Sometime in December I asked both Violet and Henry if there was anything they were interested in giving each other for Christmas and mentioned that if they wanted to make something that we were available to assist them if they were interested. They both had a think about it for a bit and then, not surprisingly, Violet had a plan and needed no help...Henry had a plan too, but did need some help from mama making it a reality...
He wanted to make her a stuffed angel!
He was so excited about the idea! It was such a thoughtful one at that, because Violet has an affinity for angels, there has also been more talk about angels in the past months since their grandmother's passing, it's a nice way to think of her, as an angel watching over...
So, one day when he was home sick, but not too sick to make some Christmas goodies, we put together a plan to make an angel stuffy...
The first step...he drew a picture of an angel, then we scanned it into the computer (which he thought was amazing!) and together edited the colors and such of his angel. He really got into the editing and had definite ideas of what he wanted and didn't want. Next, we needed to get the picture "out of the computer". Often times we've simply printed a picture out onto transfer paper, but we've had mixed results with transfer paper, sometimes good and sometimes not so good. I was worried if this time ended on the not so good side. Also, I didn't really want the angel to have that rough feeling that transfer paper can give, who wants that in a stuffy?
So instead of transfer paper we printed the drawing directly onto the fabric we were using. This was our first time trying this option, and I will say, aside from a few "paper jams", it turned out perfectly!
In order to print directly onto the fabric I first ironed freezer paper onto the back of our fabric, then cut it to 8 1/2" x 11", "paper sized", and fed the freezer paper backed fabric into the printer, being sure to load it so that the printing would be on the fabric side. I was really surprised with the colors on the fabric and how well it turned out. Henry was thrilled!
After his drawing was on the fabric Henry helped to sew the soft flannel he had picked out for the back of the stuffy, he flipped it then stuffed it. I stitched it closed, because that's always tough.
When it was complete he was so pleased and proud!
He then eagerly went to wrap it up and couldn't wait for Christmas day to give his handmade gift!
When Violet opened her stuffed angel Christmas morning, she gasped! And Henry exclaimed, "it's an angel, because I know how much you love angels!"
It was one of the sweetest moments of our Christmas morning, truly. To see the love that these two have for each other and the thoughtful ways they share it and show it never ceases to amaze me.
