Wood Genious

I have this guy...I call him my Wood Guy, but Wood Genius is more like it.

I have an idea, make a pattern, and hand it off to him. He then cuts these amazing pieces. Like the new Mushroom House Set in my shop, it all came from a doodle On a piece of scrapbook paper.

The wood is sanded and edges are rounded and...he amazes me.

See all imagination sparking items in my Etsy shop

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day

Mel

It's A Small World play mat

A woman sent me an Etsy convo.

#1 on her daughter's Christmas list was an It's A Small World play set. She had searched high and low but all for naught.

I said I would take the weekend to brainstorm.  I got some patterns to my wood guy (aka wood genious!) and began to work.

I put all the pieces together, painted the peg dolls, and sewed my little fingers to the bone :)  I sent her a group of photos and illustrations, explaining my thought process.

She was over the moon happy with it.

This week, I painted the tunnels, stitched the long winding river play mat, and put the finishing touches on her custom order. It shipped it today. She should get it Saturday. Gotta love USPS priority shipping!

Things are buzzin' in my shop. I've got to get busy making more! I kinda feel like a Christmas elf!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Santa's helper

My friend sends me a message that her son asks nearly every night to see "the places to play" by her friend that helps Santa.

He likes looking at my playscapes on her phone. Isn't that thee cutest thing?

She asked if there was any plans to make a rocket. I made this for him. I can't wait to hear his reaction.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

God given gift

I believe that God have me the gift of creativity. I believe that He is opening doors for me an my little whimsical Etsy shop. I believe that He is presenting me with ideas and opportunities. I have been presented with an opportunity to feature my shop, reaching thousands of people. I am totally going to use that extra hour this weekend to be creative! What will you do with your extra hour?

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Polar Playscape restocked

I just added a new Polar Playscape to my Etsy shop. The last one sold out in less than a day.

Have a fun and playful day

Mel

FREE shipping until Oct. 31 on Imagination

I am offering Free shipping on everything in my Etsy shop until Oct. 31

That's on all hand-stitched Playscape Play Mats, Imagination Kits, Craft Kits, and jewelry.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

New in the shop

Looking for something unique to give to your special kiddo? Check out my shop full of Imagination Kits and Playscape Play Mats.

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Developing language and vocabulary skills through play

I love to take a handful of random toys and say, tell me a story.

Today, it was 4 monkeys, a moon play mat, and a McDonald's happy meal toy How To Train Your Dragon toy.

G, age 5, made up an elaborate story about space monkeys living and playing on the moon then a space monster came and are them but spit them out because space monkeys don't taste good and they became friends.

Little sister, Roo, age 2, then parroted the story, adding some of her own details.

This 10 minute activity develops language and builds vocabulary. AND it's just plain fun!

"Tell me a story..." is an invitation to play. If your child can't think of something, then you should model or tell your own story. Keep it simple. Have a beginning, middle, and end. Make it fun. Then say, now you tell me a story.

Have a fun and playful day

MyBigworld2015 update

A few updates on my Etsy shop...

*FREE shipping ends Oct. 31st

*I will be adding items until Dec. 1st

*my Ship will be closed after Dec. 10th

*I will not ship after Dec. 12th

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Not the cheap stuff

All of my playscapes are hand-stitched and I use quality materials. This Polar Playscape, for example, is made of wool felt - not the cheap stuff. Wool Felt can run $15 per yard, compared to the cheapo stuff that costs $2.99 a yard.

I believe in quality products. I believe in handmade. I believe in imaginative play.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Polar Playscape

If you know me at all or have read my blog much, you know that I do.not.like winter at all. Winter and I are not friends. Snow is a four letter word to me. Partly, because I have a 19 mile commute.

But G, who is 5, loves loves loves Winter and snow and cold. That got me to thinking. So...

This weekend, I made a Polar Playscape. Wool Felt, all hand-stitched, snowflakes, a frozen lake, an extra large ice cave. This play mat measures approximately twelve inches by eighteen inches.

I had so much fun playing and staging the play mat. I mean, come on. Penguins, polar bears, snow hares, snow foxes, snowy owls, snowmen...the play possibilities are endless with this one!

Check it out and others at...
www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

The tale of the flightless bird

Once upon a time, there was a penguin who wanted to fly. He had dreams of meeting new birds, of making friends all over the world.

But how was he Going to get to parts unknown?

He wanted to fly. In his heart, he wanted to fly more than anything else in the world.

He was a kind penguin, well liked by the other penguins. He would share his food and watch nests for other penguins. So, the penguin community came together and built him this...

A hot air balloon.

Now, the penguin could fly!

What helps a flightless bird fly? Friendship and Imagination. Where will your imagination take you?

Hot air balloon Playscape is available in my Etsy shop.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Stocking the shop

I am stocking my Etsy shop for the holidays. Well, I am trying. It seems like pieces are going out the door as fast as I can get them listed.

