Thursday, September 22, 2011

Quiet Book - My Renaissance

I made a quiet book to keep my first two little boys occupied during church.  The book was simply made -- a little bulky -- but effective in keeping the boys entertained.  By the time my third son was three years old we had become tired of hauling the big book to church every week.  So I gave it away (with all of my other baby stuff), just in time to find out that boy number 4 was on the way.  After years of doing baby projects and with the added demands of three other kids, I didn't have the energy for homemade projects.  Baby 4 had to settle for glitzy store bought entertainment.  Seven years later, after again giving away all of my baby stuff, baby boy 5 showed up on the scene.  It seems as though the clock has wound backward and I am returning to the life I lived 17 years ago.  My appetite for homemade projects is renewed and this time I am armed with experience and the fabulous ideas shared on the Internet by women who much more creative that me.

Here are the first pages of Quiet Book Round II -

Peek-a- Boo Page.  Pull back the mittens to play peek-a-boo with the boy.  Lift the boy's face to play peek-a-boo with baby!




Lift the Flap House

It was a tricky finding a house that would have enough windows for the entire family, while still fitting on the page.  His four brothers "live" on the top floor, mom and dad are behind the windows on the first floor and you see baby when you open the door.




Page three is my changing seasons page.  On the left side there are crates that have different items to represent spring, summer and fall.  The leaves, fruit and flowers can be mixed and matched and then sorted back into their crates. 

The puppy page did not quite come out how I had envisioned.  I wanted to use faux fur to give some texture, but I don't like the way the pattern makes the puppies mouth look strange.  This page gives practice clasping and unclasping the collar.  I like that the collar has a button to release it as opposed to sides that need to be squeezed.  I'm considering adding a leash to the bindng of the book that can be attached to the metal rings.

The puppies' body is a pocket to hold the food that snaps into the bowl.  My older boys have already shown me how the dog food can serve a dual purpose.  BOYS!!!!




The weaving page is a classic that appeared in the quiet book my mom made, as well as Quiet Book Round I.  This is my favorite page and never fails to keep me entertained when the speakers get boring.



The piggy bank page is everywhere and I had to try my own version.





The spaghetti chef was something I really wanted to try, but had no idea how to make it work.  A little trial and error taught me that I could not put wonder-under beneath the entire face and hat.  I needed to leave a tube that was non-fusible so that the yard could travel back and forth freely.  The button on the chef's hat pulls the yarn through and makes it appear that the chef is slurping up all the spaghetti.  The yard can be pulled back through and clustered in the bowl to look like bowlful of noodles. 






31 comments:

  1. The chef is hilarious! Is his mouth a rivet? What a clever, fun idea. I have to add one to my son's quiet book now. Thanks for the post and the great ideas!

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    1. Yes, there is a small red rivet in his mouth and a larger rivit in his hat.

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  2. I LOVE your weaving page, your season/tree page and the spaghetti chef! Awesome. (Found you through Pinterest.) What are the size of your pages and do you have any templates you'd be able/willing to share? Great quiet book!

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    1. My pages are 10 inches square. My templates were clip art that I found on google images and then enlarged or reduced to fit my page. I can send you the files if you wish. Send your email to aleecew@aol.com.

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    2. I would love to get the file for the templets as well my email is chelsieplaster@gmail.com

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    3. May I also have the files emailed to me if you still have them please? My email is jn8845@gmail.com. I love your quiet book!!

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    4. Oh me, too, please! I would love the tree and its accompanying page (the crates of decor) and the puppy page! ladycheysuli@gmail.com Oh thank you, thank you!

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    5. This quiet book is so creative, thank you for sharing! Please please send me the templates, too! tinyhappygarden@gmail.com. I would love to make this for my son!

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  3. I also LOVE your quiet book ideas. Would you be willing to share your templates with me? My email is starkat21@gmail.com

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  4. Ooooh, SOOOO cute! PLEASE send the templates to me as well!
    soundersgirl@gmail.com

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  5. Great job! I would also love to have your templates, please! sweetpeasmom1@gmail.com

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  6. Your quiet book is one of the best I've seen! So creative! I am a gramma of one boy (20 months) with another little boy on the way and would love a copy of your templates to be able to make these pages for my little guys! Here is my email: sstaumcolelake@gmail.com
    Thanks so much!

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  7. Your quiet book is perfect! I'd like to make one for my grandson. May I have the templates, please? debchristiansen5@gmail.com

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  8. I absolutely love your book! May I have the templates? I appreciate your help :) hacomolli@gmail.com

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  9. My world seems similar to yours...I have a 16 year old and now dive in again with my 5th boy! I constantly wonder will they keep me young or old before my time? LOL! I am sitting here, surrounded by felt, trying my hand at a quiet book. I found your pages and they are so great! I would love to use some of your templates. Thanks for your cute ideas! casemom5@gmail.com.

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  10. So cute! May I please have your spaghetti template? Thanks! croceemily@gmail.com

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  11. The spaghetti chef is awesome! Love the use of crates for the leaves. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Darling! Could I know you made these a while ago, but if you still have the templates and are willing to share I would love it. In particular I'd love the peek-a-boo and the spaghetti man templates. My email is nankate@gmail.com. Thanks!

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  13. I really like how you made the dog! Instead of having the stuff disappear into his back, I sewed velcro onto his tongue and the food pieces so he could "eat" them! I linked back to you on my blog entry: http://thenotsoboredhousewife.com/?p=349
    Thanks for sharing your ideas!

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  14. I love the idea of having the dog "eat' the food!

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  15. I'd love the templates -- janebatley@gmail.com. Your book is terrific!

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  16. Hello! Could you please share your templates with me as well? I love your ideas! Thank you! Der.elizabeth@gmail.com

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  17. i would love the spaghetti slurping chef template if you have one. He is incredible! rachelbrenha@yahoo.com

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  18. I know this post started a long time ago, but if you still have the Temps I would love them!!
    RmtKarol@hotmail.com

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  19. I know this post started a long time ago, but if you still have the Temps I would love them!!
    RmtKarol@hotmail.com

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  20. You are so creative. My son would love the chef page. Its genius. If you still have all the templates I would love them!! Thanks
    snehashah.mba@gmail.com

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  21. Would you be willing to share your pattern for the little spaghetti eating chef? He is so awesome. sandra.nunley@comcast.net.

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  22. I am still giggling over your spaghetti slurping chef. I can't wait to recreate him. Thank you for your hardwork and creativity. I love the Italian architecture in the background. May I please have a copy of your template? My email is CassadagaCathie@gmail.com

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  23. Beautiful work, could you please kindly send a copy of your spaghetti chef template? My email is pangsaulin@gmail.com. Thanks

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  24. I also would like a template of the spaghetti slurping chef please. Thanks g_c_pittman@msn.com

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  25. I love, love, love your spaghetti man -- if you are still sharing templates I would love to have it. My e-mail address is eileen.ball@sbcglobal.net Thanks for your wonderful work!!

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