Hi Friends! I had this idea floating around in my head since I heard about a method of quilting called “quilt as you go” or Fun and Done”, Fun and done sounds like my speed, doesn’t it? Well my mom (who is a way better quilter/seamstress than me) explained the basic technique. I wanted to try it on a small project so I designed this cute reversible bag:
I made the bag to fit my EasyLunchboxes, I love these bento style boxes for packing lunches for myself and my family, often I portion leftovers from supper right in them along with fruit and snacks so I have a bunch of premade lunches the next day for anyone who needs them. I made my bag big enough to hold 4 because I like to take my kids to the beach, park or pool for the day and it is the perfect size. You can see how I made these in this video:
Like I said in the video you can make your bag to fit whatever container you like. Here is my diagram to figure out how much fabric you will need.
For this project you will need:
- 1/2 to 3/4 yard of fabric for the inside of the bag (I used a polished cotton)
- Fabric scraps cut into 10″ long strips
- Batting (or you can use light colored fleece)
- Basting spray or sewing pins
- Sewing machine and thread (plus basic sewing supplies)
- Rotary cutter and mat
- Scissors
- Iron and ironing board
Tips for making your bag:
- Choose washable fabrics, I went with a polished cotton for the inside so I could spot clean it as needed but the bag can also be tossed in the wash if it gets really dirty.
- Be aggressive when sewing down into the corners or you will need to go in later and hand stitch them up. I showed you the first corner where I was too shy getting in there, the other ones stitched up fine but you have to be brave and get right in there!
- Because I designed this bag while I made it there were things I would do differently next time, one being I would sew the sides all the way to the end (top) of the bag so that when I folded down the top to bind the top of the bag it would have been more even and I would not have needed the trim I added at the end.
- Press. Press. Press. It’s a drag but pressing the fabric down after you add a new strip really helps and saves aggravation when you sew.
- Hey, I’m a beginner, if you have a better way by all means do it your way (and tell us about it in the comments below!)
Do you want your very own set of 4 lunch boxes and cooler bag? Well, of course you can buy them directly from EasyLunchboxes they even offer free and reduced shipping through their Amazon store (they are the #1 best-selling lunchbox on Amazon BTW) for US and Canadian residents OR you can win them! To win you need to have a peek here in their shop, then come back here and leave a comment telling me something you like about their products. My favorite thing is that I can wash them in the dishwasher, I can’t stand a sink full of hand washable plastic containers. These truly are my favorites and I use them every day. I bet if you try them you will like them too! I will pick a winner at random on March 17th 2015. This giveaway is open to US residents only.Good luck in the giveaway, thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
i love the different compartments that keeps things separated! also love the colors and the convenience!
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i love the colors! so cheerful to brighten my work day.
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Love this site, learn a lot about painting, would love to win lunch bag,
Mine is about 9yeR old . Take one to work
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wow… great tutorial… I think I can actually do this. thanks
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I love these, Lindsay! I live the brights and the dippers. I have nana day with my grandkids and these would be great to take to the park! Plus my daughters-in-law would be happy that they’re BPA free!!!
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Love the bright colors!!!
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While I’m no expert myself…you did a fantastic job….love it…
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This would be great to take when out watercolor painting! Love the design and colors!
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I love that the lids are kid-friendly and easy to remove–not all bentos are so easy to get the lid off! This would be perfect for the little ones in our family! Thanks Lindsay.
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These look great and such lovely colours. Easy to sort out whose is whose cause no one in our house eats the same things for lunch. Great bag tutorial as well .
Xx
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I like how they stack and the different compartments
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Hi Lindsay, I love the lunch boxes. The colors are so pretty.The lunch bag would be cool for hubby to take to work instead of a peper bag. Thanks
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Hi. I like the “classic” style colors. This would be fun to use. Thanks
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I am hoping to get into the give away, as those containers will not be as difficult for me to open now that Arthur Aetus has come to live on hand. hahaha
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Neat idea!! I love all the colors they come in, particularly the brights and classic colors. This would make it very easy to assign one color to each member of the family! Plus the fact they are dishwasher safe is a huge bonus!! 🙂
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I love the colors and the fact that the kids wont complain about there food touching. I also love they are very affordable.
