from 1 - 86, the little one picked the number 60.

Malka will be mailed within BC to Tai and her 2 boys over at Small Wonder. it’s been such a long time since i’ve spent time perusing blogs, linking here and there getting lost and led to further inspiring sites. From Tai’s own inspiring blog i’ve tucked away a link to Enki Education for future thought and reading, i signed up (finally) for a year’s subscription to Living Crafts and i discovered Molly’s super sweet and awesome beeswax acorn tutorial. i’m certain there’s much more to explore so thank you Tai. Please send me your mailing address (my contact info is on my “about” page).

ps. a little sweetness over breakfast;

Being a mom and also having the privilege of sitting in on the Waldorf preschool classes, i am often reminded how it is the small and natural treasures which bring the greatest delight, wonder and creativity to a small child. They appreciate the simple when the simple is offered with care and intention. More is not better. This is clear to me and especially so during these times of gift giving where there is a tendency to overdo it. The little ones can be overstimulated by the abundance and then left with feelings of irritability and disappointment rather than of magic, warmth, celebration… Little A has so much. i think too much at times. These past weeks, family and friends have been asking me what they can get for him and i really truly mean it when i say nothing or just a small token. He is not expecting a mass of gifts under the tree so as tempted as we feel to delight him and sugar him up, let’s not. instead let’s keep it focused on the gathering and the meal shared. i’m not saying that i want to deprive my son of the good feelings that come with giving and receiving (and he’s certainly had his share of receiving from the elves all month).  i absolutely love to gather and make special packages for people and little A sees this and wants to make things for people too. He’s been busy and content with all sorts of projects this month and these past few days we’ve been gathering things together, thinking of our family and friends and writing little notes. it’s been so much fun. We enjoyed a wee celebration at the preschool this past week with all the children and their parents, special snacks and circle time. Little A & i wanted to gift some small treasures to his classmates. Thank you Emma for this sweet idea and thank you grandma P for so carefully cracking the walnuts from your nut tree so that we could make plenty of these little lights.

Little A chose a special color felted acorn for each of his mates;

i just can’t stop wrapping and rolling and photographing these sweet things so it’s no secret what our token gifts will be for everyone;

Some of these little friends have also been delivered around the hood;

Be it for birthday celebration or imaginative play, they are sure to add some magic.

shy/not shy;

squirrely/kissable;

woodland;

coming soon - another woodland gal similar to this one;

and also a giveaway because so many of you, local and abroad, have made my day supporting my shop of handmade natural toys and gifts. Thank you. The scarf to be gifted is similar to the one shown below. it is all the same colors, has the same grey wool lining and the same trim detail but has also some cotton linen squares. Please leave your comment with your URL here and we’ll draw names…oh i don’t know when… stay tuned.

i was going to hold off on this post until i had a chance to make some dolls with some sweet hand screen printed Miko Design fabrics but i noticed that she’s just updated her shop with even more new colors so i thought i’d put the word out for you all to head on over for a peek.  Thank you Erika for your generous gifts & lovely packaging, for making my day and for including little A (as you may get from the photo he’s soooo excited about his pinnochio pen). i’ll have a doll made up for you (and maybe some others for the shop) as soon as i can make up my mind - so many decisions.

i’m so spoiled.  Sara from A Little Sprout sent me the sweetest package this weekend. Seriously, the packaging was as exciting as the contents. Little A and i both took our time admiring the stitched paper bag wrap, the stamp, stickers… so beautiful, so fun and so very exciting.

Indeed i did squeal  and then again. Check out these sleepy heads.  Little A and i are both so in love with our new little friends. The removable shoes were pretty darned exciting and A immediately scooped Charlotte Bear’s reversible smock for his claimed plush bear (yet to be named).

Slowly things are coming together in our home. Charlotte Bear is a perfect match with the little bear print i purchased ages ago from Emily at The Black Apple . i recently framed it with the intention of cozying up the spare room but i’m keeping these gals in the living room indefinitely. i want to see them everyday. smile.

cute cute cute right?

Also finding a place in the new home are the wool felted pebbles gifted from Claudia a long while back. i admire them daily but have been a total slacker in posting them here. One is offering some lightweight to our heavier beach stone door stopper, the others are amidst Little A’s play things, the crane more specifically. They are really lovely and, by the way,  aux petits oiseaux etsy shop is now open.

Lucky me to have such talented flickr and etsy friends to gift exchange with.

