Mommy/Son Time

Hyrum and I had the nicest time today.  Now that Eliza is back in school, things are settling back into a routine and becoming less crazy.  So today, while Hazel was taking a long morning nap, Hyrum and I spent a few hours sewing these darling blocks.

Hyrum was my little helper.  He very carefully took each flower pin and inserted it into the exact center of each blossom bud (most of the fabric is from Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom collection).  This entertained him for quite some time, then he moved on to helping me cut the batting that surrounds the foam inserts:

He loves to cut things, and so I gave him some scraps and he went to town cutting little squares from the batting.  It was so fun to sit together and chat about all sorts of things while we were both working on our projects.

Hyrum would anxiously await the completion of each new block, and when they were done he literally spent hours playing with them, stacking them, knocking them down (he was the Big Bad Wolf) and tossing them around.

I love simple toys like this, because their use is not so specific that you can only play with them one way.  It was great fun to see what creative thing he came up with next to make use of our new stuffed blocks.

I had some extra high-density foam leftover from another project (I'm making some U chairs like they sell at Pottery Barn) so I HAD to make use of them...I certainly couldn't throw them away, right? 

Actually the foam was originally intended to replace the wimpy foam inserts in the olive green sofa you see in the background, but I never quite got around to doing it. (This was 6 years ago...and the foam has been driving my husband crazy ever since.  It's quite a large, annoying thing to have to find a place to store for that long.  So I'm doing you a favor, honey, by finally getting that foam out of our closet and making some use of it!)  Steve was concerned that the blocks were a waste of my time and that the kids wouldn't play with them, but happily that is not the case.  And when I'm done with the U chairs, I'll be sure to show you how they turned out.  A little (okay, a lot) more involved that blocks, so we'll see. 

Anyway, the only way to cut the foam properly is with an electric knife, which I didn't have and would always forget to borrow/buy one for myself.  Until now.  Sooo, the scrap foam is happily encased in batting and darling fabric scraps, which was also calling my name to be used instead of languishing in storage.  Everyone (and everything) is happy and Hyrum and I had a great morning together. 

Comments

[Joy Turner]

what a great idea!

[CoconutKate]

Those are very cute blocks shelley! I know I don't comment often but I check in every few days to see what's new with you! :0)

[Anjuli Fry]

I love your blog!! I am always wondering what things I can sew for boys and now I have an idea. Thanks again. Though I am going to have to play with scraps until I figure out how to make them.

[Missy]

What a cute project! I can't wait to see the chairs. I love quiet fun days like that! Quality time.