Tree softie for a baby

I made this softie during nap time, for the baby boy we went to visit yesterday. Very simple project from an old Ikea Fredrika fabric with tree prints. 

Note: stump needs to be made wider otherwise it will fold over because it can't keep the weight of the tree top.

P woke up and had a complete meltdown over the tree softie. He's never been interested in softies, but if I make a toy for someone else he needs it really, really bad.

Tini clothes

Baby I started a nursery and he is not too happy about it. He cried a lot, so they asked me to bring in his favorite toy, but he had none so they told me to bring something in anyway. I went home and picked the softest plushie we had and hoped it would work and he'd accept his new friend. And he did! The bonded instantly, and he's been sucking on his ear ever since.
When I cleared out the closet this weekend I found some tiny clothes I just new I wouldn't be able to throw away and on Sunday night I decided to make a surprise gift for the new friends. Ilija is already into dressing, always trying to pull socks onto his head. I can tell you he was really pleased with what I came up with and it made him laugh out loud.

Blue vest is on the sheep because Ilija went nuts when I put it on his friend and started screaming NO, NO, NO! He loved the little overall but hated the vest for some reason. If I could see into their brains for a minute or two...

What do you do with the clothes your kids have outgrown?

Marbushka toy manufactory (interview with Beatrix Bohony)

There is a special factory in Budapest - a toy factory. And not just any toy factory...a 'place' where beautiful toys are made - Marbushka. You'll even find a board game for a 2 year old there. Memory games and puzzles are so beautifully illustrated you will not want your child to look at another game ever again.

Following is the interview with Beatrix Bohony about her Marbushka family

Pappet - creative paper toys (interview with Bernardett Perjes)

 Two weeks ago I introduced you to Bimba - wonderfully cool textile toys. Today it is papers turn. Pappet are paper and cardboard toys created by Bernardett Perjes. Not only they are Eco-friendly, they are also creativity boosters. Kids (and parents) get to assemble their own toys that can then can be coloured and decorated to your hearts content. Now, lets hear it from the creator herself:


1. Tell us a few words about yourself. Who is Bernardett Perjes ?

I am 43 years old graphic designer. I deal with all kinds of graphic design, from business cards to billboards or even web design. With digital design I am happy if I get to do some manual stuff. I have a 7,5 years old daughter who is full of pep. Luckily, she also loves to create: cut, colour, paint, glue, weave, bead.


 

2. What is Pappet? / Why paper?


I love working with paper, it is a well known material available to everybody. People are not 'affraid' of it. On the other hand, it is very versatile and easy to use. My motto is: Give space to kids creativity and desire to create. I can just hope that my toys are inspiring and that they induce the creative process and then move to the background and let the kids create according to their imagination. On the other hand, I hope they can help the less independent ones and show them the way to the nice result. I wish that people who buy my toys find them a 'time well spent', people who will find joy in the finished product but find real joy in creating itself.

3. How did it all start?


Browsing the Internet I came to like cardboard toys and thought it would be cool to create my own version, and think of a smart way to produce them. With time it became difficult to deal with big cardboard toys, so I started turning to smaller toys. Making them up makes me happy, and they can be produced in small series.

4. You have a daughter, to which extent does she influence your work?


Olivia is my first and biggest critic. She'll tell you right away if she likes something or not. Sometimes it is her idea that starts a process. She also enjoys testing finished toys and exhibit pieces are often her making.






    5. What part of the creative process do you like best?


I love brainstorming and experimenting. Creating a demo version and detailing can be a tedious process, but I like doing optimization for manufacturing too. When the toy is finished I usually have to make loads of samples to be put up in shops, but it is really only a problem if the deadlines are tight. If there is time to fuss around I love to make them pretty.




6. Do you have a 5-10-year plan, or do you just do it instinctively?

Things are still happening quite randomly, but I would like to create a system, do it more business like. I'd like to create more opportunities for people to meet with my toys, and maybe take them abroad if the opportunity presented itself.











 7. Favourite Hungarian designers!

Gabriella Makhult,  Diána Nagy,  László Herbszt, Kinga Rofusz, Eszter Schall.


 8. Favourite foreign designers!


There are fantastic things on the Internet. Many times I just feel - why didn't I think of this?

Thank you so much Bernardett! Keep up the good work, we'll be following you along.


See also Pappet Castle review

Meet my new friend: Eszterda doll

I finally have one, and she is all mine! An Eszterda doll!

I don't remember anymore when was it that I first saw her. It was probably one of those nights when I, after the house finally goes quiet, get lost in the infinity of the www. But I do know that I fell in love instantly. So much in fact, that I had to write to the creator immediately to find out who she was. And now, I will tell you too.

Eszter Dobó, the lady behind Eszterda dolls is a poetic soul. You can see that the moment you enter her blog. There is a little or no text there, only photography...but photography so beautiful it speaks to you right away.

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Even though she was always a creative being, Eszter's major ended up to be in economy. She did make toys and accessories for her daughters, but only after the third one was born she decided it is 'now or never' point in her life and started stitching for real.

These dolls are hand embroidered and if you do let your kids play with one of those they can gain so much. First, and foremost, they will not choke on a plastic eye that got detached after 10 minutes of play. Seriously, the richness of colour, texture and the uniqueness of such a doll can only do good for them. Their beauty aside, a doll should be a doll, says Eszter. You need to be able to squeeze them, caress them, even dress them up or take to bed with you.

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But even a home without children should not be a home without one of these magical creatures. Just look at them:

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 Eszter is obviously drawn to folk art motifs - Hungarian or other authentic ethno-cultures.

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Their charming naivety and tastefully primitive simpleness is what makes them so special and universal. Embroidery, as somewhat old fashioned form of decoration becomes modern and exquisitely attractive in her interpretation.

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As I've already mentioned, I love them beyond words and I know you will too.

You can find them on

Etsy, ESZTERDArte
Meska, Eszterda

Like on facebook, and be sure to check out the beautiful blog regularly.

All photos but the first one are courtesy of Eszter Dobó!