My goddaughter who was almost two at Christmas, when I made her a fabric memory game, turned two!
Her birthday snuck up on me, somehow, even though I clearly knew it was coming. I told her mother my goal is that by the time she's old enough to remember her birthday, I will get birthday gifts to her on time. For now I'm consoling myself with the fact that no one really minds getting gifts on non-birthday days.
In any case, I came across this impossibly cute little mouse-in-a-tin (she made hers out of corduroy, with a ticking pillow! adorable!) and was consumed with an overwhelming desire to make one. Luckily for me, little Ann had a birthday around the corner, so I had an excuse — two-year-old girls like mice in tins, right?
I hope so!
I went out and bought a tin of Altoids specifically for this project (it was the only thing I did buy for it, in fact), though I could imagine making cute little bed/houses out of other little containers as well. The key is that they're little. Everything's cuter when it's little. And they should also be sturdy enough for a toddler to tote around!
I mod-podged scrapbook paper to the top and used a glue gun to add the ribbon and button. Just to make the mouse's house a little prettier.
The mouse is made of a scrap of cotton, with felt ears, feet, and arms. His face and tail are embroidery floss.
He has a little pillow to keep him comfy, and a blanket to keep him warm (I made it wide enough to tuck him in well). His mattress is a piece of felt cut with pinking shears and glued to the bottom of the tin.
He can come out to play when Ann needs a little friend.
And when she's all done, she can tuck him back in to bed!
(I still sort of want one.)
priest's wife says
so sweet…and just to let you know I am making sets of the fabric memory game for various neices and nephews- thanks for the ideas
Colleen says
So true about small things being cute! This is a great idea.
Sheila says
I have a stack of those Altoid tins I've been saving! This is so cute!
Deirdre says
CUTE!
Cary says
This is just the cutest! I'm going to have to make one, along with the memory game to have on hand for gifts.
Pippajo says
Oh how cute! I have several nieces for whom I need gifts! Maybe I should learn to sew…
Lorraine says
I don't know about 2 year old girls, but I'm 70 years old and I'd love THAT mouse in a tin. Make a nice change from the ones who sneak in the house sometimes. I guess its one of the joys of living in the country.
LJ says
Oh my goodness, Rosie! This is toooo cute! Can 23 year olds play with these in public, do you think?
🙂
Jennie C. says
I love the bright colors of your mousy friend a little better than the original. 🙂 You have inspired me, at long last, to go buy some altoids!
Rebekah says
I am DYING of the cuteness. I have empty Altoid tins… and scrap fabric… hurrah!
Betsy M says
That is adorable. Say, maybe you should do like my sister who gives her Godchildren their “birthday” gift on their baptism. That gives her at least a week after the fact to get the gift made or sent.
Kh. Patty says
I always think I should save those tins. Just can't think why! So cute.
barbara says
I am certain when one has small children there is something so lovely about tucking some “one” into bed who stays there until you want to play. 🙂
Marianne says
Well three year old boys approve of mice in tins as I just got a request for one.
Emily says
Cute!
ayearinskirts says
That is soooooo cute!!
Adriana says
This reminds me of one of our favorite children's books: A Dark, Dark Tale by Ruth Brown. It has a delightful surprise ending. I don't want to spoil it; I just have to say that a copy of the book would go very well with the mouse in a tin!
Lisa G. says
That is the cutest thing ever!
Megan says
so cute! and my husband eats altoids so very doable 🙂
kimberlee says
So super fabulous! You have the cheery prints, the tiny cuteness, the perfect-size-to-carry-around factor and the fun of a box to put things in and take things out of (a la Eyeore). You make the best presents!
Mrs. Pickles says
I think this is THE most adorable thing ever! A tiny handmade mouse! In an Altoid tin! I am dying of the cuteness!! Now, who can I make some for…?
Thank you so much for sharing!
Anne says
Ann loooves it, and Jack thinks it's pretty great too! 🙂
sibyl says
Already thinking about who to make this for…
Andrea says
Wow, that is so cute. I love how the pillow looks like cheese.
Larissa says
Hi, thanks for sharing the link to your version! I enjoyed reading about it. it's very cute. Have a lovely day!
Lori @ IMK, IML says
It's so neat to take little scraps and bits and think, “What could this become?”
Nice work!
nancy says
So cute and I am going to have to remember this one!
margo says
this is a GREAT idea! I think I will let my 6 year old try to make one of these – and it would be a cute little church toy, too.
Mary says
I love this but am worried that the button is a choking hazard. I had a baby girl who would also put things up her nose!
_Rosie says
Yes, Mary, I thought of that as I was gluing it on. I decided to go with it, because it is stuck on there pretty firmly, but if her mom was worried and decided to pry it off just in case, I wouldn't hold it against her! 🙂
Janelle says
What did you use to glue down the mattress and the lid decorations? Hot glue? I can’t decide what would stick fabric to metal the best. Thanks!
Habou says
Love it despite the fact that it is a mouse. (You know me.) It is adorable.
Faith says
My 9 year old daughter would love this– this will be enjoyed and treasured for years. Methinks something like this will find its way into her Easter basket! Thanks!
Julie says
I love this idea! It turned out so cute– love the fabric. My boys collect altoid boxes as it is to keep all of their treasures in. . . they would go crazy for this.
Christine says
I pinned this when you first made it, and it must have been simmering in my head because shortly afterwards I wrote the Tin of Tans pattern. Do any of you ladies crochet? If so I'll gift it to you on Ravelry.
_Leila says
Christine, only Habou crochets… and she tends to like rectangles 🙂 I looked up your pattern and it's truly adorable!
Readers, here is the link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tin-of-ta…