I like to make my children one of their birthday gifts each year. Last year I knitted Frog & Toad for Miles's 4th! I truly don't know how that one'll ever be topped. But this time around he's in the middle of a dinosaur phase – I knew I'd saved this pattern [affiliate link] for a reason.
I used scrap felt and embroidery thread from my stash, and cut out the pieces using my Cricut Maker (my own birthday gift this year; affiliate link). I've made little felt toys before (including a tiny bunny, a unicorn-themed quiet book, a little Mae Jemison doll and accompanying rocketship). Let me tell you, I was enjoying the Cricut prior to using it in this project, but once I did – wow! This was a game-changer. I used to spend so much time snipping out fiddly little felt pieces, my hands cramping from the tiny curves and cuts. This as a change was quite frankly amazing. The machine did the work for me, and I finished the whole project in record time (for me) and with so much more joy! Highly recommend. (If you have a Cricut and want to try cutting felt too, I used the rotary blade, the felt setting, and the purple mat.)
Side note: Oh, how can we have a five-year-old? Wasn't it just yesterday we were holding our first baby in our arms, worrying and wondering over him? I love being Miles's mother. Every day I get to laugh, snuggle, argue, learn, wrestle, and play with one of the most special people I'll ever know. He has a fierce, sensitive, funny spirit and I love him endlessly.
