Tribute to Wooden Toys

There is something extra special about wooden toys. There is a softness, beauty, warmth, feel, and connection with nature to them. Bear and I have been filling our home with these beautiful treasures for the neighborhood children and hopefully our future child. Children seem natural drawn to them as they help promote imaginative play.We thought it would be nice to share some of our favorites with you. This is part of our kitchen. We found it on Craigslist but I have seen some similar to it on sale on Amazon. This is by far my nieces favorite toy when she visits. There are three other little girls in the neighborhood who are especially drawn to it. This is our vintage farm. The wood has a deep golden color that can only come with age and love. Bear and I are working to put wooden animals similar to this into Apple Crate Toys soon. These toy boats can be described only as 'The Worlds Greatest Bathboats' and that they are. They are so bright and cheery. The boat with the fish believe it or not is from 1985 and yet it still looks like new. I attached a link to the photo. Click on it and it will take you to their store. They even do custom name orders. A nice thought with Christmas on the way. These little boats will last a life time and then some. Bear and I will only be getting one more boat for this collection. It will be a custom order when our wee one arrives.This adorable house was purchased off of Craigslist. I added some furniture to it, but there were several pieces already in it. It came from a wonderful mother and daughter who are planning to move to another country and could not take it with. It is the newest toy in our collection and has been used and loved the most so far. I would have loved a house like this as a child. The woman we purchased it from said she bought it in Spain, but it bears a striking resemblance to Melissa and Doug doll houses if you are interested in finding one for your wee one. I first saw this little family on Waldorf Mama's blog. They were so beautiful but I could not find a justification to get them till Bear and his father surprised me this year for my birthday with the money to get them. The best part is watching children pick them up for the first time and seeing slow smiles of sheer delight spread across their faces. Bear and his father could have given me no greater gift. They are beautifully hand carved and painted by a company called Buntspechte. You can buy them at The Puppenstube.
Carved, sanded and painted with love. Wood toys will last a life time. They are a gift to pass down from generation to generation. Lets hope the tradition never ends. Have a blessed day.

Pumpkin Carving Alternative

For a pumpkin carving alternative we decided to put our pumpkins into costumes this year. This way we can still use the pumpkins for cooking later. It's a small craft, but worth sharing.

I carved my first pumpkin when I was 26. No joke! Since meeting Bear, the annual pumpkin hunt has been a much favored activity.

So there had to be one casualty.. The rest will make it into the ovens ;)
Have a blessed Autumn wherever you may be and have fun.

Fall Wreath

Just a quick post today. Bear and I have been so busy, but this weekend I made the time to make my annual fall wreath. I've had this wreath for a while and have been holding on to it just waiting for the right project. The mini corns I picked up at a garage sale for ten cents apiece and the mini pumpkins I needle felted and scented with cloves and cinnamon. There is such a yummy smell that wafts through the air as you open the door. I used a corn husk doll with a swaddled baby for the centerpiece. There are several corn husk dolls nestled around my home. I don't really remember where this one came from but I'm willing to bet it was a garage sale or a thrift store. Bear is rather fond of this year's wreath. It will stay up till the end of November and then it will be time for me to make a new Winter wreath. I wonder what I will do this year. I think I used a star shaped wreath with jingle bells last year. Take care and have a blessed week and Have Fun!

Ehlers Danlos Ring Splint Review

As some of you know I have a condition called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome or EDS. EDS is a genetic mutation that effects the production of collagen and makes it easy for me to hyperextend and sublux all of my joints among other symptoms. For years I have been wanting Silver Ring Splints. They are incredible splints designed to hold your finger DIP and PIP joints in place preventing you from hyperextending and subluxing your finger joints. The problem is they can cost anywhere from $80. to $200. apiece thus rendering them out of even my hyperextended reach.

