Tuesday, October 7

Felt jungle

Hello! We have been so busy with my mom visiting that I've quite neglected my blog. I used to try to catch up on crafting while my mom was here, but that's gotten harder to do as we've had more children and found that so much more time is required to just happily survive. Here's the one project I've managed to complete this week. Felt jungle.
My mom brought the kids some toy animals (they've been loving these in everyone else's homes) and I designed a little felt habitat for them. It's very obviously not geographically accurate and certainly not made to scale, but neither are the animals. We call this one the jungle. I intend to make a desert home, as well, but we'll see how it goes.
I started with a big piece of that stiff craft felt. I shaped the perimeter and sewed some grass around it. I sewed on a pond and a snow-capped mountain. The other pieces I purposefully kept separate so the kids could rearrange the land how they'd like.
The palm trees are made from tp rolls and felt; the standing grass and little cave are stiffened with cereal box cut-outs. I stuffed the mountain, a rock, and a fish with polyester batting. Finally, we added actual rocks, and, of course, the animals.
When my daughter saw the completed jungle, she declared it "A beautiful new land!" Right out of a book we've very much enjoyed called Whale's Canoe, which colorfully depicts the forests, plains, mountains, and rivers of Australia. I was glad she liked it.

Update: See our felt desert here.

29 comments:

ScottChrisCoriCassiCali said...

That is too cute!

Christie said...

What a great idea!

I have a table with green felt on it so that my kids can set up their animals, but this take it to a whole new level-wow!

Amy said...

B's comment cracks me up.

The completed project looks awesome.

Astrid said...

What fun! I think that's a great idea! :)

michelle @ sweet mady's said...

i love that, so clever!

Amy said...

That is so cute! I love it!

Melissa said...

WOW!! terrific job, love it.

amy said...

Love it, love it, love it! :) I'm sure the kiddos will put it to good use!

Liane said...

Oh wow this is just darling. I love how it is 3-D!
Liane
http://www.spacestitch.wordpress.com

Dim Sum, Bagels, and Crawfish said...

Great idea!

Dawn said...

I love this! I keep thinking I need to make some sort of a zoo get-up for my daughter who loves these animals too...but who knows, now I may just have to try my hand at a jungle *grin*

Marie @ Make and Takes said...

This is so great. With the felt food craze, I love turning felt into other kinds of toys. So fun. I'll be crafting up a felt scene soon, thanks!

Maggie Ann said...

You are amazing! Your kids must adore you...

Kristin said...

That is really amazing! My boys would love something like this - especially the hideout cave.

Jennifer said...

Brilliant idea! I can't wait to try it out! Thanks for the inspiration!

Qudsya said...

wow man where do u get such brilliant ideas !!!

Baba said...

Very Cute Mom! Good Job.

Scribbit said...

Oh this is wonderful! My kids love playing with animals like this, it's perfect for them!

One Shabby Chick said...

This is so great - I love it!!

Angela said...

wow, really really great! it looks so professional - nice design - well thought out and skillfully executed!

Yvonne said...

I love your blog, and I think I've been reading for almost an hour. Keep it up, I'm coming back for more.

Yvonne
www.fjellvang.no/quilt

thrilled by the thought said...

That is such a fabulous idea. It looks professional too!

suchthings.ca said...

Hi, I just found your blog through the Crafty Crow. Wonderful craft. Looks like lots of fun for the kids. Hope to visit again soon!

Jolene said...

This is SO creative and cool. I love the way you kept it simple so that their imagination can run wild. I must make one for my kids, too. Thank you so much for sharing this. :)

Gis said...

Such a creative tutorial!!!
You should take a look at our tutorial contest :D we are giving away some awesome prizes :D
Hugs!!!
Gis

Kelly said...

love it! Just got my son some Schleich animals (target) for Christmas and think I will use your felt idea... but take it a step further and make it fold into a carrying case! Thanks for the inspiration!

Abbie said...

these habitats are amazing! I saved a link to this post for my future reference! thanks for the fantastic pics.

Montessori Mama said...

You are my new favorite blogging Mama!
Wow this is so much fun! I can't wait to make one.
PEACE
Jennifer

jpeck said...

I'm so glad that I came across your blog! Love it and loved these little felt habitats so much that I made a Jurassic version for my kids (and their dinosaurs). Thanks for sharing your amazing ideas!