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The Quiet Book

Thu, Feb 4, 2010

All Posts, Everyday Life, Misc.

I think it’s safe to say that most everyone has a special memory or keepsake from his/her childhood.   Mine is my Quiet Book.  It’s a book that my mother made for me before I was born so it’s technically older than I am (and that’s pretty old).  Considering that, it’s still in pretty good shape.

tabs book 1

The book is made of cloth that is held together by pieces of yarn.  It is soft, worn, and well-loved.

tabs book 2

Each page offers activities that are perfect for little kids.  This page reads “A Tisket A Tasket, Fill up the Basket.”  Little apples are then attached to the tree by velcro or are placed into the basket.

tabs book 3

These pages offer more opportunities for little hands to practice buttoning and unbuttoning as well as learning all about matching colors.

tabs book 4

But it’s not just fun and games, there are things to read too, such as The Beautitudes from the Bible.

tabs book 5

I was even able to practice tying my shoes.

The memories that are associated with this labor of love are priceless to me.  That is why, during my shower a few months ago, I started crying as soon as I opened my mom’s gift for our little boy.  Because inside the box of blankets, bottles, and stuffed animals, was his very own Quiet Book.

cover

My mother had spent hours and days putting together this special book for our little guy.

1st page

One that is full of fun things to do,

2nd and 3rd pages

and soft things to touch,

4th and 5th pages

as well as bright colors to look at.

6th and 7th pages

He’ll be able to count the cookies

8th and 9th pages

pet the giraffe,

10th and 11th pages

and learn how to tell time.

12th and 13th pages

There are even puppets for him to play with – I think those are my favorite.

12th page

Well, that and the cute little lion!

14th and 15th pages

The book is signed “Love Nana, 2009.”

16th and 17th pages

So that he never forgets who made it for him.

Last page

It’s absolutely beautiful and something that I know he will cherish just as much as I do mine.  So thank you, Mom, for not only being incredibly creative, but for taking the time to put together this unique and adorable gift for our son.  I can promise you that it will be adored for years to come.

What is your favorite keepsake or memory from your childhood?

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25 Comments For This Post

  1. Kate Says:

    Oh my goodness what an amazingly thoughtful gift. That is so sweet.
    Kate´s last blog ..He Says…14 Weeks My ComLuv Profile

  2. Tabitha Blue Says:

    Oh wow! That is absolutely amazing! What a beautiful and thoughtful book. A keepsake forever. I’m sure he’ll love it! :)
    Tabitha Blue´s last blog ..A Little Bit of Pretty From My Husband My ComLuv Profile

  3. Carolina Baker Says:

    Beautiful.
    Carolina Baker´s last blog ..Kicking Butt is Allowed My ComLuv Profile

  4. sandy Says:

    What a great quiet book. Your Mom is so talented!!

  5. Dustin | Engaged Marriage Says:

    Wow, that is an awesome gift! Obviously, it is something that your son can cherish for many years, just like you have with your own.
    Dustin | Engaged Marriage´s last blog ..How Marriage Helped Make Me a Christian My ComLuv Profile

  6. Kristy Says:

    That’s so neat!!!
    Kristy´s last blog ..Whining… My ComLuv Profile

  7. Mindee@ourfrontdoor Says:

    Wow. What a gorgeous, practical, loving, useful gift. Absolutely precious.
    Mindee@ourfrontdoor´s last blog ..It’s Good To Have Goals My ComLuv Profile

  8. Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com Says:

    What an awesome gift! I’ve been trying to make a cloth book of my own and it isn’t going so well. I love how beautiful the ones your mom has made are!

    Favorite item, hmmmmm. Okay, my dad wrote me this poem when I was in school. I’d forgotten something at home, an art project about Picasso, and he had a day off work, so I called him in tears and begged him to pick it up. He spent an hour looking all over my room for it before he found it on my bed. Where he’d not thought to look lol. And when he dropped it off for me, he left a poem note with it.

    It ends with: “And then! There is was! Right there on the bed! / “About Picasso” by Knucklehead”

    He never ever called me knucklehead any other time, but I love that poem all the same =)
    Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com´s last blog ..Buzz buzz. My ComLuv Profile

  9. erin Says:

    I have a book like that! Not exactly, of course, but. My mom made it for me, and it is one of my favorite things from childhood. That and these two 3′ dolls, Jenny and Joey, that she made.

