Monday, January 28, 2008

Mail Center



At the first of the year, my sister e-mailed links to a bunch of things she wanted to attempt to make this year. There were so many cute things, but I fell in love with a felt mail box set. I'm a little obsessive about things. Once an idea is in my head, I really can't seem to let it go until I see it through. So, I found these tin mailboxes at Michael's for $2.99 and went to work. They also have these at the $1 spot at Target, but they're a bit smaller. I also seem to have a knack for turning a simple idea into a complicated, tedious project.

A paper mail center simple wouldn't work, and the felt was driving me crazy because I didn't care for any of the colors I saw. Finally I saw an idea where fabric was used, so that's what I stuck with. I used fabric I already had, placed pellon (a stiff felt), which I already had in between the two pieces of fabric, and used sticky Velcro, which I already had to attach the different pieces. It would have been quite simple to do, but I decided to sit an embroider everything to give it a little more flare. What started out nice and easy turned to tedious and time consuming. But in the end, I think I love it! And, it only cost $2.99, how could I go wrong?

I know Gabs will have such fun playing "mail center" with actual play mail and not just scraps of paper she finds me cutting apart for her and envelopes that bills came in! Total, the girls will have 2 mailboxes, 2 envelopes, 5 stamps, 5 letters, 4 postcards, and 6 mail recipients. The last thing I have to complete is a small bag that says "My Mail Bag" for all the loot to be stored.

I will give this to the girls on Valentine's day. Since we will not be with them for the next several days, I am going to supply my mom with stickers, candy hearts, valentine crafts, lip gloss, or anything else I can find at the dollar store. Each day my mom will put something new in the mailbox for them and say that we "sent" them mail. I hope it's a hit and helps with the separation anxiety they may be feeling!

8 comments:

Jennifer said...

Jamie these are awesome. I absolutely love them. I toally need to see your project in real life becuase I want to copy. Kate's favorite thing to play right now is mail. I think we have been responsible for the cutting down of at least three forests from all the paper we have cut up. Totally love it. YOu're amamzing. Martha Stewart should hire you!!!!!

Jill said...

what a cute idea! Do you still have the link? I'm sure your girls are going to love this. And the little "mail" you send them too!

Bryn said...

Now I get it! Honestly, I was a little confused when you were describing them to me, but now I can see how much fun the girls will have with them. They are adorable!

nicole said...

I love the way they turned out!!! Did you make some extras for me?? I'm guessing since I found the idea and mentioned I wanted to do it, that I should probably make them myself. Alright, I need to get to Michael's ASAP. Love love love it!

Carly said...

Wow! This is such a cute idea. As a chronic letter writer and perpetual pen-pal, I think you are starting a wonderful life long tradition of snail-mail letter writing! Hoorah!

Tasha said...

That is SOOO cute! Love it. You are so great. I think I am going to have to see if I can do these too. Tanner loves make believe things. And I love making things. I think I get a little too obesessed about things once they are in my head too. I often wonder if Brian thinks I really have gone nuts. Thanks for keeping my head filled with ideas!

Colleen said...

I love this idea. Brilliant. Hope you don't mind if I feature this idea on my blog and direct my readers to your wonderful site.

-C. Warren
www.craftpad.com

I wanna be creative said...

Thanks heaps for the inspiration. My version at http://www.flickr.com/photos/iwannabcreative/3799760646/