fawn&forest

Baby chic at it's finest. Petunia Pickle Bottom has a snap to them. They know what colors your like and they know how many pockets your really need in a "diaper bag". They also knew that yes, a fold out changing pad would be really helpful.

Petunia Pickle Bottom's Original collection features 4 bag styles: the Boxy Backpack (above, left), the Shoulder Bag (above, right), the Touring Tote (middle) and the Town Clutch (not shown).

The color combinations and fabric designs are spectacular. If pink & brown is your thing, check out Morning in Machu Picchu... or perhaps my new fav? The turquoise and yellow combination of Tranquil Tibet.

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.

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. 

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.

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!

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?

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!

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. 

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.)

I've been on a real frazier + wing kick lately, I know. I just can't get over how much I am in love with the f&W mobiles. Well, now I can be in love with a little more: the new garlands.

Perhaps Heather knows how to throw a party for us every day of the week? C'mon, those garlands are way happy. Move over kids, momma wants one of these in her office. 

Check garlands here, scroll to the bottom of the page.

Just in time for Easter, an organic Rabbit Rattle by Dress Me Up! Gentle shakey sound + floppy ears, perfect for chewing on. Dress Me Up's signature free hand stitching is just so beautiful and spring-ish.

Hippity-hop.

Like a fresh bunch of spring tulips, Suann of simplesong has given us a fresh selection of guest gift picks. So fresh.

simplesong is spreading the love! Her amazing letterpress is also a Forest Finds this month, check all the loveliness out here.

Also take a look at the excellent new design on the Gifts + Ideas page!

Hmm... tomorrow is Valentines Day... and you still.... need to give a bit of love? How about a love letter + a faw&forest e-gift card?

Perfect!

Also check out last years felt heart project here.

A bit comfort for the biggest online shopping day of the year?  It's only December 1st! Woo!

Take  note:
1. the sale page.
2. our sweet gift guide (with added snow!).
3. free gift wrap! just look for the free gift wrap image on hundreds of products.
4. our HUGE Holiday Promotion :: a free gift for all orders over $75!
5. and if that is not sweet enough, just enter CYBERFAWN (entered in all caps) into the discount field at checkout for a surprise discount. 

(surprise discount ends midnight 12/1 pst. and does not work with any other store discounts or promotion)

HAPPY!

Get your sewing machines out, kids! Our product of the week are Stitch-It Kits by Egg Press on sale for $22.22! Each Stitch-It Kit comes with 2 hand-screenprinted pieces of canvas (one snail side, one red striped pattern side) with easy to follow instructions and a name tag.

Cut out the pieces, sew them together, stuff with the filling of your choice and cuddle up. What could be more fun? Available in 3 animals (monkey, snail and raccoon).....for a semi-homemade Christmas!

For the happiest Monday -- 2 new products from Dress Me Up: an Organic Cotton Cloth Ball + an Organic Cotton Burp Cloth Set. 

Organic Cloth Ball is printed in their own signature fabric, using water-based, non-toxic inks. We have one. I think the baby thinks it's cool and my toddler thinks it's fun to throw (aahh! not at the baby!) because it's so soft + doesn't hurt. And the baby laughs!

My first son, as a baby was not a drooler or a spitter. My baby son, however is both.  This organic burp cloth set (sold separately from the blanket + burp set) is by special request as I totally love these burp cloths, using them daily.

Happy happy organic cotton. Good for the babies. 

Not quite sure about this one kids: the Trixie Tracker, a parenting app for the iPhone. Crazy obsessive compulsive techno parenting at its finest. I mean i guess its better than having to write all those details down on paper?

The Trixie Tracker allows you to keep track of just about everything your baby does: eat, sleep, poop + pee as well as medicine doses and even your own milk inventory. Dude, and I thought I was wacked emailing myself at 2am from my iPhone random notes + to-do lists! 

And why do I have my iPhone in bed? Because I have a cool flashlight app, just in case.  

We like to have fun here at Fawn&Forest. And we like to give away free stuff. As in a free Binth Baby Book when you drop $1000 or more on that modern crib, sweet stroller or a wardrobe of clothes for your new kiddo. 

Total deal! Just enter binth into the discounts field at checkout to activate. Offer is good while supplies last or until September 30th.  

In a recent re-order of Organic Teething BonBons by Dress Me up, Tressa included her Organic Blanket + Burp Cloth set as a gift for our new little Owen. Tressa is super sweet + thoughtful, so I knew she wasn't trying to totally scam me (ha!). However, once in hand, Iimmediately thought : we gotta carry this. No question, the blanket + burp set rocks.