Yipee!! My buttons have arrived from Kat, Waltz Matilda. She used a vintage fabric for the buttons and change purse, hand painted some sweet extras and included a handmade all natural hand salve that smells delicious. i love it. Thank you! i sent off a linen clutch and pin cushion (each inspired by 2 lovely friends who gifted items to me of which i use daily) along with some fun favorite buttons.

Thank you again to all participants in the fabric covered button swap. Everyone seemed to really get into it and put together some sweet and generous packages. Some of my faves;

from das kaninchen. such attention to detail;

more sweet details as well as her swap partner, Pippijoe’s gifts;

ok so i am digging the house and aviary themes. You guys rock!

Mi, Artist Girl Friday, It’s What i Do, Little Seedlings;

i’d like to post more favorites but just head on over to the group pool and pick out your own favorites.

The next swap? oh i don’t know… i had a thought to organize a sort of “not going back to school swap” for home learning/unschooling families. Now that i’ve said it i’ll see what the feedback is before working out any details. This will be a Fall event anyhow. Now get outside and enjoy summer.

the gift away in celebration of my blog’s first year goes to #55 Kyrie. it turns out her little one is having a birthday soon so i’m pleased with how the randomness was seemingly meant to be. The birthday gal chose this crown for herself;

Happiest Birthday little one!!

i realize that while i was visiting the Okanagan, the significant date of my blog’s first year passed quietly by. That is without a post or celebration and so now some words… i’m happy with this space and what it’s become. My intention a year ago was to minimize my time at the computer by combining my blog, flickr perusing and my near daily email updates to friends and family abroad. i’m not sure that i’ve minimized the time spent but i do enjoy this space to document some of our day to day. Thank you for taking the time to view, read, and connect with your comments. Sometimes you really make my day. i am also grateful that through my internet connections and etsy i have been able to maintain a successful shop which ultimately allows me to give in to my own etsy splurges. Thank you for your positive feedback there. i thought to make a special give away for this occasion (which is why this post is a month belated) but i have decided instead to gift any 1 item in my etsy shop on Sunday May 18th. i will choose a name from the comments left on this post so whether you know me well or have only just recently stumbled by… feel free.

These sweet treats were found in the bottom of Little A’s stocking and they were so quick and fun to “bake” that i whipped up a wee batch for our little girlfriend’s 2nd birthday!

December and January birthdays have always caught me off guard and so i am grateful for Lotta’s Simple Sewing projects that i may still give something handmade. For S;

i’m always hesitant to post a WIP because i tend to avoid deadlines and expectations for the sake of it. Anyhow, it was sunny in my kitchen and my camera was out and so was this little pile of dolls intended for a Valentine shop update. i promise no heart, cupid or rose fabrics but there are a lot of funky pinks. This yellow honeycomb headed doll is one unstuffed from the last batch so i will fill her full of wooly goodness and include her with the sweet Valentines.

Here is an example of a doll that has been a WIP for well over a year. i think i ran out of wool so he was tucked away for such a long while. I’m thinking February might be a more realistic time to get back into it. It will feel so good to complete this long and drawn out trade.

We were finally able to coordinate with Auntie to give her belated Christmas gift. Anja (the doll) and Elizabeth Gilbert’s book which is on my lengthy “to read” list. (Not much in comparison to all that she spoils us with);

We all braved Ikea to make some returns and after much daydreaming i finally checked out the Daiso shop in Richmond. I expected it to be a little more funky and less junky but there were some great $2 treasures to be found;

Paolo! He’s in town from everywhere. He travels, lives and works abroad often. We ran into one another at the downtown library - one i rarely visit but this morning our local branch was closed and all the better for me as i have not seen this guy in years! So great to see this smile, get in a few hugs and a quick update - too quickly interrupted by the little ones urgency to pee. Paolo is such a special person to me, one of those people i love unconditionally any time and place, a true and great friend to get caught up with. In younger years we might have found ourselves ocean side, roaming a park or city side street in the middle of the night, turning left or right or walking straight ahead depending on what was most appealing in the moment. Often wine and good food or coffee was on the agenda and always talk. So much talk and ramblings. He is good.

More goodness came in the mail from our sweet Okanagan friends. Tracey and i have known each other since Kindergarten and after reading my Little A health update to family and friends she sent him this sweet get well package including many of his favorite things and maple candies for me (did you make those?!). The excitement of receiving mail was enough to make him giddy. We’re feeling the love and growing stronger! Thank you!! He loved everything and spent some good hours crafting this cold and cloudy afternoon.