Library Book Tote

This summer has been stuffed full with swimming lessons, road trips, standing in front of box fans, microwaving as much as possible to keep the kitchen cool and library time.

It's hot. And dry. And hot.

A nearby town has the best air-conditioned library anyone could ever ask for (do I sound menopausal or circa 1946?) and we make at least two trips a week for story time and to stock up on new books.



I made my little bookworm a fun tote bag to lug around all those hardbacks (and crayons and McDonald's toys and used Kleenexes). There's enough room for everything!

Please just ignore that binding job. I do.



I found my tote bag tutorial from JCaroline Creative here.

Here is a great tutorial for machine binding from Red Pepper Quilts. I obviously had not found this great tutorial when I made this bag.



I have used this same tote bag pattern to make several more bags; they are great gifts for anyone, not just kids.



Shared with: I Heart Naptime

Tons, I mean TONS, of Free Sewing Patterns

Liz at ThinkLiz.com has compiled an AMAZING list of free sewing patterns. My sisters, mom and I are doing a homemade Christmas between the girls this year so I'm super excited to start thumbing through these patterns.

Here are just a couple that I like so far. Click here or the lizard button at the bottom to be directed to her list.

25 Documents You Need Before You Die {Why not make it cute?}

source

I saw this today and thought it was a perfect visual for free spirits like myself.

Husband and I were just talking about getting everything "in order" before we make a big trip next spring.

Thursday's Theme: {Summer Boredom Busters}

I'm starting a series on Thursdays where I will feature ten of my current favorites. 

This week, I wanted to spotlight some of the amazing ideas I collected for summer kid fun. Enjoy!

Go on a Happy Hunt!

Backyard Bowling Alley

make a pinata out of paper sack

Recycled Can Robots

Noodle and Balloon Game

Paper Plate Paddles and Balloon Game

Shish-Kabob Ball Drop Game

How to make a simple water gun holster

Recycled Bottle Ring Toss

DIY Water Wall

Fantastic Blonde Brownies

These yummies don't require a mixer and stay moist for days (even if they're left in the open pan with nothing to protect them from the kitchen elements for 48+ hours). Not that I'd know. But they are still good even after that. Not that I'd know.

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cup self-rising flour
2 cups chocolate chip morsels

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Blend together sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Add flour; mix. Add morsels; mix. Spread into a greased 13 x 9 baking dish. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Shrinky Dinks Winners!

The winners of the Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab Activity Kit giveaway with Creativity for Kids are:

Jessica, who said...

I am a follower but have never tried them they look sooo fun!

and

craftyashley, who said...

I subscribe on reader if that counts? I remember shrinky dinks from way back when. That sounds like the perfect summer activity!

Email me at in_between_laundry@yahoo.com with your mailing address, ladies, and I'll be happy to get you all set up. You're going to love this kit!

Special thanks to Creativity for Kids for generously donating these fun activity sets!

Easy Bathroom Art

I have seen a few of these on the internet lately and decided to make my own version.

Inspiration came after seeing this particular lovely (and much more professional) print. 

Click on image for link to the Etsy shop.

Our sign is already propped up on the bathroom vanity and I love the cheery reminder it is for a certain  little boy I know. 

Shared with: Tatertots and Jello

Defining Summer

"Ode to the Sprinkler" by Gary Soto

There's no swimming pool on our street.

Only sprinklers on lawns.

The helicopter of water slicing our legs.

We run through the sprinkler, water on our lips.

Water dripping from eyelashes.

Water like fat raindrops that fall from skinny trees when you're not looking.

I run like a monkey in my orange swimming trunks, jumping up and down, pounding the mushy grass with my feet.

101 Sewing Tutorials

I stumbled upon this little jewel and wanted to share...

Which project sounds coolest to you?

Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab Activity Kit (Giveaway with Creativity for Kids)

Can I be totally honest with you?

Before this big box arrived at my doorstep, I had never played with Shrinky Dinks.

My son (and my husband) were pumped about making monsters with furry legs and yellow eyes so I had planned to let this be a "Daddy and Me" type of project.

After watching them trade colored pencils and create all kinds of monstery things for a few minutes, I set my camera down and asked Jeremy to pass me the light blue.

What is it about coloring that lets you forget the time and your troubles?

But, that wasn't the coolest part.

As a Shrinky Dink novice, I was unaware of how amusing it is to watch those flimsy pieces of crayoned plastic contort and twist and diminish in just about three minutes.

My boy and I were staring into the oven with our mouths open, pointing and laughing. "Look at your red worm! Ohhh, the mad scientist!"

I'm telling you... f.u.n.

When they come out of the oven, they're so cute and small, but sturdier and thicker. 

They are just right for setting up a crazy scientist's laboratory. 

And just right for spending a little time together and stretching our imaginations.

. . . . . 

You are lucky luckies because the sweet people at

are giving away 2 Shrinky Dinks Monster Lab Activity Kits!

Are you ready for some extreme Shrinky Dink fun? Get ready to color, bake and shrink the most creative creatures ever! Includes 50+ pre-cut Shrinky Dinks, Faber-Castell color EcoPencils, brads, chenille stems, wiggly eyes and more. When you are finished, place them inside the 3-D pop-up laboratory (measures 16" x 7 3/4" x 6"). Winner of the National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval and FunFare - All Stars Award. Ages 7 and up. Valued at $19.99.

To win:

1. Leave a comment telling me that you are an In Between Laundry follower or subscriber AND if you've ever tried Shrinky Dinks. (one entry)

2. Visit the Creativity for Kids Facebook page. Leave a comment here after you did. (one entry)

* Winners announced Tuesday, July 5th. *

Giveaway is now closed.

A Simple First Birthday Party

You know that I've been excited about my baby's elephant party for a while now.

Read about the planning and invitations here.

We had such a sweet little party with our family last weekend. 

For dinner, I ordered chicken nuggets from Chick Fil-A and served them up with homemade mac and cheese and peas and carrots. Mmmmm. 

So simple and so kid-friendly.

No one noticed dinner, though.

All eyes were on the amazing assortment of cupcakes my friend, Kyla, made.

Cherry Limeade. 

Banana Cream Pie (with a vanilla center). 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

And Chocolate Cream Pie (with a chocolate cream center)

I bundled up the tee shirts I'd made and had those ready for take-homes. 

Click here for my pencil-eraser-stenciled elephant tutorial.

Whoa. Say that three times fast.

Here's my balloon wreath. We use it for every birthday and it makes the birthday boy (or me) feel special for a week or two before the big day. 

You can find that post here.

Mimi made sure and snapped a quick pic of Mommy and Daddy with the birthday boy.

This is my son. He did not mess around with that piece of cake.

The big boys enjoyed chasing balloons around the living room while the grandparents convinced them to try out static electricity.

Then they helped the birthday boy open his presents.

Actually, they opened his presents and the birthday boy enjoyed the tissue paper.

After lots of visiting and running around and sneaking extra cupcakes, it was time to say goodnight.

I love simple gatherings with family and special memories made with sweet cousins.

Happy Birthday, precious boy. You are loved by many.

Shared with: Tatertots and Jello, The Creative Crate