Easter Basket

While I didn't want to overdo a basket with lots of spring-themed toys that would remain in my house after the holidays, I had to make an Easter basket for my sweet boy. We decided to do Easter on the cheap and used a basket a friend bought us for Sawyer's bedroom, dyed some hard-boiled eggs, made a bunny, and bought at set of stacking ducks for bath time.

My fabric collection had been gathering dust, so I whipped up this friendly rabbit on the fly. It was basic doll construction, plus some bunny ears.

These stacking ducks are to die for, don't you think? There's nothing like a toy that doesn't offend an adult's sense of design! We've got a major water baby on our hands, so I'm looking forward to future bath time floating/stacking/pouring fun. You can even buy them at Target or Amazon!

Peeko & Aardy

I've had my eye on this particular brand of stuffed animals since before Sawyer was born. They're from Jellycat and you can find them online here or in less traditional toy stores. I just think they're so stinkin' cool.

This is Peeko. He got his name from hiding behind things and saying "peek-oh!" when he would show his face and surprise this cute little boy he was playing peek-a-boo with. It's my guess that Peeko is the kind of elephant who's a little timid, but can muster up courage when it's needed and can have a good time with his buddies once he knows there aren't any mice around or anything else that would frighten him.

Meet Aardy. He's an aardvark if you couldn't tell and to me he seems like the wiser of this pair. A little older, maybe a little more experience under his belt. I'd imagine he's got good ideas and often finds himself patiently convincing Peeko to just relax.

Oh these two...I can tell they're going to be kindred spirits. Don't they just look like good pals? I'll stop with what's now seeming to be the ramblings of a madwoman about plush toy personality traits and go talk to some real people. Some adults.

Under the Chestnut Tree

Have you done a puzzle recently? I mean, like a good old-fashioned jigsaw puzzle? My sister-in-law spent her Christmas devouring them and reminded me of their joys and merits. And now I'm hooked.

As a general rule, I consider myself to be a formidable competitor when it comes to puzzles. Race me in a crossword or Sudoku and I'll probably make a bold statement and with confidence claim that I'll be able to win. Crosswords, cryptograms, Tetris, Mahjong, whatever...you name it, I'll solve it. Honestly, it's what I'm good at.

When Jessica told me about her puzzle-filled holiday weekend, I recalled the jigsaw puzzles I owned, but had never opened. I thought of them sitting alone and fragmented in my closet, wishing with all their might to be connected to their bona fide neighbors, asking someone who cared to solve them.

I broke out this good old country scene called "Under the Chestnut Tree." 1000 pieces is a nice challenge for someone who hasn't done a jigsaw puzzle since they were in high-school. The chestnut tree was a real doozie, since all the pieces practically looked the same.

At the risk of sounding like a total and complete loser, doing a jigsaw puzzle is a really good time. I love the patience it takes and the satisfaction I find in figuring out just the right place for each piece. I love being able to leave it and come back as I wish. I love that there was no technology involved and nothing plugged in while you work on it. I love knowing that it's just being solved for fun and that when you're done, it will just be taken apart and put away.

Onto my next puzzle which my husband got me last year. It's Da Vinci's "Last Supper" which has little contrast throughout and is broken into 2000 lovely pieces. This one might take a while.

Viking Man

I've been a lover of Sandra Monat's vikings, knights templar, angels, etc. ever since the day I laid eyes on their perfect form. Each one of them is cooler than cool, but they are also priced for only the Richie Riches in our lives. I'd love to have an original, but this girl can't afford to cough up $138+ for a plush toy. I just can't!

You've all heard my song and dance about marrying into Swedish ancestry, so I'll spare you this time. The bottom line is that I saw the vikings and needed to make one for my half Swedish, soon-to-be-born baby boy.

Don't worry, my muse, I'll never make another knock off...I just wanted to try this one time. He turned out wonderfully, if I do say so myself, and he'll be loved and adored for years to come.

Tolerable

I found a bouncer seat that was unoffensive to me on all fronts and snagged it up while supplies lasted from Target. There are so many that are too much of an eye sore for me to handle, but there are also a few that are very cool, modern types that are just too expensive or over-the-top simple/boring. Mark my words: baby paraphernalia will not dominate my life...or living room for that matter.

Happy Ring Stacker Toy

I finally whipped together a little something for our coming bundle of joy! I saw this ring stacker a few months ago and thought it would be a perfect addition to any nursery.

When it comes to following patterns, I've got no expertise. I'll be honest, this one was not for the faint of heart. Once I "got it," the sewing went smoothly, but it took some trial and error on my part. At any rate, it's finished... ready to be thrown around and drooled on!