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Monster Busy Bags

I have a tradition of giving my kids one homemade gift each Christmas.  I only remember a few of the toys that I received growing up, but I remember so many of the hand-made presents.  I’m hoping they will too.
I found these on Pinterest and knew they’d be the perfect thing.  They didn’t look too difficult either…bonus!  My kids are way into monsters right now-my son especially.  He actually reminds me every night to close his closet door so Randall (from Monster’s, Inc.) doesn’t come out and scare him.  I’m sure he wouldn’t care if Mike or Sully paid a visit to his room, though.
Before I started, I asked the kids how many eyes their favorite monster had.  They both said “three”, so that’s what I went with.  I made the pink one for my 5 year old daughter, the green for my almost 3 year old son, and the yellow one for my niece and nephew to share (I ran out of time).

I’ll say first that this project is made loads easier if you have a sewing machine.  I would not have taken it on if I didn’t have one.

I did a few things different from the ORIGINAL.  I don’t like to do more work than I have to, so instead of making felt bags, I bought black canvas tote bags from Hobby Lobby.  Easy and cheap! You can buy colored tote bags at Walmart (I realized this after-the-fact).  They came out to be about $2 a piece with my coupon.

Then I drew and cut out a monster face shape pattern on paper and traced it onto my felt.  Then I cut out the other monster parts (eyes, note, and ears).  Lastly, I cut a strip for the monster mouth where the crayon slots would be.  I double layered this part so it wouldn’t be flimsy.  I just eye-balled how tall to make the mouth, leaving room for the eyes and nose.

I first sewed the ears on, then I pinned the big face piece on, and sewed around the outline of it.  And, then of course I sewed around the eyes and nose.  The only tricky part was to keep maneuvering the bag so I wouldn’t sew it closed.  Lastly, I sewed the rectangular crayon piece on and made slots.  Then I filled each slot with a crayon (you could also use mini colored pencils like the original did).

I don’t consider myself a seamstress at all, so trust me when I say this project is very do-able-even for beginner sewers.  Total time for each bag was less than an hour, and total cost…around $3!  Aren’t they cute?

I filled each bag with a coloring book, a notepad and candy.  And then I put the monsters to work, keeping my kids busy at church and other appointments.  So far, they haven’t slacked on the job!

Thank you Pinterest!

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Comments

  2. I like this post a lot! Now that I know just how easy it really is to make them, I think I really will try it out myself. I think yours turned out even cuter than the original too.

  5. Hello
    I'm a new follower from the hop. These are toooooooo cute. I need to make one for my Jacob. I've enjoyed visiting your blog and hope you will visit my blog and follow back.
    Bet
    Angel

  6. Very cute idea ~ I am sure your kids love getting their homemade gifts each year!

    Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection.
    Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. :)

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    www.raising-reagan.com

  9. LOVE! My daughter really likes monsters and is excited for the new monster Disney Junior show. i do not know how to sew but maybe I can babystep with this!-Tiffany
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