Mazy's Quiet Book - Kristin Sterk

Have you ever thought “oh I’ll just buy it instead of making it?”

I am someone who actually would rather DIY than buy, but I have found that I don’t want to spend all my time on projects, but with my daughter. Hence, my thoughts to just buy instead of DIY.

I remember having a quiet book growing up. It was a simple book that taught me how to button a button, zip a zipper, tie a shoe, etc. I was thinking Mazy was getting to the age of enjoying a quiet book, so I looked online for one and wowzers, I couldn’t find one under $50. A good one cost around $200. After my eyes fell out and I put them back in, I decided that maybe this was one of those projects that I shouldn’t buy, but just DIY instead.

I started to look up different pages to make for a quiet book and before I knew it, I was hooked. And not only hooked, but maybe slightly addicted. It is endless, what you can do for a quiet book! I learned quickly what works and what doesn’t, but for my first book, I am very happy with it. Plus, if a piece gets lost, I can just cut out another one! If she gets bored with a page, I can just make a new one and add to it. Those are definitely perks when making your own!

So one weekend I went to town on the pages and though it took me awhile to make, it was well worth every minute, as I watched Mazy play with it. To see the joy and smiles on her face as she learns a new trick. Again, definitely worth taking the time to make. Plus, I didn’t spend NEAR $200 on it either. Not even $50.

Here’s the finished project (thus far):

A mitten and life the flap numbers (with the same number of buttons underneath). Trick here was to hot glue the number flaps and buttons down because otherwise she peeled them right off.

Can peel off letters to spell her name (a bit advanced right now) and pick the apples off the tree with coordinating numbers. Used velcro for the letters and apples

Match the shape and touch ‘n feel page. Again used velcro for the shapes, hot glued a pocket for them at the bottom, and just hot glued strips of fabric down for the other page.

Stacking (like her toy) and tie the laces. The shoe page could use some help (learned a lot with that page). I recommend buying the eyelet tool to create the holes for the shoelaces. It really is worth the $2.47. For the stackables, I just put a strip of velcro down and put a little piece on each rung, so it is easy to take off.

Button the flower on and unzip the cookie jar and take the cookies out. Of course she is too young for buttons! I used yarn to attach the buttons and cut a larger slit in each flower so they are easy to get off. I used black puff paint to make it look like there are chocolate chips on each cookie.

The mirror page was harder than I thought, but you can buy flimsy mirrors at Joanns, so I cut a circle and then made a border for it. The other page, well, it’s supposed to be a washer/dryer. I used a ziploc bag to create a pocket, and it worked, but it just doesn’t look like a washer or dryer. Though this LOVES this page! She loves to take the clothes in and out, and reach her hand into there.

Busy playing with it!

I had SO MUCH FUN making it and can’t wait to make more pages someday! Surprisingly all of the letters did not take a long time to cut. I would just cut squares, all the same size, and cut a letter out of them, so they are all the same size. Once you get the hang of it, it is easier than it looks! The only other struggle I had was burning my fingers with the hot glue gun. But you live in learn, right?

So if you are feeling adventurous or have any questions about making a quiet book, let me know!