Weekend shenanigans

 This weekend was a long one. It was a busy one. It was a...lot.

 I did a little painting and added a few new boats to my Etsy shop. But there wasn't a lot of time for creativity this weekend.

 Just when I think I am getting to the finish line...Life shows me what is most important. I tend to work a lot.

My daughter fell and was diagnosed with concussion no.5. Much of the weekend was spent checking on, doting on her. We ended up in the er just because I needed to know that what was going on with her was "normal" for 5 concussions.

We watched London Is Falling over the weekend. I was inspired to make a guard peg doll for @teenyweenytoys Queen peg doll. THAT was about the extent of my creativity this weekend.

Sometimes, Life says 'slow down' and you have to listen.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Harry Potter window display

 Here is the Harry Potter window display at Naturally Curious Kids in uptown Westerville.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Play is a powerful thing

 This weekend, Toys R Us had a sale on Schleich toys. I bought some baby elephant calves. My husband said that I bought the whole herd! Funny man, that one! :)

 The girls and I follow several Elephant conservation groups on Instagram. Every morning, we check in for updates on the different elephants in their care. We love seeing pictures from Elephant orphanages in Africa.

 The girls - ages 3 and 6 can locate Africa (&some of the countries within Africa!) on any map or globe now!

I am setting up a play elephant orphange with all these baby elephants from Schleich. Can you see the DETAIL on these toys? I mean, their leathery skin! Amazing. No. I am not getting paid by them, but I do love their animal replicas. Each one is hand painted!

It is on my list to visit Schleich when I go to Germany! Someday, someday.

Through play, we have learned about the elephants, people who care for them, and also people that try to hurt them. We talk about people who run the conservation centers and their jobs. We talk about people who champion for The end of the ivory trade. Prince Harry and Prince William always are mentioned :) The girls take on the roles of vets and caregivers of the elephants and love "feeding" them with baby shower favor baby bottles.

Africa is thousands of miles away. And poaching and extinction of elephants are big concepts for little ones. But through play, the concepts have become tangible and close to their hearts.

I am sharing the world with children through play. Play is a powerful thing.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

My husband doesn't buy me flowers

 In almost 18 years together, I can count on one hand how many times my husband has bought me flowers.

 Before you start to judge, here's his theory. "Flowers die. Toys, however, are forever.

 So he buys me toys. Lots of toys. Toys to stage my play mats. Toys because there was a sale. Toys because it's Tuesday or because it was whimsical or...

He is so funny, my husband. I think I will keep him! It's the little things that he does!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Making of a Harry Potter window display

 So...I think I need to preface this post by saying that I grew up watching The Princess Bride, Mannequin, Flashdance, etc. That being said, I grew up in a teeny tiny town (no traffic lights, 2 stop signs kind of small!) Growing up, I wanted to study ballet and decorate store Windows in New York city.

 Fast forward some years later, I was given the opportunity to decorate a Toystore window in my small city. Okay! This window will be for Halloween. I picked a Harry Potter Magical Menagerie theme.

 I have been working on the envelopes for weeks, hand addressing letters to the fictional characters. It was a lot of fun. We have a huge amount of Folkmanis puppets in the toy store to work with.

 I will post more when the window is finished. Wednesday is the target date for completion.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Etsy Shop Updates

My Etsy Shop will close Sunday, December 4, 2016 for the holidays.

All orders need to be placed prior to 12/05/16.

I am not longer accepting custom orders as I have several to do.

If you see it and love it, buy it. :) that sounds funny, but...I have worked hard to stock my shop for months. What is there is what I have. I cannot guarantee that I will make another one similar to it.

Thank you for your sweet word, positive feedback, and purchases.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Making goals into reality

 This morning found me home alone with lots to do. But I woke up needing to try something.

 I began painting a new stock of mountains. They are flying out of my shop and I had to restock.

 But I also wanted to paint something new. So I tried the above mountains. They are more modern that my usual stock but with whimsical colors. I love the way they turned out. I do love it when a thought comes to fruition, becomes tangible.

 I wear many hats - more lately it seems like lately. For months, I have been working non stop toward a goal. I want to take my mother in law to Europe. I have been sewing and painting and not spending and working crazy hours to achieve this goal.

 I cannot remember the last time I read a book. No lie. I am an avid reader and I cannot remember the last time I read a book. It will all be worth it to stroll the streets of London.

My planner is my saving grace right now. It keeps me on task. I wonder if I can schedule myself a nap? :)

Have a fun and playful day
Mel