Craft time - Touch and feel wall

My sister had a great idea to duplicate one of the features in the Children's Museum in New Orleans. Lynn, who is not always so crafty, recruited me to help turn her idea into a reality. So, this weekend I drove down to the compound and helped assemble a touch and feel wall for my niece's room.

Step 1: Have a cute and adorable subject to build a touch and feel wall.

Step 2: By my retired, first grade teacher mother's suggestion, we drew and cut out patterns for the petals. And when I say we, I mean me.


Step 3: Lay out patterns on styrofoam board to make sure they all fit, and then trace. Lynn started at one end, I started at the other. Took all of 5 minutes.





Step 4: Cut out petals with an exacto knife or, like me, a large bread knife. I recommend doing this outside. It makes a mess. I did think of this before cutting, and didn't leave a snowy mess in my mother's living room.

Step 5: Cut pieces of textured fabric and glue onto petals. We purchased different kinds of felt, cheneille, and linen fabric. Lynn also had some fabric scraps that we used. Also, we used a spray adhesive for the flat part of the petal, and hot glued the edges. Note to self, be careful with the hot glue gun. The sister burned her fingers a few times. Oh, and if you are not careful, the hot glue will melt the styrofoam.

Steps 6-9 (which I didn't take pictures of) - We glued then taped 2 yards of fabric on a 3 foot tall by 4 foot wide piece of plywood. Next, we hot glued the petals in a flower shape. For the center, we used plastic furniture sliders. (Another great idea by my mother.) We purchased two 8 1/2 x 11 peel and stick felt sheets for the stems and leaves.

Below is the end product. Pretty cute, huh? They are going to drill this into a wall in Maggie's room for her to...touch and feel. (Go figure?) Seriously, though, its a great "toy" to have in a baby's room as she is learning to use her sense of touch. And, it is something that will hopefully last as she grows into a toddler. All, in all, I believe the materials cost around $30. Though, we did find some items (like the plywood) around the house, which made it a cheaper project. I think it turned out pretty cute, and it was one of the neatest kid ideas the sister has ever had!!!