Here is last of my handmade Christmas gifts. It was a middle-of-the-night brain child as I thought about what we could do for Milo that would help him play more easily and imaginatively with the toys that we already own, rather than getting him a bunch of new ones (the grandparent’s can do that!) We have so little space, and it’s all pretty much already filled and decorated, so I have to be thoughtful about what comes in.
One of Milo’s favorite things to do is “play with trucks.” Whenever we’re home, just hanging out I can be sure he’ll ask with those huge wide eyes “Mommy, play trucks wit me?” Creating a car table to cover our current coffee table seemed an ideal way to enjoy new, more dynamic truck time, while not adding too much to the bulk and being able to also use the table like normal when we’re not at play.
For the table topper, I measured the table, and bought enough duck canvas to cover the top and hang down the sides. I needed the side flaps both to keep the top in place, and to add the pockets I envisioned. You know, to put the toys in we’re not playing with at that moment? A mom can dream, right?
For the road design, I delegated to Dave, who drew out the map in chalk and then created a table-wide freezer paper stencil to keep the lines crisp. It was awesome. My husband, doing freezer paper stenciling while I sewed away on little Eliot’s quilt. One happy. crafty couple:) We made sure to include a roundabout (this one is Dupont Circle, complete with the fountain in the middle.) The road side is super cool, but I was even more excited about the reverse, because of course the topper is reversible!
A farm, complete with dusty dirt roads for the tractors, a pond and hay bales for the animals, and a few different vegetable gardens. What more could a two-year old need?
This is the side we had it set up on for Christmas morning, and those five little farm animals and that one little green farm tractor were part of the gift. He was beyond thrilled and we have played with it almost every day since (shhhh, the donkey is taking a nap!)
Here you can see the super duper simple pockets. Just folded canvas measured to the side of the table and sewn with a couple lines as dividers. They have actually been used okay-if just by me to quickly clear the room during nap time so I stop tripping on toys!
Milo’s favorite thing is putting the animals in the road then plowing them over with the tractor. We’ll have to watch out for him behind the wheel in a few years!
One happy kid=one happy mama.
Happy weekend!
13 Comments
Fabulous job! I might have to order one from you…. While I was reading the post Charlotte (2+5months) said ‘Mummy, I want to play with this one’. When I told her it wasn’t ours, it was just a picture, she replied ‘go to the shops and buy one, please Mumma’!
So cute. I’d love to make one for you, if you decide you really want one. I forget that Charlotte and Milo are so close in age. Milo just turned 2+8months! We’ll have to get them together the next time we make it up your direction.
xo
Absolutely! Our next two are even closer, I think. Josie will turn 6 months this week. I’ll get back to you about the order, maybe with some measurements for her table…
This is AWESOME! Where were you when my sons were at this stage? You should see what my coffee table looks like, after years of dump trucks, Thomas the Train, etc. It’s all dinged and distressed, and not in the “good” way like when they distress furniture at a factory!
Mine is pretty bad just after two years of Milo & Friends. A little pink crayon here, a streak of ballpoint pen there… It’s made of solid, unfinished wood, so I have sanded it down to get rid of unsightly stains once or twice, but the topper actually probably a great solution for it looking like a kid table, even when it wasn’t really meant to be a kid table!
Love. Love. Love. Your creativity is endless. I am inspired (although I highly doubt that will actually amount to me making one of these. Ha!!). I tracked you down from Andrea’s blog and am looking forward to checking out your projects….you little crafters
Miranda, this is a fantastic idea! And I love that Milo loves to run over the animals.
Isn’t it hilarious to see how their minds work? Love those glimpses into what he’s thinking and how he puts things together. Animal in the road=animal gets run over.
I believe this is the best table topper I have seen. I love the simplicity of the car mat, and that you can turn it over and it is a farm.
This is absolutely adorable! You are so creative.
Thanks Katherine! I need your address, so when you have a second, email it over to me. Okay? Come visit soon!
What kind of pain did you use on the fabric. I am going to try and make one for my son. He will be 2 in Oct. and loves his cars.
Hi Michelle,
It’s just fabric paint from JoAnn. You paint it on like normal, then iron it once dry to heat-set it (so it’s washable!) I think Acrylic would work, too, since that is oil based, but the fabric was easy. Good luck!