Backpack, Backpack

Lately, due to laziness and tiredness from the pregnancy, I have been letting Leah watch a little more TV then usual. As a result of this she has discovered the show 'Dora the Explorer' and I have to say, it's a cute little show. One good thing about it is that Leah doesn't zombie-out and just stare at it. She participates. She repeats the spanish words that Dora says and "helps" Dora on her adventures. So, to get to my point, there is a character on the show called 'Backpack' (super original being that this character is, well, Dora's backpack). When Dora needs something along her way she asks the viewers to call for her backpack and the backpack pops up with a face and sings a song. I decided I wanted to get Leah this backpack for christmas. We found a Fisher Price Dora backpack at Target, and it seems to be the only one that any store carries. We didn't like it because it's made of plastic and has a button that if you push, sings the backpack song over and over. Super annoying. So, I went on Amazon hoping to find a plush backpack that I could get for her. I was so happy when I found this backpack and put it in my cart right away. I went back a few days later and added some other items to my cart. Right before check out I decided to read some reviews on the backpack toy, and I'm glad I did. The first review I read was a lady who had purchased this toy for her own Dora lover and ended up throwing it away (because the company wouldn't return it) and because of this warning on the tag "WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm." So being the responsible parent that I am, I decided not to buy the backpack and risk cancer and possible birth defects to my unborn child. Feeling disappointed, I searched around for a little while for other options. When I didn't find any, I decided that I was going to make my own backpack. Nick came home from work and Leah was down for nap, so I ran to Walmart. I am a woman of little patience :) I got all the supplies I needed and went to work. I drew out my own pattern, based on the pic I posted above and started designing my backpack. I was nervous because I've only been sewing for about a year, and have never done anything without a pattern and clear directions, let alone design my own. I wanted to get it done fast incase It was a horrible disaster and I needed to try again or figure out another plan. Anyways two days later, the backpack was complete along with it's companion 'The Map' (again, another original name.) So...really long story, I know. But, I wanted to remember this. I hope Leah loves it and that all my hard work was worth it come Christmas morning :)

I wanted to include this star pocket. Dora's backpack has a star pocket and on some of the episodes, she can earn stars or "estrellas" by completing different tasks.

"I'm the map!"

The inside of the map.