Appleton Dance

by Linda Theil Jess on the Oklaroots YouTube channel created a video titled, "The cutest bag I've ever made! The Bitty Bug Pack -- Carolina Little Stitches will have you OBSESSED!" I ordered the PDF "Bitty Bug Pack" pattern from Carolina Little Stitches, and the pattern included a link to another sew-along with The Crafty Reporter . While the pattern is comprehensive and nicely presented, inexperienced crafters will find the videos very useful. The pattern includes many options and features to make the tiny 3.5x4.5x1.5-inch backpack an ideal copy of the real thing, but I stripped mine down to basics, eliminating straps and exterior pockets and trims. I am not normally a fan of creating tiny things, but Jess at Oklaroots was right, I am obsessed. My version of the tiny backpack includes a single, exterior loop and D-ring that can carry a carabiner or wristlet; and a single interior slip pocket that can include a feature badge or label.  The bag is finished by b...

by Linda Theil Tools and a toolbox are essential elements to any creative endeavor; that's why the Livingston Educational Service Agency plans to distribute 1500 backpacks full of learning tools free to Livingston County schoolkids on August 8, 2024. The agency is in the midst of their 23rd annual "Fill-a-Backpack for Kids" project. "For this project to be a success, we need your support," said project coordinator Robin Schutz of Great Start Livingston. "We need school supplies and backpacks -- supplies can be dropped off 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday at LESA, 1425 W. Grand River Ave. in Howell, Michigan until August 2, 2024."  Alisa and I have supported the project since it began and this year we are filling 12 backpacks with colored pencils, crayons, pink erasers, folders, glue, highlighters, markers, paper, pencils, pens, rulers, scissors, spiral notebooks, handmade pencil cases for our Livingston County learners! This year the pencil ca...