Button Board

I just made this: Isn’t it fun?!  This will be a shelf activity for M this week, but I like how it turned out so much that I’m sharing it early.  I think it will also make a great car trip activity!

I first saw the idea for a button board at Chasing Cheerios (I can’t find the exact link), and have been meaning to make one ever since.  I had a lot of ideas to make it more boyish (hers was flowers) and thought of wheels for cars and trucks.  However, I finally decided to make it easy on myself and just made shapes. 

It will be great for learning this practical life skill and will give those fine motor skills a good workout!

It took me about an hour total to put it together.  Should’ve taken pictures, but I didn’t…. anyway, here’s what I did:

• Cut a piece of corrugated cardboard to desired size and shape.
• Choose fabric from stash to cover board.
• Decide where you want to put buttons, and mark spots with an “X”.
• Sew buttons on.  This is the not-so-fun part, especially if you choose to have 15 buttons.
• Put thin layer of glue over the cardboard and smooth fabric with buttons out on top, centered with extra to overlap onto the back.  I used decoupage glue, you could use regular white glue thinned with water, or spray adhesive.
• flip the board over and wrap edges around to the back.  Secure with duct tape or more glue, or both.
• Cut several shapes of all colors and sizes from felt.
• Cut button hole slits in each shape in the center. Felt is so great for projects like this because there is no sewing involved!
• Button your shapes onto your board! 

You could make this with more room between the buttons, and then outline the shapes on the fabric around the buttons.  Your child could then match the felt shapes to the shape outlines. 

I like it this way, even though it is a little busy looking.  M can rearrange the shapes however he wants, and come up with a new design each time.  It’s great for a shape and color review tool too!

Have a beautiful day! :)

Pay it Forward – giveaway!

I recently participated in the Pay it Forward game going on in blogland… if you know where this originated, please let me know as I would love to link to the original post.

Well, last week we received our awesome package from Whisperingwhispers at Children Grow, Children Explore, Children Learn. This is such a wonderful blog, I always love seeing what cutie-pie Selena is up too – such a smart and sweet girl!   The author has so many creative ideas, and I always get a sense of calm when reading her blog (this is high praise, I’m telling you!).  She seems like such a wise and patient grandma, she is truly a remarkable woman! :)  Thank you!!!

Here’s what she sent us: Isn’t it awesome?!?  It was addressed to M, but to be honest I ended up opening it when he wasn’t around.  I couldn’t wait to see!  (If you know me, you will not be at all surprised by that fact.)  I’m glad I did, because that cute foam visor and those racecar foam stickers are going into a fun workbox activity for him this week! :)  And I love the autumn stickers – so pretty!  I have lots of plans for those cookie cutters too!!  Thank you again, so much, Whisperingwhispers! :)  You were very generous.

So, now it’s your chance!  Here’s how it works… if you are one of the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post you will receive a little gift package from me!  Please remember to **pay it forward** and do something nice for 3 of your commenters too!

Good luck!  Have a beautiful day! :)