I love books, enjoyed reading them. My childhood years were
filled with books, I would read any book I could get my hands on. I have
memories of my mum reading to me and my first book I received for my birthday
from my aunt which I loved so much. I even dreamed that one day I would own a
house with a huge library in it for all books and all exquisite collections I
could find and I would read by the window. Well of course, now you could just
have a laptop or a tablet with millions of e-book stored and that’s all the
library you’ll ever need. How convenience! And still, you can read it by the
window.
Reading gave me a sense of imagination and knowledge of
other existence which I had no idea of during my early age. It made me question
things, see things differently, even learn about other cultures I knew nothing
of, or even the make-believe part and magic. Well of course overtime I replaced
with a more sophisticated, matured and realistic readings. And I still carry a
good story book to read with me while travelling; I would read it in the plane,
train, parks, or while waiting in queues. I am old-fashioned in that way.
My point is, it is good to expose your children to
reading early in their life. It is a great exposure for them and they could
fill up their time with meaningful activities. Thus, when I found out that I
was pregnant, the first thing I began to make was a soft book. I didn't know
when my baby will be able to read it no more than I know how to sew or ever
crafted before. But with the help of my friend, the internet and my sense of
imagination which I lack of practice lately, I sketched the idea on paper. Soon
I scouted for supplies and begged for a sewing machine from my husband and
promised him it would be worth his money. Soon my ideas came to life, with
minor adjustment here and there, plus the mess I made in the living room. Hmm,
not bad for my first sewing/ craft projects. The quality was so so, but the
value was priceless. I made it with love, that is what matter most.
The theme for the soft book was counting from 1 to 10. Here is the cover, I love the soft pink and how the yellow initial stands out.
On the first page I made a chick inside an egg and on the second page is a gift box where you could tie and untie the ribbons.
On the third page I made a fish bowl with 3 fishes that I could hide in the water-pocket and page 4 is little finger puppets.
Page five is for harvesting carrots and page six is for six different coloured ballons with velcro at the back for removing and attaching.
Page seven is for hanging your clothes and a bucket to keep them. While page eight is for eight butterflies that can slide on the string.
The last two pages, I was just so eager to finish up and sleep after two weeks working on it. I initially had ideas to make the lights from the candle flip. But towards the end I just don't have the energy left. Sorry my dear daughter. Perhaps I will make it up to you with another soft book.
After sewing all the pages together and attaching the velcro to securely close the book, I am done. I actually took these pictures months later (probably around my due time) and get to publish it now (my daughter is already 6 months old). Hmm... what a tiring first project? But love it so much.. I even read it to myself... lol.
