Make your own cute and cuddly monster

Monsters can get a bad rep for being scary or mean creatures that creep under your bed. Nearly everyone has heard of the Boogeyman, a terrifying monster who comes for kids if they misbehave.

(We'll let you in on a secret: Parents made up the Boogeyman to make you go to bed on time!)

While those scary monsters don't really exist, this cute and cuddly one from the library can be yours for real. All you need is felt, scissors, some cotton, buttons, sewing pins and a needle and thread. If you need supplies, you can pick all of them up for free at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. Just call 319-261-READ.

How to make a monster

1. Fold your felt over and cut out a shape for your felt friend (you should have two pieces that are the same shape when you're done).

2. Add any eyes or spots by cutting felt and pinning it to one side of the felt. Once you've pinned the eye/eyes on, stitch the eye on with thread.

3. Turn the side of felt with the eye on it over and stitch the two pieces of felt together making sure you leave about a 2-inch gap (enough to turn it inside out).

4. Turn your felt monster inside out (the eye should now be facing the right way). Stuff with cotton (you can tussle the cotton balls to make them fluffier). Sew up the remaining part of your felt monster and give him a name!