For Christmas this year, I made two sets of number bean bags, using this tutorial from Chez Beeper Bebe. One set for my son: kazaam!
And one set for my nieces & nephews: kablam!
I added top stitching to each bag, as I wasn’t confident they would hold up well without the extra reinforcement.
I also added counting dots to the back of each bag (which, oh my, was quite tedious) by tracing a pen cap onto Heat n’ Bond and black felt.
Additionally, (yes, this was a seemingly never-ending project) I made a little carrying case for each set, using the juggling balls drawstring bag pattern from Oliver & S Little Things to Sew. Such a quick project (compared to those bean bags!) which resulted in very sturdy, fully lined bags.
And for my nieces and nephews, I also created a little bean bag toss out of a stunningly beautiful cardboard box, using Danielle’s tutorial.
Like, on Christmas Day, an hour before my family’s Christmas festivities began. Talk about down to the wire.
We’ve been playing with our set by tossing them into an empty laundry basket (or in the air, or at the cat and dog), studying the numbers and carefully counting each dot. Such a fun way to learn how to count.
The project was virtually free, as I used scraps for the bean bags, the beans from the bean bowl, the fabric leftover from making these pants and obviously a really old cardboard box. The whole thing took, what seemed like forever, but it was actually nice working at it bit by bit, at a more relaxed pace than what I typically create for myself. So often when I sew, I want it finished right away and I’m mentally lining up the next 50 projects I want to complete.
Here’s to a more relaxed approach to sewing (and life in general) in 2012!
I made 
The pattern worked up even faster the second time around, which was great considering I was working under a tight deadline. In addition to needing these jams, I made them specifically for the 
the evening before, and when we woke up from his nap the next day, we put him in his new pajamas (clearly still half-asleep), and off we went to ride the Polar Express.
Each child was given a golden ticket,
and a conductor came by to punch it.
The chefs made us hot chocolate and cookies (we brought our own gluten-free), we sang Christmas carols, and then stopped at the North Pole to let Santa and his elves aboard.
Santa stopped and chatted with each and every child. It was truly magical. When we pulled up to the train station on the way back, it was snowing! And kept snowing for the majority of the ride home.
Last I blogged about homemade play 
Just as 
I purchased the little suitcase at Michael’s on a super sale, and opening and closing it is half the fun of the whole activity.
Happy Playing!
After seeing Vanessa’s darling little 
To Do: 
onto recycled plastic lids and allow your child to paint their hands with a sponge brush.
I even got in on the turkey action and allowed my son to paint my hands and press them onto the paper, which he loved. You could allow the paint to dry and draw faces on top, add feathers or glitter or pinecones and leaves, or keep it simple and abstract.
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Flickr