Make baby toys out of old clothes

A couple of nights ago i was browsing pintrest as you do, I got really inspired to make Aria a hand made toy, I took a couple of her old vests and made this, I drew the patten free hand as i wanted it to be as personal and as hand made as possible.

It was really easy to make and considering i stitched everything by hand only took a couple of hours from start to finish. I have no idea what its supposed to be but it started out being a cat but i realised it looks nothing like a cat, so now it's just a bear thingy... Aria seemed to really like it and kept turning it round from front to back, i think because the material is so contrasting.

I also planned on doing arms and legs but I think it looks quite funny the way it is.
I used toy stuffing available from most craft shops and haberdasheries, and i used a 3-6 month vest for the body, it just about fits both front and back but I used two different vests with contrasting pattens/colours so its more interesting to look at.

Here are some pictures of the process and the pattern is available at the bottom of the page. Its my first pattered ever so it's not very neat as i had to figure out how to digitalise it. Has any one got any tips for this as I think I might try and do a couple more?

Get your Free Patten here!

Lamaze Freddie the Firefly Review

Let me introduce to you Aria's new favourite toy. Freddy the Firefly. Ever since she started to notice toys she's loved the Teethe and Read book by Bright Starts but I'm ashamed to say I seem to have misplaced it, it's been MIA for a couple of weeks and I can't for the life of me find it. Not that Aria would care but the softy in me decided to replace Mr Book so that's how Freddy the Firefly was born.
She hasn't put him down since we got him,  it's easy to see why she's so fascinated by all the bright colours and textures.

Each wing has a different activity with that crinkly material the same as Mr Books.

Top Left
Three little wings in front of the main wing all of different colours/textures. You move them out of the way to find a rather smug looking ladybird staring back at you.
Bottom Left
Has a fluffy white pompom and a blue silky blob with a squeaky bit in it. She hasn't mastered the squeaky bit yet but has a little giggle when I do it for her. I imagine it would be quite hard for a baby to do anyway as to make it squeak you have to squeeze it from both the front and back of the wing.
Top Right
This has a mirror (kind of) under a little flap with two holes is. The mirror is a bit rubbish but Aria likes to look at it anyway.
Bottom Right
I love this one, it has a cute little knitted pocket with a red plastic ladybird in. The lady bird comes out attached to a yellow cord so it doesn't get lost. This is great for her to chew on to help with her teething.

He also has a bell in his head, because the crackly wings aren't noisy enough. A white link at the back of his head lets you attach it to a pram or car seat..or play mat... or highchair... oh the possibilities! He has has a pully tail with two hoops attached to it, i first thought it would have made a sound when it's pulled but it just seems to be a pully thing after all. So that's Freddy two days he has been in her life and he's already her best friend, as you can see.

Price wise it ranges from around £9.99 to £17.99 i got mine for £10 something from Debenhams. Age range is from 0-24 months, which is pretty good... if he lasts that long, two days and he's already spit drenched and his wings are all askew. We shall see, i mean what harm can a 5 month old do really...