Getting Back to School (and blogging!)

First Day of School

Hello again!

It’s been almost a year since I’ve blogged but not since the last time I crafted. The truth is that I’ve been crafting all year long, but just haven’t been blogging them because… well, because I was too busy crafting. I ended up doing a few different things this year: calligraphy, hand lettering, watercolor, and paper cutting. It’s been a year to try all the things!

However, my younger kids have asked sweetly to get some bentos for this school year. And since my last kiddo is in first grade, it’s my last chance.

So today’s bento theme is “Have Fun, Learn Lots”. The main is a bear (our school mascot) and includes some little notes of encouragement for the first day of school.


Main  PB sandwich. I added the note with tape that says “learn lots” to the back of the clear container, so it doesn’t get stained or touches part of the food.
Sides Cotton Candy grapes (with a pick that says “have fun”) and pistachios
Also included but not pictured Water and an fruit cup for snack


Included in today’s bento:

Not Too Spooky Bento

IMG_6319

I tend to craft in spurts… sometime life gets in the way with work, kids, house, and all. But I started One Crafty Thing with the idea that I wouldn’t beat myself up over not posting, not crafting, not doing enough. It’s been over a year and I’ve actually made a lot of crafty things, but I haven’t had the time to blog. Today I did. So for my newest kindergarten kiddo, a Halloween Bento, but not too spooky, since he’s not a fan of scary 😉

In today’s lunch:


Main  Cream cheese sandwich (I punched out the eyes with the tip of a frosting tip) and Babybel Cheese (loves his cheese!)
Sides Half of a persimmon (with seaweed face– I used a seaweed punch to make the face) and some special candy corn popcorn with bat food picks (a Halloween treat!)
Also included but not pictured Water and an apple for snack


Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

A little Easter Bento

Easter Bento | OneCraftyThing.com

It’s been a while since I made a bento… not for not wanting, just for prioritizing other crafts. I’m currently painting in watercolor and learning how to illustrate in a couple of different syles, and working on my handlettering. So throwing together lunches has been… let’s say last minute 😉 But it’s the beginning of spring break for the kids so we kicked it off with a fun little lunch.

In today’s lunch:


Main  Grapes and an apple “sandwich”– Apple slices with peanut butter in between. Also, a bunny Easter egg filled with a little treat (Egg shaped M&Ms).
Sides Pistachios with M&M “eggs” and veggie sticks
Also included but not pictured Water


Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

Valentine’s Day Emoji Lunch

Emoji Lunch | OneCraftyThing.com

Valentine’s day is almost a given bento lunch. Gotta spread the bento love! My kiddos were super happy to get the first “pretty” lunch in a long while, and I was happy to use rainbow carrots 😉 Seriously loving these rainbow carrots. Happy Valentine’s Day!

In today’s lunch:


Main  Pocket PB&J Sandwich. Face painted with gel food dye and the little heart is a gummy from some Target candy we had.
Sides Strawberry and vanilla flavored yogurt raisins. Rainbow carrots!
Also included but not pictured Water and a mandarin.


Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward all

Peace on Earth Bento Lunch | OneCraftyThing.com

2016 has been a hard year for many people. From division in politics in the US to cities around the world being attacked and senseless violence happening, it’s been weighing a bit hard on me this holiday season. Peace. I just want peace. So I tried to send some peace and love in the form of a school lunch. A bit silly? Perhaps, but it doesn’t hurt to send those good vibes into the universe.

In this lunch:


Main  Nutella sandwich in the shape of a dove because a little treat was needed for the holidays. Dove is holding a leaf bento pick and surrounded by roasted butter peanuts (in retrospect, I shouldn’t have put so many roasted nuts and will limit the treats later on — just thinking out loud!)
Sides Raspberries with green sprinkles and gala/granny smith apples cut into alternating slices. (I had the rest of the apples for breakfast that day 😉 )
Also included but not pictured Water and a granola bar.


Today, I used tools similar to these (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Lunch Bento | OneCraftyThing.com

This week, my children asked me why I never make them bentos anymore. I told them that I was at a loss for time many mornings because of work but since they were off this week and I was trying to keep them entertained, I said I’d make them a bento lunch even though they were home from school. A simple Thanksgiving lunch 🙂

In today’s lunch:


Main  PB turkey leg shaped sandwich. I made this in two parts, one with a general shape of the turkey (peanut butter on top) and one with a cutter (shaped like a bone) and chex mix (apparently, the kids love this stuff!)
Sides Though they look like cranberries, my kids love cherries, so cherries and a whole persimmon that my kids eat up like apples.
Also included but not pictured Water and grapes


Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

Happy Halloween Bento Lunch Time!

Halloween Bento | OneCraftyThing.com

We are so close to Halloween that I couldn’t break tradition, no matter how busy. I love Halloween. It’s my most favorite holiday. It’s so much fun! A simple pumpkin theme for this year!

In today’s lunch:


Main  PB Pumpkin sandwich (moon cutter for the mouth and small circle cutter for eyes) with Chex mix and yogurt raisins
Sides Grapes on pumpkin and bat picks and a mandarin “carved” (with a carving knife) like a jack-o’-lantern
Also included but not pictured Water and a granola bar, with an extra orange for snack.


Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

Save the Monarchs Bento Lunch

Monarch Butterfly Bento Lunch | OneCraftyThing.com

While October is full of Halloweeny goodness and fun times, part of the fall season reminds me that it’s time for the monarch butterfly migration that goes from the northern US/ Canada down to Mexico. There are overwintering areas all the way down California and one very close by my house that we love to visit. So for us orange and black isn’t just about Halloween, but it’s also about monarch migration. So today’s bento is inspired by the fact that we, as a state, need to help that migration along. Each year, if there isn’t a place for them to roost, then they can’t make their trip down south. Planting native milkweed in our garden can help, and limiting deforestation along the coast can help as well. Hope these lovely butterflies stay for a bit and make it down to their destination!

In today’s lunch:


Main  PB&J Sandwich cut out with stamped message. Yogurt raisins. I also used edible wafer monarch butterflies as little decorations.
Sides Black grapes and mandarins
Also included but not pictured Water and a granola bar.


Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):

Goonies R Good Enough Lunch

Goonies Bento Lunch | OneCraftyThing.com

It’s Talk Like a A Pirate Day! And I LOVE pirates. And what is the best pirate movie ever made? THE GOONIES. This summer, my kiddo watched the Goonies and we’ve been singing Cyndi Lauper songs since then until… well, this morning. Today’s lunch, then, was a tribute to One Eyed Willie!

In today’s lunch:


Main  PB&J Sandwich. Eye patch is made with a half of an Airhead mini and non-pareils. Letters are cut out of cheddar cheese.
Sides Strawberries with “rich stuff” food picks and coconut clusters
Also included but not pictured Water and yogurt.


Today, I used (please disable AdBlock to see what tools I used for this bento):