Notebook Paper Bag

I am in LOVE with this little bag!

My children and I made these as part of our teacher gifts this year.  Inside, we will include the Summer Checklists they created and a little package of goodies.  I am thrilled with how these turned out!

I'm sharing the tutorial for these cute bags here...

Stop by this awesome blog and be sure to check out the other great things Laura is sharing!

Guest Post - Come Together Kids

Today I have a special treat for you!

I am doing a blog swap with Laura, from Come Together Kids.  Laura and I both started our blogging adventure around the same time.  We have so many things in common, it is just crazy!  I absolutely LOVE her blog and the great ideas she is sharing.  Make sure you stop by and see the fun things Laura is doing with and for her kids!

Hi, I'm Laura, from Come Together Kids and I'm so excited to be guest hosting here at Sun Scholars!  I started my blog as a way to share some of the ways my kids and I have come together through crafts, projects, activities and outings.  I hope you stop by to check it out!

When you stop by Come Together Kids,

be sure to check out my Summer Fun party!  

Be inspired by the great ideas submitted by others 

and share some ideas of your own!

I can't quite remember how I "met" Rachel a couple months ago, but we quickly discovered that our lives were eerily similar.  We both have backgrounds in teaching and education, we both have three young children ( two girls with a boy in the middle!), and we both have very similar tastes in the activities and projects we like to do.  Aside from the fact that I live in Maryland and she lives in Iowa (soon to be China!), it's like we're crafting twins!

Anyway, on to today's project ~ a Beanbag Toss (with a Math twist!)

As a former teacher, I know how easy it is for kids to forget so much of what they've learned when they're out of school for Summer break.  I also know that the best lessons are those when the "learning" is wrapped up in something entertaining.  This fun little beanbag game is a sneaky, yet effective, way to get in a little Math practice while still enjoying your Summer vacation.

The "Equipment"

The game pieces are simple ~ 5 numbered mats and 5 numbered bean bags

How to Play:

( We came up with three versions so far, but there are tons of variations you can play!)

Version One:  Match Up (great number recognition for younger kids)

Spread out your numbered circle mats.  Try to toss each of your numbered beanbags onto the mat with the same number.

Version Two (two or more players):  Add it Up ( fun addition practice)

Players take turns tossing their five beanbags onto the mats, adding up their score as they go.   If the beanbags misses the target, no points. If the beanbag lands pattern side up, you get the number of points on that mat.  If the beanbag lands number side up, you get the points on the mat PLUS the points on the beanbag!  Player with the highest total sum at the end of the round, wins.

Version Three ( one player ):  Race to 50 (awesome mental math practice)

Play with the same point system as Add It Up, but keep playing until you get to 50 ( or 100, 200, or more!)

Trying to hit the target for the most points!

Make Your Own!
(It's really quite easy!)

1.  Cut 10 circles out of felt.  I traced a 9" plate for my circles.

It looks like only 5, but I cut two at a time so there are 10.

2.  Cut 10 five inch squares for your beanbags.  I used felt for one side and a fun fabric on the other.

Oops, the other 4 didn't make it in the picture.  (See, I'm testing your Math already!)

3.  On your computer, find some numbers in a style you like, increase the font to enlarge them, and print them out.

4.  Trace the numbers backwards onto the paper side of some iron-on adhesive ( I like using Heat n Bond Ultra hold for things I'm not going to sew ).  Iron it on the wrong side of the fabric you'll use for your numbers.

You'll want to trace the numbers backwards so they're right side up when you cut them out.

5.  Cut out your numbers and peel off the paper backing.  Iron the smaller numbers onto the bean bag pieces and the larger numbers onto five of the felt circles.

6.  To make the beanbags, put the wrong sides together and sew two seams next to each other around the edges, leaving an opening to fill the bags.

7.   Fill your bean bag with rice.  I found a small paper dixie cup worked even better than a funnel ( Plus my kids took my funnel to play with and never returned it to the drawer!).  You'll want the bean bag full enough to weigh down your bag, but not so full that you can't stitch up the opening.

Filling was much easier with an assistant's help!

8.  Stitch your opening closed, again using two rows of stitches.

See my old sewing machine?  It's as old as I am!

9.  Next, take each pair of felt circles ( one with the number and one plain).  With wrong sides together, simple sew around the outer edge.  ( I suppose you could just use a single layer of felt for your circles if you'll be playing inside, but I found for outdoor use, two layers gives it slightly more weight so it doesn't blow around.)