I was surprised at the weight of the creamy organic fabric, much heavier than you would expect. A pleasant surprise + crazy soft. Tressa's detailed free hand stitching is incredibly simple + totally stunning. The gal knows how to sew a straight line + fancy leafy bits too! Available in 2 colorways: Lima Bean (lovely greens + browny-olives) and Robin's best (pictured above).

And as the recipient of the Dress Me Up Organic Blanket + Burp set, it makes for a lovely gift.  Thanks Tressa!

Before Owen was born I decided to throw myself my own little baby shower and gifted myself with a handful of fun items. Why not?!

The Camber Mobile by Adrift is one of the things I bought. I love the simplicity of the wood and have the perfect space for it above the Case Study Arm Shell Rocker in the boys' room. 

I was intrigued by how the Camber Mobile was packaged -- just like a fine loaf of crusty bread! Hung up, it moves gracefully with the air from the vent blowing, making peaceful shadows on the ceiling.

And because it's maple veneer, the whole mobile is light as a feather. Good in-room photo of the mobile.... to come. Above images show mobile upon arrival. 

So, as my style goes, Father's Day is a few days away and I am rather giftless....or am I? I ask my husband: How about a newborn baby boy for Father's Day? And he says: Sure!

Sweet.

These delicious looking brownies + chocolate marshmellows by Whimsey and Spice would also do the trick. Um, Yum! Whimsey and Spice has a lovely selection of cookies, brownies + other confection with interesting flavors like rosehip and black peppercorn. And if you can't make your mind up (which is usually me) they offer a sampler box. 

Also be sure to visit Whimsey and Spice's blog, Sweet Fine Day. Seems to be updated daily and has the lovliest personal photos.

Born out of the love of linens and modern design, Tikoli tea towels are perfect for the modern kitchen and for that sweet Mom in your life!  Influenced by Japanese prints and mid-century modern design, Tikoli towels are printed on 100% cotton fabric, ready to brighten any  kitchen. Available in five lovely designs, including "mummy", pictured at right. 

Receive a free Tikoli tea towel with purchases over $75 when "tikoli" is entered in the comments field at checkout. Offer ends May 20th 2008. Yep, this sweet deal extends past Mother's day. Because, if you're anything like me, a bit behind schedule......a few extra days are much appreciated, right?

Happy Earth Day to you with the last installment of little bits of green. Next to making a recycled egg carton buggy mobile with the kids, hugging a Kata Golda softie friend is a happy way to celebrate.

Handmade using plant dyed wool felt + a lot of love in  Port Townsend, Washington by the Kata Golda crew. Using plant dyed wool felt creates those lovely soft + natural hues and is quite eco-friendly to boot. Each animal is then completely hand stitched with hand embroidered facial features and detailing. And to step it up even one more notch, each animal can be personalized with a child's name. 

In regards to sustainability, Kata Golda animals are instant heirlooms. They're the animal friends that will never go out of style and will never see a landfill. And will still make your kids smile in 30 years.

As a company, Kata Golda donates 5% of all proceeds to local elementary schools for art supplies, books and organic gardening. 

And for more Earth Day kid's craft projects, click here.

Today's peek takes us into the paper+media category. I have had a lot of fun plumping up this category recently + have handfuls of new items to reveal.

In staying true to the category title, paper+media, a paper section will soon be added.... who knew?! Featuring the loveliest cards for birthdays, congratulations and just for fun. Additionally, there will be baby announcements, shower + birthday invites. Egg Press is one company I have added, featured in the images above.

I will also soon be offering gift wrap from Pikku, for the regular 'ol $5 gift wrapping fee. So lovely.

Puppies, bunnies, mice and bears. Boys + girls dressed in the cutest little clothes. Each animal by Kata Golda is handmade of plant-dyed wool felt, sewn with love + embroidered with the sweetest expressions.

Measuring 12" short, each animal can be personalized with your child's (or your!) name, as shown above. The animal set as well as a few other Kata Golda goodies will be soon be available in the toy category. Sweet!

Artist Lisa Golightly's imaginative custom family portraiture sings spring. They are a refreshing take on age-old painted portraits, those painted before cameras were even invented, perhaps. Kiki+Polly (the name of Lisa's studio) paintings have that sentimental feel of the captured expressions of your child. I love it. 

Thanks to technology, having your very own Kiki+Polly original is as easy as choosing the painting + the size and then submitting the image of your child or children. Using an image of your child's face, Lisa then prints the image using archival quality ink and transfers it to the canvas, appropriately incorporating it into the painting you have chosen. We currently offer 3 boy, 3 girl and 2 sibling options to choose from.

