More kind reviews for my etsy shop

It warms my heart to hear these kind words about my playscapes.  It really does.  I sometimes wrestle with should I continue? is this working?  Then, I see words like this and know that my mission of inspiring play is working.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Purple Mountain Playscape

I have been posting less that regularly as of late. August is overly booked. Nanny girls big horse birthday party, my birthday, moving my mother-in-law, my daughter moves into a dorm while the other starts her senior year, and a bridal shower at the end of the month. Whew! I am exhausted thinking about it. AND I have been battling migraines as well.

So I apologize and will do better.

I did finish this new Playscape. It is now in my etsy shop. Purple Mountain Playscape with a babbling brook, vegetable garden, rock quarry. Also, I made the cave and pine tree movable - not attached to the play mat - so that kiddos can change up their landscape.

A playscape is a landscape of play possibilities. I see almost every day. It takes 4-6 hours to create one. And I have a mental list of play mats to make.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Stick Pony Tutorial

 What's a horse themed party without stick ponies? Well, we are making these stick ponies as a craft project for the kiddos to do at the party. Then, they will get to take the ponies home as a favor.

 We made 30 felt horse heads.  They are finished to a point.  All the kids will have to do is stuff them, cinch the bottom closed, then insert the dowel rod.

 Here's how I did it.  I freehand cut out a horse head shape.  I cut out 2 of the same color.

 We chose a different color for the mane.  Just a thin strip of felt fringed.  I used pinking sheers but you can use regular scissors.

 Pin the two pieces together.

 Sew around the whole head.  If you don't have a sewing machine, you could hand sew. Or you could hot glue around the edges.

 With a large needle, do a basting stitch around the "neck" - this will make it easy to close after it it stuffed.

 I hot glued the googly eyes on.

 I folded the ear in half and glued to give it more dimension then I glued the ear onto the head.

 All you have to do now is stuff, cinch, and insert the dowel rod.

 Here, I made a different version - Unicorns!!!

30 stick ponies done. Whew!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Gnome Love

I love gnomes. Not sure why. Maybe it's because when we were in Michigan one summer on vacation, we found funny t-shirts that said "Hanging with my Gnomies" or because Jess stole Babbette's garden gnome on an episode of Gilmore Girls or maybe just because they are cute. I just ordered 2 of these little guys from Safari Ltd. I can't wait to play with them on my playscapes.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Stick Ponies

What's a horse themed birthday party without stick ponies?

What was this nanny thinking when she volunteered to make 30 of them?!?

Actually, they are easy to make - just a little time consuming.

I will do a tutorial very soon.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Sleeping Beauty Castle

This Sleeping Beauty Castle Playscape was just bought from my etsy shop. I am sure it's going to a good home in Utah.

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Calico Critters Now at Joann

You know me. I love everything little - little toys, little animals, Dollhouse, etc. Today, I went into Joann for some scrapbook paper and almost squealed with delight when I discovered that they now carry Calico critters.
The best part was that they let me use a coupon for this triple bunk bed! I got it for $7.50!

Have a fun and playful day
Mel