A good friend of mine is a portrait photographer, and this summer she took some new family photos for us. As partial payment, I made a couple of items at her request, the first of which was a kids’ play mailbox. It’s customized for their family, and yes, that’s a pug, the type of dog they have—and possibly my favorite part of this project.
It’s constructed of felt, plastic canvas, and embroidery thread and designed to be durable and squashable so that neither mailbox nor child gets hurt in the event of a tumble. (Some of you who’ve been stopping by here for a long time may recall I made similar items for my daughter. I can report that it’s held up to quite a beating from both kids.)
And, of course, there is also felt mail to go with the mailbox, drawn onto stiff felt with markers. I made three postcards, a letter, a birthday card, two envelopes, and a variety of stamps and labels customized for their family.
(As always, more photos on my flickr page.)
I really enjoyed the applique bit of this project, especially the challenge of cutting shapes that, put together, actually resembled a whole picture. I’m thinking I might need to start incorporating that into my embroidery designs some more….
It’s amazing! I was wondering where that little pug was gonna show up, what a great project.
written on August 16th, 2010, at 10:55 amThat is just awesome! Love.
written on August 16th, 2010, at 2:31 pmJust gorgeous! Your imagination is incredible, and you know how much I love that felt mail!
written on August 16th, 2010, at 4:34 pmAli
x
this is amazing! i’m an “adult” and i still like to get the mail and say “mailman!” when the mailman drives by! i think you should list this in your shop as a custom order, this is such a wonderful wholesome children’s toy.
written on August 16th, 2010, at 4:50 pmThat is just awesome. I love it. And I love the pup on the side of the mailbox.
If I’d've had one, it would’ve been one of my favourite toys.
written on August 17th, 2010, at 1:28 amThat is awesome. I just bought something simialr for my youngest for Christmas, but it is nowhere near as awesome as yours.
written on August 17th, 2010, at 7:41 amI so wish that we had that red flag thingy whatsit tradition over here. Lovin’ the play felty version!
written on August 17th, 2010, at 9:49 amThat color of blue + the word “MAIL” totally flashed me back to the days when Blue’s Clues was must-see-tv in our household :).
This is super cute, Gretchen!! Yep, the doggie is pretty darn adorable, but the whole project is fabulous :).
written on August 18th, 2010, at 1:44 amOh, it’s gorgeous! My kiddies would love that. Pre children I made (david helped, alot) a post box for the classroom – it was such a hit. Children love posting and receiving mail. It will get good use, I’m sure.
written on August 18th, 2010, at 8:02 amI love that the family you made it for obviously still writes letters!! It is slowly becoming a thing of the past. You craftmanship is superb and the stamps are just perfect!!
Xo Steph
written on August 19th, 2010, at 10:08 am[...] last commission project was also for my photographer friend. She recently got an iPad (which is incredibly useful for viewing and selecting photo proofs) and [...]
written on August 20th, 2010, at 9:27 amSoooo cute!! I love anything “mail,” especially when it’s cute and felt!! Thanks for sharing:)
written on August 28th, 2010, at 1:06 pm