This story starts with my first grader bringing home an assignment for school, due just before Christmas break that involved doing a service project for someone outside of your family. Well, naturally my first inclination was to find something crafty we could donate. I visited the LDS Humanitarian Website for some ideas (a great place for fun, donatable ideas, btw) and came up with the activity book idea to donate for needy children. Sounded super cute and useful for scrap busting. Not to mention that my 6 year old could probably help with many parts of it. But, OHHHH, the hours!!! Now, being that I am into quilting at the moment, you would think this wouldn't bother me in the least. But, OHHHH! I apparently don't have the patience needed for crafting with little ones for more than about 30 minutes at a time. Those kindergarten and first grade teachers must be saints!!! ;0)
Okay, sorry for rambling. On to the show! Here are the ten pages we came up with for our book (keep in mind that my 6 year old was picking out the decorations, etc, thus the gaudiness):
The cover:
No words are allowed for the donation books, so we kept the cover simple- vintage fabric with some vintage lace and trims. I used Pellon Peltex for in between the pages and I used bias tape for binding. Each page has two large eyelets and a ribbon tied through them.
Page 1:
A zippered butterfly with little butterflies inside (I got this idea from this cute tutorial. You will see a few other similarities in later pages.)
Page 2:
Flowers. So fun to make! Any fun fabric, buttons, ribbons, etc. Page 3:
Memory game. I used the Peltex (of course) between the fabric. I only wish I could have come up with a better way to stick them to the page than a piece of velcro smack dab in the middle of the picture.
Shapes and numbers. The shapes all come off with velcro.
Page 5:
The sun! One of my favorites. Again from this tutorial.
Page 6:
The moon and stars, with a few jewels thrown in for added bling!
Page 7:
A cute little tree, with a removable birdie.
Page 8:
I was running out of ideas (and time!) at this point. This is the best I could come up with. . .a jellyfish.
Page 9:
One of my very favorite pages! Five little pockets with different closures (snap, button, velcro, tie and zipper) with a little animal hidden underneath.
Page 10:
A rainbow! With movable beads and fluffy clouds.
And that is it. Whew! We barely got it done in time. . . Oh, and I forgot to mention, we also made a teddy bear. But I can't bring myself to show you this bear (it really looks more like a mouse!). It makes me cry everytime I look at it. The only, ONLY reason I am going to still donate it, is because they won't know it is from me and because my daughters think it is cute. What do you think? Is that terrible? I always feel like if I am going to donate something it should be my best work . . .
That is INSANELY cute!!! Have I reminded you lately how talented you are? Love you!!
ReplyDelete--Brooke
I love it!! You've been busy, all the cute cute things!
ReplyDeleteWow, so much! It's fantastic, I can't believe you did it all. That would be a nice project for a crafting group, each person does one page. Even one page involves so much detail...
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite page is the rainbow!! I love it. The entire book is amazing. As for the bear/mouse why can't you say it's a mouse and donate it as a mouse? Do they not want mice? I'm sure it's very cute or you could say it's a baby bear...
ReplyDeleteWow! This is really amazing, I LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteI want one! It must have taken forever to put together!
x K
Suggestion for the memory game instead of velcro: clear vinyl pockets for the cards. You can sew it in strips across the page. Cut the vinyl 3/4 of the height of your cards so the cards will stay in without falling out on their own. Cute book!
ReplyDeleteToo cute! I completely agree about the school teachers. And the bear mouse, I say let a child decide. If one child loves it, another one will, so let it be loved.
ReplyDeleteThis is just wonderful! So clever and well done. Great job!
ReplyDeletewow ... i love it ... we are about to embark on a long plane trip so I should get on to making one of these for my little treasures - it will definitely keep them busy ... thanks for sharing - now I can have fun trying to copy :)
ReplyDeletebronya
haha ... I must have missed that first paragraph the first time I read the post ... now I come back to check it out again and I see the line "not for the faint of heart" ... it is very inspiring to see you put all that effort into a book for someone else as well ... now whether or not I will be copying the idea depends how the first page goes :) ... I'm not the best crafter, I have the will just not the skill :)
ReplyDeletebronya
Have I reminded you lately how talented you are? Love you!!
ReplyDeleteWork from home India
WOW! Very cute, but it sure does look labor-intensive. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteThat book is really awesome!!!! No wonder it took ages... it is so detailed! Any kid would love to receive that!!!
ReplyDeleteArabella
Oh my gosh that is so cute! And the wave of memories it brings me has me all choked up. I have a book similar to that. It's zoo animals in it though. My Aunt made it for my 1st birthday. I still have it sealed up in my garage now. That book was played with for YEARS by me. LOVE IT! I can't believe I never thought of making one for any of my kids. SHAME ON ME!
ReplyDeleteI started with another pattern and modified as I went along, but I totally agree with you, It is NOT for the faint at heart!!!! I think I am about four weeks into this project for my granddaughter!!
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