VALENTINES FOR KIDS

I made my little one a handmade valentines gift this year using a vintage pattern I updated and adapted from legendary toy maker JEAN GREENHOWE. When we were kids both my parents would always send me and my little sister and a valentines card and sometimes even one of those giant over the top iced cookies. As mine is still a little small to appreciate a card or eat candy, I decided to make her a sugar free surprise to add a little sweetness to her day!
I made the carry cot from odds and ends of fabric I had leftover in my fabric stash including this super snazzy pre-quilted silver fabric, then mixed and matched with a selection of polka dots, chevrons and heart themed quilting cottons.
I’ve been experimenting a lot lately with making soft toys as my little one is at an age where she’s really into them, so she gets as much enjoyment from my creative efforts as I do! I made this teddy using some snuggle soft fleecy fabric and the flat cut out method. Draw or print out a teddy bear shape minus the ears (which I like to stitch on after) then pin onto double thickness fabric and stitch around the shape. Leave a small opening for turning and stuffing. Cut out leaving a small seam allowance, then turn, stuff and stitch up the gap. Sew the face and ears on once stuffed using some extra strong thread and a little bit of felt for facial details.
I also stitched a little pillow and blanket for the teddy to rest on using cotton scraps and a little polyester toy stuffing…
Bou loved her little teddy toy so much we stitched up a couple more, so we could send bear hugs to all her little friends to let them know how beary special they are!
Bou is really enjoying role play games at the moment and has taken to tucking her soft toys into bed all over the house. I’ll often find little fuzzy faces peeking out beneath the rug, on the sofa snuggled up into our coats and scarfs and sometimes even in our own bed! So, this is the perfect little toy for acting out imaginative play.
Here she is sending them off to sleep… SSSHhhh!
Night night little bears…
Oh and here we are playing goldilocks and the three bears. As you can see, these little guys have already provided us with endless hours of amusement. Have a beary beary special Valentines day 2015!