New in my shop

 Between being plagued with migraines recently (thank you Ohio weather changes!) and sewing my little fingers to the bone...

 I have added lots of new stuff and old favorites to my Etsy shop.

 People say the devil is in the details. But  I say God is in the details. Those little things in Life that make you smile.

 It's a crazy busy life but it's mine and I love it!

See all my playscapes and imagination sparking items in my shop.

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Tell Me A Story Tuesday - the Timekeeper

Once upon a time, there was a rabbit who lived in the Happy Forest. He could fix any clock, watch, or time piece.

But he could do something else. On occasion, when he winded the clock hands just right, he could grant a wish.

Animals lined up for as far as the eye could see to get a wish. The Timekeeper couldn't make a wish happen every time...but when he did, it was special!

The end

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Art class

Yesterday, we went to an art class. There was something magical about 7 children under age 5 sitting in tiny chairs with paintbrushes in hand. They were happy and quiet and busy and creating. It was awesome.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Play is serious learning

Photo credit: happy Brown house pinterest

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Tell Me A Story Tuesday - Mushroom People

Deep in the heart of the Happy Forest live the Mushroom People. They are very small with big hearts. Mushroom People gather mushrooms and help woodland animals. Not often seen by humans, there have been stories of Mushroom People helping a lost traveler find his way through the Woods or lost children find their way home through the Woods.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

It's all about the Kool-Aid

When I was growing up, my mother always babysat kiddos in our house. Any given day, there was always 5 or 6 extra kids running around.

My mother used to let the kids pick which flavor of Kool-Aid they wanted to drink for lunch. She would lay ALL the flavor packets out and expect them to pick which one. There were packets of every flavor. The kiddos couldn't decide.

Why?

Because there were too many choices. They got overwhelmed and couldn't decide.

Here is a Golden Rule. Give children choices, but...limit the choices to 2 or 3. Too many choices leads to chaos and confusion.

It's like you walking into Target and someone says, "pick one thing." Uh, that's too hard. Too many choices!

If you limit choices to 2 or 3 things, I promise it will be better. When you offer a choice of peanut butter or turkey, the child isn't overwhelmed by too many choices and feels empowered that he made a choice for himself.

Note: I have nothing against Kool-Aid. I love it! It was just my example. Photo credit: Pinterest.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Letting it go

 Happy Monday, everyone!

I hope you had a relaxing weekend. My weekends seem to be melting into my weekdays. I spent Saturday and Sunday finishing up some projects for my Etsy shop.

My youngest daughter graduates next month. Yikes! I had a party planning meeting with my mother in law and got the invites to the printers.

In all the chaos of upcoming events - and trust me, my calendar is VERY full - I keep thinking...how can I keep it simple.

Less is more.

Less is more in life, in play, in EVERYTHING. Well, everything but God and caffeine. Too froo-froo, too much, too many and the details get lost.

I am doing a lot of stepping back, reevaluating, and simplifying in every aspect of my life. I am letting go (you are thinking of the Elsa song, aren't you?)

I will keep you posted on how it's going.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Ocean Birthday Party

In my Facebook feed, this memory showed up! I was asked to create a simplistic, modern Ocean Birthday party.

This is what I created. Craft paper table cloth - easy to roll out, easy to clean up, and if the kiddos get antsy - they can color on it!

I always incorporate fresh flowers into my parties. It just adds something special to the party. Here, a bunch of white scheme flowers from my local Kroger add a beautiful touch. Their vases are actually soup cans covered in scrapbook paper.

I found wood cutouts at Michaels and got glued them to dowels. Also, I added a little whimsy to the straws. I used Martha Stewart paper punches. Blue plates and bottled water lend themselves to the ocean theme, too.

I added Safari Ltd Incredible Creatures sea turtle, fish, and other ocean creatures to tie the whole theme together.

