Felt Playhouse is Done! (for now)

Happy birthday to Hendrix! And a big sigh of relief for me because this beast of a project is finally over. I have a few things in mind to add on in the future, but I would be fine to not touch this thing for another couple of months.

Despite all the hours wrestling with giant pieces of thick fabric through the machine, it was really fun to come up with the designs, and so satisfying to see it finished. On to the pictures...

This is the front- the uh, entrance to the circus tent. The red panel rolls up under those ties to get out of the way.

I plan on putting a little velcro above the seals' noses for felt balls, and maybe fish. 

The train engine. I love how the colors of the felt even have a vintage feel- just like the Fisher-Price toys that inspired me.

This is the back, kind of a weird angle since it's up against the bookcase. I split this panel into two overlapping pieces so there would be another exit. I also want to add little connecting pieces between all the train cars. 

You can see the lion and giraffe a little better here. I plan on making some funny felt facial features to velcro on, like mustaches, glasses, big teeth, etc. Like a Mr. Potato Head kind of thing- only not a potato...

I think the elephant side might be my favorite.

I'm going to make a few felt peanuts for his bucket. And I left the opening to his mouth open so they can be stuffed inside.

I finished it during his nap this afternoon, so it was on the table when he woke up. This is what he looked like when he first saw it. He loved it! I was fully prepared for him to look at it and then go play with a cereal box or something, but he just started squealing and laughing! 

And running in and out of it over and over. 

He really loved the window. I might have to put some mesh or clear vinyl over it to keep him from trying to climb out. 

Ah, birthday present bliss... This is probably one of the few times in life I'll get the reaction I want as a parent giving a birthday gift- especially one that took this much work! 

I'm gonna go ahead and say what everyone always says: I really cannot believe he's one. We love you so much HG!

(If anyone has questions or wants to know a little more detail about how I made this, let me know and I will be happy to do a separate post. Also, if you want one of these but aren't insane enough to make it, get a beautiful custom one at Imaginative Play Toys. And believe me, after making one myself, I can say that her prices are very reasonable!)