20 Odds and Ends

It has been an insane month.  Today is the first day all month that I have found time to sit down and just type.  It's a good feeling.  Things are finally starting to slow down and summer vacation in sight.  So, since it's been a few weeks I thought I would share some odds and ends with you.  So here are 20 odds and ends, maybe even a sneak peak of what's coming this summer.  So, go grab a cup of coffee (I've got mine. . . of course!) and let's get chatting!

1.  I got to get dressed up this month.  Twice.  I haven't had any reason to buy a dress in years and it was so much fun!  Also, two date nights in a month. . . score! 

2.  It's the end of the school year, which means teacher appreciation came and went (did you spoil your teachers?) Also, I need to come up with a new end of the year gift for my kid's teachers because I don't want to give Weston's teacher the same thing she got when Ethan was in her class.  I've lost all creative steam.  Boo.

3.  Yesterday, my Time Hop app shared a post from last year of the temp outside reading over 100.  So thankful that that was not the case this year!  I will take 88 degrees for as long as I can.

4.  The kids teachers both crammed field trips into the last few weeks of school and they were fun!  Weston's teacher has been having them look for everyday wonders. . . based on a book that I can't find on amazon.  It was so much fun walking through one of our local gardens and listening to these first graders point out colors, shapes, and hummingbird sightings. 

5.  I haven't done much cooking this month.  Well, I have, but nothing super interesting.  I feel like I've been on survival mode.  So, here's a link to a What's for Dinner Post I wrote last year on quick dinner ideas because that's pretty much what's been happening around here!

6.  I haven't even had time to bake (insert super sad face here). . . I'm two months behind the King Arthur Baking Challenge, so I'm going to start getting to work on that as soon as school gets out!

7.  Speaking of cooking, Jon challenged me to not go grocery shopping this week and just deal with what we have.  I've had to grab a bag of salad and some bananas, but other than that I've been kicking butt! Last night, I used up the rest of my AP flour to make this focaccia and it was so worth it!  I heard "Best Dinner Ever" comments and so my job is done.  For the record, nothing was fancy about our dinner. . . just some BBQ chicken thighs on the grill, roasted sweet potatoes (I had two hanging out from a previous dinner), cucumber salad, and some blackberries.  The bread was the real winner, so you should make some, too!

8.  I'm starting to fill our Amazon cart with things for this summer for road trips.  If you need some inspiration for some car/plane friendly inspiration for your kiddos here.  I'm thinking of doing an updated post soon because the kids are getting older and the things I pack are changing.  Anyone interested?

9.  I'm also going to be ordering these Summer Brain Quest books for the kids to work on this summer.  They are super fun and the kids love them!  Plus it keeps the kids brains working.  We only work on them a couple of times a week for about 20-30 minutes at a time.  You can find them at Costco for a really good price, too!

10.  Have I mentioned how much I love summer?  We purposely take the time to slow down and relax.  We travel, explore, and enjoy our time at home.  Over the last few years, I have just really enjoyed the time with them.  We are definitely going to be taking advantage of dollar movies, book clubs, library visits, and sleeping in (who are we kidding, that's the best part!). 

11. Last summer, we picked out one pinterest activity per week to do.  We called it our Summer Pin Challenge.  You can find my posts over here.  This summer, we are focusing on Stem activities and will be using the hashtag: OOTRBsummerStemchallenge.  If all goes well, I will be posting one per week during our vacation. 

12.  I went to a coffee cupping event sponsored by our church's women's ministry and at one of our local coffee roasting companies.  I learned so much.  Also, my taste buds are weird and maybe my smells, because I have no idea what I was doing! 

13.  Our church Bible Studies are finished for the summer and I've been digging into Nehemiah with She Reads Truth and it is sooo good.  You should go check it out on their website and try it out.

14.   I'm making my summer reading list.  Any books that I NEED to read?  Taking suggestions now.

15. I've been saying No more often lately and it feels so good. I've been craving the quiet and desired the not busy so much lately, that I think saying no is a good thing!   This video was hilarious, but so many VERY true points.

16.  I'm thinking of taking on some home improvement projects this summer.  Bring on a can of Annie Sloan and some wax!  Be on the lookout!  (Also, I can't stop giving my house face lifts!)

17.  I'm going to join in the fun of Daisy Yellow Index Card-A-Day challenge this summer!  61 days of some fun quick creations.  I've been pinning some ideas to get me started! Wanna join?  It's not even super complicated.  Just one index card a day.  I think there might even be prompts to help spur the creativity. 

