It's the little things in life

I just completed these little Tee Pee Play Mat Minis. They are actually play sets. Each play set comes with the tee pee, felt play mat, wood tree, Native American family of three peg dolls, and birch logs.

When I taught preschool, I observed a lot of things about children. They are obsessed with small things - tiny toys, trinkets, etc. that can fit into their hands or pockets.

Big stories can come from playing with small things. I hope that my items inspire many, many imaginations. I also hope that my items inspire engaging play between child and care giver.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

The Helper

The Forest holds many secrets. There are creatures unseen by humans. One such creature is The Helper. With mossy hair and fungi horns, she wanders the Forest, befriending animals, helping other creatures in need.

I am not sure where the idea for this creature came from - maybe from my childhood years as my home was surrounded by a mossy forest. My imagination is a wild place, a maze of stories and fairytales.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

The Zebra in the Boat

On Wednesday, people in the beach were quite surprised to see a zebra in a boat, sailing towards Forest Island.

The Zebra had simply walked out of the local zoo, as a gate had been left open. The Zebra wandered through the streets, the calls of seagulls beckoning him to the shore.

As luck would have it, a tiny zebra-sized boat say empty on the shore. The Zebra stepped in and it began to move.

The Zebra liked the feel of the gentle rocking of the boat and the smell of salt in the air and all the friendly people waving to him from the beach.

The small boat took the zebra closer and closer to Forest Island, a tiny island with far more trees than houses.

Once ashore, the zebra inhaled the smell of pine trees, listened to the blue birds singing, and munched on pinecones. He was rather enjoying himself until the zookeeper came to collect him and take him back to the zoo.

The Zebra thought to himself, "Today was quite an adventure. Maybe I will have another adventure tomorrow." and he fell asleep quickly, tired from all that adventure.

The end

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

My 18 year old college student asked, "Mom, what do you want for Christmas?"

Me...plane ticket to Europe or paintbrushes.

Immediately, she started looking up plane ticket prices. :) She cracks me up. The tickets are less than I thought. Maybe Europe isn't just a dream after all.

I have always had the inclin3 to travel. At 19, I loaded up my Ford Escort hatchback with a couple girlfriends and headed to Florida for the week. When my best friend said that she was moving to Tulsa, I visited her 3 times that year. My husband and I take day trips often. But when my mother in law talks about Europe...

I have the travel big!

My pretend play creations and etsy shop are being influenced by my desire to see the world. But it's always been like that. Once upon a time, I created a whole Egyptian landscape in my classroom. The kids _and parents!) loved it. It broadened their world's through play.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

I want to go...

 I have wanderlust.
I do.
I want to go to England and Germany and Norway and Sweden and Finland and...

I am working towards going with my mother in law. Until then...I will paint tiny red houses and dream of faraway places.

 These two images found on Pinterest. The top one is mine. I will list the tiny houses in my etsy shop soon (if I can let them go!)

Where do you want to go?

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Naturally Curious Kids window display

I do a lot of crazy things.
I do a lot of what-in-the-world-were-you- thinking kinds of things.
I do a lot of creative things.

So, back up several years ago. I wanted to move to New York city and be a ballet dancer (I have never had one lesson!) during the day and dress Windows at night.

I never made to NYC and I still have never put on toe shoes. I did wear a tutu once for a 5k, but that doesn't count, right? I dud, however, fulfill a dream of dressing a toy store window last night!

Naturally Curious Kids is our favorite toy store. It's located in the quaint uptown area of Westerville. I was asked to do a window display and was sooo excited.

I drove 30 miles to get logs out of my brother's yard. Hundreds of paper leaves were cut. And a plan was hatched!

Drum roll please...

Ta-da! My first window display is done! We filled the window with Calico Critters - we love them so much! Logs were used as pedestals. Muted colored leaves float down. I think it's kinda dreamy and whimsical.

naturallycuriouskids.com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Coupon code HELLOLOVE20 saves 20% today

 In collaboration with @Hellolovehandmade on histogram, I am being featured today. We are offering 20% off in my shop today when you use coupon code HELLOLOVE20

www.mybigworld2015.etsy.com

 Here are a few new playscapes and play mat sets (yes, you get some fun accessories with the play mat!) that I added today.

 My shop is stocked and ready for the holidays. I am not sure how much more I will add to my shop. If you see it and you like it, you should get it now:)

 I am not taking custom orders this holiday season. I have a wide variety in my shop for lots of different play scenarios.

Happy Labor Day! My Labor Day has been a labor of love, staging, photographing, and making these new play mat sets.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Number 2 is a good thing

 My play mats, of course are my number 1 seller. But coming in at a close number 2, are these little trees.

So...for the month of September, this set of 5 trees are only $10.

Add them to any playscape, pretend play, block area, dollhouse...the play possibilities are endless!

See all in my etsy shop
www.mybigworld2015.etsy..com

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Hey Girl

 My friend and I adore Prince Harry and both of us paint peg dolls for our etsy shops.

 Sometimes, you just need a but of encouragement and a bit of humor to keep you going.

Have a fun and playful say
Mel