10.  I decided to make a little storage bag for our game using one of the free little tote bags my husband picks up at conferences and seminars.

11.  Using the iron-on adhesive again, I simply cut a large square of fabric to cover the writing and then made my son's initial since this set is for him ( my girls tend to get all the fun craft projects and my little guy gets left out)

That's it, you're all set!  You have a fun set of beanbags, target mats and a storage bag.   Play a few rounds every once and awhile and you'll be right on target for Math class in the fall.

Bandanna Skirt

Don't you just LOVE her style?

Yeah, this little diva has a fashion sense of her own!  Can't say she got it from me.  I think I'm pretty boring in the fashion department.  I do, however, buy her clothes, so I guess I am somewhat to blame.

Ignore the mismatched outfit... did you see her cute little skirt?

I made that for less than $3, using two bandannas!

This was my inspiration...

Cami's Easy Handkerchief Skirt Tutorial

at Tidbits

I saw this post, and thought it was just too cute.  So I had to make my own.

I made a couple of changes, finding part of her instructions to be more work then you needed to go to.  That is why I'm adding my own instructions here.
However, please do refer to her tutorial for the full instructions (even though I made some changes, her tutorial really is great).

Materials Needed:

- 2 Bandannas

- Lycra Fabric (a strip about 40" x 6" for your waistband)

- Thread

Directions:

1)  Fold each bandanna in half, then half again, so it looks like this...

See how I've measured the "middle" corner down about 2 1/2"?  I made my cut there...

When I opened it up, it looked like this.  I then made one cut above my ruler as it rests in the photo above.

2)  Now this part is tricky to describe... In the image above you see that you have four, straight lines in the center of the bandanna making a square, right?  Well, you are going to fold the bandanna so that these edges of the bandanna lay in a straight line for the top of your skirt.

Here I am beginning to fold, by pinching the fold on the bandanna at one corner of the inside square.

As I am pulling that fold up, notice that the lines now above are straight (rather than a 90 degree angle)?  And below, you notice two points.  Do the same with the two other "folds".

And with all four folds laying properly, you will have this.  I put a few pins in each fold to keep everything in place.  I'd even recommend using the iron to give it a nice press to it here too.

Now here is one change I made to the original.

I chose to have the "folds" showing, or on the outside, of my skirt.

If you turn this over, you see this...

I debated.  Did I want to make this the skirt, or the other, with the folds?

I decided to go with the folded side this time.

Decide which you like best, and go with it... the rest of the directions work for either version.

Now follow the same instructions to fold your second bandanna!

3) Lay your bandannas, right-sides together, and pin the sides along your cut edges at the side.

   

Sew your bandanna's together where you have pinned.

Turn your skirt right-side out and press your new seams at the fold...

Then, using the same technique above, fold your new folds in line with the others on your skirt, and pin.

4) Now your skirt is ready for your waistband to be added.  I'm going to direct you to Cami's directions from here, because I wouldn't change a thing from here on out!  I opted to add elastic to my waistband, but think her version is much nicer.

Another note I'll add, this skirt was a good length for my 4 year old.  I made a second skirt for my 7 year old, and it is a little short.  She just adds leggings underneath.  One thought would be to sew the flap seams down, or add a longer waistband.

Thanks for a great tutorial and a super cute idea Cami!

Hope you all enjoy it!

Blanket to Backpack Tutorial - Part 2

Find Part 1 of this tutorial HERE

  

Step 4

Sew the blanket...

Now, if you have made a rag quilt before, the directions below will be familiar.  If not... don't worry.  This is nothing too complicated.  Promise!

Cut your batting into 8" squares.  You will need 48 squares in total.

Next, I like to draw an 'X' on my fabric squares for the quilt.  You will only need to mark half of the squares, since you will be sewing to squares together (I recommend sewing two matching fabric squares).  I used a washable marker here.  You might have a fabric pen you'd prefer.

For each "set" of squares, center one square of batting in-between.  Right-sides of the fabric will be facing out, with the batting in the middle.  Each of these will create a square for your quilt (totaling 48 squares).

Sew the "X" drawn on each square, securing the batting inside.

A quilter's trick...

Sew one square, then lift the foot and begin sewing the next square.  You can snip the squares apart when you are done, then start again for the second stitch on each.

Note:  No need to back stitch on these blocks, as you'll later be sewing another seam to secure this stitches.

You should now have 48 squares ready to lay in place.

Here are my squares, all arranged.

