Wonderfully handmade loveliness is just starting to come in on the handmade front with Children at Play.
Quilt Story designed this quilt pattern around the Playhouse and Meadow line of Children at Play, and they turned out so darling! When I designed this line, I wanted to have the images useable for applique and fussy cuts too...so this was so fun to see!
So I texted my husband this afternoon with the usual: "Hey Hot Boy. See you soon. PS: Can you take over when you get home from work? Deadlines."
"Sure. No Biggie"
"Oh, and can you do dinner & bedtime? xoxoxo?"
"You got it."
My husband is a school teacher, and is always home before dinner, which is so nice! He leaves at the break of dawn however, and so I'm hardly alive to even mention the usual reminders.
But he is so good about coming home and playing with the kids for an hour while I play catch up in the studio. I work at night when the kids go to bed, and I don't do the late-nighter thing very well (although that's what usually happens.)
So.....
Let me preface this by saying that the past few times I asked him to watch the kids and have him make dinner and do bedtime, this is what happened:
He ended up going to the thrift store and purchasing an original 1970's-ish Clip Clop for the back patio. He started small.
And then it was the tree swing, complete with climbing 50 feet into our backyard locust and sawing down branches while the kids waited for their cue to yell, "TIMBER!!"
Then it was the teeter-totter that was built in the empty space in our deck supports made with a palette, a left over fence board, and some cut up branches from said tree swing.
Most of the time, it's working on a new project in the garden. Which is always a huge hit.
And then last week, it was a zip line from our mostly-dead cherry tree at the top of the hill, to a locust beneath.
Remember: this is all in response to "Can you watch the kids, make dinner and put them to bed?"
And today's babysitting activity?
Oh, you know. Just building a platform for them to zip from. No biggie.
Just some power tools that he always seems to have in his back pocket. I mean, don't you?
Some oh-so-coveted-snacks for the Princess to keep her occupied away from said power tools.
And Voila! A safe place for feet with nothing fancy...but left overs in the garage after building the booth for Quilt Market.
And one.....
....two...
...three...
....Oh, ya....
So there you go. All my worrying that having to work on my "art" while the kids are with Dad somedays is all in vain. They got so excited this afternoon...and when they get excited, they get super cuddly.
But you know, who's taking all these pictures? Me. How am I supposed to get any work done when they get to have all the fun? I still don't know.
Pretty soon our backyard will be Disneyland made from scraps around the yard. Just you watch. Man...if I stopped designing in the afternoons, these kids would have a pretty boring back yard.
Actually, no. Instead, the new tree platform would just have curtains, floor pillows, and be painted turquoise. Hmm......
This weekend was snowy (Bleh!). Friday was 72 degrees, and we were enjoying every second of it. Then a good 5 inches of snow dropped on us, and we've been bundled up in the house all weekend.
Spring, and I tend to forget this every year, is like that. You never know when those 'inside' days are going to hit. And I wanted to have some fun.
So, I made a puppet theater for the kids. And it was so much fun to make, I've decided to post it here so you can play too!
Peter and the Wolf is a long time favorite in our house. I grew up listening to the record and my husband, who is 1/4 Russian himself, grew up the same way. Our children were listening to this story before they could even talk! It's just such a classic. You know the music, right?
In case you are unfamiliar, Serge Prokofiev wrote Peter and the Wolf (the first symphony for children by the way) in 1936. It's a narrative symphony about a boy (Peter) and his animals as they encounter a wolf from the nearby woods. Here's a fantastic 1941 recording for you.
Peter and the Wolf Recording with Basil Rathbone (22 minutes)
The story goes like this:
One day, Peter opens his gate to play out in the meadow beyond his house. He meets a bird, and soon his duck and cat come to join in the play.
He comes back inside and his Grandfather scolds him for leaving because beyond the meadow are woods filled with wolves (just like a Russian Grandfather would).
Grandfather locks the gate and tells him to never go out there again. But, Peter paid no attention. "Boys like Peter are not afraid of Wolves."
Peter is inside the gate, but his friends, the bird, cat and duck are still out by the pond. The wolf swallows up the duck in one big gulp and goes after the cat and the bird who are up in a tree.
Peter gets a rope and climbs over the gate and into the tree where he ties up the wolf and catches him.
