Felt fishing set that I decided to attempt in the final days before Xmas.
It was my attempt at copying this one at Counting Coconuts. It took two days to complete. I made the fish one day and added magnets, fishing poles and the lake the next day. So about 3-4 hours all together. Once I got going though the fish were easier and easier to make. Because I am not a good hand sewer I did it all on the machine. I went to Michaels and bought super magnets for the fishing lure and the poles. Then at Joanne fabrics (yes it took two stores to complete this project) I found magnetic purse snaps (for making a purse) that were on sale and perfect for the fish eyes (there is one inside the starfish).
My daughter has been asking for a fishing set for almost a year now. This summer I bought her a cheap set she saw at the store to go in her blow up pool outside. Well the pole promptly broke about 5 minutes after we got it home (it was a defective design). I had been looking for another more sturdy set when I saw this one at Counting Coconuts, I also had just learned how to sew felt food so it was time to try something new!
It will be under the tree for Christmas so if you see my kids before then, don't tell them about it!
Update 1/11/11: Additional things I thought would be fun and educational. Using letter magnets or other fridge magnets to change the fishing theme. Also instead of fishing in a felt lake you could use rubber or plastic magnets and try fishing in the bathtub. If sewing isn’t your thing you could make fish out of thick paper and laminate or tape them with the magnet inside.