Make sure your prints are all facing the same direction (as I had to with my stripes and monster prints).

IMPORTANT:  You will want 6 squares along the top and 8 rows down.

Ok.... did you notice the circles in the center of some of my orange squares?  Well, let's just ignore those here.  I added those for fun.  For our purposes, they will help you keep track of what side of the quilt you are seeing (as they are only on one side).

Once you are happy with your layout, you can begin sewing the squares together.

I recommend sewing the rows together, one at a time.  I keep my squares laid out on the floor next to me, so I can be sure that I'm not confusing them.  You might prefer to pin them while on the floor so you don't mix them up.

Yes... I did have to rip a few seams out.

It happens even to those of us who are perfect (ha ha... ok, that was totally a joke).

Sew a 1" seam, attaching each block together in your rows.

Above, you will see my blocks with the right-sides up, seams up, sewn into the rows.

Notice that I have sewn the top 6 rows together.

The bottom two rows, I have sewn in twos.

My dots are now on the backside... I meant for them to be on the front... see what I mean about keeping track of your blocks!  ha ha...

Next, you will sew your rows together as I have done above.

Again, note that the bottom two rows are left in three sections, and not sewn together.

When you sew the rows together, place the back-sides of your fabric together.  Match the seams, and fold the seams in opposite directions.  This will help you to "lock" your seams together as you sew them.

Again, you are sewing a 1" seam.

Now you will add your backpack pocket.

Fold the backpack pocket in half, and lay it right-side up, below the center square at the bottom of your quilt (as shown above).  You will be matching the sides and bottom edge of the backpack pocket to the quilt square.

I pinned these together to ensure that they stayed in place.

Next, sew the three chunks together, securing the backpack pocket in place behind the center blocks.

Now you need to put your straps in place.

I have laid them on top so you can get the idea.  However... please notice that I have flipped the bottom section upside down here (notice the seams are not visible on this side, and you see the backpack pocket).

What appears to be the "bottom" of this section is the edge that will be sewn to the remaining 6 rows already pieced together.

I tucked the straps in-between the layers and pinned them in place on each end.

Now, as the quilt is shown above... I slid the top 6 section down and over the bottom section with the backpack pocket, with back-sides together, and stitched a 1" seam to secure them together.

Note:  You see how my straps are over extended on each end above?  Once complete, I wished that I had made them a little longer.  I would recommend bunching up the excess length of your straps inside the pocket, and pulling each end of the strap to match the edges of your fabric.

This is me stitching the bottom section to the rest of the quilt. I am trying to show you here that I am pulling the backpack pocket down and out of the way (it is hard to tell the difference between the polka-dot block and the polka-dot pocket fabric... sorry about that).

You don't want the top of the pocket to get caught in your seam, or it won't be a pocket ;)

When you come to the straps, back-stitch once or twice to give them some extra reinforcement.

And here is some of the excess strap that I am cutting off...

that I wish I had pulled down further (to give me more strap length) and not needed to cut off!!!

And here are all of the pieces sewn together!

This is the back-side... notice you do not see the seams....

And here are the bottom end of the straps, still needing to be secured into place.

Notice on the left, I have pulled the strap up closer to the quilts edge.

You can see the excess strap at the top of the pocket in the photo above.  Do the same with the right strap as well.  Pin them in place.

Again... next time I will pull it even more, so the edges match as nicely as I can get them to give myself a little extra strap length.

Sew around the entire perimeter of your quilt with a 1" seam.

At this point... you might find it easier to sew the seams open.

However, this is not necessary, and entirely up to you.

When you get to the straps, again, back-stitch once or twice to give them some extra reinforcement.

Step 5

Finish your quilt...

Did I seriously fail to get a picture of the next step?  I think the hours of snipping made my brain a little delirious.  ha ha.

Ok... well, back when I made my first REAL rag quilt, I used this awesome tutorial at Green Apple Orchard.  She has some great instructions and photos of this step. You can find it HERE.

To finish your quilt you will need to snip all of your seams to make a nice fringe.  I cut my fringe about 1/8".  The thinner, the nicer it looks, I think.  But it does take FOR-EV-ER!  So make yourself comfy... and take some breaks so your thumb doesn't fall off!

Next, throw your blanket in the wash... and your Blanket to Backpack is finished!

Step 6

Now... fold your blanket up into your blanket!  Not sure how?

You will find the instructions on my original post HERE.

  

Now, if could only find the time to whip up a couple more of these!

Happy Sewing!