Kid Craft: DIY No-Sew Fleece Tie Doll Pillow Tutorial

In my spare time, I teach drama classes for children. I decided that wasn't enough chaos this summer and added a craft club to my class lineup. It gave me the chance to put together some easy DIY crafts for kids. It's good practice for when my toddlers are old enough to do more than color on my walls, right?

I intended this project to be an easy no-sew fleece doll sized blanket, but the kids decided they wanted to make pillows instead. I usually have a vast amount of polyester stuffing on hand, so I said...sure, why not? So, technically you can make it either way. Stuff it for a doll-sized pillow craft, or leave it without stuffing and it makes a great little blanket. Or - make one of each and you'll have a matching set!

Here's the supply list.
-2 pieces of coordinating fleece fabric. Mine measured 14.5"x16.5" each. 
-Polyfill or another type of stuffing
-Scissors
-Ruler or Measuring Tape

Start by cutting a 2" square out of each corner. It's up to you if you prefer to do all four as the first step (as I did), or if you prefer to cut them as you go. Either way works fine.

Cut 2" square from each corner, on both pieces of fabric.

Fleece pieces with corners cut out.

Next, cut strips that are about 1" wide by 2" tall all the way across each side of the fabric.

They don't have to be exactly even, but you can measure them if you want. The important thing is to stay right at 2" tall - if you cut more than that, you'll end up with an odd-shaped pillow. I cut both pieces of fabric at the same time to keep them the same size.

Two layers of fabric with strips cut.

Once all the strips are cut, it's time to start tying! This part is a little time consuming, but really simple. Just take one strip from each fabric and tie them in a double knot.

Finished corner.

Keep tying your way around the pillow. I plan to pull out this craft for birthday parties when the kids want to watch movies - it's a great way to keep their hands occupied.

Three sides done.

Tie three complete sides and most of the fourth, as well (unless you're making a blanket - then just tie them all up). For the pillow, leave 2-4 pieces untied to allow for stuffing.

Stuff the pillow through the hole, then tie up the remaining pieces. And, boom! You're done!

Note: if you are making this for very young kids, it might be better to use a pillow form as the stuffing may escape through the holes in the pillow. The tighter you tie the strips, the less likely you will have stuffing escape. The kids I made this craft with thought it was fantastic and didn't care in the least that they could poke their fingers through to the stuffing inside.

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

 

Lincoln - What happens when I say "smile at mommy's camera!"

Addie - What happens when I say "smile at mommy's camera!" - I'm in trouble with this one.
She's currently working to perfect her eye roll.

 

Linking up at Practising Simplicity.

Goodnight, Ark by Laura Sassi {Children's Book Review}

Disclosure: I received a sample copy of this book to review. All opinions expressed are my own.

There are a lot of children's books about Noah's Ark, but it's not typical to find a title that ventures far outside the norm. In most stories, you expect to find Noah building the ark, gathering the animals, waiting forty days and nights, then waiting until dry land is found so that they can disembark. This picture book instead features a tale of what may have taken place while Noah and the animals inhabited this floating home. Goodnight, Ark is a fanciful book that takes young readers right along on the journey.

The story begins with Noah loading the animals into the ark, but then nighttime falls and the rain starts to fall - that's when everything turns a little crazy inside the ark! Author Laura Sassi has penned a lyrical, rhyming text that kids will identify with, as the story is all about how none of the animals can sleep because of the rainstorm raging outside.

Noah finds his bed filled with all sorts of creatures as the night progresses. I really love that they are not all typical animals - right alongside tigers, elephants, and sheep, we find boars, quail, and skunks. The delightful illustrations by Jane Chapman certainly put this title in my list of recent favorite finds.  The color choices set the tone for this book to be effectively used at bedtime. They are soft and comforting - making the interior of Noah's Ark seem like a cozy barn.

My kids are big fans of this book and ask to read it frequently. I love having this title in our collection.

Thanks to BookLook Bloggers for my review sample of this book. I received no compensation for posting a review and all views expressed are my own.

Bedtime Stories & Snuggles with Gymboree & The World of Eric Carle

Disclosure: Thank you to Gymboree for sponsoring today's discussion. All opinions - and my love of Eric Carle's books - are my own.

 It's never been a big secret that I'm obsessed with kid pajamas. They are quite honestly the very best: soft, cuddly, comfy - all the things you need for a good night's sleep. And as a former librarian, I am also pretty crazy about children's books. So when I heard that The World of Eric Carle and Gymboree have teamed up to offer a brand-new line of sleepwear and playwear for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, you had better believe I was first in line to check it out.

The partnership between Gymboree and the World of Eric Carle brings two iconic, parent-trusted brands together and builds on Gymboree’s rich heritage in colorful, quality clothing that parents love and children never want to stop wearing.

We took a family trip to the mall to pick out some pajamas from The World of Eric Carle collection at Gymboree. Lincoln insisted that he needed the "moon ones" and while Addie was more concerned with running away, she typically appreciates anything that is pink or purple - and these have both colors!

We decided to have a pajama party and got out some of our favorite Eric Carle book titles for that night's bedtime stories. I remember reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar at my grandparents' house when I was a little girl, and it's so fun to pass on this story to my kids! 

Honestly, my kids have not read all of Eric Carle's stories. We own Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?, The Grouchy Ladybug, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? but there are so many other great titles that I need to introduce to them. I think a trip to the library may be in order soon!

I'm so grateful that my kids love to read. They are both eager to sit down with me multiple times a day to have some downtime where we can snuggle and share stories with each other. How precious it is to have the opportunity to be their primary storyteller!

Lincoln has most of Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? memorized. I've heard him "read" the book before - it was definitely adorable because he remembers almost all of the words and can recite them to himself or to Addie.

Gymboree and The World of Eric Carle are hosting a photo contest inspired by Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The idea of the contest is to help your kids take a picture of what they see - so it's a chance to look at the world through their eyes! Entrants can submit a photo via Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr or via the designated direct photo upload site, using the hashtag, #WhatDoYouSee. Your entry gives you the chance of winning one of ten Eric Carle gift baskets! The contest ends 9/30/14.

There's even a really cute iPhone app that you can use to add some Eric Carle fun to your photos and play a caterpillar game!

Do your kids love bedtime stories as much as mine do? If you've never tried Eric Carle's books, give them a shot. I know you won't be disappointed. And you can pick up an adorable set of pajamas or playwear at Gymboree to match their favorite story! Literacy wear = awesome.

If you're a Very Hungry Caterpillar fan, hop over to my friend Stephanie's blog and read about Grace's Very Hungry Caterpillar 1st Birthday Party. Stinking adorable.

Thanks to Gymboree for sponsoring today's discussion. All opinions expressed are my own. For more information, you can read my Disclosure Policy. 

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2014."

  I'm going to quit apologizing for posting late. Because, at least I'm posting. Right?

 

Lincoln - Wild man.

Addie - All day, she asks to "cwuh-der" and then draws on the baby gate, the DVD player, and the floor. Thankfully, the wall has not been harmed yet.

 

Linking up at Practising Simplicity.