Valentine's Day Busy Book

I had some down time this afternoon and decided to get a jump start on my Valentine's gifts.  I made this love-filled 'busy book' for curious little hands.  This is a great gift for children who are just learning to dress themselves as it works on buttoning skills!  


Materials:
-Seven buttons
-Trim for the button loop
-Embroidery thread
-Several different colors of felt
-Scissors
-Needle
Step One: For the book you will need two same sized rectangles of felt (preferably in a color that will contrast with your hearts).  Take six buttons and scatter them over one of the rectangles.  Sew the buttons in place with embroidery thread.
Step Two: Cut out six hearts, some small and some large (depending on the size of your buttons).  Cut a small slit in the middle of each heart.
Step Three: Sew a button onto the front cover and a loop onto the back cover.  This will allow the busy book to be buttoned shut.
Step Four: In order to hide all of your stitches, place the two wrong sides together.  Secure them with an embroidered X at each corner.  You may want to sew around the edges as well, it is up to you!
All done!  Now you can unbutton all the hearts and button them back up in whatever colorful, loved-filled pattern you choose!  Happy (very) early Valentine's Day!!

Rachel@oneprettything.com (January 23, 2009 at 5:44 PM)  

Aww that is really sweet and super creative! I'll be linking.

wild child (January 23, 2009 at 10:16 PM)  

love your adorable idea and love the gorgeous fabric behind it too!

Meg :)

Cary (January 23, 2009 at 11:38 PM)  

Awesome idea and so cute!!!

Adaiha (January 24, 2009 at 5:10 PM)  

What a great use for buttons! I wish I knew more people with children to make things for!

Miss Muffin (January 25, 2009 at 8:31 AM)  

This is so cute! And it looks like it is done very quick. My daughter is too old for it ... but maybe I'm going to make it for my niece ... looks like fun!

Miss Muffin

Jessica (January 25, 2009 at 2:07 PM)  

This is perfect for my daughter. Great idea and tutorial, thank you bunches!

f.y.i. (January 26, 2009 at 3:38 PM)  

I think this will actually keep my little girl interested for more than 5 minutes! Perfect and simple enough for me to make.

Lori (January 26, 2009 at 3:52 PM)  

Great idea! I absolutely love the fabric in the background! Please do tell where you found such a lovely!

MamaJenn (January 26, 2009 at 6:18 PM)  

That is such a sweet idea! Thanks for sharing.
I know a few little busy hands who will love this!

Jonah Lisa (February 2, 2009 at 10:32 AM)  

Great idea. I'm making this today!

Amanda @ www.kiddio.org (February 2, 2009 at 3:42 PM)  

What a fun, simple little project! My kindergartener is studying up for her 'buttoning, tying, and zipping' test so I'm sure this would be a help :)

Best,
Amanda @ www.kiddio.org & www.housemade.org

Susan (February 3, 2009 at 7:43 PM)  

I had some crazy buttons and leftover felt that I wasn't sure what do with, so I made a Busy Book for my toddler today. Click on my name to see it & thanks for the idea!

Meredith (February 4, 2009 at 7:25 PM)  

I love this, so adorable and clever!! Can't wait to show my dd 12, she'll want to make one right away :)

_ (February 5, 2009 at 10:32 AM)  

Love it!! Made my own, thanks for the great idea!

Kristi (February 5, 2009 at 2:59 PM)  

First, I love that you have down time. Jealous, but very, very happy that you thought of this wonderful project. My parents were visiting last night and we made this after my little people went to bed. I cut the felt, my mom and I sewed buttons and my father cut the hearts. Fifteen minutes of sewing on the machine and we had one dozen of these Valentine's Day "cards" for my three year old's Preschool Class. Thank you!

Anonymous –  (February 6, 2009 at 8:55 PM)  

My kids are all grown up but still love being loved in sweet ways. I am making these for ages 17-18 and also for my sweet friends and husband. I think I will use 7 hearts, one for each day of the week.

Kara (February 16, 2009 at 8:45 AM)  

I made one of these for my 3 year old last night and she just loves it! Thanks for the cute idea!

Katherine (February 17, 2009 at 10:22 PM)  

I made a version of this, it was fun! Thanks for the idea.

Smileyhappychan (March 23, 2010 at 5:29 PM)  

I made a version of this! I loved how easy it was. Thanks for the great idea!

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