You might recall me mentioning a while back that I was sewing up a storm making book bags for Maia’s class pay-it-forward project. I’ve just finished sewing handles on the bags, and I thought you might like to see some of the end results:
There were a real mix of designs…
But the overall effect is amazing. So bright and colourful:
I really love children’s art at this age because it is largely uninfluenced by their (mis) perception that they cant draw, or paint and the end results are so unaffected.
Here’s our girl with her bag (she is very proud of it):
And, keeping with the pay it forward theme here is my bag… which I plan to give to the class teacher, because teacher’s do such a wonderful job – and often don’t get recognized for their extra efforts. 
Ill be back tomorrow with a little ‘how to’ including the links to the flowers used on the bag. Love Janette xoxox
The Green Dragonfly 
Amazing work! I too love the brightness of the kids designs I love colour!
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I do to, they look amazing all together. So bright and colorful! xx
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I remember when my daughter was that age…still have some of her drawings. Love the bag for the teacher too…
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I have collected way too many examples of my children’s works of art already, nod they are still so young! I might need to hire a storage unit to keep it all! Xx
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Uplifting just looking at them. That bird with your girl is DE VINE!!! It just emanates calm happiness. I know what you mean about kids judging art. I deal with that in two ways.
a. I always have a supply of paper and pencils handy and usable, a lot of work for me but worth it.
b. gently pulling them up when they compare or criticize.
The main thing is they keep creating and so far, so good. 🙂
I look forward to the how to. They look like a fab project and then gifts from my young ones. 🙂
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It’s hard, Maia has only recently started getting frustrated because she doesn’t think she can draw very well (like Mum or Dad) and so we have to explain that it’s about expression, and what she sees is different to what we see, and not to compare what we draw with what she draws. We also give lots of praise of course! I’ll be back tomorrow with lots more info xx
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your teacher’s bag is simply amazing!!!!!
I really love the bird on Maya’s bag, too!!!!!!
xxxxxxx Ale
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Thanks Ale, she is very proud of it! Xox
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I love the bags all if them look so beautiful . Job well done:)
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Thanks!
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What nice arty bags for a nice cause!
The teacher’s bag is lovely too.
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Thanks Carine!
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Janette…..these are gorgeous! !!! Read your previous post. How did you print the art pictures onto the bags? Silk screened? So pretty!!!
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Thanks Stephanie. All the bags are hand painted. Simple and lovely 🙂
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Wow….even more amazing then.
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I love this age when children feel that freedom to just create for the sake of it. The bags are lovely and the one for the teacher is gorgeous.
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Thank you. It was a lovely project all round, and so important for children to learn from a young age to look out wards and understand others hardship. Xx
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Yes, it is and it sounds like you have a wonderful school that wants to teach just that to the children.
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Look forward to reading the ‘how to’
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Tomorrow, I promise!!
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Just lovely! Children are great with their use of colour… they are just using whatever colour they feel like without too much worrying of the outcome – which then proves to be cheerful and wonderful. Love those bags!! (and the bag for a teacher – adorable. I would be so happy if I ever was given something like that. beautiful.)
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They are, aren’t they! I agree we often spend so much time worrying about getting the mix if colors just right, but children don’t even consider it and the result is gorgeous! Xox
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The bag looks fantastic Janette – you are so creative. When I read your blog I am inspired to
get my crotchet hooks out again! Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks! You should, crochet is so much fun 😉
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Perfect, that is all!
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I agree 🙂
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Janette they are all wonderfully done x
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Hey Nina, lovely to hear from you! Email me sometime, Ive been wondering what you have been up to? Jxox
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The children’s bags are so amazing but I just love the one you made for the teacher. Wish I could do things like that.
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You can… just use your imagination! xx
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Congratulations to both your children and yourself of course.What is a pay it forward project as we don’t have that in England. We have shoe boxes at Christmas to fill with gifts to send to Africa. My eight year old grandson is learning about the Tudors and they have all gone off in the pouring rain with a packed lunch and its coming down like stair rods as my grandma used to say.The five year old is making a star out of felt with me and the elder one wants to do some cross stitch as he liked it at school.I will have to send off for the holed fabric to make it. Sorry not sure what it is called.
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Same idea as the Christmas boxes, its about getting children to think about doing something for others, especially when someone has done something nice for them 🙂 Sounds like you have very lucky grandchildren! x
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Oh wow!!! they are really lovely, I just love them. I like the children’s art theme, it feel fresh, simple and full of pure creativity and good energy….love them!!!
Lluisa x
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Thanks Lluisa xx
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Gorgeous, I love see see childrens’ art used for practical objects like this and bags make such a lovely change to the usual calendars and tea towels. Teachers bag is lovely too, I am sure she will be delighted with it. Look forward to the guidance for making our own.
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I agree, it is a really nice idea! Jxo
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Just had a thought. These would make lovely t towels to dry the pots on. You must try and find someone who can copy and print one and then we can all buy them.
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That is a lovely idea, Ill keep it in mind 🙂
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If I was only allowed one word it would be BEAUTIFUL . Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you Lisa!
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What fabulous bags!! The children have done a great job…..yours isn’t too bad either!!
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When I see mine next to theirs it certainly pales in comparison! xx
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Your project is fantastic!, I love all the colors!! Awesome awesome!
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Thanks Lisa!! xx
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I agree! My dad was a teacher, retired now. Such a lovely sentiment and love the designs and flowers!! Yay! 🙂
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You know well then, my husband is also a teacher… they don’t get a lot of thanks that’s for sure 🙂
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I have a feeling I know the teacher you are talking about and she is a good friend of mine and indeed a wonderful teacher (I used to teach at the same school until I went on maternity leave at the beginning of the year). She mentioned the idea of the book bags to me and I am amazed at how beautiful they are, well done to Maia and her very talented classmates 🙂
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This is a wonderful project for the students, and what a thoughtful (and beautiful) gift for the teacher. I look forward to a tutorial on the teacher’s bag.
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