Breastfeeding Thank You Cards

Breastfeeding is dear to my heart. I have had wonderful (not always easy) relationships with my babies through breastfeeding. The snuggles, sighs, squirting milk has been a remarkable part of my experience of motherhood. 


After knitting the boobie beanie, I started thinking about breastfeeding in public. I've been lucky and had some kind words said to me by strangers. It can really help boost your confidence if someone just smiles and nods when you're in public trying to feed your hungry, tired little (or big as the case often is) baby. 


What better way to say thank you, or good luck, or I remember when my kid did that then to hand someone a thank you card. A business card size with a pro-breastfeeding message. I don't really have anything to say to a stranger, just would like them to know that it makes me happy and sentimental. 


I took a look around and found these cards, and these, and ones from the State of Texas. I'm working on trying my new drawing pad for the computer and here is what I've come up with so far. 

My plan is to keep drawing, put them in pdf files and then people can print/cut them at home. Spread the thanks!

Drum Stick Bag

I find it challenging to make handmade items for my husband. I haven't tried to make him much in our ten years together. A year ago I attempted to make a carrying case for his drum sticks. Took the idea of child's crayon/colored pencil holder and expanded the size. I can't remember which sites I looked at but I know there are lots out there - some adorable ones on etsy too.

I went with felt on the inside, canvas on the outside and bias tape for the sides - it was hideous and showed EVERY flaw. I also picked a tan canvas thinking my kids would paint/decorate it for him but that didn't end up happening. We had the canvas on hand after a place mat making project (with polka dot fabric on the back!). Trying to put wool felt and canvas together was tricky given the nature of two different materials.

This time around, I made the whole bag a bit larger, used a dark color for the outside and for my lining found an old hexagonal, brown corduroy table cloth that was my grandmothers. The corduroy was fabulously soft and worn but not in use since it was for a table long gone in the 80s. I also had found a large ball of trim that turned on the wrong side matched the burgundy and the brown in a delightful way. 

The kids loved that when it was done we could bundle it up, tie it with the bow and it looked like a wrapped present.

Yoga Strap

My 5 year old started a yoga class with her very own mat and not with me. I'm jealous, which prompted me to finally buy me, um, her a yoga mat. I've needed one for a long time, but I usually borrow from a generous friend or pay $1 at the studio.

Given the new mat, a new carrying strap was in order. After a few searches I found this and decided given my time (and helpers) I could skip velcro, buttons, clasps and just make two button holes.


Instead of using interfacing, I cut the fabric extra wide and ironed it to the desired shape rather than having to turn it right side out. 6" wide, and either two 36" (stitch together) or one 70" super long piece. Fold in half, iron as you go. Then turn each edge into the middle line and iron again. Fold again and iron again! You end up with four layers of your fabric for the strap. Sew all the way around, two button holes and voila!


The most challenging piece is getting your head around how to thread it through to make it fit your mat... I am working on a tutorial for that because it is a bit tricky. So far I've made a strap for all the children in her class and maybe I'll manage to get a few up on etsy.