bean bags.

lucy has been begging me to do 

"a sewing project" with her lately.  

begging and begging.

the idea of bean bags just kind of came

to me the other morning,

as it is an easy square she can cut and sew
all by herself

and she can finish it off with 

hand stitching, which she loves.
(also, a good project for anyone just learning to sew!)

so, i made us a little template,

got out all my fabric scraps and we set to work...

*our template was a 5 inch square, with a 1/4 inch inseam and i really like the size they ended up 

we made a simple paper funnel that made it really easy

 to fill the bags with beans by adjusting the opening,

 so nothing would get stuck...

and then lucy taught us all her bean bag games from kindergarden.

they are awfully fun for stacking, throwing, 

catching, balancing, attempting juggling,

using as doll pillows...
 and any other creative use you can think of.

they're lots of fun!

give 'em a try!

now jack is begging to build a board for bags.

i think he can take that one up with his dad...

a little sparkle.

if you don't have sas where you live, i am sorry.

it is the most random and wonderful shop

for trimmings, fabric and more.

of course, don't go there if you are looking

for something specific.

it is a what-they-have-is-what-they-have kind of a place.

needless to say, lucy loves it. 

(my boys, on the other hand, 

groan at the mere mention of sas).

the second lucy walks through the door, 

she will spot that little bit of sparkle

hidden somewhere in the piles and boxes that are sas.

here is what her last batch of goodies looked like...

it cost me $3.74.

and with just a little piece of the elastic sequins

(i am assuming intended for some sort of 

dance costume...)

lucy helped me make this headband.

(it was one straight stitch to make it a loop, 

but she is very proud that she "sewed" this little project).

so, if you have a little one who enjoys a little sparkle

in her life,

here is a 50 cent, 10 second idea that won't disappoint...

 be honest, who doesn't love a little sparkle?