Naptime numbers, thrifted treasure
Noah is crazy-obsessed with numbers these days. He sees them everywhere. Even when I read to him now, he is more interested in the page number then the story! Anxiously awaiting the turning of the page so he can keep counting!
I have had this great countdown fabric for so long and just recently (during my break) got around to making him this pillow with it. (Can anyone tell me where I can buy more? I would like some in the pastel colorway too. My searches have been unsuccessful..thanks!) Mark has aptly named this "Naptime Numbers" because the idea was that during his quiet time he could enjoy looking at all those fabulous numbers, and the pocket on the back would hold yet even more by way of his very cool flash cards...and then, when he got sleepy (yeah, right!) he had a special place to lay his head. He has quickly outgrown his flash cards already. They only go up to 20, and the kid is easily counting to 100 now. (shameless bragging)
When I took this photo, the pillow was already about a week old. Showing signs of being well loved. He literally snatched it right out from under the sewing machine when I finished. The pocket of course can be used for all sorts of special toys and such. (hence the motorcycle that Noah put in the top pic. ) Mark loved this idea, and is on me to market it and sell it!! OK, hun...I'm going to try...uh, um...just how do you do that by the way??? Oh I don't know, I've got laundry to do. Really though, wouldn't this idea be great with letters too? As I always say...we shall see.
Now, look at this treasure I found thrift shopping...
No, no...not Mark's white t-shirts, the fabric! The fabric!! It is vintage for sure...60's or 70's I'm guessing. A nice heavy, textured cotton. The first thing I thought of when I saw it was a messenger type bag for summer. It is a very generous sized piece and I feel so happy to have it. Really, I get butterflies just looking at it.
That fabric is so cool! Oh, the possibilities! And, looky at you! A clotheslines! Pretty!
Posted by: Carrie | May 09, 2006 at 07:59 AM
Your naptime numbers pillow is absolutely ingenious Toni! What a great idea. I'm a firm believer in quiet downtime for my kids and the idea of having their own "quiet" things is so fun. Great work!
Posted by: Blair | May 09, 2006 at 08:13 AM
Beautiful find! There is something special and soothing about seeing linen swaying on a clothesline.
Posted by: quenna | May 09, 2006 at 08:48 AM
I can't offer any online suggestions for where to get more of that fabric but I saw some at one of my local fabric stores a few weeks ago. I could stop by and check if there's more - anything for a trip to the fabric store!
Posted by: Mama Urchin | May 09, 2006 at 10:08 AM
oooh! wonderful find, so many exciting possibilites! and that pillow is fabulous-- i have to say i'd totally use one myself, and keep a book or magazine in the pocket, hidden away for snatches of reading on the sofa!
Posted by: Nancy | May 09, 2006 at 10:23 AM
wonderful post and i love that pillow. that part about marketing struck me funny and i burst out with a chuckle and scared the cat! and that fabric find...lucky girl! i haven't been thrifting for ages, i miss it, must go soon...but it probably makes more sense to be donating. ah, what the heck, i'm going....
Posted by: ~Vicki | May 09, 2006 at 11:48 AM
that pillow is such a GREAT idea!! and those cards! where on earth did they come from? love how they slide open to reveal the number...you've got a lovely blog, i've been enjoying it (i'll keep my eye out for that fabric).
Posted by: kristin | May 09, 2006 at 12:36 PM
What a great pillow idea!
Posted by: Bessilu | May 09, 2006 at 12:39 PM
What a great pillow! Fantastic! I'm almost out of my number fabric too and can't find it anywhere either! So if anyone does find some, I'd love t know where from too.
And Mark's right - mass market all the way!
Posted by: manda | May 09, 2006 at 12:48 PM
What a great idea, the pillow. Those cards look wonderful, too. I love that fabric, I got some from Cia's palette last year, but when I went back to get more it was gone! :(
That clothesline is such a summery sight. Your thrift find kind of, er, inspires me to go out and shop something, too :D
Posted by: Strikkelise | May 09, 2006 at 01:09 PM
Nice fabric! I was thrifting (if that's not a word, it should be) yesterday and looked at things with new eyes because of your blog. I checked out the planters for cute snails, but there were none. :) But, I did get three wool sweaters to felt and a couple of pins to put on handbags. Fun, fun, fun!
Posted by: Beth | May 09, 2006 at 02:11 PM
That pillow is uber cool. Shameless braggin on brilliant children is a mother's solemn duty. That fabric will sew up into something lovely, the colours are great.
Posted by: Meg | May 09, 2006 at 02:34 PM
I saw some of the numbers fabric at the Crafty Planet store about a week ago. Although I am not seeing it on their website (craftyplanet.com), I am sure if you called them, they would be happy to help you.
Posted by: Laura | May 09, 2006 at 04:14 PM
So totally the coolest pillow and cards ever. I was thinking of making a pillow back pack and wonder if that is very hard to do considering my limited sewing skills. Yours however is terrific!!
Posted by: vegasandvenice | May 09, 2006 at 09:08 PM
WHat a wonderful nap time pillow! i will be at a fabric store tomorrow and take a look around for the numbers.
G R E A T thrifting find!!!! My new site will be up soon !
Posted by: marybeth | May 09, 2006 at 09:14 PM
There is some of the number fabric at a local fabric shop here. They also have it with letters, in different colors, and another really cute fabric with crayons all over it that would hit the color learning stage as well... If you want, I can get some of it for you! I'm headed over there all the time, so it's not out of the way! I love the vintage fabric, by the way. A messenger tote would be perfect.
Posted by: Leanne | May 10, 2006 at 07:25 AM
How sweet, and such adorable flashcards! Lucky boy!
Posted by: Alicia | May 10, 2006 at 07:36 AM
that pillow is ingenious! what a great idea. I know Emma would eat up the idea of a pillow with little things tucked inside. She'd probably make it into a little bed for her dolls and animals. I also saw that fabric on Cia's pallette. Wish I would have snatched some,too!
Posted by: molly | May 10, 2006 at 11:03 AM
I love the pillow idea,my girls are always putting things in bags etc so they would love that.The vintage fabric is just glorious I must go thrifting!
Posted by: Kristy | May 11, 2006 at 02:16 AM
Just saw you were looking for more of that fabric....well, this goes back to November 2005, but I saw some for sale on this site http://birdinthehand.typepad.com/ (#66) and some on this site http://www.supereggplant.com/archives/2005_11.html, November 6th post that she purchased at Fabric Depot, somewhere in the Portland, Oregon area I think. Love the idea of a Naptime Numbers Pillow!
Posted by: the painted pear | May 11, 2006 at 07:12 AM
Awesome pillow!!! And love the pocket--so cute! And I can definitely see a messenger bag out of the thrifted fabric. That would be perfect!
Posted by: debra | May 11, 2006 at 08:50 AM
I love the numbers bag. Great idea. You have been making lots of lovely things. I'm trying to do a bit of blog catch up, but I think I would never get off the computer!
Posted by: Jackie | May 11, 2006 at 10:25 PM
Sweet idea! My 3 yr old would love one of those!
Are you going to offer them in your Etsy shop? :)
Posted by: Julie Blueberry | May 12, 2006 at 04:26 AM
i love the pillow idea. the pocket is perfect and a very practical design for a little kid. the numbers are also great, overall wonderful work. great inspiration.
Posted by: christina | May 18, 2006 at 08:17 AM
I recently came across cool removable wall stickers from Blik that your son might like to look at while he's getting sleepy. http://www.whatisblik.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=B&Product_Code=NN-101-CT
Posted by: Rachel | May 22, 2006 at 02:28 PM