Sunday, October 5, 2014

Nannie's Quiet Book

Full Disclosure* This is my mom's DIY project. I freely admit that she is the Master DIYer, but this was just too great a project not to share. She presented it to him for his 2nd birthday:) 

Unfortunately, since this wasn't my project, I didn't take pictures of the steps along the way, but at least you can glean inspiration from the finished project, If you have a question about anything in particular, leave me a comment, and I will do my best to get an answer from her for you. I am including links to the end of the post for some of the sites she visited for ideas. 

Warning! She said she thought this would a weekend project, but it took weeks. These take time. 

I present to you, a labor of love....
 Book cover courtesy of Mom's embroidery machine. 


The first page featured a mirror covered by hand embroidered life-size hands. Perfect for playing peekaboo with yourself. Not gonna lie, Little Man quite likes to admire his reflection. So this page is a big hit.
 Super cool idea, huh?

Next on the list, the farm pages. Not only are these super cute with a functioning barn door, they are (again) hand embroidered, and magnetic! 

 I'm posting a close-up so you can see the amazing detail that was put into every piece, 

Count along with the movable beads! 

This is so super cute, and I just love it! In the pocket are various accessories Little Man can use to change his look. 

I especially like the Miami Marlins hat. Go Fish! 

At last, the whole reason for this project! Little Man really really loves this page. It's amazing to have during church! 


Left: Page has a movable boat (pull the ribbon either way), and it is even christened after Little Man himself. 
Right: This page features snaps and a zipper for motor skill development. Oh, yah, it's super cute too.  

I feel like these two pages are the highlight of the book. They show amazing skill and dedication. It's stunning. First, you have a fish net to contain the hand-embroidered finger puppets and a marine background on the opposite side. 

Wait until you see the close-up shots of the puppets! 

This yellow submarine has windows! Somehow, she used clear plastic to create actual portholes. I wish they had shown up in the pictures though.
 This squid is one of my favorites! It so groovy! 
 Seagull with fish in his beak. 
 Maybe the most detailed of all. Look at all that embroidery! 

Another stunning set. Where to start: the button wheels that can be put on and taken off, the opening door, the finger puppets?! There's simply too much! 
 Check out that mane! Like, Seriously! 

The last page has movable automobiles for my car obsessed son. 
Just pull the ribbons either direction to move them.

My husband works for UPS, and she made a "Daddy's Truck", as it is known around our house, for Little Man. It even has a real "glass" door! 

This says it all. Thank you so much, mom, for this amazing keepsake. 

Nannie (as he calls her), Little Man & Pawpa checking out his birthday book! 

Links for ideas: 
http://rigierukodelki.blogspot.com/2012/04/blog-post_04.html#more 
http://tom-toy.blogspot.co.il/2014/06/quiet-book-for-annabelle.html
http://www.imagineourlife.com/2011/09/27/circus-train-quiet-book-page/
http://bugsandfishes.blogspot.com/2014/06/guest-post-felt-ocean-finger-puppets.html
http://www.sewcando.com/2009/09/quiet-time-part-2-quiet-books-abound.html
http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/p/templates-printables.html




4 comments :

  1. your mom did an excellent job. i liked the pelican. what did she use as the mirror for the peek a boo page? a real mirror, or a plastic reflective thing. also how did she get the pic of wills face? the ups was a nice touch!

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  2. Love the idea, your mom did a great job. I was also wondering about the mirror and face.

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  3. #1 She used a PLASTIC locker mirror. They have them at Walmart and the dollar store.
    #2 She said she just printed off a picture of his face onto transfer paper with her home printer.

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  4. where do you get transfer paper, at an office supply store? and thanks for the hint on the mirror.

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