Monday, January 10, 2011

TRAVEL BLANKIES...

at least that's what we USED to call them...I caught my daughter sewing a patch on her "travel blankie" today! She just got back from skiing in Breckenridge and got a neat patch there. Did my heart good to see that she was doing that; I've sewn so many patches on my kids blankets! They are just about full, too. This was an idea from Family Fun magazine way back in the 90's- to collect patches wherever you go and sew them on a blanket to be used for car travel. It's one of the few traditions we've stuck with while traveling, along with getting some kind of Christmas ornament. Sometimes they're hard to find, but sometimes, they're plentiful. Anyway, a fun thing to do if you're into traveling with your kids!
Sewing on the 84th patch!
Looking at it is a trip!
The first patches, I think from about 1993 - when we went to Family Encampment in Colorado
Her favorite patch from Florence, Italy, called a "Giglio"- the symbol of Florence.

So, I just calculated that with an average cost of $4 per patch, that blanket is worth $336! WoW! Multiply that by 3 kids...now I can't believe we've spent almost $1000 on patches!!! Of course the boys don't have quite as many as she does, but they're not far behind. Mind boggling!

8 comments:

Lori said...

I think this is a fantastic idea and worth every penny! What a wonderful way to reminisce about your vacations. We always did the Christmas ornament thing, but you don't get to see them very often.

Summer said...

I LOVE this idea. Thanks for sharing. My kids will officially be patch shopping in Brazil and Argentina in May. Thanks for sharing this great idea.

Gena said...

I love that idea too! I collected one from every country when I was in Europe, and then sewed them on my day-pack. I gave it to my brother and wish that I had NEVER done that. I might have to steal it back some day - those were so special to me.

Alyssa said...

I LOVE that idea! Is it too late to start??

Unknown said...

I saw some patches at Disney World and thought about your blankets. Definitely worth the $.

Wa Wa Waughs said...

Alyssa, No I don't think it's too late!

And my daughter corrected me...$4 is probably a low average price for a patch nowadays. $5 is the average.

Audrey said...

I love this idea! Thanks for it! We do a Christmas ornament and magnet from all of our travels but, I love the patch idea.

The 5 Arbuckle's said...

I think Jeannie Sikes and her family have done this also. It's a neat idea.