Edit: I have been having problems with the comments (some getting through, others not). I am hoping the issue is fixed, however, if you have trouble posting a comment please let me know –> kim (at) mommyknows (dot) com. Thank you!
Sam is home sick. He’s definitely not well, but not unwell enough to lay in bed all day. Truthfully in a non-H1N1 world he’d be at school. They sent him home yesterday, as he was pale, complaining of a sore throat and didn’t go out for recess. Apparently, if he doesn’t go out for recess … he IS sick.
I think he has a cold, nothing more. He is stuffed up and not much else.
He was definitely up to helping me make a lunchbox out of Kool-Aid Jammers drink packets.
You’ll need:
Sewing machine
Thread
15 clean, dry drink packets
Tape
Ruler (or measuring tape)
Stick on velcro fasteners
Slice open the bottom of each packet. Wash, rinse and dry each one out.
Your lunch tote will consist of 5 parts: 1 front and 1 back (each 2×2 packets each), 2 sides (2×1 packets each) and a bottom (2 overlapped packets)
If you are a competent sewer, you could just start sewing these parts. However, because I am a beginner, I decided to tape my pieces together first.
You don’t need to tape each and every seam. Just here and there, enought to keep them from slipping and sliding while you are sewing.
The front and back are made using a 2×2 pattern like the piece above. The sides are 2×1 stacked vertically.
The bottom is a little different.
You’ll need to measure and then overlap two pieces to this length.
Once you have the 5 pieces taped and ready sew up the seams.
We used a zigzap stitch with a bright coloured thread. Sam did most of the sewing. In the above photo he is sewing up a back piece.
I think the orange thread Sam picked out looks great.
Here he is sewing the overlapping pieces that make the bottom of the lunch sack.
Once you have your 5 pieces made, you can start piecing them together.
Start by sewing the sides to the bottom piece. You’ll end up with a long narrow strip.
Next sew the back and front to the bottom. You should end up with the above. Sew up the 4 side seams, I sewed from top to bottom, carefully lining up the top edges taping with a tiny piece of tape and then sewing.
If you want a ‘brown bag’ style sack, you could be finished now. Sam and I were making this sack for Lizzy and I wanted her to be able to close her lunch sack.
I cut the 15th packet in half, folded over the cut end and sewed it to the top of the sack.
Then we added adhesive velcro fasteners.
Below is the finished product:
I hope you like it! What kind of creations have you made from recycled items, or what’s on your list?
MK xo
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October 21st, 2009 at 16:55
That turned out so so great! And Sam is a wonderful sewist. Gotta go find some of those drink packets… hope he’s feeling 100% soon.
Michelle´s last blog ..getting over SSS
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 17:09
@Michelle, Thanks Michelle! He is a very good sewer (sewist), it’s probably all his video game playing. He was steady, sewed a straight line, it was great.
MommyKnows´s last blog ..Colourful Kool-Aid Jammers Lunch Sack Craft (How-To)
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October 21st, 2009 at 17:16
You Crafty Lady, You! Love it. Problem is… Isaac doesnt drink those juice things. So now I have to find a kid who does!
Love,
Jodi
Jodi Renshaw´s last blog ..Etsy Love … My Holiday Purchases Thus Far …
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 18:27
@Jodi Renshaw, Thanks Jodi! It took us two months to get enough for this bag :) I actually dilute them with club soda, they are not sweet at all then and the kids really like them. I buy them mostly for when the kids are sick. They have tons of vitamin C :)
mommyknows´s last blog ..Colourful Kool-Aid Jammers Lunch Sack Craft (How-To)
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October 21st, 2009 at 17:20
Loved this post & all the great pictures, will be a nice project to try – if I can find my sewing machine! LOL
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 18:28
@Caseye, Thanks Caseye! It was really fun to do with Sam. Lizzy loves it. I think it turned out really cute.
mommyknows´s last blog ..Colourful Kool-Aid Jammers Lunch Sack Craft (How-To)
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October 21st, 2009 at 17:59
This is SUCH a cute craft idea. I see things like this in the store but had no idea it was that easy to make. Hmm, I have some Capri Sun packets in my house, I might have to get crafty.
Jessica´s last blog ..A shirtless man makes me happy
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 18:30
@Jessica, Capri Sun will work well. Kraft makes both drinks. I remember Bob Becker telling us about the Capri Sun shopping totes that are made from their recyclables.
mommyknows´s last blog ..Colourful Kool-Aid Jammers Lunch Sack Craft (How-To)
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October 21st, 2009 at 18:26
Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 18:30
@Christina, Thanks Christina!
mommyknows´s last blog ..Colourful Kool-Aid Jammers Lunch Sack Craft (How-To)
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October 21st, 2009 at 18:56
testing your comment system. Email me if you get notified of this.
witchypoo´s last blog ..Bust A Move
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October 21st, 2009 at 19:07
Kim!!! These are AWESOME. I totally Stumbled this.
