fawn&forest

Just about done with your shopping? Ready to wrap? We have some free gift tags for you to download and print! A fun last minute project. To download (2.9mb), click here.

Best gift pick for last minute shoppers? A fawn&forest giftcard, of course!

Today's project: wrapping paper... it is so fun to make!

Here's how to make wrapping paper with a potato stamp:
1. gather your children.
2. gather some paper (recycled newsprint, brown paper bags, kraft paper...anything that's large enough to wrap gifts)
3. gather paint. acrylic, washable paint is best. i'm keeping with the red/aqua theme and used aqua paint.
4. gather the potatoes.
5. learn how to make a potato stamp here.
6. using the potato stamp, print onto paper. children love the printing part, obviously... so let them have at it!
7. let dry! wrap!

Today's pick are an adorable clique of fabric dolls by Sophie & Lili - fun to play with and quite cozy on your little girl's bed.

Today's project is all about giving, the best gift of all.

There are many ways to give: time, money and things. Have fun connecting with your children on what giving means to them and how you can give as a family.

Here are some ideas:
First Books :: First Book provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy – access to books.

Oxfam America ::  Oxfam is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice.

Voice of the Martrys :: The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit inter-denominational Christian organization dedicated to assisting the persecuted church worldwide.

Soles4Souls :: Soles4Souls has a simple mission: To impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes.


Also, ideas for giving time: We Are What We Do, Raising charitable children and an exhaustive list of service ideas.

While I am happy to say fawn&forest works with numerous companies who give to charitable causes, one that particularly stands out is Barley & Birch, who is today's pick.

B&B  makes organic cotton clothes for children, and really goes the extra mile in their process. :: they give 15% of profits  to several carbon-reducing initiatives in order to fully offset the carbon emissions that result from the production of their garments... and another 15% is donated to organizations that improve people’s lives around the world. Truly fantastic.

The weatherman did not predict this one! 16% off your entire order when SNOWFLAKE is entered at checkout. Click here for more snowy details.

Keeping a memory book of the Holidays is such a cozy idea and is today's project. I've been keeping a Christmas memory/scrapbook since my first son was a newborn. Some things, as precious as they are, are easily forgotten. Take notes!

Any journal type book will work -- Moleskine, traditional scrapbooks, or even photo album.  I use a Mokeskine.

What to include in your Holiday memory book?
- hand tracings of the kids
- snippets of giftwrap and ribbon
- cards & gift notes
- lists: what you did, what you made, where you went, things you ate
- christmas card list, or new people to add to your list
- list of gifts received, so you can be sure to write thank you notes!
- memorable moments
- photos & drawings
- recipes

With our days filled with all things digital, it's refreshing to sit down and do something on paper.

Today's Pick is something that's fully fancy and instant heirloom for your little girl: Periwinklebloom's Organic Sherpa Capelet.

Oh chilly!  notNeutral's BB2 collection is now 20% off.  This icy sale includes the BB2 twin bed and nightstand, rocker and table & chair set.

Playing Santa?  The BB2 table & chair set would look good (assembled) in front of the tree on Christmas morning. Available in 4 color combinations.

avalisa knows your style and has dozens of wall art designs available in a myriad of colors.  Wall art for everyone! Each avalisa is custom printed on stretched canvas. No framing needed & ready to hang.

And we have a special avalisa treat for you: a free avalisa memory game set with purchase of any piece of avalisa wall art.

The memory game includes 19 captivating images from the  “animals collection” The animal designs include their names spelled out.

Make your walls happy and have fun playing "memory" with the kids. 

Have you done your Holiday cards yet? Truth: I have not, but it's in this weekend's project plan...! My plan? Forest Gnome Cards made using my children's artwork. Yes, time to dig into that heap of artwork  your children have produced thus far!

How to make a card using your child's artwork:

1. Determine he shape you want. Any shape could be used including a snowman, snowflake, angel, deer.. I chose a gnome (do a Google image search  to find the perfect image).
2. Print out your favorite image, cut around it to get a solid shape.
3. Trace the shape onto the back of the artwork (so pencil marks are not visiable on the front).
4. Cut the shape out and punch a hole at top.
5. Using red twine, create a loop and bow (your recipient can now use your "card" as an ornament!)
6. Cut a piece of cardstock to the desired size to fit both your cutout shape and the envelope. I used a flat card, but you could also fold the paper in half to create a folded card.
7. Using double sided tape, attached the Gnome (or whatever shape you use) to the cardstock. This will allow your recipient to remove and use as an ornament.
8. Stamp, write or print a greeting on the cardstock. I used a date stamper to print "12 25 09" in red.

Today's best gift pick? Clementine art supplies for your budding artist. Clementine uses only non-toxic, all natural ingredients and is environmentally friendly.

Happy Hanukkah to you as well! 

Wreath making will bring out your inner craftiness and is today's Project. Wreath making is great fun, the ideas limitless. Evergreen wreaths are perhaps the first sort you think about, but be sure to take a look at the inspiration i have linked to below. Paper? Gumdrops? Oragami? Old books?

I'm rolling with an aqua & red color scheme for Christmas this year (remind you of the gifts + ideas page?) and thought it'd be fun to make sparkly aqua "wreaths" for all the (inside) doors in our home. 

I made the aqua wreath (shown above) in all of 8 minutes using supplies I already had. You will need: cardboard or chipboard (something sturdy), glitter, glue and thread to hang (and any additional decorative pieces ... i used a silver dot sticker garland).

Using a bowl or plate, trace a circle on the chipboard. I then added a star-ish points. Cut out the shape, cutting out the inside of the circle as well. Hole punch a hole at top. Using white glue, cover the front of the wreath then cover in glitter. Let dry + hang!

Inspiration? One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Today's Pick will keep time.. for yourself. I am loving Decoylab's new bamboo clocks. My 2 favorites? The Squirrel and Birds & Branches.

Today's project is capturing your baby's first Christmas! Next to taking 1.2 million photos, making hand print impressions is a special way to capture the tininess of this incredibly special time.

Using Crayola's Model Magic you can very easily capture your baby's tiny little fingers in an impression. Model Magic is non-toxic, non-sticky, fast drying and comes in basic white and works perfectly for this project.

To start, simply roll a ball of the clay, flattening into a circular, organic shape, about 3/4 of an inch thick. Then, take you baby's hand and gently press into the clay. Take a moment to press each finger down and even the wrist to get a good impression. If you want to be able to hang this keepsake, using a straw or small circular object, poke a hole at top.

Place the impressions on wax paper to dry which generally takes a day or so. Once dry, Model Magic clay can be painted, stained or left plain (as shown in image).

Today's pick? Baby gifts. A few of my favorites: Kina Lamb Booties, Dress Me Up Teething BonBon and Area Alma Baby Blanket.

Project Sugar Cookies. All kids love making sugar cookies. Cookie cutters, rolling out dough... squirting frosting.. sprinkles.Eating...

My 2 boys had a great time making the first batch of sugar cookies of the season recently.  Even 18 month old Owen totally got into cookie cutter. Your family is likely to have the sugar cookie recipe you turn to, my favorite is Nigella Lawson's.

It's always fun to add to the cookie cutter collection,  this year I am really loving this Northwoods set. And this year forget all about messy icing! These squeeze bottle are absolutely amazing and a lot easier for little hands to use.

Today's pick fits right in. Tea Towels by Tikoli. For Mom, because it's always nice to have towels that are lovely.

Project Garlands. Making garlands is instant satisfaction and fits every skill level.  Garlands can be made of paper, tissue paper, fabric, felt, sicker dots or sequins and can be sewn, glued, or stitched together.

In the image above (view flickr set here) the garlands were made in a variety of ways. The first garland was made of small rectangular pieces of gift wrap glued in half onto yarn. The 2nd green garland was made of green paper circles, sewn together on a sewing machine. The third garland was made of sticker dots painted silver with a silver marker, stuck back to back with clear thread in between.

The last garland (on the right) is made of organic fabric and baker's twine by Periwinklebloom and can be purchased here


For more Inspirational garlands: one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve.

Today's pick goes along with the simple fanciness of a garland : wool felt Crowns by Little Red Caboose.

Nothing quite like making a mess in the kitchen with your little ones as you bake cookies together. Children are excellent cookie makers (and eaters!).... which makes for an excellent weekend project. 