    I have been planning to make Hannah her own cloth book, but have not gotten the inclination to get it started just yet. So much effort. I am so impressed with your mother for not just getting yours done, and on time/early, but also that it is so beautiful. What a perfect gift.
    erin´s last blog ..yumyumgeekyum My ComLuv Profile

  10. Melissa Says:

    Tabitha I LOVE this! I have been dying to make a quiet book since long before he was born, and I just haven’t done it yet! What a wonderful mom to do it for you! We too had a family quiet book for church as kids, and I’ve wanted to recreate something similar for our little future family. Someday, maybe I’ll actually bust out the sewing machine….all on my own. I know, what are the chances, right? Slim. But I still want to! And it’s still on my to do list!

    ps so the little man can come any day now huh? I’m SO excited to meet him! I can’t wait!! You’re going to be a mommy! And such a fabulous one. I’ll be watching the blog like a hawk!

  11. sparkly jules Says:

    Quite possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen. *sniff*
    sparkly jules´s last blog ..A Little Melty My ComLuv Profile

  12. The Wife of Odie Says:

    I love that mom made that book for you. So cute! And that you have the original is just priceless.
    The Wife of Odie´s last blog ..photo essay of a saturday My ComLuv Profile

  13. the domestic fringe Says:

    That is amazingly sweet and beautiful too! A treasure to cherish for sure.

    -FringeGirl
    the domestic fringe´s last blog ..Randomly Lame Life My ComLuv Profile

  14. John von Cannon Says:

    Sweetie–I remember you playing with your quite book as a child like it was yeserday!!

    BTW–please let me know what the doctor says tomorrow after your 2:30 appointment–especially with the 22″ of anticipated snow headed to the DC area over the week-end. Love–Dad aka PapaJohn
    John von Cannon´s last blog ..Mattie Home From Ms Becky’s-Jan 29th, 2010 My ComLuv Profile

  15. Sara Says:

    That is the most wonderful keepsake; all the love that went into it. The only keepsake I can think of is a Topo Gigio plushie my parents got me. 25 years and one missing eye later, he still sits on my bed :)

  16. Heidi Says:

    You’ve just given me an idea that will last a lifetime. I hope your mom doesn’t mind if one day I create a Quiet Book too. I love, love, love this.

    One of my favorite keepsakes from childhood is a metal Judy Jetson charm that I cranked out of a gumball machine when I was 8 years. I’ve carried it in my wallet for good luck for almost 10 years.
    Heidi´s last blog ..At least when voice mail piles up it doesn’t collect dust. My ComLuv Profile

  17. Helena Sandgren Says:

    That is sooo lovely! Where did she get all the ideas from?? :-) You will have a lucky little boy with a gran who cares so much about him. Such a beautiful and thoughtful gift.

  18. Catherine McP Says:

    This is the best thing I’ve ever seen! I’m not kidding, what a great gift to your son, Just beautiful.

  19. The Wife of Odie Says:

    I remember well what a struggle it was to make the first quiet book. We began them in our Relief Society meetings and were all so excited with the idea. I added my own designs and spent days working on it while preparing for your birth. It was such a wonderful time and I cherish the memories. I was so proud when the book was completed. Looking at the book on your blog I realize how primitive it was…..wish I had been better at sewing then.

    When we found out you were expecting, making a quiet book for you was one of the first things I thought about making for you and the baby. Have to say, I’m glad my skills have improved. I had such fun making it and was so grateful for the COP’s help. The book is filled with all my love and anticipation of spending time with your little guy to play with the book.

    I’ve even decided to make more quiet books. It’s such a labor of love and I’m enjoying it.

    So glad you love the book – it means so much that you’re happy with the book. I’m thrilled you have the original one too. I treasure several special things from my childhood and just love having them in my home to this day.

  20. Sarah L Says:

    I have never heard of a quiet book. Such a neat idea. It’s so wonderful that your mom was able to make one for your little boy. :)

  21. Heidi Says:

    TAB! Are you snowed in and delivering at home??! I’m thinking about you. Who needs a hospital? I bet the CPA would make a pretty good OBGYN. They’re both acronyms.
    Heidi´s last blog ..At least when voice mail piles up it doesn’t collect dust. My ComLuv Profile

  22. Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com Says:

    HEY! I’m going nuts wondering if there’s a baby or not. I hope you aren’t snowed in and that you can get to a doctor if the need arises! Thinking of you!!
    Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com´s last blog ..So here’s the deal. My ComLuv Profile

  23. Army Mom Says:

    I think we know why you’re being quiet! :)

    Thinking of you, the CPA and your baby boy!

    Love,

    Janet

  24. Carolina Baker Says:

    Thinking of you.

    Hope you’re enjoying the bundle of Joy
    Carolina Baker´s last blog ..Love the One You’re With My ComLuv Profile

  25. Heather Says:

    Did you have your baby? Did you have it in the blizzard?
    Inquiring minds want to know!

    Hope you’re all happy and healthy!

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