fawn&forest

We are kicking off our Green-Furniture Designer Series with perhaps the greenest furniture company of all,  Q Collection Junior. Q Collection Jr. is thoughtfully on the forefront of designing safe, non-toxic furniture and bedding for our children.

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! 

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

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!

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.

Get this: 20% off all Amenity for the month of March.  Amenity has super fantastic organic nursery crib sets, blankets, floor pillows and a whole menagerie of wallart. Double thumbs up: it's all organic. Organic is happy.

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. 

It seems we have reached the point where green efforts are becoming standard, many of which you may not even notice. Like granola now refers to cereal and not a person type. Or am I just saying this because I live in Portland?

Take Binth. Binth produces amazing pieces that are both organic (the pillow, pictured right) and recycled (the print, pictured left). Did you know?!

The original, modern pillow designs are screen-printed on organic linen using water-based inks, hand sewn in the USA and filled with luxurious down. The pillows, available in 5 different designs, would look quite lovely in any room, including the nursery. 

The prints, such as the abc letter print in "w", above, is inspired by Mid-Century Danish wood toys and is perfect for the modern nursery and children's room. Each letter is printed on recycled paper stock, with its luxurious feel and palette of soft, contemporary hues.

The fantastic duo that make up Argington, the designers of the Fuji toy box and the much loved Sahara crib among other peices, have been at it again. This time with 100% organic crib, toddler and twin bedding. Nothing too fancy or super-designy, but patterns + visuals it seems all little boys + girls dig: butterflies and dinosaurs. 

And not that you'll be overwhelmed with an outrageous color palatte. Thankfully. Using the natural creamy color of organic cotton as a background, dino + butterflies are in a peaceful color palatte of soft pink + violet and sky blue + brown.  The prints are done with low impact dyes using a low impact printing process on 200 thread count 100% organic cotton sateen. The comforter and pillows are filled with Eco-Spun 100% regenerated polyester fill that does not off gas or emit any traceable VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Yes!

Kate Quinn Organics covers all the basics in clothing for the youngins' in the coziest color palette + simplest designs. Instant classics + totally comfy. And all pieces are made from 100% organic cotton. Hello green!

Kate Quinn Organics prides itself on their commitment to fair trade and the earth. Using only certified organic cotton, grown using sustainable farming practices that maintain and replenish soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. KQO garments are made of ultra soft, all-natural, organically produced cotton certified by Control Union Certifications (formerly SKAL), a USDA Accredited Certifying Agent. KQO is also certified Fair Trade. Every little garment supports their vision and hope of a cleaner, kinder earth.

And as a little FYI on organic cotton, click here. 

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. 

Two companies, Natural Mat and Naturepedic (pictured above, left + right) provide the organic answer to the toxicity of conventional crib mattresses. In a nutshell conventional crib mattresses are downright nasty. They are generally composed of vinyl (polyvinyl chloride or PVC), phthalates, polyurethane foam, harsh chemical fire retardants, and other chemical additives. In doing a bit of googleing, you will find studies linking SIDS with the toxicity of the conventional crib mattress as well as the multitude of other health effects it has on our babies and children. 

Below is a list, taken from Naturepedic, that clearly illustrates the insanity of conventional (non-organic) crib mattresses. Amazing + disgusting at the same time. 

To continue reading the article on the 5 Major Problems With Conventional Mattresses, click here. To see the full selection of organic mattresses + accessories, click here. Image on left is an organic Natural Mat mattress, image on right is an organic Naturepedic mattress.

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. 

Meet the all around most basic + simple to use sling, the Hotslings. Hotslings are a pouch style sling designed to carry your tiny newborn and wiggly toddler. As a first time Mom, I originally became a sling convert out of desperation. Due to acid reflux as a newborn, my son would relentlessly cry unless he was held. 24/7 for almost the entire first year. Needless to say, Eliot + I had endless hours for major bonding. I'm thankful and the Hotsling quickly became the most used piece of baby gear. Ever. 

Available in 2 designer prints (shown above right, top + bottom and at left), natural organic (shown middle) and 2 solid colors (chocolate + black) and in 3 sizes. As with all pouch style slings, wearing the correct size is important  and size chart is shown on each product page. If you need help, don't hesitate to ask.

You know what Eliot says now? "I cry, momma hold me." Indeed.

Babies + bunnies. Organic style. Organic cotton is gaining popular especially for the pint-size crowd as conventionally grown cotton is one of the dirtiest, chemically-dependent crops. It's hard to imagine laying your newborn on a bed of pesticides,  insecticides, + formaldehyde, perhaps. Amenity has created a charming nursery collection + it's completely organic. The nostalgic woodlands designs are printed in a neutral + refreshing citrus palette of green, yellow + orange. And thankfully, the collection doesn't scream "nursery" so these bunnies (or deer + turtles) won't look out of place in the guest room in 10 years. 

Amenity uses 100% hemp/organic cotton + organic cotton percale fabrics,  eco-friendly pillow inserts (made of high-quality polyester fiber created from plastic bottles rescued from landfills) and crib bumper insert (filled with organic wool, renowned for its temperature-regulating qualities). All inks + dyes are all water-based and environmentally friendly. 

The Amenity Nursery collection is available in pillows, crib blankets + sets and wall art. The happy bunnies make me smile.