Recipes? I'm a big fan of Heidi Swanson's cookie recipes, view here. We always seem to make a big batch of Grammy's Chocolate cookies and be sure to take a look at Smitten Kitchen's collection of cookie recipes.  Yum!

The boys & I made the chocolate cookies (pictured above) from the book Babycakes -- wheat & gluten free (if you're interested.) They were amaaaaaaazing.

Today's pick will help keep the little bakers clean, a Dwellstudio coated apron which is available in a variety of different patterns.

Have a wonderfully cozy weekend!

Putting up the Christmas Tree is monumental and thrilling. Triple bonus points if you can make it through the whole season without having the tree looking haphazard & un-decorated by curious little fingers!

Perfect for those curious little fingers? It's today's pick: Wood. Reclaimed wood rattles by Earnest Efforts that shakes and rattles, making the most lovely noise.

Project: We've created an exclusive Christmas Tree Coloring page for your little ones (and you!) complete with acorn lights.  Bust out the crayons and have fun!

Writing a letter to Santa is a total classic. Your child's imagination is free & inspired. What to ask for? What to tell Santa?

Not only does it get their  creativity rolling, it also sharpens their writing skills -- a plus!

We have the tradition of taking our boys to Macy's to mail their letters to Santa -- for more info, click here for participating stores.  For every Santa letter "mailed" at Macy's they donate $1 to the Make-a-Wish Foundations. Bonus!

For extra fun, print out a few pages of lined or story paper, here and give your child fancy pens, envelope and a special postage stamp or sticker.

For today's pick: Nikki McClure's Things to Make and Do. A journal that will spark your own creativity and urge you to do all those fun little (or big!) things you have been meaning to do.

Welcome to December! December 1st is so fresh & eager. Projects to be done, time to be enjoyed, shopping yet to be finished... Instead of a basic gift guide this year, I have compiled a project &  gift pick guide. To start? An advent calendar of course.

A homemade advent calendar is the ultimate countdown to Christmas and are enjoyed by kids & adults alike. Making an advent calendar need not take much time. I made the "hanging" gathered-cone advent above in an afternoon, using supplies i already had around the house.

Hanging Gathered-Cone Advent

supplies:
several sheets of pretty paper (scrapbook or magazines, giftwrap, construction paper or newsprint)
glue stick
scissors
several yards of yarn, twin or thick thread. i used about 2 feet per cone.
hole punch or stapler
the numbers 1-24 written out on their own small piece of paper
holiday outings, project ideas & other fun things to do this season written on small pieces of paper
small toys or candy (to be included inside the cones or to be given when the date is chosen)

instructions:
1. print out the cone template, I used this one and followed the cone-making directions.
2. print or write out the numbers 1-24 on small pieces of paper.
3. write out 24 things to do, places to go or project ideas. here is a good list. small toys or candy are fun too.
4. place the paper with the "activity of the day"/toy or candy inside the cone.
5. place the piece of paper that has the number on top of the cone (lightly folded flat at top to "close" the cone) and hole punch or staple together. if stapling, include yarn piece now.
6. attach the yarn by running through the holes and knot off, leaving a 2 foot tail to allow to hang.
7. once all 24 cones have been closed + yarn has been attached, gather all together to create a "bouquet" -- tie all strings together in a knot at the top. you can add a ribbon bow at top or leave plain.
8. time to hang. use the same string or clear line -- determine the length needed and attached to the advent.... and then hang from the ceiling. be safe, you don't want it to fall down!

then...
each day, give your child a pair of child safe scissors (if old enough). let him find the correct number/date and cut the cone free! enjoy your time together doing or making.

For more info on this project, view images in the advent flickr set.

Counting down.... or counting up? Today's best gift pick is the Heirloom Growth Chart by Miss Natalie.

You are in for a treat! Enter to win a $150 gift certificate to fawn&forest. Why? For fun & to kick off this joyous Holiday season.

Are you ready? Click here, which will take you to the entry form. A winner will be choosen at random on Friday December 4th.

Give Thanks! For love, your sweet children and all the turkeys in your life!

My son Eliot and I made a turkey pinata -- we'll all have fun taking a swing at the (paper) turkey tomorrow at the Farm.

We followed basic pinata making instructions  (links below). Scrounge around the house to see what you already have. Recycle and be creative with your resources.

For more images, see our wee Flickr set.

supplies
- recycled kraft paperto paper mache with
- a 9 inch balloon
- watered down white glue (wheat paste or paper mache paste would also work)
- turkey parts template
- paper + materials for head, gobble, wings, legs, etc.
- string for hanging
- tissue paper for making the feathers
- candy to fill pinata (any leftover halloween candy?!)

resources
paper mache paste
turkey template
basic project idea

Happy Thanksgiving! It's the "let's eat" version of Top 10 Tuesday!

1. sweet potatoes
2. age chair (it's available in mushroom!)
3. bib (blue flowers for the table)
4. snacks!
5. placemat (includes space travel)
6. spoon for all the little piggies
7. a ball, for snacks
8. chow, baby, chow
9. red wine
10. lunch box, for leftovers

Oh, delight! I truly love curating each month of the Forest Finds. For November I was inspired by materials.

The wool felt of the Little Red Caboose crowns and organic cotton & buckwheat in Honeydumpling's mats, pillows & blankets. All natural & non-toxic art supplies by Clementine Art! Thoughtfully deigned & non-toxic wood baby rattles by Timbur and colorful, fun paper placemats by Hello Hanna.

Have a wonderful weekend & enjoy your loved ones.

fawn&forest is excited to be included in Instyle Magazine's "Best of the Web" --as one of their favorite websites for shopping. Excellent!

Here's what they said about fawn&forest:

Check out the November 2009 issue of Instyle to read all about it & get an exclusive 10% discount code.

Squirrel love! Perfect cozy time of year for a good dose of squirrels.

1. squirrel on nuts
2. squirrels live in trees in orange
3. mini squirrel on your bed
4. organic squirrel
5. squirrels in the pj pocket pillow
6. squirrels via gio aqua
7. fancy squirrel
8. squirrel, reversible
9. squirrels in adhesive fabric
10. squirrel felt crown

Victory! You are now looking at the all new, totally remastered fawn&forest. We've been busy beavers the past few months making f&f snappin' hot.

We've freshened up the design, created nifty product pages & added essential elements such as a baby registry and live chat, so you'll have more fun here in the forest.

Click around. Explore!

Big news! We're just about ready to unroll an all new fawn&forest!

Bamboo grows.... faster than your kids! It's the fastest growing plant on earth (bamboo can grow up to 24" in 1 day) and produces more oxygen (35% more!) than the average tree, even though it's not a tree. Bamboo is actually a grass. 

That's why Bamboo is a sustainable resource.  Bamboo keeps on growing and has the capacity to endure. According to Kalon Studios,

"Sustainability is defined as having multiple intentions all of which center on the idea of balance, of giving as much as we take, be it through economics, the environment or on the everyday human level."

 

Kalon Studios designs thoughtful pieces for the nursery and home, made mostly of bamboo. 

It's not quite Autumn, but the leaves are starting to fall and i'm getting cozy. Here's an Autumn-ish top 10! Fun leaf-y projects to do with the kids? Click here.

1. toy
2. mobile
3. quilt
4. wall dolls
5. cozy jacket
6. sweet potatoes!
7. sling
8. glider
9. baby spoon
10. quilt

A deal? Really? Yep.

Argington's new BAM Collection is the real deal. $984 will get you a bassinet that converts into a crib with the included conversion kit. The set also includes the BAM changing table. Available in white or ebony. 

Really, quite lovely. 

Time for dress-up and imaginative play! This month's Forest Finds is all about a child's imagination. Impromptu Halloween costumes and toys to play with in the dark!

Capes, Masks & Powercuffs by Little Hero will have the kids off and flying! Oeuf's Animal mask & tails will of course make the kids roar and growl.

Felt Animal masks, mustaches and beards by Lupin Handmade are quite comical and nobody will be afraid of the dark playing with Owly Shadow Puppets. So fun!

We will also soon be adding Felt crowns & Matroyshka dolls by Little Red Caboose  -- stay tuned.

Happy October!

Perhaps not the cuddle bunny you were looking for, for the nursery!  Brent Wick's work is far better fit with a twin bed than a crib. Best not to scare the small children?  

