Activity Notepad

since everyone always gets at least one handmade gift thrown in for their birthday present, i had to think of something fun to make my niece for her second birthday! i've already made her some dresses, skirts, and crayon caddie, not to mention a play apron to go with her kitchen set she got for Christmas, so i was quickly running out of ideas!

since she LOVES to color i decided on an activity notepad. i didn't think an activity tote would be too useful yet since she doesn't need it for school-nor is she big enough to carry her own bag! i figured that an activity pad would be the next best thing. this would be easily tucked inside a purse or diaper bag so if my sister and husband needed something to keep her busy while traveling this would be perfect!

this activity notepad is small enough that it doesn't take up a lot of room, but has tons of pockets so the inside has room to hold a small drawing pad, slots for crayons or markers, as well as another slot that i ended up sticking a book and some stickers inside! i decided to use Alexander Henry's Apples and Pears fabric to match another gift item i had made her for Christmas. it ended up working out perfect because i also had some Hello Kitty ribbon that i got from Target that i thought was super cute, and the ribbon even had matching red apples on them!

so...you might be wondering, well, why by one instead of the other? well, if you want the option of not being limited to just art then an activity tote would be more practical- the tote is larger, so you can easily tuck a doll or stuffed animal inside, toy cars, or small electronic toys. the activity notepad is mostly to have a portable art "station."