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Original poster

Anyone ever made an I-spy bag?

26 replies

JackBauer · 14/01/2009 22:33

I am wanting to make some for DD's and as presents but don't know where to start looking for stuff to go inside. I need ideas!
tia

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ramonaquimby · 14/01/2009 22:37

yes yes yes!! a friend and I were going to go into business {hmm] after we had our first kids......and somewhere in our house we have dozens of little things for exactly this purpose. Even sourced out some of the little beady things for the filling........

we had things like buttons/dice/bells/foamy things/small erasers/novelty toys that you might find in a crackerjack box - anything small really. little clothespins, penny, hair clips.. We did have fun getting all the stuff together, but didn't really get very far with it (real life took over.....) good luck with it

Original poster
JackBauer · 14/01/2009 23:05

here di you get thema ll from? I have found some websites with novelty buttons and suchlike so would they do? I dont really have time to trawl as DD1's birthday is in a few weeks (time kinds got away from me!)
Plus I have only juyst clicked what teh PVC vinyl is called [dumb] so have finally ordered some...

One question, DD2 is 15 months, that is too small, no?

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Original poster
JackBauer · 14/01/2009 23:09

Actually, something like this would do wouldn't it?

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ramonaquimby · 14/01/2009 23:48

I would say she is too small to really appreciate it and use it for what it is. She'd like to feel it most likely tho

ramonaquimby · 14/01/2009 23:49

how cute! have bookmarked that site.

ClementFreudsGreatestAdmirer · 14/01/2009 23:51

what is an i-spy bag?

In the local toy shop today me and the kids were ENTRANCED by these tiny tiny mini rubber elephants, frogs, clown fish and ladybirds. bizarre combination, they are all about 2cm long max. and soft. SO beautiful. in the pocket money section.

ramonaquimby · 14/01/2009 23:55

www.clothdiaperoutlet.com/store/p/95-I-Spy-Bags.aspx?feed=Froogle

ClementFreudsGreatestAdmirer · 15/01/2009 00:06

cool! i've seen tubes like these but never bags. don't they get really grubby? or can you wash them? the tiny elephant would be perfect....

kiwibella · 15/01/2009 09:24

you can buy bags of beans from Wilkinsons for a fiver.

Original poster
JackBauer · 15/01/2009 20:00

Really kiwibella? that was my next question!
Was it an independant toy shop, Clement? I like the buttons but woudl like some other stuff too....

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Original poster
JackBauer · 15/01/2009 20:02

Oh, and mooching last ngiht I found a website that made them for kids having chemo or in hospital out of pvc material, so completely wipe clean. Which I thought was genius!

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Original poster
JackBauer · 16/01/2009 10:38

I was wondering if I could use bean bag beans to fill as I have shedloads fo them lying around (well, not literally, that woudl be a nightmare!)

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BabiesEverywhere · 16/01/2009 10:42

Bean bag beads are crap don't work as they are too light. Normal fillings are dry uncooked rice (which has to be kept dry of course) and poly pellets which are also used to fill reborn dolls and can be bought off ebay in 500g and 1kg bags.

I am still looking for little things to have a go, I have fabric and some filler and a mock one with bean bag beads which doesn't work well but my DD still plays with it.

HTH

Original poster
JackBauer · 16/01/2009 10:59

thanks, that does help, other than 'plastic bead things' I had no idea what to look for!
I did a search for novelty buttons and found loads for 10p ish each so am just going to cut backs off and use them.

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BabiesEverywhere · 16/01/2009 11:11

Poly Pellet Ebay Auctions

NotADragonOfSoup · 16/01/2009 13:57

Hawkins sell the tube versions of these which are for older children and have things like rubber bands, paper clips, matches, tiny pegs etc in them.

The bags look fab!

MamaHobgoblin · 16/01/2009 19:52

There are loads of handmade ones on Etsy - had never heard of them before but as soon as I saw them, I started collecting stuff to put in one! And it's quite a challenge to find really tiny things, because I reckon you don't want anything larger than about a centimetre.

The pellets are sold for weighting toys on ebay - I think people who are into reborn dolls use them, so searching through reborn suppliers would probably find some (if it doesn't creep you out! ).

I couldn't find the vinyl stuff (probably because I don't know what it's meant to be called!) but a lot of baby stuff comes with thick clear vinyl packaging, so I've saved some.

Original poster
JackBauer · 16/01/2009 20:47

thanks mama, have had a look at thoe tubes as well, they are cool!
I have wanted to make one for months but was putting it off due to the vinyl stuff and then I found this and I figured it would work!

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ClementFreudsGreatestAdmirer · 17/01/2009 01:40

if you google 'bulk mini replica' you find elephants, ladybugs, penguins, wolves and clown fish. But they're all from US sites. I found mine in a UK independent toy shop BUT one that follows a distinct pattern - i guess they're all approached by the same stockists - where they have a central island with lots of square compartments for pocket money toys.

ontheup · 20/01/2009 19:25

These sound great - where would you get the clear plastic windows stuff from?

Original poster
JackBauer · 21/01/2009 16:09

I've finished mine, DD1 has it now!
I used mostly buttons plus some charms with the chain rings cut off and a few small toys.

I used this stuff as the window and it is holding up fine.
I covered it with tissue paper to sew it and then ripped it off so it didn't stick to the machine....

Will get some pics later as have to do labels now....

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ontheup · 22/01/2009 12:53

Ah I saw that on ebay - I thought it might be Ok - glad it worked out - am off to purchase now!

Original poster
JackBauer · 22/01/2009 14:56

Justa word of warning, I bought that tablecloth, used 10cm sided square of it. and now have loads fo vinyl and no clue what to do now!

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ontheup · 22/01/2009 21:16

chop it up and sell it as i-spy windows

Bumperslucious · 25/01/2009 09:54

Oooh, I'm loving this idea! Could you hand sew the vinyl do you think?

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