The Backpack!

Here it is!  My never worn, too small dress - reincarnated into an awesome little boys backpack.

I used an old receiving blanket as the inner liner rather than interfacing, and stitched the whole thing with bright orange thread for some added color.  The pocket on the back was one of the lower dress pockets.  The straps were made from the belt.  I cut the side piece from the dress waistband so there are little loops all the way around the backpack.  I'm thinking we can add some hooks and clips and other fun boy toys to customize even more. 

Friends, this was SO easy!!  I did the whole thing in just a couple hours.   I used this pattern, but tweaked it a lot for my own liking. 

The only thing I still want to add is a little Velcro closure.  The backpack hangs open when weighed down by lots of little treasures. 

And we did find lots of treasures to fill it up.

Sacrifice the Dress

I bought this dress at Target a couple years ago.  I thought I could pull it off.  I couldn't.  I thought an extra small would fit.  After two babies, it doesn't. 

  

Tonight, I finally found a purpose for it.   I've cut it into about seven pieces, and tomorrow I hope to have a new backpack for Lucas.  Can I do it?? Time will tell.

Here's a couple other projects I'm thinking of doing... 

Sew Spoiled Weekender Tote Sew-a-long

and...

Kids Clothes Week Challenge at Elsie Marley

Trashy Family Seeks Forgiveness, UP-cycling anyone?

Lately I've fallen by the wayside as far as my carbon footprint goes.

Going green has gotten so trendy, marketing campaigns everywhere are trying to hook people with their more environmentally friendly this or that. It's all kind of hokey to me. I care about the planet, and I want to keep it clean and safe for my kids and their kids, but I don't' want to buy saran wrap that's twice as expensive just because it's "eco-friendly". I'd rather just not buy any in the first place.

I am wasteful. We are a trashy family (or maybe I should say garbage-y, huh?). We use paper plates, paper napkins, paper towels, Styrofoam cups, and plastic utensils like crazy. My kitchen drawers have four sizes of plastic baggies, parchment paper, wax paper, aluminum foil, glad press 'n seal, and more. Baby wipes, antibacterial wipes, glass cleaning wipes, disposable "swiffer" cloths for dusting and mopping. I even have special pacifier wipes for Nathan, and "Boogie Wipes" for the boys when they are sick. As I'm writing this I am getting really disgusted. That is a lot of trash.
I need to do something about it. But, more on that later.

Right now, I'm excited about a few Eco-Friendly projects of my own.
I just learned the term Up-Cycling, and I love it! Instead of recycling, it is a way of reusing something old, and turning it into something better. For example, turning an t00 small t-shirt of yours into a shirt or pants for you kid. And that is exactly what I am going to do!

First, I am on a hunt through the house for old clothes, blankets, towels, and anything I might be able to upcycle.

Hmmnn...
old maternity corduroys = cute new pants for lucas and a hat for nathan
too small striped long sleeve shirt = fun shirt for nathan
thermal baby blanket = pj shirts for lucas and nathan.

I've got more and more ideas to come, I hope I have time to make them all!