A hunter comes and sees the wolf and is about to shoot when Peter cries out that he has caught the wolf. They tie up the wolf and take him to the nearby zoo.
In the story, the duck is still alive inside the wolf's belly as they parade heroically to the zoo....and our version, we like to say that the wolf spits up the duck and they all parade together.
And that's the story! But the music is what makes it. I can't get it out of my head. And it's so good for children!
Last Christmas, my husband's parents made us an incredible hand carved collection with all the characters and the book and CD in a hand painted wooden box. We have spent the past year acting out this story at least once a month. The children listen to it over and over again, using the characters to follow the musically narrated story. It's been such amazing play for the kids, I've wanted to do something similar for YOU! But I've not been able to come up with how to do that. I nearly came up with a paper doll version, but it didn't seem to be as fun.
But with paper puppets, the body parts move....and can be played with even outside the stage. Hours of fun.
So here's what you need:
A Paper Stage:
This is a FREE download in hopes that you can use it for more than just Peter and the Wolf. You can cut it out and fit it to any kind of box, but a cereal box works great. The stage is very close to a full size sheet of USA standard paper (8.5 x 11 inches). So find a cereal box that works with that size. The crown of the proscenium is easy to tape on, or even better, fasten on with brads so you can change it out and replace it with others that title the performance.
Download the Stage HERE.
Peter and the Wolf Characters:
I debated on this one....I wanted to make it completely cost free, but since it is rather elaborate, I'm charging just a small fee: $5.50 for the entire set. I plan on making more stories, some of which will be more simple will be a free download.
You can purchase the full PETER AND THE WOLF set HERE.
Other Household Supplies:
Cereal box
Scissors
Tape
String
Small brads (these are used for scrapbooking and are smaller than normal brads used for school or office. You'll find them in any craft store that sells scrapbook materials).
Safety pin (to pre-poke holes before fastening with brads)
Sticks for puppeting These are found at any craft store, wooden skewers used for barbequeing work as well. Popscicle sticks are going to be too wide, so don't try.
MUSIC:
The Disney animated classic can be viewed on You Tube HERE.
Another favorite version is here, but there are lots more.
But feel free to LISTEN OFF THE BLOG for free whenever you want. (It's not the best recording out there, but it is the best FREE recording out there. But the voice of Basil Rathbone? Fantastic!)
So there you go! I really hope you like it....in fact, I'd LOVE your feed back on this one. Please comment and tell me your thoughts....I have been wanting to add this kind of thing to my shop/blog for a long time.
Is this something you'd like to see more of?
Can you think of other favorite (copyright free) stories that you'd like to have characters of?
Would you prefer a PDF download, or a KIT with all supplies included that you can purchase and have mailed to you?
I can see this as a collection you can keep adding too....some with just black and white print outs that children can color themselves, some more elaborate and entertaining.
I'd love to know what you think! I can't think of anything out there quite like this....so spread the word and we'll see if I can't get more little "performances" put together. It's the perfect creative play, and I can promise you it's going to be a big hit at your house. Tell me how it goes!
I am so thrilled to be offering a random giveaway this weekend. I talk a lot about kid's books, kid's art, kid's decor, raising kids....so I am so happy to be offering something for YOU! Something pretty to make you feel gorgeous.
Have you heard of Shabby Apple? Ok. If you haven't, you will love them. If you have, you know you already love them.
Dresses. How hard is it to find every day dresses? Not just every day, or weekend, but dresses with personality and flair.
I love their new "period" dresses that are their newest line right now. But there's more. So much more!
Shabby Apple approached me about doing a giveaway for my readers, and I was thrilled cause I know most of you (if you are anything like me) could use a new dress. I mean really....who doesn't want wear this?
Or this?
I can only give away one dress to you (I know...bummer). And in honor of my Audrey Hepburninspired week, I've chosen this one:
stunning? Yes. Beckoning warm weather? Yes.
But....if you don't win or if you want to grab a few of your own, you can get 10% off your order when you enter in "SARAHJANE10off"
Here's how you enter:
Please note: The giveaway includes all domestic and international entries, BUT Shabby Apple cannot ship internationally, so the 10% can't apply. But I've offered to personally ship to an international winner, since I love their dresses so much, and I know you will too:)
And if you are a facebook person, here's where you can link up to them to get the inside scoop on updates and special offers.
