Gift ideas for children

     This summer we did some heavy duty traveling.  I wanted some "special games" just for the car/airplane, and borrowed an idea from my own childhood, when my mother made us "felt books".  I took a large 3-ring binder, made "pages" by putting 2 layers of felt together with a heavy weight interfacing between and zig-zagging the edges.  3 grommet holes completed the page.

 Then I used coloring book pictures as a pattern to cut out all sorts of fun sea animals and create a sea-life scene, which the kids could move around on the page.  Some googley eyes added even more fun!

 

 The felt pieces stick nicely to the felt, and can't be torn or bent by little hands.

 I had planned on a zippered vinyl pocket to hold everything, but ran out of time.  Happily, a ziplock bag did the trick in no time at all!

So, feeling quite pleased with my efforts, I asked "Grandma" if she'd like to make some farm scene felts for his book.  Her creatures completely put mine to shame!

Take a look at these amazing creations!

 the barn (the doors open and close, including the hay loft)

and a chicken with real feathers

 the donkey, made out of suede scraps from an old slipper

 a tractor, with little "James" driving

an adorable mouse , inside the wagon that actually opens and closes with a bit of velcro

 an apple tree, with apples, and a hidden surprise inside

 and, of course, a saggy baggy elephant, since James was obsessed with elephants at the time

 Plus, many others!  They were truly incredible, and completely delighted the heart of my children.  Now Ailidh wants some felts of her, and I'm thinking of a "princess and dragons" scene....


I wonder what my mother could up with for that?

Peanut butter feeders

Here is a simple, easy-to-make bird feeder that would make a great gift for the bird lover on your list! James and Steve spent some time this weekend working on a few while the girls were napping.

Peanut Butter Bird Feeder

Materials:
A large branch, about 2" to 3" in diameter
Several small sticks to use as perches
1 eye screw
Piece of twine

Tools:
Drill
small bit for pilot holes
1 1/4" spade bit


Step 1:  Cut the branch to about 16"


Step 2: Drill a pilot hole directly in the center and all the way through the branch, about 2" in from one cut end.  Turn the branch 90 degrees and drill another, about 3" down from the first.  Do this again and again until you have 4 pilot holes, two on one side, two on another.

Step 3:  Go back and re-drill each hole with the 1 1/4" spade bit.


Step 4: Drill a small hole about 1/2" deep underneath each of the large holes.  Cut twigs (or dowels) to about 2" and pound them into the holes to make little perches.  (Leave one side of each hole without a perch, as many of the little songbirds that will come for the peanut butter prefer to cling to the bark of the log than to sit on a perch.)

 Step 5:  Screw the eye screw into the wood at the top of your feeder, and attach the piece of twine for hanging it.  We also like to attach a little card with a recipe for the peanut butter mixture (recipe below).

 You're finished!

Peanut butter bird feed recipe:

1 1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup fresh ground suet
3 cups yellow corn meal
1/2 cup dry rolled oats
1/2 cup flour

1.  Blend suet and peanut butter together in microwave sfe bowl, melting slightly if necessary.
2.  Add dry ingredients and blend until mixture reaches a play-dough consistency, adding a little    more cornmeal or peanut butter if needed to achieve desired consistency.
3.  Pack ino the holes in the feeder.
4.  Hang outside and enjoy!

Gift ideas

So, for those of us who are looking for some great gift ideas, here are a few I have come up with, which would be wonderful for anyone you know.

Especially if they like to sew and have a house full of toddlers.  (hint hint, family)

Perfume.  For those days when you feel like the smell of dirty diapers is following you around


Child sized dress forms.  For when you are trying to fit something on your 2-year-old (or 3 or 4... this set even includes a 6 month size!) and they just won't hold still!


  Warm cozy throw.  Because we all hold on to that hope that we might have time to cuddle on the couch with a good book, one of these days...

A Willow Tree figurine.  Because they're so beautiful!  And they might not break it, right?

A Tri-Fold Pattern Pinboard.  Because who doesn't need one of those!

This dress. I, I mean, she, could wear it while doing the dishes...




So, just a few ideas for those of you who are running out of time....

I wonder if my husband ever reads this?

Merry Christmas!