Cereal Boxes "Repurposed"

Going through my Mom's stuff, I noticed that there was an abundance of tiny, purse-sized, notebooks. The notebooks usually contained one or two phone numbers or maybe the measurements of someone she was sewing a dress for but the rest of the notebook would be empty. I gave most of the notebooks to the kids who quickly drew, wrote and coloured every page. Happily, the books did not go to waste.

One of my favorite YouTube subscriptions is "SeaLemonDIY"; the videos feature simple bookbinding techniques and one video, in particular, caught my interest by "repurposing" cereal boxes. The graphics on cereal boxes are bright and intended to attract the attention of kids, who then pester you to buy the unwholesome stuff; you have to admit that it is hard to look away from some of those boxes. The contents are soon eaten and the boxes trashed. Look at "SeaLemon" http://youtu.be/_W99DY-iHcc to see how she uses the boxes to make spiral bound notebooks.

Instead of using her binding technique, I used the Japanese sewn binding technique that is easy and inexpensive, and kid friendly. The covers and pages measure 4 1/2" x 6"; I used leftover sketchbook pages for filler but computer paper or lined paper would be suitable. It is so easy to do that you can have your kids make them during the summer to use during the school year. You can also make them for quick gifts!

Cut and save the box fronts for the top covers; use the box backs for the bottom covers.

Cut the graphics out to fit the size you want; these are 4 1/2" x 6".

Make a template and punch out the holes in the paper and covers to be sewn together.

We used a tapestry needle with size 5 pearl cotton to sew these together.

The books are small but good for drawing, lists, writing summer poems, etc.

Check out SeaLemonDIY on YouTube (http://youtu.be/_W99DY-iHcc) or the SeaLemon page on Facebook - tons of fun ideas.

2nd Bag Down!

I have finished the second bag! This is the largest of the three, and perfect for carrying my sketchbook and pencils in style. I tried the bag out the other night at a star party held by the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers (www.sbvaa.org). After viewing the quarter moon, and Saturn, through so many different types of telescopes, Sophie (my little grand daughter) and I found a spot for our chairs, then we began drawing the people moving about in the light of the parking lot. The bag held my larger sketchbook, pencil roll, and a change of clothes for Sophie.

The fun part of making these bags is finding the contrasting fabrics, buttons, or jewelry ornaments that add your own special touch to the pattern. For this bag I did make a few changes to accommodate the extra weight I knew the drawing supplies would have. So for the interfacing I used stiffer, craft weight fusible on the handles, and both inside/outside pockets. For the bottom, I used a super stiff, double side fusible interfacing and a piece of foam core board (instead of the cardboard the pattern called for) that made the bottom harder and strong enough to hold the weight of the sketchbook.

The smaller bag is just right for my crochet and knitting projects. The inner pockets could use a little redesigning to better hold needles and hooks; I also thought about making a bag with a skein holder that will keep the yarn in place when I take my work out of the bag.

I have just enough scraps left to make the third and smallest of the bags. The smaller bag will be perfect for carrying the daily needs stuff, plus a good book to read or my smaller notebooks. Actually, I've just gotten caught up in making these bags and I'm looking for any excuse to make the next one!

I'm using McCall's pattern M6409 for this set of 3 bags (http://mccallpattern.mccall.com/m6409-products-14672.php?page_id=104). Simplicity patterns have come up with a good selection and I have also found a Butterick pattern, B5197, that I would like to make for an everyday bag. I'm planning on making the overnight bag (pictured above, center, Simplicity 2274) for Autumn (my teen grand daughter); this would be great for the summertime slumber parties.