I am totally digging on the wit of Brent Wick's work and those animal's eyes! Amazingly drawn.  Brent Wick was a part of September's Forest Finds -- a f&f exclusive in collaboration with Plywerk to create beautiful bamboo wall art panels.

Really, quite amazing -- Jayme McGowan of Roadside Projects creates intricate, dimensional paper cut art peices. As a part of September's Forest Find's collaboration with Plywerk, Roadside Project went flat ....onto a bamboo panel. Optical illusion? Can you reach in and touch? Wow.

From her Etsy bio, Jayme is 1 person who can successfully use the word assemblages!:

"Roadside Projects is Jayme McGowan, a California-based artist and illustrator who has been cited for her whimsical and intricate papercut assemblages."

Lisa Golightly of Kiki & Polly is the master of the line. Her drawings are such a delight and I am thrilled to have some of her work on Plywerk panels as a part of September's Forest Finds. 

My favorite is 'All the Little Ponies' (above left).  View the rest of Lisa's work here.

Wasn't September fantastic? I think we're all ready for the crisp + coziness of autumn. Apple picking time! Today's top 10: a handful of apples and a few things red. 

1. apples in cherry
2. wood block set (+ apple puzzle!)
3. crazy playpad dollhouse thingy
4. scuba diving in red wine? sure!
5. big kanuha bookcase
6. apples pattern
7. chill it with an apple!
8. apples on the pillow
9. kimono roll sling
10. golden gate in red

You have got to love a stack of birds in the shape of a tree and excessive uses of cupcakes and other treats. Love! Justin Richel's work is relateable and intriguing. And affordable. Here's a quick bio, squeezed from his Etsy site:

"I am a firm believer in accessible art, thats why I try to have a range of affordable prints and original paintings."

 

See, he loves you too.  This month Justin Richel is a part of our exclusive Plywerk panel Forest Finds.

Ohh, Tara Hogan! First making her debut as a Forest Finds for July/Augus '08, she's back this month with her amazing artwork on Plywerk panels Forest Find. 

Tara thoughtfully incorporates words with images in her signiture style. What does Tara say?

"I love all things simple and delicate. I am inspired by Asian architecture, Abstract Expressionism, animals, Eastern thought, Bauhaus Design, travel, yoga and feng shui." (taken from Etsy bio)

Check out Tara's work here and here. 

To quote Ryan Berkley's Etsy bio:

"I'm a comics inspired gentleman surrounded by toys and Chewbacca masks. I like drawing sharks and animals and creatures and mustaches and superheroes. Sometimes I combine all of them - sometimes they are on their own - it really depends on my mood."

 

Really, his work just makes you grin and is a part of this month's Forest Finds as a Plywerk exclusive. Check it!

Sakura Bloom is all about the love. Giving & receiving as you hold your little one snug as a bug in a rrr...... sling.  Lynne Banach, mother of 2 and founder of Sakura Bloom incorporates fashion forward colorways (i'm sold on all the greys!) and down home cuddly goodness. In the image above (right) Lynne is carrying her youngest while playing putt putt golf! 

when you were a kid, what were your top 5 things?
1. Sewing with my mom.  I would take the name brand labels out of clothes and sew them into the clothes I made for myself!
2. Nita Andi , my Cabbage Patch doll,.  She is now my daughter’s favorite doll.  One year all I wanted for Christmas was a Cabbage Patch doll.  Our local toy store was re-stocking their shelves with them and doors opened at 7.  My mother and 10 year old brother, who was on crutches at the time, got in line at 5 am.  My brother had to bat away grown women with his crutches to get me one, but he did!  Love her!
3. Bright yellow wooden play kitchen my dad and grandfather built for me (this is now in our play room!)
4. Gymnastics on my pink carpeted balance beam my dad made for me.
5. Playing at the brook deep in the woods behind our house.  There were great big rocks to lay out on and it was/is beautiful. 

what are your top 5 favorite sites?
1. creature comforts
2. Gridskipper
3. New York Times
4. The Babywearer
5. Twitter -- follow us at @sakurabloom

what are your top 5 favorite words?
1. graceful
2. auberge
3. vegan
4. love
5. mommy

what are 5 things you want to do in the future?
1. Figure out a way to give back to my parents all that they have given to me.
2. Continue to travel the world with my children.  Two spots I am especially looking forward to sharing them with them are Caves Branch in Belize and Thailand (all of it, from Bangkok to Koh Phangan, from Chaing Mai to Krabi).
3. I dream of a lanai and would love to reside in a place with year round outdoor living.
4. I would love to travel to Nepal with my sister to meet all of her friends and see the country she loves so much.
5.  Make sure that every baby has the opportunity to stay close to mom and dad with a Sakura Bloom sling.

what are your top 5 favorite sakura bloom slings?
1. Jewels from our Silk Artisan collection
2. Chocolate~Violet from our Silk Essential collection
3. Licorice~Lavender from our Silk Essential collection
4. Pomegranate Stripe from our Silk Artisan collection
5. Rioja from our Luxe Silk Collection

Can you tell that I am a silk girl?  haha! 

Thanks Lynne! Be sure to check out & join in on the Sakura Bloom Triathlon over on the blog Adventures in Babywearing. 

Top 10 slings + carriers in honor of International Babywearing Week, September 21-28. The slogan is great: "close enough to kiss". Yes!

1. sakura bloom simple linen ring sling
2. kokopax classic carrier in bubble
3. PPB organic sojourn sling
4. Polkadot Papoose in Adele
5. p-sling in bamboo + linen
6. Puj Go Sling
7. moby wrap
8. sakura bloom simple silk ring sling
9. hotslings in basic black
10. lillebaby everywear carrier

Also be sure to check out the blog Adventures in Babywearing this week -- we are co-sponsoring a Sakura Bloom babywearing triathlon! Yes, babywearing Triathlon! Check it out and join in on the fun!

I am intrigued by the concept of the Pattern People and am thrilled to have them a part of this month's Forest Finds showcased as a Plywerk artist.

Co-founded by Jessie Whipple Vickery and Claudia Brown, the Pattern People develop surface designs with both a close eye on trends and a commitment to their own vision. 

The Pattern People have brought to us 1 gorgeous pattern, available in 3 different sizes and 2 colorways.  

We have an exciting giveaway going on at Poppytalk blog right now -- enter to win a Plywerk peice of wall art, which is a part of this month's Forest Finds. Two winners will be selected, that could be you!

Jump on over to Poppytalk right now! Have a great weekend!  

Top 10 things to get your pre-schooler off to a roaring start!

1. backpack
2. number wall stickers
3. socks.
4. blocks!
5. fun mini desk
6. snack set
7. notebook
8. naptime blankey
9. book caddy
10. smart tee!

September brings a brand new month of Forest Finds,  a collection packed full of artful goodness, all of which is exclusive to fawn&forest! 

We're excited to be working with local Portland company, Plywerk who creates fine crafted bamboo art panels, along with the 7 wonderful artists who have brought these panels to life with their intriguing artwork.

7 wonderful artists? Pattern People, Ryan Berkley, Justin Richel, Tara Hogan, Lisa GoLightly, Jayme McGowan and Brent Wick! 

This months group of fawn&forest exclusives also includes 2 vibrant mobiles from Heather Frazier of Frazier+Wing, a very fitting wall graphic "Fawn" by Elaine and Nell of Elly Nelly and a cute clique of fabric dolls by Jennifer Vallez of Sophie + Lili.

Icing on the cake? We also have exclusive fawn&forest coloring-page style Plywerk panels illustrated by our fawn&forest designer, Chris Meyers. 

Back to school time, kiddos! Top 10 desks to get the homework done....

1. offi sled desk
2. ecotots boogie board desk
3. ducduc austin desk
4. newport cottages andie desk
5. nurseryworks loom storage with desk
6. ducduc alex desk
7. offi doodle drawer desk
8. brave space delta desk
9. 10 grain lounge desk
10. offi wave desk

BAM! Whoah the BAM Collection from Argington is stunning!

According to me, BAM stands for:

B :: beautiful
A :: affordable
M :: motherly

Argington introduces a bassinet for the first time to their line-up. But wait! The BAM Bassinet, with a conversion kit, turns into the BAM Crib! A motherly solution to the bassinet dilemma. 

