Why you shouldn’t leave your kids unattended…

Answer: they might swallow an entire lollipop. Stick and everything. Even at the age of 6.

We went to see our doctor and he confirmed what my eldest said: there is a lollipop in his stomach. Aprox. 7,5 cm long and 0,38 cm thick.

We were sent to the pediatric clinic were the removed the lollipop by gastroscopy.

Our big boy was so brave. He didn’t cry once (well except when he told me he had swallowed the lollipop and he didn’t want someone to cut up his belly.)

Here he is, waiting for his anesthesia:

We had to stay one night:

When he woke up from his anesthesia he said “Mom, this is not only cool, this is exciting, too”. Smiling from ear to ear. I am glad his first hospital experience wasn’t too bad.

He was allowed to take the lollipop stick home, so here’s the culprit before and after a visit to this stomach:

So, keep an eye (even on your elder) kids!
Christine

Upcycling denim into bags for boys

While in many anglophone countries kids go trick or treating on All Hallow’s Eve, in Germany the kids take lanterns on St Martin’s day and walk around the neighborhood, stopping at every door and singing songs. They are usually rewarded with candy.

I decided to make two new little bags for them to collect candy.

I browsed the internet and found this awesome tutorial. It was easy to follow and I finished the bag in two evenings. The only thing I changed is that I used a pair of old denim jeans instead of fleece.

It would have been easier if the legs had been wider but with some squeezing and twisting I managed to make do.

I showed the shark bag to my sons and my youngest adopted him at once. I told my eldest that I’d make him another one. But he asked for a dinosaur bag. Duh. No online tutorial available ): So I had to come up with something myself.

I upcycled more denim, combined it with felt and some cotton fabric and tada: this is the dinosaur bag:

After much tweaking, swearing and seam ripping it was done. And I won’t do it again. No wonder there are no tutorials for dinosaur bags. The construction was a real pain in the butt…

But it was worth the effort. My kids love their new bags and they were a huge success on St Martin’s day:

And now they take them to kindergarten every day.

Happy upcycling!
Christine

Thank you!!!

A special thanks to everyone

• who visited my little blog during Blogger’s Quilt Festival.
• who left me a comment. I never received so many lovely and encouraging coments before. You all made my day week month!
• who voted for my little Elmer Quilt!

I am still in awe that my little quilt won I prize! When I received Amy’s email I first thought that I had won a random prize. When I realized my quilt had won the Scrappy Quilt Category, I was so happy that I giggled and danced around the house like a mad woman (o;

Oh wait, there are more people to thank:

• Amy – for organizing this Festival. I am sure you put much energy and time into this online gathering of Quilty Bloggers.
• The Sponsors – for all the generous prizes you offer for winners and readers.
• Pinners – thank you for pinning and re-pinning my little Elmer on Pinterest.

Congratulations to all the other winners (Button below links to list of winners)!

Happy Quilting!
Christine