Toddler Backpack: Dump Truck for Shannon

I love making toddler backpacks.  This one is for Shannon's son.  She originally wanted to buy him a choo choo train backpack but decided on the dump truck design. I wish I could've been a fly on the wall when she gave this to her little boy.   She sent me a note afterwards which really made my day. Her son loves it and will only take it off long enough to put more stuff into it. Awww!!!! Now that's what I like to hear :o)

This past summer, I had made a backpack for little J (blogged about it here).  The face of the backpack is the same but the details are different.  Shannon chose to use dark brown as her accent colour instead of white.   Hence, the piping, zipper, side pocket trim, and strap webbing are dark brown.  Also, this one is a true toddler backpack sized for little bodies.

I'm making a new backpack this week and will post pictures once I have them ready.  I've also been "told" by Joshie that I need to make him a "mean T Rex" backpack so he can bring it with him on his first day of school.


I create and sell toddler backpacks through my Josh & Teo ETSY Shop.  However, if you know how to sew and would like to tackle this project, visit Made by Rae's website to purchase a PDF copy of the pattern.  

Happy Sewing!

Another Toddler Apron and a Birthday Party at Loblaws

A couple of weeks ago, Joshie was invited to a cooking birthday party.  Yay!!!  We love those!  His friend A was having her party at the Loblaws on Queens Quay.  So of course I made her an apron.  

I'm all about the personalization so she got a nice big A on her apron.  I used a font called "Ravie" for the A.  For details on how to do an applique, I put more details in this post.  She's quite the fashionista (yes at 4 years old), so I went back to an old favourite of mine:  brown plaid.

I used D rings for the neck closure but next time, I might do snaps and put 3 or 4 on the strap. I used bias tape for the ties and enclosed the entire apron.

I wrapped the apron in tissue paper and stamped a little card.

 

I tried to get Joshie to model the apron for me but he wasn't cooperating as soon as I pulled out the camera.  Meanwhile, Baby Bunny was standing patiently to the side, watching me try to get a smile from Joshie.  Then Bunny said "try" and I asked, "really?  you want to try to model it?"  He nodded his head, so I quickly put the apron on him.

The party was so much fun.   The kids made their own pizzas, decorated cupcakes, made fruit skewers and wore chef hats and aprons.  Joshie was quite impressed by the automatic soap dispenser and wanted to wash his hands all the time.  Poor Baby Bunny had to stay at home because he wasn't old enough to go to cooking school.

Here's what the pizza looked like.  It was really good.

Joshie spent a lot more time eating his pizza than his fruit or even the Birthday Cake!  Shocking!

After the party, we went to A's house and had an impromptu play date.  I got to play with girly toys instead of my usual trucks and superheroes.  It was a great day!

Recipe: Milky Jell-O Jigglers

Are we enjoying Jell-O week yet?  

Today we are making Jell-O Jigglers again but with a bit of a twist.   Recently, I posted a tutorial on how to make Jello Jigglers using an ice cube tray from Ikea.  The kids are still asking for some more.  Joshie is my "little chef" but lately Baby Bunny has been pushing his way into the kitchen and demanding to stir the Jello.  He can't say Jello yet but we know when he says something that sounds like "doh doh", it means Jello.  He also yells "see see" whenever Joshie is up on the stool and then yells something that sounds like "stir stir".

We made the hearts but we also made their favourite Sesame Street characters.  It's a little hard to see the detail in Grover's face because the Jell-O is still quite transparent.  

So to solve this problem, we are going to change the recipe slightly. It will still be extremely easy but you will need one secret ingredient switch up:  MILK!  There's a ton of recipes out there which use dry jello pudding, but I think this is better because you don't have to go out and buy anything extra.

Here's what you need:
1 pkg Jello
1 flexible ice cube tray
1/2 cup hot milk
1/4 cup cold water
Pam cooking spray

Gather your ingredients!  

Boil your milk in a microwaveable mug. Be careful - it's hot! Add the Jell-O and stir. It's going to look crazy lumpy and you're going to wonder why you deviated from the original recipe. Pour your lumpy mixture into a blender or even better, use an immersion blender.   Now add your cold milk and blend again.

Don't forget to use your cooking spray to keep the Jell-O from sticking to the ice cube tray.  This is very very important!  Make sure you blot any excess.  Quickly pour the mixture into your ice cube tray.  Chill for about 2 hours.

Here it is!  Once again, Mom saves the day!

Don't be shy about using other colours!

Have fun!