1.25.2012

Pocket Hearts

© shoutingforha
My sister is the proud mama to three beautiful little kids, two girls and a boy.  In addition to taking care of her brood and running her household, she works full time.  I honestly don't know how she manages to get it all done.  I know that I wouldn't last a minute in her shoes.

© shoutingforha
Her oldest daughter is an independent first grader that is overflowing with boundless energy, never runs out of things to talk about, is deeply thoughtful and loves to be creative.  The wee man of the house is only sixteen months old.  Although he is learning to talk and races around like a maniac, he still requires a lot of attention as all tiny people do.  

© shoutingforha
The middle child, my niece, well... She reminds me of my boy.  She is silly, talkative, feisty and, at times, highly emotional.  She also has this incredibly tender side that loves to snuggle and longs to be near the people she loves every moment of every day.  Needless to say, she has been having a hard time when her beloved mommy heads off to work.

© shoutingforha
My sister and I were discussing this situation last week (she always calls me during her commute home).  Her desire was to find some way to remind her sweet little girl how much she loves her even when they can't be together.  

I suggested a jar of pocket hearts.  

© shoutingforha
I had remembered seeing the cute little felt hearts in one of our local shops several years ago, although I cannot remember where. The hearts can be tucked into a pocket within easy reach should a child need a little reminder of their parent's love.  I thought they would be perfect for my niece.  

© shoutingforha
My sister loved the idea, but since she works harder than anyone else I know, I offered to do all the crafting myself.  To make the pocket hearts, I cut hearts out of different colors of felt, stuffed them with a little bit of polyfill and used embroidery floss and a simple blanket stitch to seal the edges. 

© shoutingforha
The hearts are so easy to make that I decided to give my sister an entire jar full.  With three kids, it's only a matter of time before a few disappear like so many socks in the laundry.  Besides, sharing is highly overrated.

***  UPDATE:  A friend told me that Curly Birds recently did a post on pocket hearts over at her blog.  Stop by and check them out.

5 comment(s). Leave yours!:

FrancesandtheBee said... Best Blogger Tips

This is a great idea that I will be using.
Thanks for sharing!

Heather said... Best Blogger Tips

You need to show this idea to Hillary for her little preschool class.

kathleen said... Best Blogger Tips

What a lovely idea! Sweet of you to make them for her. She's blessed to have you for her sister.

gretchen from lifenut said... Best Blogger Tips

Such a cute idea and maybe even do-able for a craft oaf like me.

I can cut hearts out of felt and stuff them, but I'm not positive what a blanket stitch is...

shoutingforha said... Best Blogger Tips

@gretchen from lifenut

I promise you could do it! Here's a tutorial on the blanket stitch:

http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2007/9/tutorial-hand-sew-felt.aspx

or a video if that's easier to follow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXkSE2TTF4s

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