I Love You, Stinky Face Inspired No Sew Fleece Throw

Our Inspiration Book, Fabric Scissors,
Templates and Contrasting Fleece Pieces

For our "Cuddle Up" Theme inspired craft we took Little Man's favorite book I Love You, Stinky Face, by Lisa McCourt.  We chose fabric inspired by Cyd Moore's illustrations for the book.  We love this book because the Mama in the story has to be creative while answering her imaginative little boy's questions to "Would you still love me?  If..."

While Little Man is still to young to help me with this, I made it for his upcoming 1st birthday present.  We will use this blanket to cuddle up and read together.

This craft is an excellent project to do if you have older children.  It is a quiet activity so you can have younger children sleep and keep your older ones busy and quiet.  It can be completed in 3-4 nap-times.  For us hands-free pumping moms it is an activity to do while we are trying to keep our minds  busy to pass the time.

Materials: 

Two pieces of microfleece blanket material of at least 2 yards in length.  This will give you a nice throw size blanket when you finish. (Cost about $40 - look for sales I got mine for half that price)

Fabric Scissors that have not been used to cut anything other then fabric.  I recommend Singer Professional Series Sewing Scissors.  (Cost about $14)

Cardboard or other stiff material for templates.  I cut mine to 5x5" for the corner template and 5x1" for the strip template.  You can adjust the size just be sure that the large corner template is a square and the small strip template is as long as the large template. (Cost free - I recycled from some packaging I had in the house)

Here is our process in pictures.

Edges of Fleece Fabric

Trim all edges up to the flat part of fabric 

Lay out one side of fabric on large flat surface.

Lay other side of fabric on top of the first piece.
Trim excess fabric so each piece is exactly the same.

Lay square template on corner and
cut the two corners of a long side first.

Remove cut fabric

Align small template on the long side.

Cut strips using the template as a guide.

Cut all the way along the long side until you meet up at the other corner.
If necessary make adjustment if template
does not line up equally with corner

Separate top and bottom layer beginning at the corner.

Tie two strips in a double knot.
Repeat until you reach the second corner.

Repeat the steps until you have finished all four sides.

Our Stinky Face!

Tips:  Start with a long side.  Only cut one side at a time.  Tie the whole side and then gently pull the side lengthwise to stretch it back to its original length.  You are only limited by your creativity and imagination.  Fabric stores offer a wide variety of fleece patterns and colors.  If you choose a complicated pattern it is best to keep your second selection simple and choose a contrasting solid.

Opportunities for differentiation: Change the size of the template to fit the age of the child assisting you.  Wider for younger - thinner for older.  Adults should use scissors when working with younger children.  All children should be supervised by an adult when using scissors.  Choose your fabric pattern to match your own favorite snuggle-time book.  Fabric can also be chosen to express a favorite color, team, animal etc.

Service: Blankets can be made and donated to local children's hospitals, women and children's or homeless shelters or for charity events.



Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out how you can participate in the next Families, Create! Carnival.

Our February theme is "Heroes and Heroines" - what can your family create this month to celebrate the heroes and heroines in your lives?

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

• What's the perfect way to snuggle up on a cold winter night? Acacia at Fingerpaint & Superheroes knows the answer: make the perfect soup!

• Simply decorated jars by children bring warmth and light to cold Winter's days at Living Peacefully with Children.

• The ArtsyMama teaches us how to create a no sew fleece throw inspired by your favorite snuggle time book.

• Movies made from books are often pretty poor representations, but this family-made movie from Dionna at Code Name: Mama is monster-ific!

• Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes created a cozy for her Kindle, to protect it from little hands that think they need to cuddle with it.

• What better way to cuddle and get cozy than in new jammies made by Mama G @ Z everyday things?

• Inspired by her family's love of the Harry Potter series, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to make a series of ornaments based on the theme.

• Laura at Nestled Under Rainbows shared a reflection on and a celebration of snuggies, lovies, cuddlies and specials.

• Little Hedgehog got a wonderful idea when his red hat from Father Christmas didn't fit, and Megan at Purple Dancing Dahlias got a wonderful idea to knit a sweet hedgehog!

• Monster-inspired artwork by a monster-clad kid. Despite the growling, he really is cuddly! Monster love courtesy of Dionna at Code Name: Mama.

• Arpita at Up, Down & Natural shares a quick tutorial on how to make your very own Pippalily inspire pouch sling, with zippered pocket & key ring, and a matching nursing cover to boot!

• Amy at Anktangle finally completed something cuddly and warm for her son Daniel: his very own afghan, crocheted with love by Momma.

• Who'd want to cuddle with a cuttlefish? Aunalise at My Sweet Potatoes thinks you might want to cuddle up with this sweet plush cuttlefish!

• In an attempt to slow down and relax while watching her children, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children decided to give knitting another chance.

Join us in February to create something with (or for) your own family. Visit Code Name: Mama and Living Peacefully with Children to find out more about February's "Heroes and Heroines" theme.

Photo Credits: Mama and her Hubby