Chloe's Messenger Bag

This is for an eight-year-old friend of mine who loves riding her bike all over town. She also likes purple! I promised her I'd make her a bag; 6 months later I fulfilled that promise :). This was made from Keyka Lou's messenger bag pattern. It's got a gathered-top pocket on both skinny sides and a large, deep pocket on front and back. Inside, there are two pen pockets and a pocket for a small notebook (or wallet, cell phone, etc.). I might make one for myself (ha ha ha ha--I have so much time now that I'm back in school).

Rhebekka's "Bucket Bag"

This is a 'big sister' present for a 13-year-old friend of mine. She's been a huge blessing to me, especially when my boys were babies. She loves purple and black and is also very into music (she plays the guitar). This was a fun bag to work on; I followed Keyka Lou's Bucket Bag Pattern.

Rebecca's Tote Bag

My other sister-in-law loves pink, so I thought this fabric was perfect for her!

Carrie's Tote Bag and Matching Laptop Sleeve

This is a my favorite bag (it's fabric I picked out 'cuz I liked it and Carrie claimed it, too! I have YET to make myself one). As you can see, everything coordinates :).

My Favorite Apron

My favorite apron comes from Lotta Jansdotter's book Simple Sewing. I've made almost a dozen of these aprons by now; they take me 2 hours from absolute start (cutting out fabric) to finish (final hand sewing). They're cute, comfy, and reversible.

Must... Keep... Sewing...

I don't know I enjoy sewing so much, but I get in these little phases where that's ALL I want to do. (Pay no attention to the mess behind me nor to my general physical appearance--the photo above was to send out to Carrie to show her my latest creation.). The bag above is the small size (yes!) "mail sack" from Sew Mama Sew's pattern shop--I can't find it listed anymore! I am continuing my quest to "use up the stash" and this bag is a great example of that.

Homemade Playdoh: Even Better Than the Real Thing

This IS better than the real thing and so far superior to the Dollar store variety that I can't express it.

Benefits to making your own playdoh:

• cheaper
• better
• customizable colors
• LOTS of one color (big help when you have several toddlers)
• softer than regular Playdoh, but still holds its shape

Recipe is from First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos by Mary Ann Kohl (this is half of her recipe and it still makes quite a bit--maybe the equivalent of 6 regular Playdoh cans or so)

Have all supplies ready. This will take about 1/2 an hour, so do it during naptime when your kids aren't hanging on your pant legs and dying for their new activity.

• 2 1/2 c. water
• 1 1/4 c. salt
• 1 1/2 T. cream of tartar
• 1/2 t. to 1 1/2 T. food coloring (smaller amount for pastel on up as you please... I like about 1 1/2 t.)
• 5 T. oil
• 2 1/2 c. flour

Heat water, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in 3 quart saucepan until hot (over medium low heat). Stir in oil and gradually stir in flour. Continue heating and stirring until mixture pulls away from sides of pan (depending on how hot your salt/water mixture is, this can take no time at all or several minutes). Remove from heat periodically and check: when you can pinch off part of the mixture and it's not sticky, it's done.

Turn dough out onto a surface like a cutting board and let it cool slightly. While still warm, knead until smooth.

Store in a ziploc bag!