Affordable? Affordable must be the new luxury. BAM! your nursery for only $984 which include the bassinet, crib conversion kit and changing table.

Available in white or ebony.... i'm in love.

Babies get the best seat in the house! Each with their own feartures & style, check out these highchairs: 

1. Age HiLo kids chair
2. Mutsy Grow-Up!
3. Boon Flair Pedastal
4. Anka Highchair
5. DucDuc The Table Highchair
6. Monte Tavo Highchair
7. Argington Babylon
8. Svan Highchair
9. Mutsy Easy Grow
10. Newport Cottages Newport Highchair

Kids in the Forest is a new series of City Guides from fawn&forest. Each month a new city will be featured, packed full of fun things to do when you're out and about.

Whether you already live in the area or it's a vacation destination... the Kids in the Forest City Guides will be inspiration to get out with the kids as you experience life together. 

Our 1st Kids in the Forest City Guide, featuring San Francisco is from my sweet friend Jennifer Carden, author of the Toddler Cafe. Jen lives in San Francisco with her husband Matthew and their adorable daughter. A family that knows how to have a fun time! 

To view the Kids in the Forest San Francisco City Guide, click here. 

The new 2010 Dwellstudio Baby & Kid Collection is now available for pre-sale! Shoot!

The new collection features 3 new patterns: Owl, Sparrow,  and Paper Dolls as well as a new organic option, Organic Poppy. Also available is a sweet handful of new products including bundlebags, sleep sacks and changing pad covers!

To maintain the eager anticipation, we'll be adding new products each day this week -- so be sure to check back to see what's new! Most items ship between mid-September and late-October. 

The classic frame baby carrier, updated! The Kokopax carrier features a lightweight anodized aluminum frame and 100% cotton canvas in contemporary prints.

The Kokopax is casual and ... everyday.  Designed by a mother of 4 children who knows what it's like to never have free hands set out to make everyday life easier. The Kokopax Carrier was born.

And for those moments when don't want your toddler running around touching everything (err.....), the Kokopax is suitable up to 35 lbs.

Excellent.

We have new items in the shop from ink+wit. The new 'Everything Counts' 123 poster and a little something for mom: linen tea towels (you're welcome!).

Plus, these super cute Safari Invitations in my favorite color combo: grey/silver and yellow. I used them for my younger son Owen's 1st birthday party recently! 

Time flies. Keep track, love those memories. A few ideas:

1. binth baby book
2. nikki mcclure's first 1,000 days
3. miss natalie's heirloom growth chart
4. ecotots surfboard growth chart
5. essential organizer's 40 weeks +
6. notion farm tooth fairy kit
7. kistner supply's mother stork baby book
8. alyson beaton's baby's first word cards
9. nikki mcclure's things to make & do
10. oeuf's tooth fairy pillow

If you're own litto kids need a jolt of espresso, we've got you covered. Litto Kids (the company!) has recently released their popular Manhattan Crib and Dresser/Changer in a rich, dark espresso finish.

Isn't it beautiful?

Part .06  Garden Fresh Dip & Sauce.

No need to banish the Beaba Babycook when baby outgrows the puree.  The Beaba also makes great fresh veggie dips & sauces for the children.

Garden Fresh Dip & Sauce
This recipe is more of a concept, as any veggies could be added. This is what I used:

1-2 tomatoes (depending on size), cored, seeded & chopped
1 small zucchini, chopped
1 big handful of clean spinach
1 clove of garlic, sliced

other ideas:
1 carrot, chopped
sweet potato, chopped
swiss chard, chopped

Follow the Beaba instructions for adding water & layer all veggies into the steamer basket. Steam until all veggies are sufficiently mushy, about 10 minutes.  Remove excess liquids from the base of the steamer & empty veggies into the chopping bowl. Blitz until you reach the desired consistency --chunky to smooth.

For sauce:
At this point, you have a healthy sauce for pasta, rice, quinoa, lentils etc. To create individual portions for a quick lunch, freeze single size portions (in the Beaba multi-portions or Fresh Baby food trays, shown above). Suitable for children who have already eaten each included veggie separately.

For dip:
I'm fairly certain every kiddo loves dip! Cool the puree in the bowl, then add cream cheese. If not using cow's milk, soft goat cheese is a great alternative. The amount of soft cheese needed will depend on the amount of veggies you have made. It's best to incorporate small amounts at a time, until you reach the right texture.

Depending on the age of your child, this would be great for dipping fresh or steamed carrot sticks, broccoli or for spread on crackers or a turkey sandwich.

To read more 'My Life with the Beaba Babycook', click here.

Yes, butterflies + ladybugs are sorta girly. Girly is good.

1. argington's organic butterfly cribset
2. amenity's organic purple butterfly
3. little alouette's wood butterfly teether
4. shirin's butterfly ruffle lap tee
5. boon's (lady)bug pod
6. made by mosey's flutter mobile
7. GMIS's ladybug quilt
8. nurserywork's butterfly ballet twin bedding
9. decoylab's bunny + butterfly
10. avalisa's butterfly wallart

Back by popular demand: 20% off all Amenity organic nursery pieces!

For $56 you could get this charming piece of art ($20) and this blanket ($36). That's an organic super deal, right?

Thrills! Excitement! New Dwellstudio for baby and kids! Coming this September, Dwellstudio will be releasing a handful of new patterns (owls + paperdolls + birds) and new products as well -- sleepsacks, changing pads, aprons and bathrobes among other things.

Be sure to sign up the f&f newsletter (if you are not already!) to receive all the latest and greatest. To view all the Dwellstudio products that are on sale, click here. 

product images via ohdeedoh.

How did you do it?

To create a resting spot for our children, an area to engage in play and imagine is one of the pleasures we have as parents.  You may have gotten the decorating bug with your first born or been inspired to re-decorate when your toddler suddenly became a big boy. Whatever the case is, we want to know how you did it!

Join the Forest Family! We  would love to feature your nursery, kid's room or play room on the fawn&forest blog,  Notes! For more info, click here.

Wow, this month's new  Forest Finds are gorgeous! My inspiration in selecting this month was fabric & stitching....

The fabric applique's on Opus' onesies, giving new life to vintage 70' fabric appliqued on super soft cotton onesies with a bit of sass.

Adhesive fabric wall graphics? Mae has an amazing set designs of love + wildlife in a lovely palette of colors.

Got Me In Stitches, modern quilts for baby and home. Instant heirloom for sure!

Kokopax frame carriers in fantastic contemporary patterns in cotton canvas fabric. Brilliant!

 
Click here to view August's Forest Finds... and be sure to click around on the image as it does some cool stuff....

Top 10, Bubble style! Bubble is a kids trade show that takes place twice a year - most recently this past weekend in NYC. So many amazing companies, here are just a few that f&f already carries. 

1. atsuyo et akiko sara cushion
2. barley + birch flowers tank
3. KQO straight leg pants
4. shirin decorative onesie
5. pluto grey + pink onesie
6. nui felted booties
7. atsuyo et akiko merry tee
8. shirin kissing birds hat
9. KQO kimono dress
10. barley + birch monekys tee

So, everyone must really love you! The Dwellstudio Fatboys are on sale. Super summertime sizzler! The Original (above left) is 1/2 off and the Point is marked down to $49.

Sizzle. 

Whoah! This is an Argington sale that can't be beat -- quality furniture at Ikea prices?!

This clearance sale includes select finishes/colors of the  Babylon Highchair, the Picchu Dresser and the Eiffle Bookcase. Shoot! 

Sale ends August 31st or while supplies last.

Owls. True to the forest, we've got dozens of owls here at f&f. Pillows, tees, onesies mobiles, stuffies, art..... Here is a top 10. Really, in no particular order. 

1. owl + friends mobile
2. girl with owl mask
3. fluffy owl tee
4. silly owl crib set
5. hand stitched owl
6. one owl
7. yellow night owl clock
8. owl tea towel
9. ollie the dotted owl
10. hootie chalkal

Happy Friday! Just in: wood teething toys from Little Alouette. How awesome are they? I am totally loving the butterfly (pictured right). The babies, they will love these too. 

Take a sneak peek at the new Oeuf Robin Collection! Simple, lovely, eco-friendly..... and you know what else? The most affordable Oeuf collection yet!

