Friday, April 4, 2008

Go, William, GO!

Here's my little adventurer William in his rescue pack! Any other moms out there who live with Diego and Dora groupies??

I've been meaning to stamp this project since before my rubber arrived, it was one of my first non-tin ideas I had for the What's In Your Tin? 1 set when I designed it. How's that for personalized??

This took literally ONE minute! I placed the backpack on a flat surface, smoothed out the fabric and stamped my label first in Palette Noir ink. Then I stamped my "greeting", and added his name with a permanent laundry marker. He loves that his name is on it (not quite old enough to appreciate the "keep out" part yet!) I put it on the back so it's easily identifiable amid a sea of other Diego packs but not easy to read when he's wearing it. You can use this ink on fabric, plastic, metal, so try it on clothes, lunchboxes, luggage etc!

TIP: I've read in a few places it's a good idea to be careful about letting young children wear things that display their names prominently, which makes it easier for someone unknown to them to call them by name and create a false sense of trust(shiver)*

And here are JONATHAN'S TIPS for today! We made him a tooth tin because it looks like he's going to be losing one of his bottom teeth soon. We used the camo paper, but with a tooth on top like this tin. We had some different ideas about the rest of it, so I though I'd share some very good points a 5 year old makes! I wanted to use the same this belong to...everyone else keep out! stamp on the back of the tin. But Jonathan said, "But then the tooth fairy can't put the money inside!" Hmm, good point. Okay, so we just left it blank. He also wanted to add a strap like on his bug tin. I explained you don't wear the tin to bed, you put it under your pillow (he hasn't lost any teeth yet to know "the process"!) He replied, "But that will wake me up! Just hang it on my doorknob, I'll check in the morning."** Hmm. Good POINT!! So this one has a strap, too. :) Definitely more reasons than one to get your kids involved in projects that are made for them!

*Ever since I've read that I just haven't wanted to have their names on T-shirts and hats and things like I thought would be so cute before. It may just be an urban legendish kind of thing, but it makes sense that a predator could try this, ... I hate to think about things like that happening, but I don't want to take any chances!

** And happily, that will make it MUCH easier for this tooth fairy! ;)

18 comments:

  1. Oh how adorable! That's PERFECT! He's too stinkin' cute with his Rescue Pack! LOL

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  2. oh... if I ONLY we had thought of a hanging tooth fairy box!! I have a VERY light sleeper. Her toothfairy has had some VERY close calls!

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  3. I was a daycare provider at our last duty station, and one of the things we are taught is to NEVER put the kids' names where they can be easily read by strangers. So, I don't think it's urban legend. And your tin stamps would be PERFECT for a daycare! I have all kinds of ideas about 1st Aid kits, name badges, labels, stuff like that. But, alas, I have been restricting my stamp spending until I sell some more of my old sets. Yard sale tomorrow! Yeah! And yes, I have a Diego fan in my home too. He still wears his Diego Halloween costume!

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  4. Melanie,
    I love your tin sets! At first I just bought one thinking that it would have enough options included, but you are so sneeky to put all your ideas together with BOTH sets! The second set is en route to my stamp table as we "speak".
    I, too, have Diego & Dora groupies, two of them in fact. I wish my kids would get as excited to see me as they do when they hear the first sounds of theme songs!
    I went on a field trip once where all the children had name tags (which is common practice in our area), and there were children from a different school there to whom I was showing a chicken and I was asking the children if they wanted to pet the bird, and calling them all by name. One child looked at me and asked "HOW do you know all our names?" They are smart little ones! I agree that putting names on our kids is only an invitation for trouble.
    Karen

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  5. What a little cutie!!!! I love your ID label idea!

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  6. What a cutie pie!! And unfortunately it is true to be extra safe with our kids' names. I'd heard that it does make it easier for our kids to trust if they're called by their name. A sad fact, but true.

    I just love how you involve your kiddos in their projects!! Such insights and precious memories!!

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  7. Your son is so cute!
    Barbara from CT

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  8. He looks like he could be part of Diego's possie. Now I know where your characters eyes come from... he's too adorable.

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  9. Hehe, that pic cracks me up! :-)

    I totally agree with the not putting the name in an obvious spot, it is common sense with all the crazy things happening to kids! :-(

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  10. First of all..........Can he get any cuter??? You are going to have the girls calling all the time!!!! Secondly, I believe you can never be too careful, and being a overprotective mom these days sometimes isn't enough, I won't even put the family stickers on our car...no one needs to know all that!!!

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  11. Just wanted to pop in and say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I hope your spa day is awesome!!

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  12. What a character. William sure is growing up. Love that picture. You always seem to get the best shots.

    Hope you enjoyed your birthday. The weather was perfect for a day out.

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  13. your son is such a handsome little guy! You captured a great picture of him donning his awesome backpack! Very clever idea:) TFS

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  14. adorable both the boy and the backpack

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  15. I hate to say it, but the prominently displayed name thing is unfortunately true!!It is a sad tragic view of our world, but unfortunately it is the one we live in. My girls that I used to Nanny for had their name INSIDE everything, but never on the outside. Your sons comments on the tooth fairy tin are so adorable and true, how much easier will that be!!

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  16. haha, I'm catching up, having been away from my computer for a few consecutive days, and I am laughing at you talking about your boys. Very close to the same ages as my kids and I'm so happy to hear you having the same issues! sounds like your older one is too smart for his own good just like mine! What do we do with these people?! LOL!

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  17. Eeeek! I just found this... OMGosh he is sooooooooo adorable, Melanie. When you're having a bad day and he's on your last nerve... I'll take him!!! HA!!!

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