Vehicles Quiet Book: Traffic Light and Car Quiet Book Page (BONUS: Free Pattern)

I started telling you about a quiet book for a little boy teaching him about the world of vehicles.

When he opens the book the first thing he sees is a car moving towards a traffic light hopefully respecting the speed limit.

On the left hand page stands the big traffic light. To a grown-up it might not be at all that exciting. Yet a child faces a puzzle. Which light goes on the red button? Yes, the red one! The page stimulates teaches colors and helps embed the idea of road safety and traffic rules in the child's mind through games. It also develops the fine motor skills by prompting the child to button the lights.

The car on the right hand page is also a puzzle. 

What makes the car move? The wheels! Why don't we help by buttoning them up.

Apart from fine motor skills this page helps the child develop their sensory perception by exposing them todifferent materials such as felt, ribbon, thread,plastic or wooden buttons.

And finally, it is my first quiet book here is a little treat for you to celebrate with me - the concept "art" with explanations what materials are employed. Images are scaled for an 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) page and you may use them as patterns for a quiet book you are making. A clearer pdf pattern as well as step-by-step instructions of the process are available at my Etsy shop. Note that these images are designed for your  PERSONAL use only. Should you wish to make and sell this quiet book page visit my shop and purchase the pattern and tutorial.

Want a quiet book just like this, please visit my Etsy shop. 

Lazar's Quiet Book: The cover

Happy New Year! May it bring love and warmth and happiness to your homes and lives. 

I will start this year by showing you my first completed quiet book. I was chosen to play Secret Santa for a little boy named Lazar, who had barely turned one. I was tossing several ideas before settling on the automotive theme. 

The first task was the cover, I needed some vehicular themed pages and could not find any. Here is what I thought of. 

Front: Lazar's name in a font loosely based on font of the Car's movies (Magneto bold if you are wondering). 

Every letter resembles a road - it is gray with yellow thread running stitch lane markings and small car wood beads. 

The back cover I am really proud of. 

A rear-view mirror of felt and reflective foil. 

And the side is a simple yellow felt strip. 

Pages are stitched together with sturdy embroidery thread and elastic and button are used for closing.  

Christmas Countdown 1: Ellie's Christmas Quiet Book Page

Now that I have scored and posted handmade items from around the web, it might be the time to wish you Happy Holidays with my very own creation.

My toddler Ellie will be getting all kinds of store-bought Christmas presents from friends and family but Mommy Santa has settled for something made just for her: a giant quiet book.

The book is themed seasons and nothing spells winter more than a Merry Christmas page.

The setting is a sitting room at a house. Along with a wreath, a fireplace and a decorated three.

We are waiting for Santa. 

The fire is burning under the jolly wreath and the bag with presents has been dropped unscathed down the chimney.

Our Christmas tree is decorated with big red balls (and a glittery star on top) but something is missing. 

That is right the presents aren't where we are supposed to find them in the morning. Good thing Santa has some tiny fingers to help him arrange the presents under the tree. 

So there you have it, a Christmas quiet book page. 

Happy holidays! 

And see you again next year!

Christmas Countdown 2: A Couple of Super Easy Last Minute Gift Ideas

Well, are you really running out of time (and money) and still want to make Christmas special.

Well, you can always throw candy or cocoa and marshmallows in a jar, wrap it up with a beatiful ribbon and call it a day. Or you can make an extra step and no one will ever suspect that you have not invested a lot of effort, money and time into selecting the one and only gift that is just so perfect.

That said set aside about 30 minutes (+time to the dollar store) and make those loved ones feel special.

2. For him

A key chain can range from the most boring to the most amazing gift ever. Still not sure. Check these out. 

Scrap leather with a cute spin.

Or the cork of his favourite wine (you still get to drink it anyway). Please follow these instructions before drowning the bottle down. 

1. For her

Lip balm will never ever be thrown away. Combine that with a nice dollar store locket and she will be ever grateful. 

Easy Peasy - coconut oil, lipstick, locket and stove. Still not making sense? Check out the step-by-step instructions.

If you are still not sure whether these will work, maybe you should consider a single yet elegant and somewhat precious flower.

And find out some more fun ways of gifting money on Buzzfeed.

Christmas Countdown - 3: Three of My Favourite No Bake Alternatives to Gingerbread Houses

I so wish I could biuld something like this

 with just some gingerbread dough and icing.

In truth I have managed to turn something a lot (a whole lot) easier like this

into a mini baking disaster.

And I still want a house not a junk food somethink that may remotely resemble an arc.

So here they are.

3. Graham Cracker Cuteness

2. Everything tastes better with bacon 

and waffles

or chocolate 

1. You can never go wrong with waffles 

and wafers for that matter

There you have it. And a cute litle marmallow snowman to say goodbye

Christmas Countdown - 4: May the 4th Be With You

I just can't pass The Movie premiere this Xmas season. And with all the buzz you may consider inviting a certain Force into your decor this season.

4. Felt it.

Felt is versatile we know that. Why not put it to good use.

Luckily, some generous geeks have chosen to share their patterns.

3. Or paper it

If you are into papier-mâché, these are amazing.

Unfortunately, I could not find a tutorial online, but my guess is any pinata technique with a dash of artistic flare will work.

And can you really make a Yoda by just folding paper? Now you have to be an origami god to create this surely.

For those of us less skilled, paper snowflakes with a touch of Vader.

Well, at least this one comes with a tutorial.

2. Paint it 

Baubles turn into amazing duo of robots.

I will quietly admit that these are my favourite Star Wars characters, closely followed by the ewoks.

Or a complete set of characters for that matter, made with someone with unholy wielding of the brush.

And this one left me speechless.

Comes with a handy tutorial too.

1. Lego it. 

Simple as that. You are buying the Lego Star Wars series anyway,

or 

Check out the Chris McVeigh building guides, get your Lego out and start building those with your kids.

There you have it, a geeky, shiny, starwarsy Xmas.

Christmas Countdown 5: 5 Cute No Sew Felt Ornaments That You Could Make at Home

Felt is probably among the most versatile materials I have worked with. And comes especially handy if you are having holidays in a toddler-ridden home. Here are my top five picks for now sew Christmas ornaments,

5. Super simple mistletoe

4.Stacked tree ornament

3.  Nearly realistic pinecones 

2. It's not just eye-candy (and unfortunately it is not real candy either)

1. Cute little snowmen

And those of you who still want to have the go at the sewing part, here are some super cute raindeer.

And with a pattern too.