I have been sewing non stop for a few weeks straight. Everyday. Hand-stitching. I decided yesterday to take a short break from sewing and make a few Imagination Kits. (My wrist is starting to hurt.)

The set of twelve hand painted wood mushrooms are among the NEW items that I listed yesterday.

The rainbow mushrooms would be perfect for fairy play or forest or fairytales. The play possibilities are endless. Use them alone or add to a Playscape.

You can find them in my Etsy shop at www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Handmade is Better

Yesterday, my Blackberry Patch Hollow Log Playscape was featured on Handmade is Better. I received a lot of kind words and views on my playscapes.

Etsy Collaboration

Teenyweenyboutique 's pegdolls and my Playscapes are like peanut butter and jelly, cookies and milk, bears and honey.

We have teamed up for a collaboration of our pieces. I have been photographing her hand painted pegdolls on my playscapes. It seems like a perfect match.

The play possibilities are endless.

You can find both of our shops on Etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day

What is an Imagination Kit?

I am the first on Etsy to make Imagination Kits. I thought I would educate you a little on my thought process.

I am a nanny and a former preschool teacher. So, I am all about play! Imaginative play is so important for child development. It allows children to logically work through situations. It is a creative outlet. It develops language and builds vocabulary. It teaches sharing and cooperative play. And so much more.

My Imagination Kits can be a stand alone item, meaning you can give one as a gift and the whole small world play can develop from just the one kit. Or the kit can Be added to your kiddos favorite toys.

Simplistic in concept, the play possibilities are endless. Children can take a few simple items and create elaborate stories and play scenarios.

See all my playscapes and Imagination Kits in my etsy shop at
www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

100 etsy sales!!!

Today, I got my 100 th sale!

It may be small, but it's just the beginning. I have more imaginations to spark! More playscapes to see. More...more...more!

www.mybigworld2015.etsy. com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Woodland Pond Playscape Play Mat

Okay, I am not going to lie.
This one took a while.
A looong while.
6+ hours.
100s of hand-stitched stitches.
So many details.
I had Oliver, my almost 5 year nephew, in mind when I dreamed this one up.
Cattails and snails and puppy dog tails and all that.
I worked with materials I had never work with before and took my playscapes to new heights - literally. This one is 3 dimensional.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

All hand stitched

I have made several versions of this Hollow Log Playscape. Well, 3 or 4. I space them out, because I KNOW that each one takes 6+ hours to make. 100s of tiny stitches - all by hand. #handmade

I have one cut out and ready to make. I just have to talk myself into it.

Until it's ready, see all my playscapes and Imagination Kits in my etsy shop at
www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Nocturnal Animals Imagination Kit

Are your kiddos curious about nocturnal animals? This imagination kit will spark their interests. Best of all, they will be learning while they play!

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

What is an Imagination Kit?

Simply put, an Imagination Kit is a collection of items - a couple of toys, items from Nature, and a play mat - to engage your child, spark their imagination, and encourage creative play.

Play is important. Imaginative play develops and strengthens language skills, storytelling, creative thinking, role playing, and more! If you are play alongside your child, Imagination Kits also promote strong bonds and communication skills with your child and...it's fun!

Immerse yourself in the whimsical small world play. Make up stories together. Laugh. Be silly. Or send as a gift to that special kiddo in your life.

I am the first one on #etsy to offer this concept. My background is early childhood education. Creating imaginative play was the basis for creating these Imagination Kits.

Too often kids sit in front of a tv or video game or DVD. Let's exercise their imagination. Let's remember how to PLAY and entertain ourselves. Let's make up our own stories and invent new fairytales!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Mini DIY Unicorn Terrarium

Okay, doesn't this look magical?

Today, I am making up some mini terrarium DIY kits for my etsy shop. This unicorn one Will be listed soon.

Wouldn't this be fun to make at a fairy or princess party? Maybe as a favor or take home craft. Contact me through etsy for bulk ordering for a party.

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

TI am notorious for sending fun mail to my nieces and nephews. This is the kind of thing I would send to them. Or a grandparent Could send it to their grandchild or make it with them when they visit. It's all about carving out fun, creative time together.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

I love Fall

I do. I really do. I love Fall. Someone once said that Fall is the second Spring All of the trees are bursting with a fabulous new color palette. The world seems to slow down and take notice of Nature's changes.

I have a new Fall Forest Imagination Kit in my etsy shop now, so your kiddos Imagination can be as colorful as the Autumn foliage.

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

FREE shipping this week!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

FREE shipping this weekend

Go to www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

All Playscapes and Imagination Kits Have FREE shipping this weekend Sept. 11 - 13 2015.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Cityscape Play Mat Playscape

My nephew Oliver turns 5 soon. He is all boy. Cars and trucks and dirt and mud. I had him in mind when I created this city play mat.

