Kimochis!

I think I've fallen in love...with Kimochis!


As a Pre-K teacher, I am talking about feelings ALL the time! Sometimes very in-depth, sometimes very simply, and for some of my kids - through pictures.  Kimochis (or "feelings" in Japanese) are about helping children identify with their emotions and positively express their feelings.


Here's an awesome giveaway that explains more about the amazing Kimochis!

Baby Gear Today Kimochi Giveaway is an awesome chance for me to get these in my classroom!

Nursery Decorations

Nursery Decorations

Materials:

Picture Frames

Wrapping Paper

Modge Podge

Paintbrush

My co-worker is expecting Baby Girl and asked if I could help decorate the nursery.  Needless to say, I got a bit carried away...

This is an old busted picture frame that I tacky glued and then modge podged some beautiful wrapping paper over (thank you Target $1 section!).  Cut out some polka dots, stick 'em to some leftover construction paper (double-sided sticky tape and/or glue stick), and - adorable!

Co-worker had no idea what theme she wanted, so I went with nature. Polka dot nature.  Cut the dots into different sizes, and tie in the felt with the tree trunk.

I love felt.  Not sure if she'll end up using it as a wall hanging or a mobile, but I think it's adorable as either!  Freehanded the birds and branches, blanket-stitch, and stuffed with ripped up plastic bags (yea, I'm too cheap to buy stuffing...hopefully those will hold up!).

Eeee! 

Enjoy Baby Girl! 

Felt Leaf Bean Bags

Felt Leaf Bean Bags

Materials:

Fall colored felt 

Thread

Beans

I love fall! So pretty!

Seriously!

So easy! Cut out fall leaf shapes (I just freehand it), blanket-stitch around the edges, leave a little hole to fill in the beans, sew it up! 

As much as I love fall, I love these little guys! They are perfect for bribing my Pre-K'ers...
Clean up...here's a bean bag to throw into the basket
Listening...here's a bean bag to sit in your lap
Not listening...here's a bean bag "fidget buddy"
Getting noisy in here...time for a fun hand-eye coordination activity
Seriously, why did I never think of making bean bags for the classroom earlier?

Felt Memory Match

Felt Memory Match

Materials:

Felt (assorted colors)

Thread

Needles

Cut backing felt squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" and front felt squares 2" x 2".

Embroider matching pictures on 2" x 2" squares. Stitch onto one side of backing.

Blanket stitch around edges.  Sewing a basic straight stitch also works, but the blanket stitch is much snazzier (albeit time consuming).

Most fabulous felt bag for holding memory game pieces.

Embroider hearts, names, pictures, or leave it blank...all are adorable!

Lots of ideas - lots of fun! 

Felt Car Mat

Felt Car Travel Mat

Materials:

Green Felt

Black Felt

Other Felt (for houses, signs, etc)

Yellow Thread (for roads and edges)

Fabric Backing

Toy Cars

Cut felt roads roughly the width of the toy cars.  I hack-sawed my way through by cutting many different lengths and then moving around to design a road.  My nephew LOVES to "park" his cars, so I added a little parking lot, too!  Since I had some spare felt scraps, I used it to make extras: pond, bushes, houses, signs, etc. 

Cut a piece of fabric the width (plus a 1/4'' to fold underneath to hem).  My measuring is a mess, but I played with the fabric enough so that it folds over for the cars to park there.  Then sew the fabric to "park" the cars into 1/3 slots.  Fold play mat into thirds.

Alas, it's still an unfinished project.  The embroidery took a while, so now it's time to set up the sewing machine and get it ready to gift away!