Do you remember that stomach
butterfly feeling that accompanied the discovery of back to school catalogues
in the letter box? That low level grumble of anxiety that arose when you saw the
photos of new school shoes and pencil cases at discount prices? That realisation
dawning on you –that the seemingly endless summer was ending?
It came in stages.
1. The jolt: Oh yes! School!
That’s right! I forgot about that place!
2. Denial: Oh school - going
back there is ages away….isn’t it?
3. The awakening: Summer fun
has to end?
4. The anxiety: Have I
forgotten all I learned? (I especially would worry I had forgotten how to write
- as if a summer of swimming in the pool could somehow flush out all knowledge obtained
at school all the years before.)
5. The disappointment: Summer
fun really IS coming to an end!
6. The anticipation: polishing
your school shoes, trying on the dress, covering your books.
And now? Well in our house this
year we have many permutations
of “back to school syndrome” happening. My eldest
has decided not to return to the tertiary study she began last year. She’s
taking some time off to pursue movie directing. And having the shock to the system
of NOT going back to school….and of needing to find a job!
My second eldest is
returning to do Year 12 (at a new school) after a year that can truly be
described as a “gap” year - or more like a gaping hole because she truly did nothing!
But she is excited about school, reading her literature books and abuzz with
anticipation.
The little twins will be
starting Prep so are very excited about school. They are determinedly
practicing writing and reading and trying very hard to be as independent as
they can. Keen as mustard! And I must say, it’s exciting for me and a big
relief.
And the youngest little
fella? Well last week was his first day of 3 year old kindergarten. The previous night was
restless as he kept waking and chatting about it. The day before there was a last minute panic - what you do when you need the toilet at kinder? Does he have to run
home to use the toilet? And finally, he was………completely fine!
So I hope all your back to school feelings are plans are going well. And the winner of the back to school bag-tag giveaway is....Kim Maxwell with the toadstool. Email me at info@sisteroutlaws.com.au with your address Kim!
Now you would think that all the backpacks in this house would be adorned
with hand made recycled felt bag-tags from our re-sew-cool range, wouldn't you? Well, ahem...cough....not exactly.
In fact, My kids wanted to design their own bag-tag (my designs not being quite good enough...)
Wanda has a cowgirl boot. Pepper wants a unicorn (I'm in the process of making it)and the little fella, Joe, wanted a dog that looked like his
favourite toy dog, "Booey".
So I have made him this dog. It's not my usual style but I like him. And Joe really likes him!
Here's the template if you want to make a dog bag-tag too. For the swivel clasp you can recycle a lanyard.
He is simple to make:
1.decorate the face with a fringe, nose, mouth stitching and eyes. I used white shank buttons for eyes and a black permanent marker.
2.sew on swivel clasp to back of face. The fringe hides the stitches.
3.Sew head together, front and back, remembering to put the tongue in place.
4. Sew ears on around the front and back of head. Or simply both sides of the ears together and attach to the front of the head.
And remember - if you prefer one of our re-sew-cool bag-tag designs, enter our back to school giveaway!
Well, that Jodi from che and fidel sure had a good idea with her back to school give away - she's right! The re-sew-cool bag-tags are the perfect accessory for the school backpack.
So the outlaws are having our very own....
BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAY!
Here is how to win one of our bag-tag craft kits. First: choose your favourite design. It's not easy is it?
1. apple 2. peacock 3.donkey
4. owl 5. mr. fox 6. lovebird
7. echidna 8. fruit tree 9.toadstool
Next: Leave a comment below OR a comment on our facebook page telling us which bag-tag kit you would like!
Remember - all our kits are made from 99% recycled materials.
The give away ends on Monday the 28th!
Jodi from "che and fidel" blog contacted us about our bag-tags - perfect for her back to school giveaway...and we said "Yay!" (Because we love a bit of attention). Our little re-sew-cool owl bag-tag kit is happily perched alongside a terrific collection of back to school stuff!
Check out the giveaway on the che and fidel blog!
There has been a big change in the sister outlaws troupe.
You see, our lovely sister outlaw Lynne, one of the main instigators behind our eco craft business, has decided to move onwards and upwards and outwards to the far horizons the world has to offer. She is taking what can't even be described as well deserved - for that puts it too cheaply - break and is planning to travel overseas for the first time.
So from trio to duo we go....it's just Leanne and I running the outlaws.
It goes with out saying that Lynne's input will be missed. Her exceptional skills, technical brain, accounting prowess and eye for detail has kept us on track. For me it will mean learning to be a bit more tech savvy with the website and facebook, roles now under my job description. Yikes!
But I've put these things under my "expand" resolution - it's learning new things and meeting challenges even if my brain will hurt and be a little bit crispy from frying.
I have to get through this.
If I blog about it, it will instantly make it more interesting, right? Contained in this mountain of vintage loveliness are many favourites. So it will have a happy ending.
Well I am trying to get back into the swing of things. The rhythm of the days has all gone awry what with Christmas and Summer and holidays and lazing around. Mind you, it hasn't been all sunshine and unicorns at sister outlaws head quarters - but will tell you more of that later.
A New Year is an arbitrary structure but it is still good to take stock and make plans. Isn't it?
The amazing and energetic Emma over at Frog, Goose and Bear has a word for each year. This year, for her, it is "breathe". Big deep breaths. I reckon for me it is "expand". I'm starting to feel the shackles of containment loosening - the twins will be in school this year and I will only have one child at home. So I will have more time ( or so I think). Time for what? For outlaw re-sew-cool business of course and for sweet by and by making and for markets........ and maybe for a few other ventures as well. It may not turn out that I have more time for these things - but I may have more time to eat and drink water.....and breathe.....maybe...
I will keep in touch about my expansion ideas - Sounds like I'm planning a world take over, doesn't it??? Watch out world...cue the strange hand gesture and maniacal laughter......brooh-haa-haa-haaaaaaaa
