Thanks for the introduction to Blender! 

created toy train following:
Janice's tutorial

created cardboard cutout procedure texture by following:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkqn54SPQOU&t=490s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHaFHPz46kM

created googly eyes following:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkNGvYYDjhM&t=85s

created Unmoving Plaid (chowder style) texture backdrop following:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9S81n3sMjA

I hope to improve the lighting here. I haven't had a good grasp on controlling lighting in Blender.