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
by Linda Theil I participated in the Arabesque Scissors "Focus Finder" sew-along last week. The sew-along runs through July 5, 2024. The free pattern for the "Focus Finder" notepad cover is available from the Arabesque Studio blog post "Sew your own notepad cover: Introduction to the Focus Finder". Australian designer Ali Phillips created the design and the sew-along curriculum in her own precise and delightful style. We reported here on Phillips' mini-sewing kit pattern, "Travelers' Sewing Book" in our post "Henya, I made a book!" I enjoy making Phillips' projects so much, I made two examples for the "Focus Finder" sew-along. For my first example I used fabrics by watercolor artist Tracy Lizotte for Elizabeth Studio. Arabesque "Focus Finder" #1 in Tracy Lizotte watercolors Interior Focus Finder #1 Back "Focus Finder" #1 My second "Focus Finder" featured a cover fabric from the "