01.30.2009
the Mighty Buggy Hook
Let me introduce you to the The Mighty Buggy Hook -it may very well be the most useful and practical stroller accessory that you will purchase this year. If you're used to looping shopping bags over the handles of umbrella strollers like the Maclaren, then you've most certainly found yourself at a loss if you've switched over to the single bar handle style strollers like the Phil and Ted. Where exactly are we supposed to hang shopping bags or backpacks? After purchasing cheap plastic stroller hooks that broke after a few months of use, I've rigged up quite a few interesting ad-hoc methods of hooking bags to my stroller. Think King's buggy hook (remember their soft buggy cup?) is made from a lightweight aluminum hook that is strong and won't break. It attaches to your stroller with velcro straps and and is versatile enough to fit all strollers. After a few weeks of use, we love it and have been happily overloading our strollers with grocery bags every since.
Posted by Jenna
Category:
accessories
Tags: hooks strollers
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01.30.2009
Brio crane
This Brio crane with its magnet pick-up and winding mechanism would surely keep any inquisitive toddler happy for a while - and I love the design with those primary-coloured blocks and a very 'now' orange for the crane.
Available in the US from Fort Lauderdale-based Kids' Scandinavian Shop for US $24, and in the UK at a heftier £22, from Lula Sapphire.
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: brio construction toys cranes wooden
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01.30.2009
Pinwheel Toy Box from FlatPatterns
And another original child's furniture designer is born! Poor Kevin never meant to design a toy box. But people kept asking him if the Pinwheel Box was just that, so with a few safety adjustments, he made it so. And now his excellent results are being featured on a babyblog. Hope he's ready for his new found fame...So, back to the box. Isn't it cool in a naturalist /modern kind of way? It's made of Baltic birch with white laminate on the inside and topped with a creative chalkboard lid. I love the unique pinwheel design and handy handles all around. It ships flat with easy assembly required. A great initial effort into kidcraft Kevin. Welcome to your new vocation!
Posted by Justine
Category:
toys
Tags: storage toy box wood
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01.29.2009
Dachshund coat rack
They're long, they're cute - why wouldn't you make a coat rack out of a dachshund? Any child will love to hang coats and hats on this amenable fellow, and grown-ups may laugh at the positioning of at least one of the screw-holes. I suppose it had to go somewhere.
From Rose and Radish, a bargain at only $28 (US); via Apartment Therapy.
Posted by Myf
Category:
decor
Tags: coatracks dogs hooks
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01.29.2009
Sweet and Spunky Shoes
If you want to put a little funk in your baby's step (or crawl) consider outfitting their feet in some Sweet and Spunky LE. The result of a creative collaboration between Spunky Sprout and Sweet Shoes, this limited edition footwear is not only cool, it's green. Each pair is handcrafted from environmentally friendly materials like hemp and refurnished leather, and all sales benefit both Reach the Children and Save the Children foundations. Available in grey or chocolate.
Posted by Justine
Category:
fashion
Tags: eco-friendly handmade shoes
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01.28.2009
Spoonflower, for nursery decor or toys
I know that Spoonflower has been featured heavily all over the print media and the blogosphere over the past few weeks, but I thought it was worth highlighting from a children's design point of view.
Just in case you've been away and missed this new phenomenon, Spoonflower is an internet service which allows you to print your own designs on fabric, on demand - and the prices aren't bad. Clearly this leads to all kinds of possibilities for curtains, dresses, cushions, you name it - but most especially for children.
For example, have you thought of getting one of your kid's best drawings transferred to fabric, from which you could make a bag, a cushion, or even clothing? Personalised clothing with a name on it just became a breeze, and some enterprising types have already designed cut-out dolls, which, ordered in multiple, could make a great gift stand-by. How do I know? Because there is also the option to sell your designs to other visitors to the site, meaning that if you come up with some good designs, you could also be looking at a stream of income that's entirely compatible with parenthood.
* images courtesy of the Spoonflower Fabric Pool
Posted by Myf
Category:
decor
Tags: custom fabric
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01.28.2009
Lacing Sheep
I have been accused of being way more into my childrens' toys than they are. This is true when they are as cute as this lacing sheep from Plan Toys. I love his adorable roly poly form and minimalist, wooden construction. He'd (actually I guess technically he's a SHE) be great as a play figure alone, but she actually has additional education value, because she's also a lacing puzzle. And like all Plan Toys, she's made of natural, chemical free rubber wood and finished with non-toxic, child friendly colors. Definitely a classic for my collection.
Posted by Justine
Category:
toys
Tags: eco-friendly puzzle sheep wooden
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01.28.2009
Fishbone model-making takes 'organic toys' to a new level
Vegetarian parents may balk, as might those more used to the wooden treasures of their local 'natural' toy emporium, but there's no denying that this fishbone modelling kit is, indeed, organic. Just, not the kind of organic you had in mind.
Apparently, fitting fishbones together and painting them is a traditional Icelandic pastime - makes sense, when you come to think of it. No price is yet given, and the kit is marked as 'coming soon' - perhaps they're waiting to see what the demand is like. Will there be any from you?
Posted by Myf
Category:
toys
Tags: kits organic traditional
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01.27.2009
paper art from Fog and Thistle
The moment I saw Rachel Weber's nightlights featuring her beautiful cut paper, I was hooked on her work. Serene scenes of nature and animals adorn her nightlights and shadow boxes (I particularly love the whale nightlight - such wonderfully graphic shapes and contrasts of negative/positive space). If the original shadow boxes are a bit out of your budget (though totally reasonable for an original work of art), you can purchase prints of the boxes which Rachel has carefully photographed to maximize the play of shadows. Check out all her wonderful creations, including some DYI projects so you can make your own paper cutouts, at her etsy shop, Fog and Thistle.
Posted by Jenna
Category:
decor
Tags: art etsy paper
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01.27.2009
Alphabet Poster from Creativer Neesh
I know, I have a problem. I would sign up for alphabet posters anonymous, but heretofore there aren't any. So bear with me as I draw your attention to yet more great alphabet art. Besides the groovy graphics, what I like about the selections at Creative Neesh, are myriad color options. This poster, for example comes in neutral, natural, bright, pastel, and the above "sweet" palette. Her numbers posters are pretty neat too.
Posted by Justine
Category:
decor
Tags: alphabet art decor poster
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