three more quiet book pages

Another quiet book ... DONE! Well, I still have to make a quick cover, but that won't take any time at all. So, without further ado, here are the last three pages.

First, a little something for Halloween:


boo! I love the friendly ghost.

Then, a bit of circus animal fun:

The balloon has a squeaker inside. Yes, I know that is not exactly quiet. But it is FUN!

My mom is in town for Oscar's birthday and helped me crank out these last two pages. She did all the little french knots for the popcorn. Doesn't it look delicious?




Serious progress was made on the playhouse today. So excited!

Audrey's quiet book

Remember how I'm supposed to be sewing a playhouse? I am nothing if not easily distracted.

My new friend Sonja is about to embark on a super long plane ride with her almost one year old daughter. Squirm city. We were talking about Oscar's quiet book, and I decided it would be a good idea to make one for their trip. Sonja came over and once I taught her the blanket stitch, there was no stopping us. Here's what we've got so far:









Is it totally sad that I might like this one better than Oscars? I'll have to add new pages to his book!

Also, I would love to provide templates for these pages, but I am under a major time crunch right now. I'll have them up in the nearest future that I can manage. :)

quiet book templates

good morning!

Below are some templates from my quiet book. Print them out as a full page image, and they'll be just the right size for a 12x12 inch quiet book.

To answer some frequently asked questions about the quiet book:

• The pages are made with plain white cotton fabric
• Each page has a very thin layer of batting in between (I use warm n' natural)
• I have not needed to wash my book so far, so I can't tell you how well it would hold up in the machine.  I would recommend spot cleaning, and if you expect frequent washings, use as much cotton fabric and as little craft felt as possible.

Sorry that templates for all pages are not included, and that I did not provide detailed instructions. I am hoping that you can figure out the construction by looking at my completed pages. If you are totally stumped, just email me and I will try to answer your questions.

For more great quiet book ideas, check out the following blogs:
How to Make a Quiet Book
Modest Maven
Naptime Journal
Crafty Chic

the finished quiet book

I finished Oscar's quiet book just in time for our long flight west back in May, but hadn't taken photos of it until this morning. To those of you who have been eager to see it, sorry to keep you waiting!

I kept the front cover simple, with just a cute fabric and button closure. I'm hoping to get mileage out of this from more than one child, so I didn't want "oscar" plastered everywhere (um, besides multiple pages). :)

The big back pocket holds the felt city pieces, and any other goodies I might slip in.

Thanks to some clever comments on earlier posts, I decided to bind the book using rings (great idea, lyndsay!). This will come in handy when I need to add more pages later, and for when I have multiple kids and need to pass a page or two down the pew. I'm planning to replace the metal rings with plastic ones ... just haven't found them yet.

Here are all the finished pages as they are laid out in the book:





Oscar likes looking at the pages and occasionally tries to destroy them. (Must.have.rocketship!)


Most of the pages are way too advanced for him at this point. When all else fails, he just eats it. :)
UPDATE:  Please see this post for quiet book templates and answers to frequently asked questions.  Thanks!

quiet book, page 10

The last page of Oscar's book is a little felt mailbox that I can tuck love notes into. The mailbox flag turns up and down, the door is a flap opening, and the stamp on the letter is attached with velcro.

attention grandmas, godmothers and other loved ones who sew: Oscar's mailbox is accepting postcards (3x4 inches or smaller, please)! :)

Only three days until my move, and I am determined to have this book done and ready for the longest travel day of my life. We are moving to southern California, and it will take us something like 15 hours door to door, assuming there are no delays. With a baby. And a rabbit. Heaven help me.

quiet book, page 9

Getting close to the end...
I'm starting to get weepy about my upcoming move, so I made this page for mostly selfish reasons. It makes me sad that Oscar won't have any memories of New York. I mean, he won't even remember that we lived down the street from the best cookie in America! The Billy Joel line has special significance, because Oscar went to the "Last Play at Shea" concert while still in the womb. :)

Lady Liberty, the taxis, and the street signal are cut out pieces of this flannel (one of those "exclusively for JoAnn's" fabrics):

I fused the flannel to pieces of felt using Wonder-Under and cut out the shapes I wanted. They stick to the skyline flannel-board style.

One more page to go, plus book construction. Can you say longest project ever?

quiet book, page 8

Another page finished. Whew! When this book is done, I am taking a long vacation from hand-sewing.

This page focuses on counting, matching numbers, and manipulating snaps.

There are also a couple of flaps with surprises underneath.

All of the numbers and ducks are attached to the page with snaps.

I'm heading out of town to visit my family and to get some cuddle time in with a new nephew ... so this will be the only quiet book page this week. I'll check in with a different project in a couple of days. :)

quiet book, page 7

I realize it will be a long time before Oscar can manipulate buttons or spell his name, but it is never too early to practice, right?

All of the felt letters are buttoned to a coordinating letter that is sewn onto the page.

Confession: I secretly pine for the "Your Baby Can Read" program. Does anyone have an extra $200 laying around? And has anyone tried this program with success? Because the infomercial has me 100% convinced. :) I am a sucker.

UPDATE: oops ... I think I should clarify. I'm not actually buying that program. Infomercials are just so tempting sometimes though! I am way too frugal and plan to teach Oscar the old fashioned way.

My Interactive Book of Mormon Stories Vol. 2 (Giveaway Closed)

*Double post today!  See Oscar's new Parsley Pants in my first day of Kids Clothes Week post below.*

Back in February, I introduced you to My Interactive Book of Mormon Stories, Volume 1.   My kids have enjoyed their book so much (to the point of arguing over it), I'm pleased to share that Volume 2 is now available!

* Watch for the Old Testament and New Testament volumes to be released later this year!

This Book of Mormon for Children is a PDF that you print and create for your own family. It is easy to make - no sewing, or hours of coloring.  All the hard work is done!  Simply print, laminate and attach pieces.

There are 9 stories in Volume 2:

1. The Anti-Nephi-Lehies

2. Captain Moroni

3. The Stripling Warriors

4. Samuel the Lamanite

5. Signs of Christ's Birth

6. Signs of Christ's Death

7. Jesus Visits America

8. The Brother of Jared

9. Moroni Buries the Plates

Volume 2 includes stories from the second half of the Book of Mormon, telling the stories from the Prophets in a fun, interactive way.  It is wonderful as a quiet activity in Sacrament Meeting, and can also be a valuable tool in Family Home Evening or Primary lessons, or just a fun book for your kids to read.

Check out the demonstrative video on YouTube to see Volume 2 in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSGIlY8n09E

Volume 1:

Want to make a set for your family?  The creator, Natalie Severts, is giving away 3 copies of the PDF combo pack - volumes one and two!  See the entry guidelines below for your chance to win. 


Can't wait to get started?  Use the code HOMEMADE now through April 27th to receive 10% off your order of My Interactive Book of Mormon Stories.

• For a chance to win a pdf copy of My Interactive Book of Mormon Stories, simply leave a comment.  Check out the book in the Etsy shop or watch the YouTube video and give Natalie some feedback.  What do you think of the book?  What is your child's favorite scripture story?  What would you like to see in an interactive scripture book?

• For one extra entry (for a total of 2 entries per person only), PIN My Interactive Book of Mormon on Pinterest, then please leave separate comment telling me you've done so.

• Anonymous comments will be ignored.  Please make sure I have a way of contacting you if you're the winner!

• This giveaway is open until midnight, Thursday, April 26th, and a winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, April 27th.