I always like to give at least one handmade gift from the kids to our parents for Christmas. But how many coasters with my kids’ faces plastered on them do they really need? So I try to find some out of the box gifts to create for them that they might actually enjoy (like some of these past ideas).
This year, I came across a great idea for an “i love you” pillowcase for Father’s Day from MamaPapaBubba.com and thought a pair for Grandma and Grandpa would be too cute. I knew it would be easy to do with the kids and something the grandparents would treasure (and likely enjoy showing off). And since both sets of grandparents live a few states away, it might be a nice reminder that they are loved from afar.
So I had Mia and Lincoln each write one – an “I love you grandma” and “I love you papa” pillowcase. I wrote it out for them first on a piece of paper and then had them copy it in their own handwriting with pencil on the pillowcase. Then I traced over it with the fabric marker. It was so simple and the grandparents loved them! The inconsistencies in their handwriting are my favorite part, and I think my three year old’s writing (on the “I love you papa” pillow) is pretty stellar, but hey, that’s just me.
You could recreate this for just about anyone – moms, dad, grandparents, siblings… Here’s the tutorial if you are interested in making your own.
“I love you” pillowcases for Grandpa and Grandma
Needed:
- 2 white pillowcases (I got mine at Walmart for under $10)
- Fabric markers in black and red (I used Tulip brand with a thicker tip)
- Cardboard to put inside the pillow (the markers will bleed through)
- Pencil
Instructions:
- Write the phrase for your pillow to size on a piece of paper. Lay your unwashed pillowcase out on a hard, flat surface and tape your phrase right above where you want the child to write. This will make it easy for them to copy each letter and keep the correct spacing/size. I also taped a blank strip of paper below where I wanted them to write so that they had a designated space to write in and could keep it fairly straight.
- Have the child copy your letters in their own handwriting with a pencil. I also had mine turn the pillowcase over when they were done and sign their name and the year in the bottom corner.
- Insert cardboard in the pillowcase. Have the child (or yourself) trace over the penciled letters with a blank fabric marker. Go over twice for good saturation.
- Let dry for 24 hours. Launder as usual to remove any leftover pencil marks.*
*check the instructions for your fabric marker to make sure they match up with this tutorial. Some fabric markers require heat in order to set, but mine did not – just 24 hours of drying time.
That’s all there is to it! If you have a six year old and you are a type-A like myself, you will likely fight with her over who gets to trace the letters with black marker… it wouldn’t be a craft with kids in my house if someone wasn’t brought to tears.