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?