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I’m with you, Lindsay, I love the dishwasher option!! I am the Dishwasher for the household (I live with my daughter and her family) and she is always buying things that cannot go into the dishwasher. UGH!!!
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i like the Easy Lunchboxes because they are Eco friendly & durable! I hope I win!
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Ummm. My husband and I are retired, but I sure do like those “bright” lunchboxes. How can I justify ordering a set if I don’t win Lindsay’s give-away?
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I love the bright cheery colors of these containers; plus – the fact that they are BPA free is a big plus!~~
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I like the urban colour line.
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I like the versatility of these boxes – loved your video on using them to store and organize craft items.
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Your video came out today but the lunchbox giveaways have already ended.
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no, I must have posted a typo, I will pick a winner in a week (and double check my post!) Don’t worry, you are entered in the drawing:)
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Super cute bag! love the bright colors!!
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I like the upright bags so stuff doesn’t tip as easy, and the not too tight lids! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
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I have a son who would love love love this!!..( not to mention ME..LOL)
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These would go in my craft room,always looking for different containers to hold my assortment of buttons beads and every other nick Knacks for my Scrapbooking and card making!! Love them!
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Love the colors and their price!
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Thank you SO MUCH for doing this video, Lindsay! You really took the intimidation factor out of doing a bag like this. I’m so excited. I looked in the shop and I love the colors they have but I love the sizes even more. I have college aged kids who need containers that are bigger than the 4×6″ ones you find at Walmart. Thanks so much for the chance to win them!
Hugs,
Snoopy 😀
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I like the Urban container set and the Olive cooler bag, very useful for everyday use!
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I love that they have the Little Dippers!
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I like the colors they offer.
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I like the divided sections with just one lid to cover all of it – I lose lids all the time!
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Lindsay you did a very good job. I have been sewing for almost 48 years. I started at age 10, made a drawstring apron in 4-H and I still have it. I used to sew everything I wore. I have three pair of curtains to make but you have to be in the mood. Guess I better get in the mood my young cat got her claw stuck in my sheers and ripped them. Need to sew some more purses, I use the one like I made for you all the time when I travel. Hope you have a good week.
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Lindsay, I love the little dippers! They are perfect if you want to bring a small container of something like ketchup or something like that. Thanks for the chance to win something.
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I”m actually sending my kids with fresh food!!
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Lindsay – Like you I love that you can wash these in the dishwasher! Also, I love the color ranges – very fun!
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Only having to find ONE lid! Making packing, stkring and clean up easier☺
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I love that they have mulitple color options to match the personality of whoever is using them!
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i love the variety of colors that both the containers and coolers are offered in.
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They’re Great and Reasonably priced too! I’m going to start sewing the quilted lunch bag next week too. Looking forward to using these lunch containers in my bag. Thank-you so much for today’s post.
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I really like that they are have no BPA, PVC, or phthalates! Its just a plus that you can put them in the dishwasher!
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I like the range of colours available so every person can have their own and always know which is which. Cool project, thanks!
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Happy spring colors! After this dark winter, we are ready for spring picnics. The colors would add to the joy. Thanks for sharing.
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Love the bag! Think I will make one tomorrow. Would love the lunch boxes too. Great for taking snacks along when I have my grand kids.thanks for all your practical videos.
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I like the compartments, I have very picky eaters that don’t like there food to touch, So these would be awesome!
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I think the 8 container set would be the most useful…love that pink cooler bag!!!
TFS and for a chance to win Lindsay!
Jan
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I love the bright colors and my sister will love that none her food is touching. 😀
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I love the bright colors and the divided containers. What a fun and easy way to pack lunches!
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I love the coolers they are perfect sizes.
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I love the bight and fun colors they come in.
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I love the compartments to separate everything. And the dishwasher safeness.
