Those of you who read my stick star post might already know that Aidan is a big Ben 10 fan. Once upon a time he wished upon a star for a Ben 10 watch, a.k.a. Omnitrix, and in a moment of weakness not long after I bought him one. Sometimes a purchase is necessary to escape the toy aisles of Target.
I'm not typically one to buy character emblazoned merchandise, but friends and family keep my son well supplied with character paraphernalia. Aidan used to be all about Spiderman, with a wardrobe to prove it, but Spiderman is out and Ben 10 is in. So I decided to merge his passion with mine and make a few Ben 10 gifts for him, mommy style.
First, the Ben 10 t-shirt. I found some ringer tee's online - white t-shirts with black around the neck and sleeves, then used Wonder Under to attach a black stripe down the front, zigzagging the edges to hold it in place. I made two; one to give and one to keep for the rainy day when the first one gets ruined. Clothes don't last long for six year old boys.
Second, a Ben 10 finger puppet. I modified the Barack Obama finger puppet pattern to make Ben 10. Brown hair, green eyes, and even a little Omnitrix.
Although Aidan might have preferred some over packaged and over priced Ben 10 toys from Target, I think he likes his homemade Ben 10 gifts. I certainly had fun making them.
I have no idea who Ben 10 is, but that little woolly character is beautiful, as is your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
My kids love Ben 10 too - I think your handmade approach is just fantastic, Aiden looks pretty pleased with it too!
ReplyDeleteMolly, I don't know what you're talking about!(famously, no boys here)...But I love, love that you are making these things for Aidan: it's a perfect melding of motherly love and understanding, and refusing to give in to the rest of the world's commercial influence on our kids. Now, if I could just knit my girls an Apple laptop, we'd be all set!
ReplyDeleteTake care, tt
Clever and inspiring...it reminds me of the stories I hear of my mother-in-law crafting her own pillow people for her children when pillow people were all the rage. I've heard all four of them remember and talk about it. You can almost count on the fact that the homemade gifts will be remembered fondly long after they have worn out.
ReplyDeleteI'm clueless about Ben 10 too, but I'm with you on the reluctance to buy licensed characters. What ingenuity on your part to supply him with something handmade, but simpatico with his interests!
ReplyDeleteHannah (new reader, loving your blog)
My cousin loves Ben 10, that is all he told me about at the holidays...and my students love him too...but that is so creative! You are always so inspiring.
ReplyDeletedarling little finger puppet and slick ben 10 shirt. slick as in, BETTER than shiny packaged target merchandise. Jeff and I were laughing the other day that someday, when Benen realizes that NOT ALL KIDS consider high fiber cereal and soy milk a Special Dessert, we will be paying through the nose for therapy. until that day, i march on...and am inspired by the likes of you to keep it real.
ReplyDeleteYou are a hoot. I'm having Molly withdrawals, I think. Thank goodness you blog. :) Lucky boy, that Aidan. And Avery with her cigarettes! Nothing like having an irreverent mama to keep you on your toes & having fun...And, yes, what ARE you talking about?
ReplyDeleteBoth my boys are Ben 10 fans. Love the doll adapted from the Obama pattern
ReplyDeleteThough I also don't know who big 10 is I must say I admire your creativity! Excellent job mama!
ReplyDeleteWell done! This so reminded me of my boy who is now 17. He went through numerous phases and I made him costumes for each one was mario from the nintendo game- a pair of black op shop overalls, a modified cap and a plunger from the local hardware shop. Very little money spent and he thought he was the real thing!!! He enjoyed dressing up so much that in the end I gave up trying to get him into everyday clothing!
ReplyDeleteI don't know who Ben 10 is either! We don't have cable or satellite...we watch little tv. But, the toy is fantastic! I am impressed! I am sure your little guy loves it too!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Looks like you had fun making the stuff, too. I made a Wizard of Oz Dorothy apron for my daughter for Christmas and she loves it. Sometimes the characters just have to be embraced, even if at first we don't want to.
ReplyDeleteWow. I'm DEFINITELY out of the boy hero loop! Good thing you are in it and creative. You are rocking the boy t-shirt world again. Kudoos!
ReplyDeletei don't know what ben 10 is, but your little guy sure is cute!!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's BRILLIANT!
ReplyDeleteI think all my kids will be in therapy at one point or another, and one of the topics will be because their mother refused to buy television-hyped icon-printed clothes.
And I'm okay with that.
My son is a huge Ben 10 fan and he would love the toys you made. They are so much better than what they sell in the stores.
ReplyDeleteI never even heard of Ben 10. My daughter is all about Dora. Gotta love cartoons.
ReplyDeleteMy son would freak over that hand puppet! You are brilliant and even if he doesn't fully appreciate it now, when he's grown, he will brag about the year his mom knitted him Ben 10.
ReplyDeleteWe are Ben 10-ified here as well, but luckily it's just the Omnitrex
TOO COOL! :)
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