I’m a teacher. I love what I do, and try to do a really good job of it. But I’m also a lot of other things–wife, mom, friend, sister, daughter, writer, crafter, runner. I love what I do, but it’s the other things I do outside of school that keep me going, make it possible for me to stay balanced so I can do the best job I can with my students.
So I thought I’d take a minute to write about how I’ve been nurturing the other side of me lately.
On Winter Break, I had a lot of down time. I filled in a lot of that time sewing. It’s a new hobby that has come up for me just since my baby girl was born; it seemed that there were many more things that a little princess needed than when Riley was a baby. So that was the spark, but it’s grown into a crazy crafting fire! Here’s what’s come out of my sewing room recently:
Sweater dress made from a shirt I don’t wear anymore. Loved how the sleeve detail looked on those tiny sleeves!
Another sweater dress–this one from a “too-itchy, too-small” donation from her big brother. Again, loved the details on this one: sleeves match the bottom, pleats on the sleeves and top of the neck.
Made these from leftover material from Riley’s Peter Pan Halloween costume. The ruffles were a cute addition, right? My favorite part. 🙂
These little pants were for baby girl’s birthday party. Again re-purposing an old shirt I don’t wear. There were really cute in the cake-smooshed-on-the-face pics.
Wish this picture came out better, but these were a Winter Break project to help corral all the new Super Hero toys Riley got for Christmas. Love how they turned out. So quick and easy. Was thinking about making more of these for manipulatives or games in the classroom!
Mesh bag ($1 from GoodWill, 3 pieces of ribbon I already had, 30 minutes and two suction cups later, our tub toys have a new, drier home!
Baby girl’s GOTTA have bows in their hair. And so then I had to make a board to keep them all organized. This was my first project with Mod Podge. Next one will be a little neater.
Ok, so this is a picture of the scarf, not me. 🙂 This was one of the first things I’ve made for myself. It’s a knit scarf made all scrunchy with elastic thread. This will become an easy gift for others–or for me! I want one in black now.
These were too-small pants that I added ruffles to. Now she can wear them again and they are so much cuter than before. Again, an old shirt of mine that wasn’t wearable anymore. 🙂
We’re a cloth diapering family, and I’ve been busy refreshing all of the Velcro on our diapers. This job is super simple, but takes much longer than you’d think, but still so much fun!
This is probably my favorite project to date. It’s a messenger bag that has straps that snap on to the stroller. And I LOVE the the inside red and the print. I think I’m gonna try this in a different size and shape next.
Ok, so I know–this is not a post about life in a 5th grade classroom. But it is about the life of a 5th grade teacher, and so somehow it’s fair game, right? Thanks for indulging me. 🙂
Oh, and don’t want to forget to mention that these are not my original ideas. Ashley at www.makeit-loveit.com is my cyberspace mentor and inspiration. It’s just my sewing machine and me doing the work.
20somethingkids and 1kookyteacher 
So i’m wondering how hard it would be to pad the sides of the messenger bag to make it a “shoot sack?” Since i do photography all the time that would be amazing! You could sell those to photographers! I know they sell for a pretty penny else where and from top designers. Just a thought!
(just call me your stalker) lol
HA! There is actually a dvd bag that I was going to try next. It’s the same idea as that bag, but with padding and pockets. Maybe that’s what you mean. Should that be what I make for you, my stalker friend? 🙂
I’ve been telling everyone i know about your incredible talent and showing them! Have you posted your stuff on “Pintrest?” You must! That way i can pin it and they can see! Then you have MORE stalkers. LOL
If its not too big of a project then i’d love it! I’ve been looking for a shoot sack for a while. Then i could carry it and people will be like whos your designer? Me: oh..mines an original by Jen..JenB…They’ll be all googling you and boom..your the next thirtyone billionaire!
I have not pinned any of it. Are you “supposed” to do that with things you do or just other people’s craftiness? Let me send you the link for that other bag I was talking about and let me know what you think.
You can take pictures of what you do and pin it. It gives people ideas to be crafty themselves or some people then ask you to make it for them for a price. Plus for me just looking at other peoples stuff has inspired me to more crafts and cooking with my daughter. So go ahead and take pictures!
I have been. Just not pinning. Definitely an idea to explore. 🙂
Oh, wow! You are definitely talented! And now I want to see pictures of baby girl with all those cute pants on! 🙂
By the way, I think your students and parents would love to see what you do outside of school. Great idea!
Shannon
http://6thgradescottforesmanreadingstreetresources.wordpress.com/
Me and my mom were impressed with your sewing abilities…you are the master of crafts! great job!!!!!!! 🙂
I don’t know if I’d say master….ok, I’ll let you. 🙂 Thanks for your compliments. Which is your favorite project? I like them all in a different way. It’s just fun to be creative and at the end be able to say “I did that!” 🙂
I think my favorite would be the bows and the board, But its so hard to pick i like the sweater dress too. Ya i have had that feeling when you step back and say WOW!!
Love makeit-loveit.com. I’ve been repinning a lot of her stuff on Pinterest.
Have you changed elastic on diapers or just velcro? I have a bunch that were handed down to me that the elastic is completely blown on but I’m scared to make that first snip. I’m hoping I can find someone to show me what to do on one and then I’ll be brave with the rest. 🙂
So far I’ve just done velcro, although several of mine also need that refreshed, as well. I can try it and see what happens if you want me to be the guinea pig. 🙂 Thanks again for reading our blog, Johanna! Were there any other links from our list that you liked?
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