The other day Julius picked some flowers and asked to put them in a vase in his room. I gave him a mini wine bottle that actually looks pretty cute as a vase and he gleefully took it upstairs. He has been continually monitoring the water level to make sure they can touch the water, but yesterday he declared “my plants are not looking so great”. I explained to him that even flowers outside eventually wither and he responded that they still looked pretty enough. Today I noticed he had changed the flowers out for new ones. It is so weird to see how we have created a little independent person.
Sometimes I think he is years more mature than his age. Did I tell you about the trip to Scotland? My in-laws planned a trip to Scotland for the family in honor of their birthdays, but the trip was to be kid-free. Julius, somehow, overheard us talking about the trip and asked when we were going to Scotland. I explained that it was a trip for adults only, but we didn’t think we were going to go. His response? “That’s okay mommy, I can stay home and watch Patricia!” The real kicker? I think he almost could. (Key word here being almost.)
That trip ended up getting cancelled and much to Julius and Patricia’s delight (and our own frankly) was replaced with a trip to Canada where J&P were allowed to join us. We ended up having to get passport photos ASAP because apparently they take a very, very long time these days. Fun fact – you have to apply in person with both parents for a child’s passport (or else jump through other hoops). I’m excited to take a vacation! I also booked a week vacation to Block Island (one of my favorite places on Earth) that I’m very excited to take. Julius and Patricia keep asking the next time we’re going to drive to Tennessee or Texas (so I guess I was the only one traumatized with the drive). In preparation for the next long drive (or actually just to keep my car from turning into a disaster again) I made a couple things from recyclables including the old jeans I’ve been collecting. Check out my car collection:
Between carseat denim toy basket. An actual adult human cannot fit its butt between these carseats but don’t tell this former pair of pants that!
A mask organizer from recycled boxes. I alternate masks every day of the week, from what I read online 3-4 days is about how long it takes for covid-19 to die on masks kept properly ventilated.
A car trash can. I have high hopes for this little guy. Should be able to hold a few cans of cola, so basically half a day of refuse when Will’s in the car… ;)
If you want to make yourself a trash can, follow the steps below! But first, you only have two more days until the end of May when my May contest ends! See the post here for details!
Car Trash Can
What you’ll need:
- 21″x9.5″ rectangle of outer fabric of your choice (bonus points if it is thrifted or upcycled)
- 10″x2″ rectangle of outer fabric for hanger
- 20″x9.5″ of usable fabric from the leg from a pair of worn out jeans
- enough scraps of pellon peltex stabilizer to Frankenstein into a rectangle 10″x18.5″
* Use 1/2″ seam allowance everywhere.
- Fold outer fabric in half to form a 10.5″x9.5″ rectangle. Stitch along sides adjacent to the fold.
- Cut out 2″x2″ squares from the bottom corners (where stitching and fold meet). Make sure you start your square on the stitching NOT on the selvedge.
- Unfold fabric near each corner so stitching lines up with the fold, and the now unfinished edges are matching. Stitch.
- Repeat steps 1-3 with the denim and the interfacing.
Finished interfacing box (yes it is a Frankenstein piece cobbled together from lots of different scrap pieces from hatmaking)
- Place outer fabric inside denim fabric, right sides together. Pin outer fabric to denim fabric with the raw edges aligned. Stitch together, leaving a 2″ gap around one of the seams.
- Turn outer fabric and denim out through the gap, both should be right sides out.
- Push the denim into the inside of the outer fabric to form the liner.
- Turn the interfacing right side out (seam side in). Fold the interfacing up and insert it into the 2″ gap. Align the bottom edges of the interfacing with the bottom edge of the outer fabric and then manuever the denim fabric inside it. The outer fabric should protrude into the inside of the trash can slightly.
- Press, then pin and stitch the outer fabric just above where the inner and outer fabric meet.
- Fold rectangle for hanger in half lengthwise, press.
- Turn under 1/2″, press again. Stitch closed.
- Form handle into a loop then tack the handle onto the trash can, along one of the seams at the top of the trash can.
Stitch loop onto the bag along seam.
I will get a car picture in daylight tomorrow…
A perfect sodacan car bin! Thanks babe!
I can make you one too if you want!!
That trash can is adorable!
Independent kids – Nora’s been picking flowers and putting them in vases too.
She saw some older kids with a lemonade stand, so one day she disappeared into the kitchen and came back a half hour later with “berry water” to sell, which was actually not bad! She had a bunch of cups cooling in the fridge, too.