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As one of Chloe’s Christmas gifts, I’m making her a Dora Backpack and Map. I didn’t find any patterns online to make them how I wanted so I just decided to jump in and figure it out. I started with the map so I could get a quick boost of gratification before I began the backpack.

You need to understand something – while I enjoy creating things I am NOT any good at drawing. It’s not modesty – it is just a fact. To free-hand anything is a real challenge for me. If you are good at drawing then this project will be that much easier for you.  I had to go find a template for the Map face because that was essential to get right in order for it to look like the real thing – and there was no way I was going to try to draw it.

I went to Nick Jr.’s website and found this project, which includes backpack and map templates on the supplies list. I used those to create authentic-looking faces.

Here’s what I used:

• Craft felt – various colors
• Permanent black marker
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun/glue

Here’s what I did:

• I used a white rectangle of felt for the Map. I cut out all the face pieces, using the template. Each face piece should be traced with the black marker and keep that black outline.
• I glued the pupils to the eyeballs and then glued the face onto the map. I glued mine in the middle. If I did it again I would glue it to one side, so that way when you roll it up the face won’t be hidden.
• I chose little things that I thought I could make for the inside of the map. I didn’t use an episode. I thought it would be more fun for her to make up her own ideas. So I chose an apple tree, a bridge over a stream, a lake with a sailboat and a forest. As you can see, it is by no means professional-looking (because I had to free-hand all of those things) but you can at least tell what each of the items are.
• Once I cut the pieces out and played with how I wanted them arranged I glued them down.

That’s it! One thing to keep in mind – there is no room for error with the hot glue. Once you stick a piece on there – it is STUCK.

Overall I’m happy with they way it came out. I only had to purchase 3 pieces of felt for this project. The other colors were all from scraps. So this project cost less than $1 for me.

I hope to post about the Backpack (which will involve sewing) within the next week.

Why I do what I do ~ While running laps through the house a few days ago, Chloe stopped long enough to say, “Mom I need my running shoes to make me faster.”

Related posts:

1. Homemade Dora Backpack
2. Simplifying Christmas Projects
3. Home-made Greeting Cards
4. Homemade Crayons
5. Week Of Frugal Fall Ideas: Cinnamon Pinecones

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Tagged as: Christmas, Crafts, Gifts