Quiet Busy Books!

Recently, while reading a blog I love reading oh so much, I came across the idea of making my children something similar to this quiet book.  Scarlett's book has to be a huge favorite so far. 

What is a quiet book?

Well, a quiet book is an activity book sewn out of fabric full of little fun things to do.  For example, there can be a shoe tying page in there, as well as zippers, and pretty much anything from tic tac toe to hair braiding.


Examples of Quiet book ideas around the interweb:

Here is an entire blog devoted to creative ideas for these adorable books.  I'm sure a few favorite ideas will emerge from here.

On this blog, I love the frogs on a log idea.  I think one day, I might try to create a nursery rhyme based book to include the 5 frogs on a log song, the ants go marching, and probably hey diddle diddle as well as a few others.

I think I might have to make a jean cover for my daughter's book like this one.  She isn't too big on the ACUs I used for the cover of her brother's.  (see below)

As for this one, I LOVE the cover and, quite frankly, most of the activities.  I'll definitely be looking to that blog for inspiration often.

Lastly, before I show you my first cover, I have to share this last one.  I may use some of these girlier ideas in the future.  They are adorable!




And now, for my first attempt (well, the cover anyway):

About a year ago, when the husband came back from Iraq, he had a few pairs of ACUs that were just out of commission.  Being the hoarder I am, I decided to keep them in my sewing box that I would probably never use simply because I've seen so many cute ideas for ACU patterned things.  At this point, I am happy I made that decision, because after a wash or ten, they didn't smell like nappy sand poo, and the back of the top worked wonderfully for this cover.  I plan on making a name tape with my son's name on it to put on the front, as well as finding an iron on rocket ship or related, because honestly, this seems boring.  For the closure and handle, I used a scratched up Class A belt that the husband hadn't thrown away yet.  (I secrently hope I can find another one of these just lying around somewhere for the other book.) 

For the back, I sewed on a pocket cut off from a pair of pants for miscellaneous pieces.   That part was probably the simplest.

For the inside, I used some leftover fabric I had on hand and sewed in some ribbon to hold all the pages in place once I actually make them.  Honestly, there really wasn't much to making this.  Atleast, it seems like it now that I'm done.  I thought it would be ten times harder.




Future ideas with this:

I hope to complete the two books for my children by their birthdays, and providing some fabric and felt my grandmother is sending arrives within the next few weeks, I might be able to get enough done for a christmas gift, followed by more pages for birthdays.  I think the children will love these!

I also think a game book of sorts will have to be made.  This to include, checkers, tic tac toe, chess maybe, a knock off version of monopoly, and small games that don't require a million different everythings and can travel well.  Monopoly will be difficult to create, but I hope I can accomplish it.   

And, if everything goes well, as it is now, I actually wouldn't mind making these and selling them.  And making them for family/friends.  And everyone.  Because, so far, I am having so much fun, and all I did was a cover and am working on a page.  (No, haven't made it very far because I lack a few needed items, like felt.)

I honestly think these will make amazing gifts regardless of who you are.

I would love your thoughts on this. 

Would you buy one?