A busy day

A new tote-bag for my 10-year-old's birthday. Ever since I went to the Beehive Bazaar where I saw a bunch of cute tote bags, I've wanted to try making one. So I used my daughter's birthday as an excuse to finally make a prototype. I'm really pleased with how it turned out, and best part: so is she!
She wants to be an artist, so I made this bag with art-supplies in mind, including this wool-felt paint-brush roll with new brushes from IKEA. Pretty much like a crayon-roll. So easy and she LOVED it.
Very cute all together. And I turned it inside out so I could show off the cute fabric pockets inside. I was secretly thrilled when I found these scraps as they were perfect pockets. Using my stash! :)
Of course I didn't start this project until yesterday, so it was kind-of a last minute thing. I only had the brush-holder done for family presents last night and was sewing the bag when I should have been making the cake for her party this afternoon.

A few other curve-balls thrown today: After complaining of a sore throat last night, my #2 woke-up saying it still hurt. So my carefully choreographed "day-of-a-birthday-party" plans -which also included helping at the elementary school, my 4-year-old's first day of gymnastics, and a trip to Target for groceries and last minute stuff - had to fit-in a trip to the doctor for a strep test. I have learned not to ignore sore throats - esp on a Friday. Once I get to the doctor's office I always start doubting myself, and then they say, "Yep! It's positive!" Not only that, but my 2-year-old's diaper overflowed -literally - all over the couch. Luckily we have slip-covers, but I also hadn't factored washing and drying the couch slip-cover into my plans today either. Oh well, it needed it anyway and now it's done.

I feel like I'm so uncreative when it comes to planning birthday parties, so I always try to do some kind of craft project - esp with little girls - to not only kill time, but to have a party favor at the end. I've learned from experience that three craft projects is too many. So now I stick to one. :) This was a simple one, but they turned out pretty cute.
Just got some paintable boxes from the craft store and then stuck a cut-vinyl monogram on top. Really simple/easy. (My favorite.) I thought they looked kind of charming when they were sitting there together.

This party was cute, funny and predictably unpredictable complete with destructive/annoying 4-year-old brother and guest who called 45-minutes before the party started to see if she could bring another friend. (That was new one!) My favorite is still last year during present time when, after opening a gift from one friend, we thanked her and she said, "Oh that's okay. I got it for Christmas, but I didn't really need it." SO FUNNY! I love when kids are so bluntly honest.

Can't believe my first baby is 10! I really don't feel like I've changed much since she was born - until I go back and look at the pictures of me back then. We've both changed a lot!
I haven't forgot the diaper-clutch tutorial. The pictures are taken. Now that all my holiday festivities are finally over, I'm excited to get down to mundane life again and get some stuff done, so watch for it next week!