Mid-May heralds the wind down of activities for the current school year. Sadie and I made our final visit to the local public library yesterday. Next week will be our EOY celebration at the elementary school where we visit each week. And then summer for us officially begins! Her highness will kick things off with a spa day while I attend my bee group meeting.
We’ll still be making therapy dog visits during the summer months. Our national organization requires 1 visit every 90 days to remain in good standing. For therapy dog teams who primarily follow an academic calendar, the months of June, July and August can quickly turn into a summer scramble as we try to find events to meet this requirement. Making a single visit in July will keep us in good standing, but Big Girl likes to work.
Our summer visit schedule looks different every year. This time, Sadie’s favorite assistant principal is in charge of summer school and invited us to make as many visits as we want in June. Just for fun, we’ll add in a local summer camp and Gigi’s Playhouse visits for July. There are two other events in which I’d like to participate; however they require 1-1/2 – 2 hours of travel time each way. Gas prices and ongoing road construction will determine whether or not we participate in those.
Standing therapy dog visits that follow an academic calendar typically resume by Labor Day. The school is already confirmed to continue for the 2026-27 school year. The public library is TBD. The current vibe seems to be one of changes ahead, so we’ll see what happens. My 11 year run as a therapy dog volunteer at this library has been wonderful, but I’ll be totally fine if this chapter comes to an end.
School will be out for the summer here in about two weeks. CraftLAB projects have already been decided: oven mitt for Mother’s Day, BBQ apron for Father’s Day and a patriotic wall hanging/pillow for July. We’ll have quilt camp right before the girls return for the 2026-2027 school year.
Looking for budget-friendly ideas of what do with your own kiddos? Check out your local public library for sewing and craft books for kids. Look through the Libby app to what kid’s craft magazines or general sewing magazines are available digitally. If you have a stash of old paper patterns, start there.
Otherwise, create a Pinterest board and start searching using the projects listed below. It’s not a complete list – just somewhere to start. You should have no problems finding free patterns online. Be sure to pin the projects you and your kids like so you can find them later. Most of the time, there’s a Youtube video to accompany the project pattern.
Kitchen inspired: potholder, oven mitt, chef hat, apron, fabric jar opener
Back-to-school accessories: bookmark, composition book cover, diagonal zipper pouch to hold tablet, lanyard, reusable snack bags, cord keeper
Sewing machine inspired: sewing machine mat, sewing machine cover, pincushion, fabric bins/storage pods, drawstring bag to hold foot pedal and cord keeper to corral power cords if machine is taken to classes or put away after each sewing session.
Here area a few websites that offer free project patterns and sewing tutorials: All Free Sewing All People Quilt Apple Green Cottage Fabric Editions Missouri Star Quilt Company Sew Can She Sew 4 Home
Sourcingfabric and other supplies without going broke. Hopefully, you already have a sewing machine, basic sewing supplies and a scrap bin your kiddos can pull from. Consider using outgrown clothing, and old linens (sheets, tablecloths, etc.) to create an upcycled project.
If you need fabric and supplies, ask your friends and family before going out to purchase anything. Your aunt who’s an avid quilter and lives two states away will be thrilled to send you a box of supplies. Check with your local library to see if they offer a craft swap or have a community craft supply closet available. Or check with a local buy nothing group.
Check your local independent thrift stores, yard sales and estate sales for supplies.
If you live near a larger city, look to see if there’s a fabric, fiber and textile association, quilt museum, chapter of the American Sewing Guild or a creative reuse facility. In Atlanta, we have SEFAA, SQTM and the ASG Atlanta Chapter. All three organizations host “yard sale” fundraisers and destash events throughout the year. We also have a creative use facility known as Scraplanta. They sell donated textiles, craft supplies, office supplies and stuff of all kinds at very reasonable prices.
For the best everyday prices on fabric and supplies for kid’s projects, look to Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree (and sometimes Amazon). Hobby Lobby is another option (and better for fabric IMHO) – if what you need is on sale. Michael’s tends to exclude cut-to-order fabric from coupons, so I don’t shop there very often.
Local fabric stores, quilt shops, yarn shops and art supply stores are another – but usually more expensive – option. A fun field trip idea: plan an excursion to a local fabric store. Give each kid $10.00 and allow them to purchase a couple of fat quarters for a future project. Bring along a picnic lunch and eat at a local park afterward.
Time spent sewing and crafting is good for kids. It teaches them life skills and lessens the amount of screen time.
Ok, you’ve compiled your list of quilting events. How do you decide which one to attend?
After the surgeon’s report that my husband did not need surgery at this time, the option to travel is a reality once again. I went through the list of potential quilting events I’d compiled over the past few months. Many were already sold out, including one location where my husband had wanted to tag along. Events with only dormitory style sleeping arrangements still available were removed from consideration.
Four events remained – each one requiring air travel. I kept circling back to one and finally registered after estimating travel costs (a bit of a splurge, but within reason). The draw is that it’s in a city I’ve never been to previously and the event offers classes with instructors who are on my instructor/class wish list. An opportunity to take a class with two of them in 2024 (much closer to home) was cancelled. I’m taking full advantage of this unexpected second chance. This is the type of quilty bucket list travel I planned for in retirement.
Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about myself:
Cruises are not my thing.
I enjoy solo travel. A private room option is essential – and I’m willing to pay a reasonable upcharge for it.
While I will occasionally share a room with someone that I know, I am not into sharing a room with total strangers.
Retreats in new-to-me locations are given priority consideration.
Instructor led classes are highly preferred where significant travel is involved.
If the proposed projects don’t appeal to me, I’ll pass.
Sometimes, it’s absolutely worth splurging a little bit more just for the experience.
My preferences mean there are events I’ll likely never attend – and I’m totally okay with that. I don’t feel the least bit left out. In fact, I find inspiration in the projects marketed by various companies sponsoring quilt cruises. I can always buy the pattern or kit and make it at home, on sew days or at other BYOP retreats.
Come Stitch With Me 