Keep On Truckin'

There's been so much going on around here (August is always a busy month!) that I forgot to show this bag I made last week for a little birthday guy who turned 5 years old Sunday.  It was really fun making something for a boy this time.   This whole project was a trip down memory lane for me too because it reminded me of my son Aaron when he was little and how we stenciled a border of Marimekko boboo cars on the walls of his room (to match his sheets).  It was a lot of work, because store-bought borders weren't available at that time and I had to make my own stencils, climb a ladder, dob paint until I thought my neck would break and my arms would fall off, but it all turned out very cute and colorful.  Now I see they have come up with an easier way to decorate using this wallcandy.  I still love how all this looks, it's such a clean timeless design.  Anyway, I took my cues from the toy shop trucks and a puzzle we found for the birthday boy, and designed a little carry-all using the same primary colors.  I'm probably the last one to get around to the freezer paper stencil.  I've used it for years for applique, and this was the perfect opportunity to finally try it out and like everyone else, I love how easy it is.  Just like magic when you peel off the paper and a perfect shape appears.  Here's a nice simplified tutorial if you missed it.  And look what else you can do with them here, here and here.  Who knew you could have this much fun with freezer paper? For the "road" I used a chain stitch down the middle of one side in one inch intervals marked with chalk.  The ruler twill tape added a nice touch too.  You never know when he might need to measure something, right?  Found that here.  The little tab on the side says, travel.  That just seemed fitting somehow.  I couldn't be more pleased with how it turned out and he liked it too.  Started filling it up with all his new toys right away.  More pictures over here.