Getting Outside!

Once spring hits we all want to spend time outside. We took our canoe out on the river even though none of the local towns had their docks in and had a blast. It was SO peaceful being on the water almost totally by ourselves. Before we left we packed lunches. I used to pack one bag for everyone and inevitably someone felt left out that their favorite wasn't in the bag or "their" favorite sandwich got smashed. I discovered having everyone handle their own lunch was much easier... and if it got squished they had no one but themselves to blame. We have a package ready for family outings that each of us has a drawstring backpack and an insulated lunch sack. By sticking to the drawstring backpack there isn't room to take "everything" (Doesn't every family have someone who wants to bring the kitchen sink?) and the lunch sack keeps things cool when we go out on a warm day... and kept it from freezing on our early canoe day.

• Free Directions to Sew a Simple Drawstring Backpack
• Free Pattern and Directions to Sew an Insulated Lunch Sack
• Thinking Green Sewing Project!