Superhero Toddler Backpack

Little people like superheroes.  Sometimes they like them cutesy.

Sometimes they like them not-so-cutesy. 

They go nuts when they see them in real life.  This is Brampton Batman!

So it totally made sense when I was asked to make a superhero backpack.

My friend Jess wanted a backpack for her youngest son to add to her collection of backpacks.   Last year I made these backpacks for her little guy and her nephew.   Here's a picture of one of the bags from this past summer.  What a cutie!

 
This time she wanted something superhero-like.  We agreed on the design.

Then got the final approval

This is the part of the backpack making process that I like the most... getting it already ready to be sewn!

Here is the finished product

Side pockets - great for waterbottles, napkins, and other tiny things. 

The lining

Inside out

Bottoms up!  The bottom is quilted for extra stability.

As always, I use real backpack connectors

I made this backpack early this year when we still had snow on the ground.  It is so hard to take pictures without a lot of natural light .  It is doubly hard to take pictures of black with red.   While it may look like the backpack is some shade of grey/black, it is indeed black denim.  These pics were all taken with my Samsung phone which somehow worked out better than my Canon.  Go figure.

Happy Sewing!

Plaid Owl Toddler Backpack

Seems like I'm always making things for my shop but this backpack was a "pleasure" sew.  I made it for my cousin in-law's daughter for her 1st birthday.  I think our kids are second cousins?? 

I am such a big fan of plaid.  I hope she will be too.   She's still little so hopefully she will use it as she becomes more independent.

I made this while I was sewing Molly's Pink Owl toddler backpack.  As you can see, I used a bluer (is that a word?) dark denim.

I like that the plaid gives it the appearance of having more texture.  Don't ask me why I made it cross eyed.  I must've been sewing late at night!

I did a flat side pocket and an A initial.  I used a beige colour for the piping and webbing that I don't normally use for the shop.  

Another point to note is that I now close off the piping so that it's more seamless looking.  Previously, I followed Rae's pattern instructions but I think this looks much better. 

I'm no longer doing it the old way.  

Here's the back view

I lined it with an owl print and inserted a large flat inner pocket.  So great for keeping diapers separate from other things.  Yes Mamas, your little one can carry his or her own diapers and a small pack of wipes.  This means you can wear a normal purse again.  Yessss!!!!

I added a green bias tape to finish it up. 

And here's another shot

If you would like more information on my toddler backpacks, please view my 2014 Toddler Backpack FAQs.  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!

Pink Owl Toddler Backpack

At the end of last year, I made a tan train toddler backpack for Christy's son.   She liked it so much, that she decided to order another one, this time for her daughter.   It was a pleasure to work with her again.

She decided on a pink owl backpack.  (Excellent choice!! :o))

Here's a pic of us figuring out eye colour and beak/feet colours.  I love it when Moms like to work with me on the design.   Even when it's something small like figuring out eye colour or tiny details like the beak colour, I love it when they give me input!

The tan beak won out over yellow or dark brown. 

There's an elasticized pocket on one side and a big "M" on the other.  The "M" was done using "Cooper Black" font.

Here's a pic of the back.   I used a dark brown piping, bias tape, zipper and webbing.  If only the backpack connectors came in dark brown...

The quilted bottom

Here's the lining trimmed with navy bias tape.

I would have loved to do some outdoor pictures but we have so much snow and ice everywhere.   I am so ready for spring!

If you would like more information on my toddler backpacks, please view my 2014 Toddler Backpack FAQs.  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!

Happy New Year and a Short Look Back at 2013

via http://funny2014.com

I can't believe 2014 is actually here.  To be honest, I still can't believe we made it to 2000!  When I was a little girl, my sister and I used to try to imagine what life would be like in the year 2000.  I envisioned that I would be in a high profile job and could wear high heels.  Fast forward to 2014 and my high profile job is taking care of my kids, my ETSY shop, and NOT wearing high heels.

So hats off to 2014.  I'm sure it'll bring lots of new adventures.  But before we leap too far ahead, here's a look back at some pretty significant moments in 2013.

1.  We sold our first family home.  I loved tiny bungalow but it was getting too small for our family.  So we said goodbye to the city and began our search for a new place.  We sold our home during a snowstorm and still had 10 offers!  Lots of memories in that little home that I will cherish!  Bye bye home!

2.  We bought our next home.  We moved north into the 'burbs.   We aren't too far from our old home but the added distance means we are far from the city's core.  So we don't head down to the AGO as much and we've traded in the Riverdale farm for Lionel's.  We also traded in a completely finished home to one that needs some additional TLC (when does it end!!!)  On the plus side, we also traded in neighbours we never saw to a neighbourhood full of kids.  So much so that even on a cold and rainy Halloween, the boys could still go trick or treating (knowing our street would be doling out the treats!).  I sewed new capes to go over the kids' winter jackets. 

3.  I sloowwweed down my ETSY shop and only did custom orders mainly for toddler backpacks.  I needed some time to think about the direction my shop was heading towards.  Between the move(s), I actually didn't have as much time to assess the shop so I will still be in think mode for 2014.  (I am still doing custom orders for my backpacks - just send me a note at joshandteo@hotmail.com)

4.  I attempted to start working on my mom's chair.  See the pic below for proof!  This is only significant because it was a new year's resolution for 2012 and again in 2013.  Needless to say, there will be no resolutions this year. 

5.  I had laser eye surgery!!!  It's something I've always wanted to do but didn't have the guts to do until my sister had her eyes done.  Yup, I'm a chicken.  I was soooo scared during the procedure (yup - even for the 30s per eye).  I am still trying to figure out if this was a good move or not because as soon as I had my eyes done, winter hit us hard.  I'm trying to heal my eyes during the DRIEST weather possible and it's not been good.  As I type, my eyeballs are starting to feel like little rocks in my eye sockets.

So as a result, I haven't been updated the blog as much just to preserve the eyes...

I missed posting a pic of Josh's birthday cake made by Popo

And then Popo's surprise cake

All the fun at museum class

And the numerous Christmas parades and parties we went to.

So as I look forward to 2014, I see lots of changes coming up.  Baby bunny starts school in Sept 2014 and both kiddies will be off making their way in the world.  I have no idea what I'm going to do but I'm sure my future will include more home renos and lots of sewing.

All the best to you all this year!  (Here's hoping there aren't any more power outages in 2014 due to the ice storm and please, no more scary frostquakes!!!)