The Oeuf Robin crib and dresser will both be priced in the mid-$500 range, and will be available late-Summer/ early-Autumn.  Sign up for the f&f newsletter for more info on the Oeuf Robin Collection.

Summer is in full swing. I am constantly amazed at how much energy kids have. Help them burn it off with their own wheels....or rocking runners.

1. LIKEaBIKE. Look mom, no pedals!
2. U-Roll, we all roll.
3. Sibi. Minimal and modern.
4. Scooter. Scooty scooty.
5. Olga, a beauty.
6. Tau Seesaw will totally blow your budget. Oh well.
7. Troll Doll Stroller, a sweet ride for the dollys.
8. Bunny. Can't go wrong with a double bunny.
9. Log Rocker.... or taco shell?
10. Rocking Horse. Classic is always in style. 


Excellent!

Have you all met Elly Nelly? They're a mother-daughter team with a love for patten -- and they really know how to rock the wall graphics! Elly Nelly has dozens and dozens of designs and are constantly coming up with new ones (as shown above). Isn't Cascade (above, middle)  fantastic?

If you have ever wanted to try wall graphics but were not quite sure where you'd put them, check out this project using Elly Nelly's Meadow. Inspiring!

As a little thank you from fawn&forest, 4 exclusive coloring pages free for download. Simply print and get coloring!! Squirrels + acorns, salmon + stars... have fun!

For the inside scoop on sales, deals + other fun stuff (like this coloring book!) be sure to sign up for the f&f newsletter.

Click on the button below to download vol. 1 of the fawn&forest coloring book.

Birds are always in season, always in style. Love to the birds! Happy Tuesday my friends.

1. oeuf sparrow crib
2. lovebirds mobile
3. birds + ruffle tee
4. coral birds crib set
5. the bird feeder
6. robin's.... nest
7. flamingo
8. nest
9. nest bassinet
10. birds in flight

Wow. Free just got even better! For the month of July, receive a free Lillébaby Everywear Carrier or Eurotote when you purchase a Micralite Toro stroller or Toro Newborn System.

Free. Amazing!

Who says? Consumer Reports rated the Micralite Toro the #1 Luxury stroller. The Lillébaby EveryWear Carrier was a Fit Pregnancy Editor's Choice Award Winner.

More info? Click here.

Is it possible? Under 10 bucks? Sure!

1. toddler toothbrush, eco-style $3
2. various toys on wheels, cork! $10
3. natural rubber paci $8.95
4. crafty-cool paci clips $8
5. snack ball $6
6. scrubbles for bubbles $9.99
7. wipey-case $8
8. rabbit notes $8
9. i heart lists for lists $6.50
10. strawberry $6

Also be sure to check out all the other Top 10's here.

Yes, we can all agree that framing prints + posters is a hassle. Where to start? Where to go? Not to mention that framing is often expensive.

Enough already! Binth's Alphabet, Numbers and single ABC prints are now available..... framed. How thoughtful!

A round of applause for Binth! 

Summertime is in full swing! Long days, endless popsicles. Big imaginations. A lot of everything + nothing to do.

My son Eliot asked to paint. One thing led to another, and soon he was driving his cars through the paint. And then, "Mama, can I paint my cars?" ...kids have such vibrant imaginations, that to him, painting his cars made perfect sense. "Sure!" 

Painting cars added a whole new dimension to Eliot's play. He was able to experience his world in a whole new way. Certainly more about the process than the product!

project :: painting toys

supplies:
washable, non-toxic paint
paint brushes
water + container -- i re-use containers (above, right) ... recycle when you're done! no clean-up.
toys -- just make sure your kid knows that the paint probably wont come off -- we don't want any tears!
paper -- the bigger, the the better. newsprint (recycled!) would also work well.
drop-cloth -- an old sheet works well.

process:
Have a happy attitude, big imagination + have fun! Paint the car's wheels and make them zoom across the paper. Paint dolly's feet and she will dance! Fun prints could be made with the marks of the toys -- but really.... painting and playing is enough on it's own. 

Orange is so yummy, summer-ish and fun.  Happy Top 10 Tuesday + Happy 1st Birthday to our Owen!

1. tick tock, cuckoo clock.
2. cozy blanket poncho.
3. snack time.
4. juba, the twisty friend.
5. summertime flowers.
6. orange crib!
7. square oranges.
8. kitty lamp.
9. hi-C highchair?
10. hiya to orange.

NOW through the end of July all 10 Grain goodies are 20% off! That ..... is a fun sale.

My fav? Log Rocker. Turn it upsidedown and lay your kid inside -- just like a taco shell.

Get in the groove and rock out -- new lullaby renditions of all your favorites.

Not quite sure how the Smashing Pumpkins would sound like in lullaby version? Click here to find out. 

Whoo! Everyone's favorite plastics (Boon!).... now come in a new color combo: ocean blue + lime green! How refreshing.

The new Boon goodies will arrive on the f&f virtual shelves mid to late July. Excitement!

I love it when people are inspired by things of old. The Mother Stork's Baby Book by Elizabeth Brantley is not only pays respect to the original, but is thoughtfully updated (no yellowing pages!). Your children will literally feel as though you have written a book about them -- so satisfying, so beautiful! Thanks Elizabeth! 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was a kid I wanted to be a mom. Nothing else. Once I was in high school I decided I wanted to have a career (before being a mom) where I could go into work when needed, share my expertise, work very hard, make great money and then leave - oh and I had to be able to wear ripped jeans and cowboy books (it was the late 1980s after all). My career in the film industry fit that description pretty well: freelance, respect, hard work, good money and jeans (though not ripped and no cowboys boots).

What inspired you to create the Mother Stork's baby book?
Seeing my Grandmother’s baby book, the original 1904 edition of Mother Stork’s Baby Book, is solely what inspired me to recreate the 100th Anniversary Edition on the book.  I had never seen anything like it and after doing research found that there was nothing else like it available.  I had no experience in book creation and layout, publishing, retail, wholesale, packaging or marketing.  I did have the drive to make it happen and people cheering me on along the way, especially my husband Steve and my mom.

What's happening? What does the rest of 2009 look like for you?
2008 was such a busy year.  We recreated our website (my husband is the webmaster), created and launched three new product lines (Mother Stork’s Baby Art, Cashmere Chime Balls and Cashmere Baby Blankets) and all while being a full-time stay-at-home mom of a toddler.  So far In 2009 I have added one new product line (Cashmere Eye Pillows).  I have more new products in mind for the future.  I think for now my focus will continue to be nurturing Kistner Supply and making sure my customers are happy by continuing to provide high quality, beautiful products and excellent, personal customer service.

Selecting crib bedding for your baby's nursery really makes you feel like you've got that designer touch. All matchy (but not too matchy) and totally cute (but not too cute).... and just perfect.

1. straight up creamy organic goodness.
2. coral elephants.
3. oh silly owl!
4. ducks in the pond.
5. ice ice peaberry.
6. transportation style.
7. geometry for girls.
8. organic. white. mini.
9. bright + daisy.
10. geox orange, geox green.

View all crib sets!

We all love our kids, we really do. We just don't want our living rooms to look like we live with our kids. You know what I mean. Plastic fantastic, etc. 

Jennifer Delonge understands. She's a mom with a load of style, and evidently... some wit! Jennifer DeLonge's pint size Ava Chair instantly became a mommy-must have. 

And now, it's all grown up. DeLonge has designed 3 beautiful gilders and ottomans for Mom. My favorite? Luxe. Such graceful lines. 

I think it takes dedication to be a rug designer. Katherine of Oliver & Yaphe has an amazing vision for her work and that steadfast, solid mother bear quality to her. Her artwork, which is part of this month's Forest Finds is just a sweet tiny taste of her kids rug collection. Arn't you just crazy fond of her Alphabet prints?! Rugs, by the way, are coming soon..... thanks Katherine!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 
Tall!  I was the shortest kid in my class for a long time.  Then all of the sudden, I grew.  After that, I really wanted to be a photographer.  

How has your background inspired your current work? 
My designs are entirely inspired by my personal experiences.  While visiting Barcelona, I was inspired by the liveliness of the culture and freshness of design that I witnessed.  It was there that I started sketching my kids rug collection.  Once my daughter was born, I had her rug all figured out and then realized that her walls were bare.  It wasn’t long before my artwork collection took shape.  My collection has evolved very organically. 

What’s in store for the rest of 2009? 
Rugs rugs rugs.  I am working to round out my kids rug collection.    

We got a call from a lady one day asking if we carried Barley & Birch. Shoot! We did not. So not cool of us. And, perhaps while there are many organic tees and onesie options in the marketplace, I am uniquely refreshed by the bold graphics of Barley & Birch. A gigantic wave tee? C'mon! That's cool. Barley & Birch is Kyle (pictured left) and Jodie (right). Thanks ladies!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Kyle- I wanted to work at Sea World. After I saw Free Willy I wrote Sea World letters monthly asking if I could come pick up trash. I am still not sure if my parents ever mailed them.
Jodie- A cartoon. Apparently I wasn't concerned with... reality.

Whats the inspiration for the imagery in your clothing?
Kyle- The cool beauty of nature and the goofiness of all animals.
Jodie- I like looking at things and find something unique and interesting about them. In my designs, I'm trying to give children something unique and interesting that they can look at, and maybe even see things I didn't.

What's happening? What does the rest of 2009 look for you?
Kyle & Jodie- It looks great! We are releasing our awesome second collection at Bubble in August, we are growing, and so we are changing the world more and more. What more can you ask for? We are also working on our line of bedding for release at the end of 2010!

Sometimes I instantly fall in love and the Clouds Mobile did it, I was instantly taken. It's cute and cozy and looks as if it has always been. Madeleine Sargent is the Australian mother behind Made by Mosey. Thanks Madeleine!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
All sorts of things, photographer, ballerina, shopkeeper, lawyer, cake decorator, my mum....in no particular order!

Your work is  so cozy! What inspired your current collection?
Yay! Cozy is absolutely the best way to describe it! I wanted the range to create a sense of nostalgia. Of childhood and simple times. I was inspired by my lovely granny and sewing with her as a child and now with my own children, I wanted them to have sweet and simple things around the house that didn’t overwhelm them like many baby things do. Nature is of course a big inspiration and will always be, I mean look outside, how can it not?!

What does the rest of 2009 hold for you?
Definitely new mobiles, including a small hanging forest that’s not just for baby’s room. Time spent on one off creations, collaborations with my very artistic husband (if he’ll have me!) and of course school concerts, homework, playgroup, first steps.......

Kristin of KLT:works requested a top 10 of playtables. Fantastic idea! Summertime is here, kids are out of school. Long days, lots of projects and imaginative play.

Here are my top 10 picks for playables:
1. parker table with chalkboard top.
2. project table, super eco-green style.
3. activity table - the chairs have mini drawers!
4. scando coffee table -- perfect for sitting + playing on the floor.
5. bb2, super summertime style.
6. woody chalkboard table with chalk-bowl in the center!
7. popsicle kids! tasty flavors.
8. island for kids, a cozy table.
9. mini for the minis... best for a teaparty?
10. super fundy!

Have fun!

Portland based The Woodlands, a wife and husband indie folk-pop duo, craft songs of lyrical poetry, lush melody and intelligent simplicity.  They conjure faraway lands and the longing of lovers with timeless imagery that unearths the shadow of tragedy and the glisten of magical realism.  Hannah’s hushed voice conveys both mirth and melancholy, tempered and surrounded by Samuel’s melodic instrumentation.  They till the soil of their souls to reap songs and sounds wrapped in a hauntingly sweet hush of wonder.

Their 2009 self-released debut album was recorded and produced by Samuel & Hannah in their Portland apartment, true to their intent of capturing intimate songs of simple complexity that sound professionally homemade.  Amidst an aged and worn wooden desk, elusive quiet night hours, and a homemade studio fort of blankets and pillows, The Woodlands traveled the byways of one another’s souls--seeking, listening and searching for words and sounds with which to share what they found.  The album has been received with both national and international anticipation, and with its release The Woodlands are set to embark as husband, wife and songlings on the voyage forthcoming.

Check out their new album at Cd Baby and Itunes as well as here on facebook.

Being the super freindly people that they are Hannah and Samuel wanted to offer up a free download of one of their wonderful songs, Summerland! Click the link below to download the mp3!

Fresh from the land of Switzerland, a bundle of fantastic new toys from Naef!

Naef is not messin' around + quite possibly may be older than your Granny! Naef was founded in 1954 by Kurt Naef and uses only high-quality woods from environmentally-friendly plantations in Europe.

And:  "Naef play objects are fascinating because they function with clockwork precision. If the edges of a wooden brick are not manufactured to a fraction of a millimetre, the piece will not pass our quality control. As a result, the pieces all fit precisely together, whether on, into or next to each other. " (to quote Naef's manufacturing).

Spendy little buggers, but sooooo worth it.  My favorite? Oh, it's a Dolio!

Father's Day is right around the corner,  Sunday June 21st. Love to the Dad with a thankful heart! Dads are great!

Check out our gifts+ideas, just for Dad. 

My pick? a day on the lake.

Binth has a handful of fantastic new (framed!) prints in primary colors. The blue framed set is the city collection and the red? Let's Play! I think these prints would coordinate well with Boodalee's Circus bed set, in all it's red, blue and white goodness.

My favorite print? Los Angeles, shown above, middle. 

Love to the Dad! Give him a Scout bag by PPB for Father's Day  -- functional, edgy and nobody will know little Timmy's diaper + paci is in there.....? 

Available in felt and leather + in 2 sizes.

I think now that Pam from the Office is pregnant, Jim will have to have a Scout... don't you think?

Happy Tuesday! Blue is cool for boys + girls. Vibrant + happy.

1. BB02 playtable
2. City Collection twin bedding
3. Cella wood goodness
4. Fish in blue onesie
5. Blue House child's bag
6. Blue flowers bib
7. Helicoptor Icon blanket
8. Taj Chair
9. Mobile Home
10. Turquoise Family Tree
 

New from Decoylab :: yellow teapot and fancy horse clocks! 

I am on a major yellow kick lately, so you all can just imagine how crazy I am about that yellow teapot. Oh, don't you just love Decoylab?!

fawn&forest has teamed up with Cookie Magazine to offer you a super yummy "cookie dough" deal!

The Naef Animal Puzzle is part of Cookie Magazine's june/july '09 "cookie dough" deals. Visit Cookie Magazine's website and sign in or sign up to view the special discount code to receive 25% off at f&f! 

yum.

Shirin had me at the ruffles. As soon as I saw that detailing on her predominantly organic clothing collection, I was sold. I love Shirin's imagery (kissing birds!) and use of color. Super cool. Arty. Urban. Sweet. Thanks Shirin!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Wow, I actually have to think about. I think I wanted to dance or be a choreographer. It was only when my art teacher declared to me emphatically that I was an artist did it all became very clear to me what I wanted to do.

I love how you've taken the basic & added your own unique detailing; What is your background? What inspires you?
Thank you! I have studied different mediums throughout my schooling and professional career, such as fine art, illustration, printmaking, decorative painting and textile design. What I have learned is to be patient with the creative process, to always experiment and most importantly to be open to the mistakes because they always lead to the breakthroughs. The inspiration behind the collection is to take the idea of the everyday tshirt and make it something unique and different, a wearable piece or art.

What's happening? What does the rest of 2009 hold?
It has been a very exciting year so far. I have gotten great responses to my work which is always so fulfilling. I really love my new fall collection that is coming out and I am  working on designs for next spring to launch at the Bubble kids show.

June marks the 1 year anniversary of the very intriguing category, Forest Finds. We started Forest Finds as a way to showcase the many talented designers, crafters and small scale manufacturers.  

This month's selection makes me giddy:
Artwork (and soon, rugs... stay tuned!) by Oliver Yaphe
Softies by Penguin & Fish
Mobiles + buntings by Made by Mosey
Organic tanks, tees + onesies by Barely + Birch
Custom name prints by Penny People
Baby Book by Kistner Supply

WOW! Forest Finds are so much fun. 

Happy Birthday to me! Today: top 10 gifts for the mama that you love.