Lisa's portraits are sweetly suggestive, perfectly painterly + thankfully, not over done. 

Thank you to everyone who signed up for the twice monthly newsletter! Last month's newsletter sign-up giveaway contest for the FrogPod was such a huge success, I've decided to do it again! This month's giveaway is for a notNeutral snack set, pictured above in green+blue. 

The notNeutral snack set is made of melamine + is available in 2 color options: green+blue or orange+red. With all the information out now  about plastic safety, I was curious about the safety of melamine dish ware. While melamine has dozens of applications of use, Wikipedia states it has a similar acute toxicity level as that of table salt. notNeutral states the snack sets are made of the finest quality melamine and are produced in Thailand. From the bit research I have done, melamine dish ware is generally considered "non-toxic, non-allergic and safe in use", though melamine should never be microwaved.

While I am not a fan of putting hot food on any plastic, I have found the snack set very accommodating for my all-day, small-bite grazing toddler. The 6 piece set is dishwasher safe on the top rack + I find it's simplistic design refreshing.

Enter to win a notNeutral snack set of your choice by signing up for the newsletter. Contest ends April 20th, 2008. 

A Speesees Organic Friend would be an excellent gift for a new Mom.... and baby! Made of super soft 100% organic cotton sherpa and filled with lavender for the loveliest smell + lentils for nice weight + floppiness. Safe for baby as the eyes are embroidered on + certainly fun for toddlers to throw around + cuddle with. 

I appreciate the color palette Speesees has used. The friends are available in a muted mustard yellow, oaty natural and not too bright orange (much more subdued than in the product photo). Each friend measures about 8" in length for extra coziness. 

Meet Storm by Esthex. He's is soft + stuffed. A bit peculiar + totally lovable. His helmet is removable as is his cape + belt. Yes, Storm would look nice on your son's shelf or sit politely as part in the Esthex collection, but he is really just ready for the action. Ready for the imaginative adventures you child will surely take him through.  

Storm has noodle-ish legs and awkward arms + is ready to fly. Beady eyes and no mouth or nose but surely he can talk. He may get a bit dirty and perhaps be used as an unofficial teething toy (minus the accessories). Storm is the kind of softie that will be your child's friend...forever or until he stops playing with stuffed animals.  

You may find yourself sitting + staring at the Binth Baby Book before you actually muster up the courage + the perfect pen to start writing. It's that beautiful. It seems as if it was specifically made for your child, family +  story. A family heirloom? Certainly!

The woodland-ish theme + gentle earthy hues, designed by Binth, gracefully take you through the first year + beyond. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the two pages of the family tree. Nothing puts the stamp on parenthood more than filling out your child's family tree for the first time. The book also provides ample blank space in the back for additional writing, photographs or to use as a guest book for all those 1st birthday party guests.  

In the most inspiring meaning of the word, the Binth Baby Book, is quite serious. Screenprinted by hand on recycled paper + artfully bound, the simplicity of the designs + thoughtfulness of the inscriptions inspire a stillness. Filling up this book with endless amounts of unorganized gushy rambleings and random bits seem somehow out of place. It is however, the perfect place to record the simple beauty of the new life of your child. 

My endless amounts of unorganized gushy rambleings + random bits in the Moleskine notebooks have comically served as the rough draft counterpart to the simple beauty of recording life + memories the Binth Baby Book. Perfect. 

Last week's Baby Shower Week was a lot of fun + made me think: what's a good baby shower gift, anyways? Practical or endearing, the possibilities are quite endless.

As shown above, I have assembled the perfect organic bath gift set: a clover green organic hooded towel + organic washcloths by KQO and organic, unscented bubble bath by Little Twig.  And while a newborn is not likely to take a bubble bath (organic unscneted baby wash is also available) these three items are not only what mom will need for the monumental first bath, but for many many bubble baths to come. 

Plus, it's all organic + yes, gift wrapping is available. 

Made of reclaimed wood + salvaged bits, the EF wood rattles are a treat from nature. It's fun to discover something so simple yet so meaningful. Although it is a rattle and perhaps will receive more attention from a slobbering 6 month old, I still have our walnut rattle on the end table. Eliot still picks it up almost everyday, perhaps in attempts to throw or chase the dog with. We live in a time where 2 year olds say "I type on my email" that an injection of real wood + and the natural sound of lentils shaken inside a small piece of wood is refreshing. It's one step closer to rescuing your child from nature-deficit disorder. 

Handmade of solid wood, hollowed + filled with lentils or beans to make a beautiful sound. Available in walnut, myrtle or maple and measure roughly 5x2 inches.