Sophie

Image courtesy of google


I am sure you have seen her. She seems to be everywhere. I did not know a thing about her until my daughter was born, but now Sophie Giraffe is a familiar, much loved, face around here.

In case you have ever wondered, as I did, why this 40-year-old teething toy is so wildly popular (and pricey!) -I did a little research. According to Sophie's site, she is a longtime favorite because she is the first baby toy to stimulate all five senses. She is smooth and soft, with contrasting light and dark coloring from food paints- she squeaks and the distinctive smell of the rubber from the Hevea tree has proved to be pleasing to babies everywhere. In other words....this little giraffe is perfect.


If you are looking for something sweet and practical for that next baby shower- look no further!



Image courtesy of google
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handmade doll house

"Petit Flaneur" makes the sweetest hand-crafted children's toys, cards, and art. But I am just wild about their doll houses made out of hand-painted pressed wood -- I love how the houses and all their furnishings look like vintage paper (yes, I do indeed love a flammable home).






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Aline Smithson's "In Case of Rain"

I keep going back to Aline Smithson's photo series, "In Case of Rain" (discovered on kris atomic) with its beauty and brightness on this rainy and gloomy day. Hope you fall in love with it too....

"We live in a world of technical distractions. I see my children gathered around their computers as though it's a summer campfire, faces aglow, as they peer into a world of friends and fantasy, participating in a new form of entertainment that further remove them from the childhood that I experienced.

Today's generation has lost touch with the activities that previous generations have enjoyed—reading a good book in a comfortable chair, playing board games on a rainy day, flipping through Life magazines, or sprawling out on the living room rug while listening to records and reading the backs of album covers.

And it's because of this that I have been looking at book shelves and untouched childhood pursuits with a new eye. With great sadness, I realize that these objects will someday be obsolete, at least in their current incarnations. And like a curator of antiques, I see them now as beautiful objects to be admired and preserved, if only on film.

I can only hope for rain, a heavy rain and maybe a power outage."

— Aline Smithson on her photo series, "In Case of Rain"
























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Toys for the Taking

Here's a little something cheerful to send you on your way to the weekend: The Toy Society.

Have you heard about them?

The Toy Society was started by a small group of Australian crafters who began leaving handmade toys in public places to be adopted and loved by whomever found them. But the concept caught on, crafters from all over the world joined the project, and the Society just recorded toy drop #959.

Here's what you might find if you come across a Toy Society toy:


If you do find a toy, it is then your duty to visit the Toy Society blog and record your find. To me, the finders' responses are the best part. It brings me such satisfaction to read about a find and to know that a quirky, hand-stitched toy appeared in someone's life and made it happier.

Some of my favorite Toy Society drops:







For many more images of Toy Society drops, visit their Flickr group.Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/toys
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eeboo

I noticed that many of my favorite things for kids come from one place- eeboo. We have their wall cards and tot tower in our playroom, their growth chart in my three year old's bedroom, and I have one of their beautifully illustrated memory games tucked away for the next birthday. I am so drawn to the illustrations on all of their products and so are my children. The shared admiration is an accomplishment for eeboo, because often a company's products will be irresistible to kids... or parents- rarely both.
In my quest to learn more about eeboo, I came across a post at thehaystackneedle blog and it was a treasure trove of information. There are photographs of the company's studio (even more incredible than I imagined) and some history too. Now I'm even more in love with their stuff!

These are just a few of the fantastic things to come out of their studio.....

























{All images courtesy of eeboo.com}


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Thursday, a Norman Rockwell toy chest, and Etsy

canvas print of Norman Rockwell's "Marbles" via misslieze


Yesterday would have been Norman Rockwell's 116th birthday. So in his honor I thought I'd try fill a toy chest inspired by his aesthetic. With bright and simple toys, classic games, and the smallest of finds - this treasure trove of mid-century nostalgia was such a pleasure to put together...

To begin, you'd need one beautiful box:


"The Gracie Toy Box" by modmomfurniture


And then lots of toys (mostly in tin, wood, and one in marble):


"15 Vintage Marbles" via BunacatVintage



"Wood Arrows" via sweetshorn



"Vintage Wooden Distressed Toy Men" via SassySisterVintage



"lil' Ellie, The Cracker Jack vintage plastic charm" via mygoodness



"wooden Bowling Pins" via sweetshorn



"Tiny Mountain - Miniature inlaid Wood Puzzle" via OrbitingDebris



"1940's Child's Illustrated Map of the USA Puzzle" via kelleystreetvintage


"Old Painted Wooden Yoyo" via RedEyeVintage
"Vintage 1940s Shooting Cowboy Tin Mechanical Clicker" via GreatOldStuff



"Chicken Tin Toy" via MinaLucia



"Vintage Tin Noisemaker Clown" via stilettogirl



"Vintage 1940s and 1950s Paper Doll Set" via CarolsNeedledEwe


A true toy box also needs to be readied for moments of reading and writing:


"Puff's Vegetable Garden - A Whitman Tiny Tales Book" via undoneeclectic



"Vintage Lot of Milton Bradley TruTone No-Roll Crayons" via vintagewarehouse



"Mongol Colored Paint Pencils in Box" via TheCottageCheese



"Vintage Little Golden Book - The Fuzzy Duckling" via MyraMelinda


And, of course, there must be the makings for dress-up play:


"vintage barrette, horses running along fence" via rosebudcottage



"Retro Blue Starburst Silk 1940s Hat" via LiDDesignsBoutique



"vintage seed, pearl, pink and petal fascinater" via fruitsaladvintage



"Vintage Rhinestone Bracelet" via RetroHeaven



"Beaded Floral Antique Purse" via TheFuzzyLobster



"Cherokee Indian Chief Headdress - mid-century souvenir" via WhitesHaven

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