1. a card:  letterpress "library card" birthday card
2. breakfast in bed: overlap tray
3. flowers: hedgerow wall graphic
4. cozy pillow: rooster organic cuddle pillow
5. relaxin': vola glider
6. a cupcake: deer + cupcake print
7. a party?: the birthday party
8. a tea party?: animal tea set
9. of course, confetti: confetti mobile
10. and a mouse with your name in it: mouse girl

Beehive baby spoons are simple, sweet and make the perfect heirloom gift. They're also heavy duty (hello pewter!), sorta sassy (the back of the spoon shows each animals rear!) and totally charming. Thanks Sandra!

When you were a kid, what did you want to do when you grew up?
According to a “book” I wrote in the third grade I wanted to be a “bird – artist”, whatever that is. But, in a way, I guess that came true, as we use lots of bird motifs in our work.

What part of the creative process do you enjoy most?
Brainstorming about ideas and then executing the piece out of metal. The sort of middle stage -designing what the piece will actually look like – is the most difficult.

What's happening? What does the rest of 2009 hold?
Lots more baby/kids things and hopefully some floral inspired serving pieces. We are in doing lots of product development right now. Also I am going to school to learn the craft of chasing and repousse for two weeks this June.

Cuckooboo is a blast to what could otherwise be a borning, overlooked product. Pacifiers clips, perhaps have the tendency to look sort of stupid... or maybe make you look like a crazed anti-germ momma? Dah! Cuckooboo just makes ya'll look cool. Super hip mom with the urban chic paci clip. Dang.  Thanks Jacquie! 

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a secretary, not sure why, but I remember that is what I wanted to be along with adopting some kids.

You are obviously an innovative mom -- what inspired you to start Cuckooboo?
I have always been creative, into art , photography and design, I have always had this feeling that I wanted to have my own business, like owning a thrift store, lol. But I never thought I would be selling my own creations and having people love them.

What's happening? What does the rest of 2009 hold?
I am currently working on an adult line of hair accessories, feathery and couture. I just introduced some new wool felt head bands and hair clips, really fun. I have a few shows lined up this summer and fall and I am always on the lookout for inspiring fabrics!

ABC's + 123's --back to basics.... with style. 

1. Charley Harper's ABC's book
2. Dwellstudio wallart
3. Ink+Wit A-Z poster
4. Binth Numbers poster
5. Decoylab Animal Alphabet poster
6. NotNeutral Count surface graphics
7. SUM Animalia + Safari wallpaper
8. Avalisa Alpha wallart
9. NotNeutral Count toddler tee
10. Charley Harper's 123's

You know how when you were a kid things seemed really big -- like the hallway to your bedroom, the backyard or your great-grandpa? But if you were to re-visit as an adult, what you remembered as being big is really quite small, and perhaps not as you imagined or remembered. That's the feeling I get from the amazing work of Lisa Golightly. The imagination of childhood. Sweet, sorta foggy ..... with a very particular detail sticking out -- like party hats. Perspective.

when you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
That's easy, an artist!  Actually it was only later that I have realized that not's not what every kids wants to be.  To me it was the ultimate thing to aspire to.
 
your artistic talent thoughtfully extends beyond paper and canvas. your portraits obviously have faces, but your other pieces of children do not. whats the story behind this?
My personal paintings/drawings relate to memory and my own childhood, my children's childhood and as an extension of that, the viewers childhood.  I think without the inclusion of a face a more interesting store can be told because it can be anyone's story.

what's happening? plans for the rest of 2009?
I am getting ready for a couple of shows and making new work.  I have a few new ideas up the ol' sleeve for some new portrait options....This year has already been very exciting for me and I hope to continue with more of the same! 

Thanks Lisa! Also be sure to check out Lisa's awesome blog.

I am THRILLED to bits to have Charley Harper's children's books + goodies as part of this months Forest Finds. I have long admired his connection to nature + animals which is apparent in his illustrations. 

Harper has a chunky and skinny version of his abc books as well as a 123 book, the much loved memory game, wood peg puzzle, flash cards and coloring book. And don't get too cranky on the kids if you're buying Charley Harper to look good on the coffee table! The kids love Charley Harper too.

View the full collection of Charley Harper for Ammo Books!

We just don't stop. f&f now carries the much loved, super designy Cabine crib and dresser-changer by Netto Collection. How fantastic is that?

The Cabine changer-dresser is really cool. The image above shows the piece with it's "flat top" -- with a flip, it turns into a changing tray with compartments to hold a changing pad, diapers, etc....!

Plus Cabine is fun to say. 

Tuesdays are now officially "top 10 tuesday" at fawn&forest -- To kick things off: yellow!

1. Filzfelt Coasters
2. Cici Art Factory Chicks
3. Netto Linen Boxes
4. Sweetbeats Spinning Top letterpress card
5. Kiki & Polly Wishes are Yellow print
6. Decoylab bunny + butterfly print
7. Naef Motosolino
8. Dwellstudio Jack in lemon pillow
9. Dwellstudio Elephant Bookshelf
10. Frazier + Wing Sunshine Mobile

If I was going to be stranded on a dessert island and had to pick my top 3 baby things...... a sling would be my #1 thing I would pick. My 2 boys have made me into an official babywearing advocate.

So I am super crazy excited to now be carrying Sakura Bloom's amazing slings on f&f -- I am knocked out by all those greys!  Available in a wide range of linen and silk fabric options (even organic!) and endless array of colors. 

Wow. My favorite? This one in storm.

Sweet babies love Argington. Curious little children love Argington. Eco-friendly, design savvy minded moms love Argington. Budget-conscience, quality seeking dads love Argington. I love Argington. You love Argington. We all love Argington.

fawn&forest super loves Argington and you so we've teamed up with them for the Month of May to offer 10% off all furniture and bedding. 

This super sale was also to celebrate BKLYN DESIGNS Show they were recently a part of. BRKLN attendees, make sure to use your special discount code!

Sale ends May 31st!

If you want to know what a wall mobile is, then look no further than Oras.

Oras has super swanky designs that are part mobile (they hang and dangle and cast shadows) and part wall art (they hang on the wall, looking beautiful).

Available in wide variety of colors and 3 shape designs, a little bit of something for any room.

Also, check out the Oras clocks (shown above left). They are laser cut from walnut - wow!

Kristen Angelo knows whats up. She thoughtfully designs practical pieces.... that have some urban edginess for your tot.  Hello kerchief! Thanks Kristen!

What did you want to be when you grew up?
A designer.  At age 12 my friends were getting grounded for kissing boys or not calling home on time – I got grounded for spray painting antique dishware black and habitually rearranging the house while my parents were out.

Boopalina + Bebe products are incredibly well conceived, thoughtful in purpose + design. What motivates this? What sparks you?
Some products are designed from my personal experiences as a mom.  Some products are developed by literally draping fabric over my tot and drafting a pattern.  Others, often my personal favs and our most successful products, evolve from fluke and are nudged by a little random creativity.  I pull a lot of inspiration from pattern, color, texture, contemporary appeal, the flamboyant spirit of youth.  I love thumbing through a classic design book or interiors magazine and translating themes and elements to children’s design.

What does 2009 hold for you?
We’re expecting an appearance from baby no. 3 in October, and I'm hoping to gain momentum on the renovation of our 1920's craftsman home.  I look forward to expanding our range of products and print selections, transitioning to organic textiles grown and milled in the US, and introducing a new vintage modern collection of stretched canvas wall art.  In March we were approached by a major nationwide retailer interested in launching some of our products…I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what unfolds.

What do all the May Forest Finds have in common? Birds and awesomeness.

Clothing designer Shirin Roubeni of Shirin Kids has taken tees + onesies to a new level: ruffles. Enough said. Ruffles.

Lisa Golightly of Kiki & Polly not only does the most amazing custom portraits, but also has a whole collection of prints that are so Portland-ish (cloudy, witty, relaxed) as well as a set of 123 counting cards.

If you did not get a chance to get your Charley Harper fill at Old Navy this past Christmas, now's your chance. Ammo Books brings you the complete Charley Harper kids collection. yeah.

Beehive designers Sandra and Jim have created the cutest pewter baby spoons that have instant heirloom written all over them.

And Cuckooboo. Saving one pacifier at a time from hitting the ground. Designer Jacquie Barker has created the hipest paci clip you've ever seen.

Happy Friday! We've decided to get cozy with the much beloved Dwellstudio. f&f now carries the complete dwellbaby and dwellkid collections, including all the matching do-diddies, decor and soft play toys. 