It's different from what I typically do, but you can see that I did it. It has so many details and is all hand-stitched.

See it at www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Stay Curious

College Visits

I think it was yesterday that my youngest daughter was a terrible two year old, pulling laundry out of the basket and dragging it down the hallway every five minutes.
Today, she is a senior and planning college visits. What? How did that happen? You snicker, but just you wait. Time passes by so fast in that time we call childhood.
I am looking forward to the college visit though. Road trip!
Can't wait to see Michigan in the fall.
They grow up too fast.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Math charts with a toddler

Roo loves to count.
She asks to count.
So...we count.
We count a.lot.
That's good - really good.
Her first experiences with math are positive ones. She is excited about her early math experiences. But she doesn't know it's math. She just thinks it's fun. That's what learning should be.
We made this simple graph with numbers. I modeled how to do it correctly on the first try. The second time, she helped me. But the third time, she was doing it on her own!
Math and fun - yep, they can go hand in hand.
Have a fun and playful day
Mel

love

love by melanieshanks featuring romantic home decor

Romantic home decor
etsy.com

All Imagination Kits now $20

See all imagination Kits in my etsy shop

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Birch Forest Birthday Party Imagination Kit

Just listed (like minutes ago!) this whimsical small world play kit. The play possibilities are endless. Everything you need to create This magical play mat is included in the kit.
Check it out at

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

How much whimsy is packed into this little Imagination Kit? The answer...tons! Everything pictured here comes in the kit - trees, animals, gnomes, mushrooms, gems, garden. The Imagination Kit is $23 + $4 shipping but oh, the play possibilities are endless.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Red Mushrooms

I spent a good portion of yesterday painting red mushrooms in various sizes. I have them in my etsy shop in different capacities. Some are in a group of 12 - perfect addition to fantasy or fairy play or party decor. Some are part of the Imagination Kits. It was a relaxing way to spend some of my Saturday. More Imagination Kits today! It's more play than work.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Bear and Blue are cooking

Bear and Blue are best friends. They live to cook together. Blue likes to cook. Bear likes to lick the spoon and do dishes. They make a good team.

This is just one play possibility your kiddos might come up with when playing with my Imagination Kits.

See all my imagination play items at www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Tinkerbell and Friends Tinkering Around Imagination Kit

Look at all the fun stuff that comes in this imagination kit. 3 fairies, tree, pinecones, acorns, mini mirror, moss rock, buttons, ticket, beads, flowers, etc. Your child's imagination will run wild with this kit. Check out all my imagination play items at www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Woodland Tinkerbell and Friends Imagination Kit

This was the most fun - putting this imagination kit together. I have been collecting tinker fairy teeny tiny stuff for a long time. Now, it's finally time to put together some amazing imagination kits.

Everything you need to make this whimsical small world play is included in this kit. Check it out.

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Bear and Blue Treasure Hunt Imagination Kit

Just listed today in my etsy shop is this Bear and Blue Treasure Hunt Imagination Kit. Everything you need to make This whimsical small world play is included in this kit.

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Bear and Blue Treasure Hunt

Bear and Blue are best friends. They do everything together. Today, it seems, Blue has talked Bear into going on a treasure hunt.

Bear carefully studies the map, while Blue gathers the necessary tools. They are a good team like that.

You'll have to stay tuned to see if Bear and Blue found any treasure.

These are the kinds of storylines that kiddos can play out with my Imagination Kits found in my etsy shop. See all at

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Small World Play - Polar Play Imagination Kit

This morning, I added a Polar Play Imagination Kit to my etsy shop

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

This imagination kit comes with everything you need to make this whimsical small world. I am the LAST person who wants to think about winter, but...my nanny girls love to play with polar bears and penguin all year round! Even in August :)

Check out all my imagination play items in my etsy shop.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Custom order

Yesterday, I received an order from an aunt and uncle sending a terrarium to their birthday girl niece out of state. They requested that I gift wrap it and send a card along. I was happy to do it!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Map themed bridal shower

Sweet reviews about my etsy shop

See more at
www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Happy September

Tis the season to build a campfire and roast marshmallows and tell stories. I love Fall for that very reason.

I made this teepee Playscape Play Mat yesterday. It is now listed in my etsy shop. A big blue lake, whimsical garden, campfire, and (movable) teepee are all set on an approximately 12x18 Wool Felt play mat - all hand-stitched.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Clock Tower Castle Play Mat Playscape

The clock is about to strike twelve.

I think that I look at a piece of fabric like a carved might look at a piece of wood. I think I have an idea and then...organically it becomes something more whimsical than I imagined.

That's what happened with this Clock Tower Castle Play Mat Playscape. I was thinking castle. Then, I found a vine curving. Then, I spied a clock medallion and it all seemed to come together.

I create best when I Have background noise going on. I like the hum of talking or music. Then, I just...create.

See all my playscapes in my etsy shop

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel