It was my nephew Declan’s birthday yesterday. He loves to roll and throw balls so I made him a fabric one.
I used the fabric beach ball pattern from the Purl Bee. This is the medium one and my sister-in-law Georgia said it is perfectly sized for one year old hands. I didn’t sew the fabric circles on the top and bottom because it didn’t seem necessary to me. I also tucked a small cat toy – the kind that has a bell inside a plastic ball – into the middle of the stuffing. It has a nice jingle when it’s tossed around.
Of course, he needed a shirt, too. I copied the train design that Georgia used on the invitation although I had to change the color palette a bit. That is a green giraffe, but I think it also looks like the number 1- perfect if you ask me.
We are having a beautiful fall day. I hope the weather sticks around this weekend. Have a good one!
What wonderful birthday gifts! Very cute!
I love these!!!! I’m going to make some of those balls this weekend. So cute!
thanks for sharing the pattern link!
very cute.
ooooh! I love that ball!
i hope you guys have a great weekend there too! we are getting a tropical storm here, but we have been so spoiled lately!
i love, love that ball! the fabric is perfect! cute train shirt too.
I love the ball! I am going to try and make one for my friend’s son who turns one next week.
That is such a nice present. I love homemade presents! I have been meaning to spice up some shirts but i have a really hard time finding plain shirts in the stores.
aw, that doggie print is super cute. 🙂
Wonderful idea to put a cat toy inside! I will probably try the ball for my daughter!
What weather? We’re in the middle of a nor’easter here… Not good for being outside (or for watching your ten year old perform with his band at your town’s local fall festival – hypothetically speaking) but great for staying inside and curling up with one’s knitting!
Purrrfect!!! Get it?! BWWAHAHAHAHAHAAA! Purrrfect! Cat toy! Purrrfect?? Ahem…yeah…well…bye.
Really cute gifts!
Pictures of your shirts always make me smile. I can only imagine the delight they give to the kids in your life.
My son, Declan, is turning one in a couple of weeks. I’ve been wondering what to get/make for him and what do I see when I open Google reader this morning, but a post entitled “Declan’s Birthday Gifts”? Perfect! I’m going to make him that ball immediately!
So cute, I love these gifts.
One of my son’s is called Declan, and I’m always surprised to discover other Declan’s. He loves his name and it suits him perfectly – you do realize it means ‘spirited’.
I love the ball. What a great gift.
I love that fabric ball!
nice job once again! I love the little fabric ball. and the fact that it jingles is even better.
Cute! The ball is darling.
Perfect! What would we do without Heather Ross and Denyse Schmidt when it comes to kid gifts? Their fabrics are always just the right thing.
Oooh what adorable gifts! That ball is soo cool and I love the fabric you used 🙂
Very sweet. I’ve made those balls and I too left off the circles. I wish I had thought of the cat toy – what a great idea.
Will you be my aunt too, pretty please?
Everything you make is soooo cute! What a lucky nephew he is.
That ball turned out so dang cute! Oh my!
super cute gifts! Love that little shirt:)
I just made the same fabric ball last week for a friend’s baby’s baptism. I made one small and one medium ball and they turned out darling! I also did not find the circles on top and bottom were necessary. The balls looked great without them! For a “jingling” effect, I bought a pack of multi-size jingle bells at Joann’s for $3 and put one bell inside each ball before stitching up the opening. So cute and very easy!
Love the dalmation fabric in that oh-so-sweet ball.
What a sweet gift! Declan is a very lucky little boy to have an aunt like you 🙂
I’ve been wanting to try that ball from the purl bee.I was imagining it to be much bigger tho’,like a beachball…That is a great idea to use the cat jingle toy inside…I love your blog.
Another great gift idea. So clever. Thanks for sharing.
your nephew is lucky… ;]
That ball is fabulous. I’m going to give that a go for a friend’s newly-turned-one-year-old. And then I’m going to make one for me because they’re just so cool!!
Both are adorable! I love the balls without the dots on top and great fabric choices.
ahhhhh!!! i wish i had a one year old. playing happily on the floor with that cute ball!!! wearing an adorable shirt!!!! tell georgia to soak it up. it goes so fast.
both are so cute, erin.
Wow…. the ball is real neat and prefectly round! It’s really lucky to be your friends and relatives.
Those are fantastic presents! I love the little green giraffe head, too. The weather over here has been beautiful… and I hope it’s just as nice where you are. Take care.
xox,
Linnea
Love those sweet gifts! Enjoy your fall weather 🙂
i LOVE that ball, sooo cute, way to go, must make one for our arrivin’ baby, you rock, thanks!
too cute.
Those are adorable! My son would love the ball… better go raid my stash.
Also wanted to say that your post about playing board games inspired me to go beyond block towers and try the games again. Some success. BIg Sister was great… Little Brother was still a little chaotic but he liked the balls and treasure hunt in the Cariboo game.
Then SouleMama posted about games today… is this a trend in cold places? Looking forward to playing on a cold snowy day…. hot chocolate stains just add character to the game boards right?
I have fabric ball perfection envy – mine are never as neat as that! Absolutely gorgeous and love the shirt too 🙂
Oh good grief! I made that ball and mine was a wonky mess. yours is PERFECTION. The shirt is too adorable too! 🙂
love the fabric ball. if you can believe it – i made one about 11 years ago for henry. wish i still had it … got lost in the move. mine wasn’t as nice as yours, but i love them; they’re so sweet!
What great presents! He’s really going to enjoy them!
I have a baby shower this weekend and some of those balls might be in the gift. So cute.