18. I'm making a list of some fun dinners that don't take a bunch of time or heat up the house.  What are some of your favorites?

19.  Have you heard this song yet?  It's kind of my favorite right now!   You should watch the video. . . there's a DJ Tanner sighting!

20.  last one.  Honestly, it took me longer than I thought to come up with 20 odds and ends to write about today.  I even almost forgot about a volunteer appreciation lunch at school.   Yay for lunch!  Anyways, I just wanted to end by saying how thankful I am that you read my blog!  Don't forget you can follow me over on instagram and over on facebook land here.  If you feel brave, feel free to leave me a comment. . . I love hearing from you! 

Also, I have a long list of blog posts that should keep me busy for the next few weeks.  Is there something you want to hear about or learn this summer?  Message me at jolieklassen@gmail.com or even comment below.  I want to make this blog a place you would like to come back to. 

Library Tote Bag {A Tutorial}

The end of the school year is coming and while I have no idea the actual number of days we have left, I know it's coming.  I am ready.  There is an excitement that comes with wrapping up things and knowing a 2 month break is approaching.  Also, it's just really busy.  And despite that business, I knew that I needed to break out my sewing machine.  Fabric was calling.  There was a desire to create something and I knew I needed to carve out that time.  So, a few weeks ago, I took a Sunday afternoon and sewed.  It was only about an hour, but it felt so good.

This project took less than an hour per bag, which made it a very quick project that had an end result.  That feeling of finishing something feels oh, so good!  This also, was a really easy project that if you are just starting out on the sewing machine, this is a great bag for you!  Also, it has completely solved the problem of library books everywhere!  I love it! 

I've been wanting to make the kids their own library bags for a few years now.  I started them last year, using a different method for the handles and the result ended up in a non usable bag.  Super sad face.  So, I am super excited that I finally finished them.  Especially after I found the cutest Pete the Cat fabric at Hobby Lobby! 

 

 Step 1:
Find your fabric and cut out your fabric.  You will need 2 coordinating fabrics.  Weston's Pete the Cat bag used regular cotton weighted fabric.  It is way more flexible, but still very functional.  Ethan's blue and white bag (leftovers from my dining room chair and some star wars fabric from JoAnns) and my bag both used heavier home decor weight for the outside fabric.  This made it way more sturdy. My fabric came from Hobby Lobby and was on clearance for $5 a  yard.  You only need a half a yard of each fabric to make this project. 

 Step 2:
(Skip this if you don't want an inside pocket)
Take your two 5x5inch squares and place them right sides facing each other.  Sew all the way around leaving a 11/2 inch gap so you can flip in right side out.  Before flipping it right side out clip the corners.  After you flip it out, take the iron and iron it flat.  Since you are going to sew a top stitch on the next step, you don't have to do an invisible stitch in your gap from flipping it out.

Step 3: 
Sew the pocket onto one of your rectangles that you want for the inside of the bag.  Start at one of the top corners and sew around to the facing top corner.  Don't sew all around or else it won't be a pocket.  (I've done this on accident. . . oops!).

Step 4:
Take the two pieces of inside fabric (the ones that you sewed your pocket to, and place right sides together.  Sew starting in the top corner around to the other top corner.  Don't sew all the way around. 

Step 5:
Take your inside fabric and flatten out the bottom.  Measure down the seam 2 inches and draw a line.  I used a disappearing ink pen made for sewing, but a regular pen will do.  Sew down that line and snip off the edge.  Do the same thing on the other side.  This is technique gives the bottom of your bag dimension, you you can hold more books.

Step 6:
Do the same thing to the coordinating fabric.

Step 7: 
Take your handle fabrics and fold in half, with the right side of the fabric on the inside. Sew down the side and flip right so right side is facing out.

Step 8:
Take your outside fabric and turn inside.  Take the inside fabric and place inside the fabric so that the right sides are facing.  Tuck your handles in side leaving a little bit outside.  Pin them in place.  Then sew around leaving a 2 inch opening to flip the bag right side out.  Flip right side out and do an invisible stitch to close your opening.  Then top stitch around the top. 

I am so excited about how these came out and how useful they have been!  We spend a lot more time at our local library during summer vacation and I am excited that the kids have something to carry their books with out spending a ton of money.  

If you make this snap a pic and post it using #outoftherightbrainblog. . . I'd love to see your creations!