A Backpack for Zachary too

After I finished sewing William's backpack, he told me I needed to make one for Zachary too. I decided that was a good idea and got to work on backpack number two. I made them slightly different so they could tell them apart and had a much easier time putting this one together after the practice and deciphering of instructions the first time around. Zachary does not appreciate his back pack as much right now, but I know he will some day :) He needs to grow into it a little still.

I also completed my first crazy patch Christmas stocking a few weeks ago in sewing class. I want to make 6, so I figure if I start now, I should be able to get them done by Christmas. That is the goal anyway. I like the way it turned out and can't wait to have 6 matching stockings! Not that we will need 6 by Christmas, only 5, but you never know what the future might bring. I don't want to be short on stockings again like we were last year. :)

A back pack for William

William has been asking me for a long time for a back pack. I would occasionally look in stores, but most all back packs are just huge for a 3 year old. I mentioned to my crafty friend Jill that I wanted to try and sew William a back pack and she printed me a pattern. It's a pattern from made by Rae. Pretty simple looking, cute and functional for a 3 year old. My adult ed sewing class started this month on Monday nights so I took the project with me. I accomplished more than I thought I would the first night seeing as the first step was to use a zipper foot and attach piping and a zipper to my pattern pieces! Never done any of this before (used a zipper foot, piping or zippers) I was impressed with how it all came out! The next class I made the straps and tried to figure out how strap adjusters worked. Once I got all that figured out I sewed the rest at home when the boys went to bed. I think it came out pretty good for my first attempt as something new. William LOVES his back pack and has slept with it in his bed for the past two nights since I finished it. He wore it all day today, and yesterday and it is already filled with lots of "treasures". I think it looks adorable on him and the size is perfect. He told me today that I need to make a matching one for Zachary now :) Hooray for a project complete and a happy boy!

Aprons

So my ward relief society has a really fun "retro homemaking" night coming up in a few weeks. We are going to have a class on pressure cooking, learn to sew an apron and make little apple pies in jars. I am going to be helping in the apron class. My friend Jill, who is amazing on the sewing machine, found a cute pattern for an apron in an hour. It's a cute half apron and I have now made two for practice! The first one I made at our craft group with Jill sitting next to me, walking me through it. Then I went home and sewed a second one to see how I could do on my own. The second one I gave as a gift to my mother in law... it's her birthday today, so why not. This apron is so easy, I'm sure I will make a few more to give away too :)

Here is the first apron I made

Here is the one I sent to my Mother in law

New look

So with all the many fabric options I purchased to recover the pillows on my over sized chair... this is what i chose. I think it matches pretty well and I am happy with how it looks. Much better than the crazy purple and black patterned fabric & hiding it with a blanket :)

Going green, camo style

The other week I decided our house needed a reusable lunch set like I have made for so many others. I keep making them and giving them away... so I made a set for us. I still need to sew a few more, but at least we have our first set. Billy has already used them and showed them off to the guys at work.

Here is the reusable sandwich wrap and snack bag that I made out of an old handkerchief.