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I like the Orange. lunchbox container, so I can spot it in a jiffy . I like the classic diishes to show my age.
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I think these are a great idea for those of us that carry lunches. I love the quilted bag, and can’t wait to make it. And the containers themselves are great. Thanks for sharing.
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Hi Lindsay! These containers look so cute! We attend a lot of vintage car shows in the summer. The insulated tote would be great to pack our picnic items in. Love your YouTube channel 🙂
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Hi Lindsay, I like the “brights”, purple cooler bag, and the FREE shipping from amazon…the prices aren’t bad either.
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I like the different colors so the kids can tell them a part…….they each have their own colors
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Great tutitorial! I would love to win these. I’m trying to control my portions and this would be GREAT to take to work. 😊
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I have a hard time with that as well and portioning out leftovers the night before helps me from “inhaling” too much at lunch the next day;) It’s such a struggle isn’t it?
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I love the colors and convenience of the containers. 😁
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I like that they are divided, stackable & great colors. Great tutorial, easy to follow along.
Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
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No more squashed lunches!
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Love the great colors and also that the lids are easy to open for the grandkids!
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I love the bag but I do have a bag addiction! I like that they can be washed in the dishwasher also. I like my eating utensils and dishes to be well sterilized.
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I think those lunch box holders are a great idea! Good way to use up scraps of material and leftover batting. Thanks for posting the video.,
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I love how they come in different colors, my favorites being the brights. I love your carry bag. It reminds me of when my oldest was young and having to fly back in forth between her father and myself after our divorce. She was about 8 when I made her a bag with various pockets on the inside that would zip up (pocket for snacks, another for her coloring book and crayons as well as one for her hair brush, etc.) and I put plastic on the outside that also had a pocket for an umbrella. It made it so much easier for her when she was on the plane to have her carry on bag made specifically for her and her needs.
Thank you for the contest. You are Fabulous!
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cute lunchbag and lunchboxes! i would love to win!
evie ;D
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Super lunch bag and those lunch boxes look handy, handy, handy!
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I love that the Food Containers are segmented. That makes it easy to store leftovers right away for a work lunch.
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These look like they are very versatile. I think thats what I like most about them, that I could use some for food and some for other things, like bringing some beads with me on a trip, or putting some perler beads in the little slots and a couple small perler bead boards in the big slot to keep my kiddos busy while at the doctor or on a trip. I like the bright colors, I have 3 girls and they love all things bright colored.
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I love that the compartments are completely divided so you can use them for food or craft supplies. And who doesn’t love those beautiful colors. The only thing I might do that MIGHT help is sew the 4 sides together and then sew that to a bottom piece so the corners are easier to work with. I do like how puffy it looked with just quilting the pieces as you went.
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I like that they are microwave safe, and have a mini dip container that you can buy that holds your liquids air tight, but the most important thing to me is that they are made of BPA-Free plastic.
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The lunch boxes are very handy and the tote bag will be great for travel so compac thanks for pattern
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I love that there is No BPA, Lead, Vinyl or PVC in the materials the containers are made from. Also the different compartments to keep food separated and they are freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe.
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I like the size, I like the colors (nice blue!), and I’m betting that being dishwasher-safe, they’ll last a while even though our house has never had a dishwasher (other than the human kind).
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I really like these containers because my grandchildren need a lunch and a snack to bring to school.Dish washer safe is nice also.
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I like the colors so each person has their own set. I also like the separate compartments; although not leakproof, they do afford some separation properties. Who wants their carrots mixed with their potato chips???
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I love their brights food container! So cheerful!
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I love the bright colors in the bright set and that the lunchbox have a bag that fits them.
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I haven’t seen these lunch boxes before this. I have several round separated lunch containers but they are awkward to store and sure aren’t conducive to making a carrier for them. Neat boxes and sweet little lunch box tote. Thanks for another great video.
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These containers would be great for going to the pool and beach
this summer. Love all the compartments with one lid.
I have lots of fabric and will try to make 2 bags for my grandchildren.