Recently I discovered Rebecca of EDS Jewelry Creations on Etsy. It is her goal to make functional rings splints at affordable prices. She was kind enough to send a large lot of her ring splints in various styles and metals for me to try out. Here is what I've found.. The rings that have oval or flat beads on the ends are comfortable but can catch and rub on things and other fingers. They are rather pretty and could see them for a night out, but for everyday use I would recommend a different style. The rings that have round beads on the ends are somewhat uncomfortable but not as much as I thought they would be. The lower ball is virtually undetectable but the upper one I found myself rubbing and catching on everything. The rings that have flat spirals on the ends are my favorites by far. They lay flat against the fingers and are the most comfortable for me. They do not rub on other fingers or catch on things, and they are also easily adjusted. It is easy to forget they are on. Out of all the metals (copper, brass, and stainless steel) stainless steel worked best for me. The copper is functional but slightly soft and the brass tended to bend out of shape (that could also be because of a smaller gauge). I have also ordered a sterling silver ring and am happily waiting for it's arrival. Rebecca is now offering rings with different sizes and in sterling silver. I would recommend finding what ring size fits for you before ordering.

After sewing and crafting with them for a few days I must say that these are incredible. If this is your first experience with ring splints you may only want to wear them for a short while at first as you get used to them. Though it is tempting to never take them off. These are an amazing alternative to the more expensive and harder to obtain silver ring splints. I would definitely recommend them to anyone with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Take care.

Stiftungsfest

What a rush this past weekend was. Stiftungsfest was so much fun. My dear friend SARN came with for the day. Here we are setting up bright and early. The vendors on either side of our stall were such a delight. One of them sold knit items for infants and the other stall sold beaded items and polar fleece shawls.After being inspired by Bending Birches I could not stop making these Story telling Puppets. The children at Stiftungsfest loved them. The parents were not so sure about these faceless dolls but one little girl stole my heart when she came in and said, "whoever made these has talent. They are beautiful". I bought this apple hat from the vendor next to my stall. She also had a pumpkin hat and I went back and forth all day as to which one I would buy for my future baby. The apple won out in the end.... But you probably saw that coming even without the picture ;)One vendor was selling these cheerful found object flowers. They were so happy and sunny. I wanted to get one.... or twenty... or forty..... But I was trying to be good and just snapped this picture instead.

Bear and I are already looking forward to next year. We took so many notes and are already dreaming up what we will be adding. Bear wants to make some wooden boats, play stands, and doll cradles. I will need more Happy Birthday Bunting banners and some sun block ;) Take care and have a blessed day. And thank you once again, everyone who helped make this all happen.

~Thank You~

It's here. Tomorrow Bear and I will be attending our first major craft show at Stiftungfest in Norwood Young America. This is the oldest celebration in Minnesota and we've worked hard. We've pushed hard. We've painted, sewn, dyed, folded, pounded, carved, bled, sweat, cried, laughed, danced, and sung ourselves to this place in time. It is a big step and I just wanted to say Thank You to everyone of you who has encouraged, prayed, sent positive energies, inspired, tutored, coaxed, prodded, pushed, and carried us to this place. You know who you are. Thank you. Your love and generosity has made this possible. You are always in our hearts. With love and gratitude. Appleshoe~

A Knitting Thank You

I've always wanted to learn how to knit. I can carve or build anything out of wood, mold anything out of clay, draw, paint, photograph, cook, crochet (kind of), and sew.... But Knitting leaves me dumbfounded. Luckily I am blessed to have an amazingly beautiful and talented sister in law. Rina of Rahardjo-Knits. I swear that she could knit the dew drops on to spiderwebs. She makes the most amazing, delicate, and beautiful creations and truly would make a magnificent teacher.

Last weekend I asked her to show me how to knit. In the past I've only managed to make a small square that was only fit to be a shawl for a lumpy porcupine. Rina is an amazing teacher with more than a good dose of patience. I still have a ways to go but I'm off to a good start with her wonderful help.This little bunny is my first ever completed knitting project. I had so much fun that I think for Christmas I will make a family of them with a carrot shaped carry bag for my niece. Thank you so much Rina for teaching me this new skill.