and have used it so much ever since. I never knew what I was missing! My husband may regret that purchase because since then I've spent a lot of time sewing...and not as much time cleaning house :).

I've definitely become a better seamstress this year and am glad I've taken the time to practice and make some smaller projects. It's very rewarding to gain expertise in a skill and hobby you enjoy.

So, without further ado, the list of projects (links to pictures are being updated as I get the pictures up...):

• 5 toddler purses (blue, pink, and a group of three)
• 2 tiered "twirly" skirts for my daughter (short and long)
• 1 queen-sized bed quilt
• 2 basic reversible totes
• Mom's Sunday School tote
• 1 passport neck pouch
• 3 window valances
• 2 tea cozies and matching finger grips
• 3 drawstring bags for preschool girls
• 6 women's aprons
• 1 men's apron
• 1 "mom bag" for Erin
• 1 tablerunner

Christmas Sewing Projects

This blog seems an appropriate place to list my Christmas projects for this year (and this will explain why I never contribute to this blog--I'm rarely bored! :) ). Sewing is a terrific hobby if you have young children because you can stop and start easily and even put a project on the shelf for 6 months (unlike cooking or gardening or other more time-sensitive pursuits). It's also quiet--even if your machine is noisy, you can always cut and iron fabric during naptime and get all the prep work out of the way.

Here's what I made for Christmas this year (as I type this, I'm keenly aware that I should be working on the remaining projects... ahem... items with asterisks (*) still need to be completed....).

6 women's aprons (* 1 left)

1 man's apron*

3 toddler superhero capes*

2 tote bags

1 table runner (that, alas, has been rejected due to recipient moving into a new house!)

On the docket for January (items for upcoming birthdays and/or requests from the peanut gallery)

1 t-shirt quilt

3 tote bags (plus 1 for me if I can squeeze it in)

3 laptop sleeves

1 apron

1 preschooler's dress :)

1 purse

Someday, when I have time, I'll post some pictures of my projects. They're getting better, so it's been rewarding to see what all the practice has done for my skill level.

Spring Time=Nature Time

Found a great new book. My son is super excited. It is a nature journal. Granted at his age I will have to copy most of his thoughts down, but still cool. You can draw (and it prompts you on ideas), journal, make snacks, collect leaves, records trips you take, etc. It is not evolutionists in any way (big factor for me!) Check it out. We found it at Bass Pro, but you can also find it on Amazon.

Advent coloring book

These are printable coloring pages, one for each day of December, telling the story of Jesus' birth. It's a free activity, and not to late to start (my son is doing two at a time to catch up.)

DLTK's Advent Coloring Pages

As a side...this website has lots of free printables, craft ideas and more. I have used it a lot.

Eric Carle's From Head to Toe

This book is full of activity and boredom busting potential! Like all Eric Carle books, this one is full of his energetic, signature art. This one shows different animals moving and invites children to mimic, saying, "I can do it!" There are quite a few extension activities if you are homeschooling a young child or simply need to entertain young children. Click here for a great list!

Too Cute Penguin!

This was a craft idea with my son's school curriculum. Oh it is too cute! You get a black balloon. Out of poster board cut feet (together), flippers, beak and a white belly. I had my kids paint the feet and beak orange and flippers black, but you could just buy those colors. Use googly eyes or cut eyes out of poster board too. Make a slit in the feet halfway through. Slide the knotted end of the balloon through. Tape or glue on the rest of the penguin.

Disclaimer: Our balloons did pop when the kids pulled on the flippers that were taped on, little disappointing for the 2 year old.