More 2/3 birthday sewing

We've had another wave of birthdays and missed four in one fell swoop the other week with a combined playgroup birthday party.  Two of the four recipients have now opened their presents so I feel I can show that I have actually brought the sewing machine out of hiding.  It was confused by my call to action.  These are bean bags for the turning-three-year-olds of the bunch, with a tossing basket (as in, you toss the bags into the basket for endless fun) which could also be used as a grocery basket to go with play kitchens. (Recognize the fabric, Trina?!)

L's mama picked fabrics from my little collection (sadly lacking in girly colors, I suppose) for a banner for her room.  I made it this way again.

Then I made some girly totes (like this) to go with the banner and other goodies for another friend (recognize the fabric, Gram?).

Good stuff.  I'm less conflicted about gifts like this as we get older (the boy and I).  I don't like spending my money for birthdays on plasticky junk with potential lead/magnet/exploding/whatever issues and kids really do seem to gravitate towards "simple" things for play.  A special bag for the library seems nice.  A favorite book would have been a good addition.  I don't want to seem cheap, but I feel like I value the time and energy we spend making things (the bean bags were a family affair!) more now. 

This week I'm jumping into the Block-Along (do you hear that, Sewing Machine?!) because it's the last week of Quilting Month.  This means it's our last week to talk to the owners of our little home about extending our stay month-to-month until we find our house-house (wherever that may be).  Thinking about the possibility of them saying no makes me feel sick.  We'd have to move to another rental for a few months.  It would be so disruptive.  And I now officially know house-hunting has taken over my world.  This morning playgroup was hosted at a house I haven't been to for a few months and they recently extended their back yard with a great little land purchase.  Instead of saying, "Oh!-- The boys will have such fun out there in the summer" or "Wow!  You'll have such a beautiful space for gardening and hanging out" or any number of other things I could have said, I said, "Great!  That will totally improve your property value.  It makes it really attractive to potential buyers."  Hmmm...  I'm a house-hunting wreck. 

Comments

[Carrie]

Wow, I love the bean bag idea and the library tote, too. Good tips to store in the back of my brain for quick gift ideas!

[Rachel]

Great ideas!!! By the way, I made the dish towel tote again and it was awesome! Your directions were perfect....my attention span was lacking!

[Trina]

Yes, I absolutely recognize those fabrics. Those green and yellow bug prints were some of my absolute favorites. Bugs are one of my weaknesses, as I'm sure you have figured out!!! All of the projects are great, but I'm particularly partial to the bean bags, I think my almost-7-year-old would enjoy them as much as a 3 year old. Those might possibly convince me to start sewing again, but probably not.

[Ellie]

I'm so with you about hand-made for all presents. And with so many amazing tutorials and inspiration out in blogland - there's a never-ending supply of ideas. And any excuse for more fabric buying!
I'm sending you happy + productive (with a result) house-hunting thoughts.

[Allison]

I'm just in love with bunting! Can I ask, I followed the link to your Fall 2007 post about the birthday bunting
and love the red and patterned fabrics you used....do you remember who
made them? I really like the prints for some curtains I'm looking to do. Thanks!

[kirsten]

good for you! i'm definitely on the handmade birthday gift train, too.
the bean bags + basket is a great idea!

[Amanda Atkinson]

Hello, Can't remember how I stumbled across your blog, but I was immediately addicted to it. I love your tutorials! I am 33 years old and a mom to 2. I just got my first sewing machine for Christmas and am having so much fun learning how to use it. I have one question. What kind of fuseable interfacing do you use on your dishtowel purse? I have made a couple of small items that could have been sturdier had I used some interfacing. But I stand in the store scratching my head trying to figure out what is what. Any help you could offer would be wonderful.

[Amanda Atkinson]

Hello, Can't remember how I stumbled across your blog, but I was immediately addicted to it. I love your tutorials! I am 33 years old and a mom to 2. I just got my first sewing machine for Christmas and am having so much fun learning how to use it. I have one question. What kind of fuseable interfacing do you use on your dishtowel purse? I have made a couple of small items that could have been sturdier had I used some interfacing. But I stand in the store scratching my head trying to figure out what is what. Any help you could offer would be wonderful.

[Lisa {milkshake}]

Those bean bags are a great idea!

[Eren]

Oh friend, house hunting DOES take over your world. It just does. I hope you find your house=house soon. And I am with you on the handmade gifts. I've done the same thing around here. Most people appreciate the gesture, but we went to a party last weekend where the little boy opened up a hand made by me tote bag with one of our favorite books in it and said immediately "what the heck is this"? And my son quickly replied..."dude, its a library bag". Hmmm...funny.

[Kylie]

What lovely ideas for children's gifts. They have so much more originality, beauty and longevity than yet another plastic thing,
- Kylie

[PlanningQueen]

Having been the mum of children who have received a fair dose of plastic stuff , full of who knows what, I love the sound of anything homemade.

[Minnesota Matron]

Honey, I have been there and felt your pain. We looked for houses for a full year and then once we found one, put a non-contingent offer on it and like lightening gussied up the old one, putting HALF of our belongings in the garage. Fun. And, I was pg with baby number 3. . . . hoping your ride only gets smoother. But yes, it takes over.