Thanks, Teach

Last week I had one of my trademark "Duh!" moments when it suddenly dawned on me that the end of the school year was almost here, and maybe I'd like to have something prepared for Émilie's teacher.

Now... these "Duh!" moments are usually followed by a pretty hefty self-imposed guilt trip, because - AFTER ALL - "How could I possibly not be prepared for this? I've known the end of the school year was coming ALL YEAR LONG! Wouldn't a sensible mother who had her s**t together have this under control? Ffffffffffff!!!!!". Never mind the fact that I didn't think of it because of all the OTHER stuff we've got on our plates right now. I am Mother. I should have this stuff WIRED, y'all.

When I go on these guilt-trip benders, my usual M.O. is to way, WAY over-compensate by going way, WAY overboard. Forgot to buy a Holiday-themed scarf for school? Stay up until the wee hours and KNIT AN ENTIRE SCARF in one night. Forgot to buy In-Laws' a Christmas Gift? Try to make up for it by making eleventy-billion desserts for Christmas dinner. You get the idea.

Overwhelmed with self-imposed guilt about not having the Perfect Gift for Émilie's teacher, I decided to make Pink Penguin's Bento Bag (using this tutorial), which I would then fill with homemade jam, scones, and gourmet chocolates.

I know.

Luckily, I came to my senses this time. I kept the chocolates (because every woman needs good chocolate from time to time) but ultimately skipped the jam and scones, which I thought might be overkill. I don't want to be known as "That crazy Maker-Mother", heh.


However, I did make a second bag, this one for the school nurse, who Émilie visits every two hours, day in, day out, for ointment to keep her eye lubricated (her right eye still doesn't shut all the way).


Émilie (and Phil and I, of course) has had - to put it mildly - a rough year. Both these women have been supportive and caring and understanding, and have demonstrated genuine interest in Émilie's happiness, health and well-being. If that doesn't warrant a little handmade token of appreciation, I don't know what does.

Pattern: Pink Penguin's Bento Bag
Fabric: No freaking clue. Mostly fat quarters from my stash

Happy Sewing, Everyone! School's out for summer!!!!