Have fun! Knock yourself out...it's valentines day!
**Fine Print: This is not a sponsored giveaway. I have not received any compensation or free stuff. I just really love their shop, and they really love you! Bottom line.
And PS: Only 13 Calendars left in the shop! And If you need some printable Valentines cards (on sale!), you can get them here. Happy Weekend!!!
{ COMMENTS CLOSED}
Did you know that Audrey Hepburn had a pet deer? Yes. And did you know that it was a childhood dream of mine to have one too? Yes. So I know I've posted this before....but when I found these images a while back, I think I let out an audible, "Awwwww....." I mean really. Who wouldn't want a fawn for a pet. And it really was her pet...the deer's name was Pippin, and she called him "Ip." Parties, car rides, long walks...they were always together.
These valentines cards were inspired by Audrey's pet fawn mixed with my childhood dream to have a pet deer. And since Valentines Day is just a few days away, I thought I'd mention these PDF downloadable cards in the shop in case you need a little last minute love note.
They've been marked down, and will be on sale for the rest of the week!
You can also get them in card form, and we're happy to send. They are printed on really nice textured soft paper...they have the feel of letterpress folded cards. So sweet!
I'll be posting a bit more about Audrey Hepburn this week. Somehow she goes really well with Valentines day.
Happy Monday to you all!
We had so much fun doing giveaways over the holidays, and I have one more left! Warmth is an ETSY shop full of cute mice dressed up for all sorts of occasions.
You can get a pretty great sense of what she makes below, but you can also visit her shop here for a greater sampling. Linda will be giving away 3 mice: a $45 gift to you!
They are petit and sweet. How perfect for Valentines day!
This one is my favorite. Darling.
Giveaway instructions:
Best of luck to you!
Today's Giveaway is from MiniMe Paper Dolls.
MiniMe makes personalized paper dolls that you can customize to look just like your child! We are in love with these at our house. We have one for Addie, and she loves them. What I love about them, is that they are bigger than most paper dolls out there, which makes for really fun dress up play.
Just take a look at how darling:
Just perfect for stocking stuffers, or for those snowed in days!
Hannah, the designer and owner, has boy paper dolls, and some great winter outfits too! Check out her site to get the scoop, and her blog is darling too!
Thanks, Hannah for this awesome giveaway!
GIVEAWAY DESCRIPTION:
* One personalized hand drawn and digitally colored MiniMe doll with name stand
* 6 adorable outfits (Winter Line...or substitute this with any other season line)
* Amazing reusable adhesive strip so you have the option of playing with or without tabs!
* "All About Me" pages (four pages for your favorite girl to fill out and keep as a memento).
* A special "Keepsake Doll Set" that is signed by the artist.
* A CD with custom doll, outfits and "All About Me" pages for reprinting.
Does it get any better? And as a bonus, Minime Paper Dolls is offering this for all readers:
Buy ANY Doll Package (Ultimate, Standard, Print it Yourself) get a customized doll and winter outfits FREE, with a deadline of Dec. 15th for all printed orders, and Dec. 23rd for all PDF orders.
Giveaway instructions:
Best of luck to you!
*GIVEAWAY CLOSED*
Winner: Audra Costello!
**Each weekend through Christmas, I’ll be offering giveaway’s from artists and artisans with a simple wish that we can all support handmade this holiday season! Enjoy!
This weekend's giveaway is from a shop that I have grown to love, love, love! I'm wearing the cowl above right now, and I'm so super warm:)
Tickled Pink Knits offers luxurious handmade knitwear and accessories (scarves, wraps, cowls, hats, mitts, and fiber jewelry), all made from fine natural materials (alpaca, merino wool, cashmere, silk, and fine cottons) featuring all original designs, each piece of wearable fiber art is created one stitch at a time by Elena Rosenberg in her New York-based studio. Wedding accessories orders (shawls/wraps) and other custom orders are always welcomed.
GIVEAWAY DESCRIPTION:
This week, there will be THREE lucky winners! One winner will receive a gift certificate to her shop, and two winners will receive a free knitting pattern. In addition to that, Tickled Pink Knits is offering FREE SHIPPING to all Sarah Jane readers. Coupon Code (in message to seller) is SARAHJANE.
Giveaway instructions:
Best of luck to you!