shadowbox

This idea came from a friend of mine. I am so glad I was able to capture how perfect and tiny Charlie's little feet and hands were when he was brand new. I used Delight paper clay http://www.paperclay.com/product.htm. It dries to be feather light and is non-toxic. My friend had the name plates with birth date made for me at an engraving store, and I attached the plate with doublesided tape and the well-dried hand and footprints with a hot glue gun, as the back of the shadowbox is felt. I made one for us and I also made shadowboxes for Charlie's grandparents and great-grandparents. I remember the day I got the foot and hand impressions. I was still in new mom euphoria/shock, but Charlie was about 3 weeks old, so I wasn't feeling like such an amateur (meaning I finally had the courage to attempt the project). I remember it was the middle of the day, and I had Charlie lying on a blanket on the floor while the movie "About a Boy" with Hugh Grant was on TV. I was trying to figure out how to get his fingers spaced apart evenly and how to smoosh his hand into the clay without leaving any of my fingerprints, etc. I remember shaping the clay and putting it on a cutting board and then putting his hand in the clay and gently pushing each finger into the clay in careful new mom fashion (i.e. very deliberately, VERY slowly and worried about EVERYTHING). I'm sure getting all 5 hands and all 5 feet took me the entire movie. It was all worth it, and now every time I look at it I think of Hugh Grant.

Charlie's house

Those who follow Madphrey will know this. I have to post it though - it is 

too adorable.... Charlie's house. Dreamt up, designed, and executed 

by Adam. It is made from very thick cardboard from a shipping box that 

contained medical equipment for one of Adam's patients. The patient 

couldn't wait to see pictures of Charlie and his house. She was so excited to donate the box to the effort. Charlie loves it. We had to install a 

doorknob on both sides of the door, as originally it only had an outside 

knob and Charlie was desperately trying to shut us out of there without 

pinching his fingers. If we are missing anything, it is likely in the garbage 

or stashed in his house.

birthday crowns

These are made out of the left-over banner felt. The back is scrunchie-style to accommodate growing heads. Here's picture of Charlie (reluctantly) modeling his. The last picture is the crown next to his birthday ring. I stumbled upon this old German tradition and thought it was so cute. They don't typically have photos - that's my own 2 cents.

Homemade board book

For this project I took 1/4" poster board and using an exacto knife, cut it into squares for the pages. I used scrapbooking glue tape to attach the pictures, then covered them with laminating paper. I punched holes with a skewer and bound it with kitchen twine. My original idea was for this to be a much more polished book, but it is very utilitarian, and if it ever gets destroyed I won't be too upset. I'm glad for this now, as it has been christened with his sippy cup and thrown/dragged all over the place and is still in one piece. He loves it, too. I blew up pictures of family members to really emphasize the faces when I could.

P.S. In typical Erin fashion, I did research after the fact. I really didn't look around online before making this. If you look around you can find some really nice"how-to's" for homemade board books. I'm not taking a dig at mine - I still like it, and it was done in a reasonable amount of time. In case anyone wants to up the ante, browse around and don't stop here. Here are some great examples:

http://degroof.home.mindspring.com/boardbook/boardbook.html

http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2008/11/homemade-board-books.html

Also, VERY COOL..... http://rompstore.com/productDetail.php?productId=66&productItemId=205&optionId=

I may go back and look into that when Charlie is older - what a great gift or keepsake - let him make his own book for himself or for relatives/friends....

Charlie's banner

For Charlie's birthday I wanted to make him a banner that he could use for many years, and that would not be disposable. This one serves the purpose, and can even be used year-round in his room if he chooses. It's funny how you stumble upon things at just the right time. I had this idea in my head, but didn't know how to execute it, then I saw the cover of SouleMama's new book http://www.amazon.com/dp/1590305957/?tag=soul01-20

Seeing the banner on that book was enough help to get me going. My version is a bit different, obviously. Mine is made out of really nice wool felt from the shop at the Waldorf school just down the road. I love how the colors are uneven. I chose the felt because I think it's pretty, and honestly I have no interest at this time in applique (why applique when there is such a thing as felt glue??). I just know I'd be terrible at it, and also don't have the time or patience. I picked up fat quarters in nice bright colors at a quilt shop, and a $3.00 clothesline. Fun, easy project!