Sew Done

I have been doing quite a few sewing projects for Alexa and her big move, as I mentioned here . I made a quilt, all on my own, for the first time. It turned out pretty good! I bought the fabrics almost two years ago, along with a pattern for a queen size for Alexa's room. That all went out the window since it took me so long to make! I found a tutorial online and made a twin size for her to take to her dorm.

 It was a really easy pattern for zig zags/chevrons that used all square cuts, no triangles! I think it is so striking on the black background.

Here is a close up to see the beautiful purple quilting, and my not so beautiful machine binding with faux piping.

I have also now finished all of my summer Sew-N-Go class kits. The whole summer series was travel items. Alexa chose the Eiffel tower and purple fabrics for hers. (Sorry about the poor pictures. Bad lighting +no flash and slow shutter speed made them a little blurry!)

 All the finished projects.

 Passport wallet, coin purse, MacBook cover, jewelry roll-up.

 Make up case with brush storage flap/lid, tissue case, mini notebook/calculator cover, mirror, mini case with Q-Tips.

 Pencil case, mini clutch, luggage tags, travel pouch with clear vinyl front for air travel carry on items.

And the final project, a large bag with exterior and interior pockets and ultra-suede bottom with "feet". This bag is large enough for her computer and books.

And just to brag, Sophie has been bitten by the sewing bug. After her successful kids sewing class....:

 

 she had been bugging me to do another project. All on her own she Googled "easy dog shirt instructions" and found a mini PDF pattern. After helping her enlarge it to fit Sadie she chose fabric and tulle, cut out her pieces, sewed them, sewed on the tulle skirt, ALL ON HER OWN! I mentioned she needed to hem the arm and neck holes. She said she wished we had bias tape (like what is on her apron) because that is easier. So I ironed some wide grosgrain ribbon in half and she sewed that around the raw edges. And here it is as modeled by Sadie:

 

School Lunch Drama

I don't know if it's just me, but my kids' school lunches have always caused drama. We pack our lunches as TPA does not have a school lunch program, and although Ward does, the food is HORRIBLE! {Think the worst, store brand, TV dinner, well these are worse than that!}

Last year was a fail. Neither girl likes sandwiches a whole lot, and Celeste down right refuses to eat them. So most days they took an Uncrustable and snacks (granola bars, apple sauce, CheezIts, Pudding cups, cookies, etc). See what I mean? FAIL!

I am determined to make this year better. I want my kids to eat REAL food. So where did I start? Pinterest of course! We got some ideas and a good place to start: square freezable lunch boxes and sectioned containers. 

This makes it easy to give them a variety of good foods.

Here is what week one consisted of:

Main dishes: -homemade tri color pasta salad with red peppers, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, feta, and Trader Joes "Soycatosh" (soybeans, corn, red peppers).

-Toothpicks with rolls of Boarshead roast beef and Muenster cheese 

-Mini English muffin pizzas

Sides: -Home made banana bread made with applesauce in place of butter

-Smoothies made with bananas, mango, pineapple, apple juice and plain Greek yogurt (frozen, so by lunch time they are still a little slushy!)

 

-Chips and Salsa

Drink: Frozen Capri Sun (the worst part of their entire lunch!)

And guess what? They ate it and LOVED it! Success!

This week we are repeating the pasta salad, roast beef, chips and salsa, pizzas and smoothies. We are making pumpkin, raisin bread instead of banana, adding hummus and cucumber slices, Cuties, and Sophie is going to try mini whole wheat bagel sandwiches. 

Sophie's lunch

Celeste's lunch

Wish me luck in keeping up with this new routine!