I am totally loving the yellow of the Gio Lemon (above bib and crib set, right) and of Dragonfly. And having 2 boys myself, the Transportation pattern is really quite fun. 

As if Beaba wasn't already cool enough with their Babycook they have recently added the Multi Portions to their lineup. 

Made of BPA-free silicone, the Multi Portions has 7, 2-oz. cups with a tight fitting lid for freezing your baby's favorite sweet or savory foods. And you know what else it'd be good for? A toddler snack tray.

Brilliant. Available in 4 snappy colors, that green is fantastic.

Also, be sure to check out My Life With The Beaba Babycook!

What's a top selling stroller at f&f? It's a hotty at a great price. The Bumbleride Indie and Indie Twin.

Bumbleride came out with some dashing new colors for 2009 (vita and lava!) plus something else new: a carrycot for your newborn. Swoon!

I personally have the Indie Twin for my 3 year old + 10 month old and use it for my daily walks. The only time in the day that everyone is quiet + content to listen to the birds and hold pinecones. 

Bumbleride love!

Richard Hutten is one cool cookie. He's designed quite a handful of spaces, furniture pieces and objects... including the Dumbo Cup for kids.

Hutten's work is part of the permanent collections of, among others, Central Museum Utrecht, Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art Amsterdam, Vitra Museum Weil am Rhein, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Ever heard of Droog? He's part of that too.

The Dumbo Cup is big and clunky.... and a lot of fun to use and eat snacks out of too!

Mom would love some CAKE. Petunia Pickle Bottom's Cake Collection, that is. The Cake Collection is vintage style meets current-day functionality for the sophisticated mom on the go.

Made of European cut velvet with coordinating wool tweed and lining, the Cake Collection features 3 bags: the Cosmopolitan Carryall, the Society Satchel and the Cameo Clutch. 

Cake may look like a purse, but then ta-dah! It has a built in changing station that can be rolled out on a moment's notice. 

Amazing. 

To kick off the Month of May + the BKLYN DESIGNS show we have teamed up with Argington to offer 10% off all Argington products for the month of May. 

How fun is that?

If you live in NYC, be sure to check out  7th annual BKLYN DESIGNS and meet Jenny Argie and Andrew Thornton of Argington! The show will be held May 8 - 10, 2009, at St. Ann's Warehouse, 38 Water Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn.

To read more about the creative force behind Argington, click here.

Happy May 1st, my friends! Before we reveal the May Forest Finds I have 1 more tasty morsel for you: 9spotmonk, which was an April Forest Finds. 

Make a letterpress lover out of your tot at an early age with 9spotmonk: a lovely assortment of letterpress notebooks, bookplates and color-in placemats!

The placemats (shown above, right) would also make great sheets of wrapping paper once your kid has colored them in, given that she did not eat lunch on it first!

Mother's Day is like an extra birthday for the mom. Which is a good idea, since more love is always appreciated. Take a jaunt on over to the gifts+ideas page and see all the love we have in store for Mom.

Plus those floating chubby hearts in the background are way crazy cute. Yep, fawn&forest hearts the momma.

(Mother's day is Sunday, May 10th btw.)

Boon makes for a happy day! Boon Scrubbles make for a happy bath. Scrubbles are a set of 3 toys with interchangeable lids + bulbs. Twist them apart, fill the bulbs with water and squirt.......... your brother?

Are Scrubbles sorta rascally? 

I'm in love. periwinklebloom makes me want to be a little girl.... or have a little girl! While there are a couple pieces that a boy could wear, it's all about the cute dresses (bubble!) and organic girly-ness! Tyler Stallings (designer of Periwinklebloom), I am impressed.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An architect. I also wanted to drive an 'el camino' because it was half car/half truck. I was terribly indecisive. I still find decisions painstaking and tend to research to death. I believe with better taste in cars however.

Your collection of clothing is cohesive + incrediably thoughtful. What sparked you into making children's clothes?
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I've tried to be thoughtful both with regards to design and production. I've worked as a graphic designer and educator for many years. I also have a passion for art history. When I became a mom, I wanted to blend these roles which naturally led me to designing for children. I have always been inspired by tactile design whether textiles or paper, the use of whitespace found in Japanese forms, and the aesthetics of vintage American ephemera. I suppose these things all found their way into my work.

I also, like many new parents, became hyper aware of the things we put in and on our bodies, of our family footprint, and of the excessive 'stuff' we accumulate with kids. I wanted to contribute to the way things were made for our children, thoughtfully and worthy of handing down, emphasizing a 'less is more' approach.

What does the rest of 2009 hold for you?
Hmmm, I've given in to the idea of feeling in control or actually planning some time ago. We are expecting our second little one this autumn which will only confirm my afore mentioned thoughts. periwinklebloom will offer a small collection for autumn/winter with a little more color than this first year. I've also got some fun pieces being created out of the loads of scraps I've accumulated coming soon. And I definitely plan to finish my letterpress designs for summer which have sadly been put on the back-burner for too long. That and squeeze in a vacation or two!

Thank you Tyler!

Part .05 Organic sweet potato finger food

If baby is starting to karate chop the spoon, perhaps finger foods are up next on the menu. One medium size sweet potato makes a heaping cup worth of finger food.

1. Wash, peel + dice 1 organic sweet potato. The size of the dice depends on how swanky your babe is.
2. Steam the chopped sweet potato in the Beaba by following these directions. I steamed for 4 minutes, so the chunks were soft but not falling apart.
3. Your baby will be all over feeding himself, so go ahead and give him a handful on his tray or loosely freeze in the sections of Fresh Baby Food Trays.

Ugh! Maybe i don't have time to make finger food?
It is faster to make your own finger food than buckle a baby into a carseat: 30 seconds to peel, 2 minutes to chop (small dice) and 4 minutes to steam. Presto.

Other finger food ideas?
Organic carrot (diced + steamed)
Organic potato (diced + steamed)
Organic apple (diced + lightly steamed)
Organic banana (small chunks)
Organic avocado (diced or small chunks)

For baby food recipes with some fun flavors (cardamon!) read Chowmama.

Read more of... My life with the Beaba Babycook.

The Oh-Plah! Teething Bracelet was an "AH-HAH!" moment of brilliance. It's no secret that a baby is more interested in your watch-keys-bracelet than his own toys. So basically, Caryn Paradis, the designer, is a genius. My baby Owen thinks he's chewing on Mom's bracelet when actually..... Thank you Caryn!

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
That would have depended on the day you asked me; it was something I was constantly changing my mind about. Looking back design and business were always a consistent theme. I grew up in a pretty rural area: you had a travel a bit to find a playmate, so I came up with the idea to create a local “play club” so at least all the kids in the area could meet at a specific time to hang out. We even named it: The Sunshine Club (ok, ok, it was the seventies!). I had everyone design a t shirt and we had a fundraiser so we could buy the t shirts and supplies. I created these little dolls from clothespins that someone could use as an ornament, toy, whatever. We made a bunch of them and sold them door to door (we must have walked 8 miles-houses weren’t close together) selling them for .25 each. I think we made about ten dollars, which we gave to my mom and she bought the tees. Come to think of it, she probably subsidized our little venture. I also wanted to be a firefighter.

You are so innovative! What is your favorite part of the process? What inspires you?
Thanks! I love design development, or as I like to call it: the mulling over phase. It’s after I have a path to go down (a hint of a solution for an idea) but I haven’t really done anything with it, but the doors are wide open and the skies the limit. It’s very exciting. I’m one of those people that has trouble sitting still, so when I’m designing something I’ll take a walk or pace, or walk circles inside my house. Seems like when my legs are moving I can focus, and an idea that has been sitting for a bit takes off too. Inspiration for me is so spontaneous and comes from the silliest and most mundane stuff. I once had an “ah-ha” moment from a stick of butter. Don’t ask. I have a hard time segmenting my life, so I tend to be designing in the back of my head while I’m doing other things, but I think that’s the best part: you never know what’s going to create the spark.

What does the rest of 2009 hold for you?
This year is design development: the possibilities are endless. At Roundhouse we’re ramping up, developing more Oh Plah! and other new and exciting products. At home I’m getting my 5 year old ready to start Kindergarten and my 6 month old is getting ready to crawl. We also have this 100 year old house that we’re renovating ourselves (helps to have a carpenter-turned-architect husband!) so I’d love to have a closet this year.