Angella´s last blog ..I Suck At Titles Too
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 19:28
@Angella, Thanks Angella! Sam and I had fun. He had to guzzle a couple of extra Kool-Aids so the sugar-high helped too!
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October 21st, 2009 at 19:23
Wow, I totally love this!!!! Sam did a fabulous job of the sewing! He should teach me how, ROFLMBO!
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 19:29
@Hannah, Thanks Hannah! He really did a great job, way steadier and more confident than I usually am.
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October 21st, 2009 at 19:27
Just showed Ryan and he said “Wow, that is so cool, can Sam make me one too??”.
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 19:56
@Justine, absolutely … only criteria … HE has to drink the 15 juices :)
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October 21st, 2009 at 19:30
Some days I sign on to your blog and just say, “Seriously Dude!” It’s amazing to me the things you create. If you feel like sharing the idea let me know, I’ve got a Mommy craft blog where ideas can be submitted (with full credit going to the creator and their blog) in a forum for everyone to try and enjoy. Check it out http://www.kidkadoodlekrafts.wordpress.com
Great craft again. It’s almost your best, Georgia’s recycled shirt panties are my favorite.
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 21st, 2009 at 19:57
@Ashley, Thank you! I’d love to be on your craft blog. I’m going to check it out now.
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October 21st, 2009 at 23:40
You are a complete genius! That is incredible! :)
pineapple princess´s last blog ..I’m Not a Wedding Photographer. I Just Play One On My Blog.
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 22nd, 2009 at 08:10
@pineapple princess, Thank you! It’s true I am … LOL (not).
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October 22nd, 2009 at 07:21
wow! that’s super cool! i’ll have to file that one away with the candy sushi & recycled underwear ideas i intend to ’someday’ get around to. :)
Jenn B´s last blog ..A Pic With Nene
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 22nd, 2009 at 08:11
@Jenn B, Thanks Jenn! When you get around to it, I want to see pics.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 14:55
Fantastic post! Where did you come up with the idea? How long do you think the Kool-Aid Cooler will last?
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 22nd, 2009 at 20:17
@Casey, I think it will last a long time, it seems very durable.
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October 22nd, 2009 at 16:02
This looks really cute! You are one talented lady. :)
Safire´s last blog ..Bushwacked
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October 22nd, 2009 at 16:03
And this is the first time I’ve been able to comment for DAYS!! Yay for working parts!
Safire´s last blog ..Bushwacked
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MommyKnows Reply:
October 22nd, 2009 at 20:18
@Safire, Ack! I had no idea the comments were acting funky. JennB finally tweeted me yesterday. I was getting some comments, but very few. I thought it was something I said. I was feeling pretty low.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 05:54
Holy crap – you amaze me! Where do you come up with these ideas… so interesting, so fun, so creative. Your kids must think you’re fabulous (or if they don’t now, they will remember back to how great you were as a mother).
jafer´s last blog ..iPod Crash
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October 23rd, 2009 at 08:32
He should be out cutting the grass and then raking the leaves. Kids need to be punished for missing school no matter how sick they may be.
You can read this in chapter 5 of my new parenting book. I borrowed some of the neighborhood kids for my research.
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October 25th, 2009 at 13:02
That turned out super cute! Your craftiness knows no bounds…
Naomi´s last blog ..Handmade Toys
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October 25th, 2009 at 14:04
Just checking up on the comments. I never thought to tweet you about it! Shows you how much I use twitter…:)
Safire´s last blog ..Bushwacked
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October 25th, 2009 at 16:43
also checking in on the comments… my laptop has decided to punk out on me again, it punked out while trying to comment an hour ago, so now on my husband’s computer…if you’re at all interested in those details. ;)
Jenn B´s last blog ..A Pic With Nene
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October 25th, 2009 at 20:25
Are you kidding me?! This is about the coolest thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amber’s Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck´s last blog ..Grumpy Old Woman
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October 27th, 2009 at 09:49
Love the lunch bag, this was a great idea! Thank you for sharing.
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October 27th, 2009 at 19:10
Love it!! what a wonderful idea, I have tons of caprisun packets I should do something like this, well… I can try, I don’t know how to use a sewing machine, maybe your son can teach me :)
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October 28th, 2009 at 02:56
wow,that’s a good idea of recycling, i will try this in my free time…I’ve never try to recycle…
sandrine112´s last blog ..Voyage thalasso
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November 13th, 2009 at 09:29
you are amazing…as a beginner sewer do u have a sewing machine recommendation?
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November 17th, 2009 at 21:56
very informative and easy for my kids to learn such sewing. very good idea for recycling our waste and it would help our kids and environment also. thanks for the post
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January 17th, 2010 at 22:53
Thanks for blogging, I have so many empty Kool aid in my house. I love collecting empty wrappers especially juices.Try this
Gems bags ´s last blog ..Sugababes tell us their style secrets
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