Chris
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I like the fact that they are compartmentized. Not only can you have a main meal, but you can have a veggie and a dessert. These would also make an ideal item in the craftroom.
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Love the colors, that way you can identify each kids lunch. One color for each person makes it easy to put in their favorite treats without getting mix up. Thanks
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I haven’t made lunches for kids or even grandkids in years, but i do take my lunch to club meetings. That would be 1 box for my lunch and 3 boxes for my craft supplies! Got to get busy on your fun bag. Thank you Lindsay.
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I have picky eaters, I love that the tote can hold multiple boxes and that each box can be customized according to personal taste. Also you don’t have to use so many little bags for each lunch every day which cuts down on waste. Plus the colors are cheerful. Look forward to your videos,
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I also love the colors of the bag and no BPA. As for the compartments, as old as I am, I don’t like my foods to touch. Thanks for the great video.
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I love the variety of sizes and that they are dishwasher friendly. The colors help identify the user.
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Hi Lindsay! I love the vibrant colors of the Easy Lunchboxes, and that the coolers are designed to keep foods in place! Just brilliant. Thank you so much for your tutorials and videos. They’re absolutely delightful to watch! Have a great weekend! 🙂
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How cute! I really like that they come in “manly” colors, too! I’d love to win one of those!
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I think the Brights lidcolors are really nice. They appear to be sturdy with tight fitting lids 🙂
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So I love the classic colors. I’m more of a jewel tone gal. 🙂 And I love that they are BPA free and from your video they look nice and thick (which beats the ones we currently have). And last, but far from least, they are dishwasher safe! Perfect! I do not own much of any kitchen item that cannot be washed in the dishwasher (except for maybe 1 expensive knife). 🙂 Yaaay Thank you for doing this video and having a giveaway.
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I like the “Brights”containers very colorful😃
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I love the fact that they come with “small””dipping” containers in them. I hate having to put my sauce in different bowls that take up too much room in my lunchbox. These are wonderful. The colors are beautiful and the different compartments is so helpful.
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Love the variety of colors the bags come in. I am definitely loving the fact that they are dish washer safe!
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I like the portioned containers-great for weight control-and containers are colorful
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Very stylish!! Love the colors!!
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I like that my child can get the cover on and off with ease and that they’re made to fit the bag nice and flat.
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I like it that they are dishwasher-safe and easy for children to use.
As always, your tutorial was awesome. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge.
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Perfect idea for the official leftover lover! Thanks so much for all your ideas! You inspire me!
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The colors are great and I like the little dipper size too.
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I love all the colors and that the lids don’t take an act of congress to get them off and on. I ordered some items from tupperware and couldn’t get the lids on to save my soul. They may be airtight and all but if you put liquids in them and can’t get them on or off , you’ll end up with a big mess. I checked online and there have been a lot of complaints about it and it has been at least since 2009. Instead of fixing the problem, they tell customers to soak them in hot water to stretch the lids out. For as expensive as they are, you would think they would make the lids fit properly.
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I love the colors in the ‘urban’ set… i think those would be handy for many storage purposes – as i have seen you use them for all sorts of things… i think i’ve even seen you use them for large rolls of baker’s twine (but i could be wrong… i would probably use them for storage of my flowers – they are so unruly to store.
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These look so handy and would be great for park day picnics.
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I like the fact that it is easily ordered from Amazon and free shipping I like the Bright colors. thnks for sharing!
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I love the ability to stick them in the dishwasher. The cool colors make it fun fun for each child to have their special one!
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I love the bright colors and the fact the you can sit the containers in the carrier in the upright position. I also like it that the carrier is machine washable.
Keep crafting!
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nice bag n love the colors! 🙂 those boxes look great and love the color choices!
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Love the colors and the compartments. Great for make ahead freezer meals!
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Great colors and design. I don’t have anything like these.
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Love that my kids can pack them easily and have healthy choices instead of the lunchables full of junk. They will work for my whole family and I love your idea for the quilted bag Lindsey I can make one use the ones I win from you and my family can have a picnic.
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