Simple touches, beautiful details, and cake! made the day special indeed.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Fairytale Friday - Enchanted Forest

When Princess Claire heard the news, she knew exactly what she needed to do. She asked for the strongest Bear Guard and the bravest Gnome Guide. She knew the journey would be difficult...maybe even dangerous.
With her Bear Guard and Gnome Guide, Princess Claire went into the Enchanted Forest, where unicorns still ran free and animals can talk.
First, Princess Claire asked the wise Snowy Owl if he had any information. He said something was amiss but to ask the deer.
The Deer agreed that something wasn't right in the forest and maybe the Dragon would know more.
Oh, yes, the Dragon did know something. He had seen a dark figure dragging a bag through the forest.
Princess Claire got goosebumps.
The Dragon to ask White Mouse. She might know a little something.
Indeed, White Mouse knew that the dark figure was holding something in a cage down at the river's edge.
Princess Claire summoned her courage and headed straight for the wild rushing river with her Bear Guard and Gnome Guide.
A cage is what she found!
And in that cage...the Prince!
The Prince had been kidnapped and held for ransom. Quickly, Princess Claire unlocked the cage, rescued her brother the Prince, and headed home.
A grand celebration was held that the Prince had been found. The animals of the Enchanted Forest were invited as were the Bear Guard and Gnome Guide.
Princess Claire was named the bravest in the land.
The end

What stories will your kiddos toys inspire today? Happy imaginative weekend!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

I believe in fairytales

 Albert Einstein said, "if you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairytales."

Me and Albert - think alike, we do.

Talk like Yoda, I am. Why? That came out weird.

 I believe in the power of imagination. I.agination helped me through my childhood. Make believe, fantasies, it is ALL important in development for children.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

What Play Looks Like

Play may look like chaos...and sometimes, it is.  But that's okay. Children need to explore, make a mess spread out their toys, create a story in their head, make believe.  They are toys - they clean up. Let them play. And if it is bedtime, just tidy up. Do not put away the full zoo that they have created on the floor.  Let them add to it tomorrow. Trust me. Watch and be amazed.
What Play Looks Like by melanieshanks on Polyvore

Pets Toobs
safariltd.com

Blue Gnome Fantasy
safariltd.com

Whimsical Ways
whimsicalways.blogspot.com

Whimsical Ways
whimsicalways.blogspot.com

Whimsical Ways
whimsicalways.blogspot.com

Whimsical Ways
whimsicalways.blogspot.com

Whimsical Ways
whimsicalways.blogspot.com

Raccoon Standing
minizoo.com.au

Grizzly Bear Female
minizoo.com.au

King Penguin Chicks
minizoo.com.au

Little People Sofie Bluebird
fisher-price.com

Little People Park Ranger
fisher-price.com

If babies grew in gardens...

"If babies grew in gardens, then everyone who wanted one could have one. My friend Maci was adopted." -Greta, age 5

Ahhh, wouldn't that be great,

Out of the mouths of babes.

I think this will be inspiration for a new play mat.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Take the fun outside!

My friend @clairehereandthere on Instagram sent my these pics of her adorable daughter playing with my cottage Playscape.

See all playscapes at
www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Penguins in April

 Do not ask me why, but in Saturday, I woke up thinking Penguin Chicks. It did snow on Saturday here in Ohio in April. Was it my fault???

 Wouldn't these be cute for a baby shower for first birthday party???

Not happy to paint just one, I made a whole dozen Penguin Chicks Peg Dolls. A waddle of penguins!

The play possibilities are endless.

Add to winter pretend play, dollhouse, or play mat. Use as a cake topper. Gave as party favors.

They are now available in my shop
www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Custom Order Peg Doll set

 I made one set of these my my It's a Small World Playscape Play Mat. Then, I received a request for another set.

 This weekend, in Saturday, I painted for 9 hours! Yep, you read that right. Nine. Hours.

They shipped out this morning to New Mexico. Imagination in the mailbox! :) that makes me smile.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel