It's in the BAG!

My newest sewing hobby has been making bags. I picked up a pattern for handbags, but decided I needed something a little larger probably. I tried enlarging all of the pieces, and now I can make them any size we need! The boys needed a bag to have all of their Patch the Pirate stuff in to take to church every week, so I started with theirs first.

Ry likes the cool flames, so his is done blue on the outside and orange on the inside lining

B. picked out Veggie Tales for his bag.

Then I made one to be a door prize at a Ladies' Mtg. I hosted last month, but I can't find the pic!

Here's one I made large enough to carry scrapbooks. The bright colors just jumped out at me in the store and said this will make a cute tote.

And finally, this is a bag I made for my sweet little nephew's birthday.

I also made a Thomas blanket and pillow that fit inside it.

I just love tote bags! I carry all of our stuff to church in them, books and videos to the library, all kinds of "necessary" things on trips like camera, snacks, extra batteries, magazines, goodness SO many things to carry!!!

Valentine Play-Do

The kids and I get a little excited when it's time for a new batch of play-do. The regular salt dough recipe that we've used for years gets added "sparkle" with a sprinkling of glitter, red food coloring, and even a smidgen of peppermint extract that wakes up our senses. You can use heart-shaped cookie cutters for the full valentine experience, or just make your own shapes and figures. Here's the recipe. Enjoy!!

Valentine Play-Do

1 cup flour
1 cup warm water
2 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. oil
1/4 cup salt
few drops of red food coloring
2 - 3 drops of peppermint extract
glitter, if desired

Mix the first five ingredients together in a sauce pan over medium heat.
While it's still warm, mix in the food coloring, extract, and glitter.