Hey y'all! Things are super busy this week, but I just wanted to share with you the cutest thing I ever did make. I checked the records, and this little bag holds the record for most number of "OOOOO!"'s that I've ever uttered over a single project. Also, this project was on my list of "things I have to do before I can accept new projects" and I'm very glad to get it off of the "To Do" side of the list!
It started because I wanted to make RG's little friend a backpack for her 2nd birthday. I was thinking the zippered kind, but then I came up on this tutorial from Birch Fabrics. It's called the "Little Hitchhiker" and I love that it has an elastic top so that little hands can get into it themselves! The tutorial is exceptionally well done, and has so many drawings and instructions, I felt a little over-informed :)
The top (lid?) closes with a single velcro strip, and I was so pleased to have a set sitting around in exactly the right turquoise color. Honestly, by the time of night it was when I finished it up, I would have stuck a safety yellow velcro strip on there, I just wanted it to be completely done. Luckily, it didn't come to that.
This is kinda the way the back straps are supposed to be. If I had my druthers, I'd do the back straps differently next time. But overall, the tutorial was fantastic! You can also see in this picture that I quilted the exterior to the fleece interfacing that I used, just to give it some extra "umph" and take up precious hours that I had to waste. Wait, I mean... ;)
Along with the backpack, R's present included the CUTEST-est-est little book out there for the under 5 crowd, called Press Here
. I love it because as you read along, you're instructed to do things, and then your actions seem to have an effect on the drawings in the book. It's like magic to little people! Like on these pages:
. I love it because as you read along, you're instructed to do things, and then your actions seem to have an effect on the drawings in the book. It's like magic to little people! Like on these pages:
The page on the left says "try shaking the book... just a little bit" and then you shake the book, and when you turn the page, the dots are all jumbled up. But it suggests that you shake it a little bit harder, and guess what? On the next page... I'm gonna leave you hanging. Get the book and find out!
Okay, now it's back to the grind! But tell me, have you been up to anything cute? I need to know!
<3 M.
p.s.- the little girl who this backpack is for? hates it. whatevs.
I dig that you're into gift giving and getting before the occasion that inspired the gifting actually occurs. Cough sewing machine..cough. :)
ReplyDeleteR..well, she hates her backpack. But this momma has high hopes that'll change..just as soon as I can explain to her that the bag is a super fly accessory, not a small animal attacking her. Or maybe she thinks she'll be required to carry all of her belongings from now on. She does have a lot of stuff. Either way, we'll get there. Until then, I carry it around for her and the bag inspires "awwwws" wherever we go!
She does, however, love her book.. despite her crazy momma over dramatically shaking the pages to mix up the dots. R is a tough crowd, if ever there was one.
Some might call me impatient, but I like to think of it as celebrating every day, not just the "special" ones! :) #mentionmysewingmachineagain #idareyou.
DeleteAnd "tough crowd"? chyeah! Tried again to make a connection today at daycare. No dice. Of course, she was mad about not being allowed to wear rubber gloves, so maybe she wasn't in the right state of mind... I'm not worried, though. I'll win her over eventually, so that even when she sees me in "places where [I] don't belong" she'll be happy to see me :)
OH MY GOSH!!! That backpack is SO CUTE. SOOOOOO CUTE!!!! And I think I need that book.
ReplyDeleteThank you Alyx! And you do need that book, its completely adorable!
DeleteWe LOVE "press here!" And so do all my preschool kids. But I am seriously all sorts of jealous over your sewing skills. Purses, backpacks, quilts... What can't you do??
ReplyDeleteIt is such a fabulous book! And the answer to your question is consistent housekeeping. I'm a terrible cleaner. If only I could sew something to cover all of the mess I make... :)
DeleteYou and me both girl, you and me both.
DeleteLet's collaborate on that. We'd make millions!
...Like a house cozy. You know, they make tea cozies to keep your teapot warm and attractive. You could sew yourself a house cozy to keep your house looking spiffy AND lower your heating bill during those cold SC winters. Wait, there is a chance that people might think you're spraying for bugs ALL. THE. TIME. Ok, this is going to require more thought. And, I'm on your side, that backpack is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYes, a house cozy! Done! Ha! Loved that pin you sent me, too :) I know if I start sewing things to cover stacks of toilet paper, I've gone further than I'm comfortable with.
DeleteI love that book! have given it to many tiny humans. I stumbled across your blog in search of other views of that backpack -- in all seriousness, could an adult wear this if the straps were longer? or maybe make the whole thing a bit bigger.... I'm looking to make a very casual and super cute backpack to wear while walking my dog..... to fit some treats, a bottle of water and some bags....
ReplyDelete