No, You’re NOT the Only One Who’s Done That…

In the years before the cloistered ranks of forgotten, overlooked mothers began to rise one by one into the shining blogosphere to unite as a powerful cultural voice, there was but one therapy—humor—that got Mom through the day. After all, if you can’t laugh about snot, pee, juice stains on your favorite dress and a life that would reduce most men to either tears or stark raving madness, you probably won’t survive motherhood. That fact alone is what makes Nanny Deprived such an oasis. It isn’t only the clever blog/confessional that with every hilarious post reminds us that moms are human, nor the charming June Cleaver tongue-in-cheek vibe of the website, nor even the easy-to navigate layout of the store that invites us to drop our ever-clogged vacuums and stay a while. As fab as all these are, it’s the product line that really makes this site special.

For those of us not necessarily cape-able of personally crafting superhero outfits that meet our toddlers’ standards, we might look to Nanny Deprived for a gallery of cute capes in every theme from T-Rex to Retro Rocket. Or for those of us more concerned with surrounding our newbies with plush, practical comfort, a sampling of the Rugged Idea Blanket might be more in order. For a touch of wordplay that brings well-deserved smiles we might reach for one of the shop's very own t-shirts for moms. Or, as yet another option, we just might go all-purpose and pick up a little MomSpit—yes, it’s supposed to evoke that image—for those moments when we need to cleanse some angelic face of its playground grime and don’t have one wipe left in the arsenal. We may never catch up on the laundry, but we can make it through another day with the support of sites like Nanny Deprived. And as a way of blessing our Wishing Willow readers with a chance to win something special, Nanny Deprived is also offering a bottle of Green Tea and Fig MomSpit to the winner of this giveaway. To enter, visit NannyDeprived.com, then come back here to tell us which product on the site is your favorite. Tell us in an additional post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, or follow us on Twitter, and "tweet" about the giveaway. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. Contest ends 3/31/09.

Be sure to also enter our giveaways here.

Some Amazing Shoes (and Dresses) to Fill

Children have a way of seeing the possibilities in almost anything—a sword in a stick, a fortress in a cardboard box, a train tunnel in a toilet paper roll. It shouldn’t surprise anyone, then, when a child’s ability to envision the type of person or creature who would “fill” a particular article of clothing exceeds the imaginative power of many adults. Rosie Flo’s Coloring Book (Chronicle Books), a unique work given to the world of creative kids by English designer/mom Roz Streeten, honors this very phenomenon. By providing page after page of dresses sans damsels, Streeten sets her young readers free to flesh out the head, legs, arms of each picture—or, for that matter, to plant a beak, paw, or fin where a human appendage might otherwise fit. As a companion volume, Rosie Flo’s Garden Coloring Book picks up where the cherished original left off, and adds a few new twists—or fairies, gnomes, animals, and other garden dwellers, to be precise.

Finally, the third volume in this delightful set, Rosie Flo’s Animals Coloring Book, is themed entirely on the fauna of our world. Zebra-inspired gowns, pants tailored for monkeys, empty suits strolling beside bulldogs, this book is an invitation for animal lovers of any age to ponder the endless connections between our furry friends and ourselves, and to take our own lives a little less seriously. Whether as a welcome antidote for road trip boredom, an effective oil with which to grease your little one’s creative wheels, or a gift that’s just plain different, Streeten’s books are a timely throwback to the days when kids had time to imagine, and to let that image take on a life all its own. To order a personal copy of any of Roz Streeten’s books, visit Chronicle Books.com.

Louis Lives On

Pop Quizzity: In literature, what does it mean to truly value language? An answer could be gleaned, perhaps, from surveying the work of the word-coining master William Shakespeare or, on the other pole, of verbal uber-economist Ernest Hemingway. In children’s literature, however, the proof is in the pudding—or more specifically, in the texture of the pudding as it tickles the tongue, plays on the palette, and rolls down the roof of the mouth like a sliding rain. When Louis Armstrong Taught Me Scat (Chronicle Books), a word-wiggling giggling story of a young girl who is mentored by the Sultan of Scat himself, combines the playful prose of veteran children’s writer Muriel Harris Weinstein with the Coretta Scott King Award-winning talent of illustrator R. Gregory Christie to create a work that is an absolute pleasure to read aloud. Jazzy, smoky, melodic and happy, this dream yarn strings together lines of scat like links in a lip-loosening jingle, to the effect that anyone, young or old, who attempts to read it in a sober tone will find it impossible to keep the music embedded in Weinstein’s prose from bubbling to the surface. Even Christie’s colors are appropriately harmonious, beginning with a ragtime-rosy pallet of simple tones, and punctuated with spontaneous bursts of color at just the right measure. It is, at the end of the evening, a story of which Louis himself would have been proud, and more importantly, one which your children will want to hear again. To order a personal copy, visit Chronicle Books.com today.

Be sure to also enter our giveaways here.

Moonstruck

It make sense that amigurumi, the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals, would appeal to almost everyone. We humans, with all our maddening parental instincts, can’t resist small, cute objects. How else could our last few generations explain the popularity of calculator wristwatches that perform complex mathematical functions (because hey, trig happens when we least expect it); mp3 players so small we lose them with our keys; and Pokemon? For Marcy Bridges, also known as Marcy Moon-Yen, however, the question is not whether Moon Buns, her signature li’l stuffed bunny, is cute enough—we all know the answer to that one—but rather, how can this doe-eyed work of doll genius get any cuter?

Bridges, a Chinese-American fiber artist working out of her Virginia studio, has figured out how to outfit the same palm-sized bunny in dozens of different colors, and even in a darling riding hood, without ever losing sight of the simplicity and innocence that put her product on the map. Handmade, kid-proportioned to emphasize the sweet childlike spirit of the craft, and conveniently sized for stuffing in purses or pockets as a carry-along friend, Moon Buns just might be the one “traditional” plaything that finally catches on in homes strewn with electro-junk and spent batteries. After all, our kids need someone like Moon Bun. And Moon Bun needs them, too. To help a little bun find his way into your home, Marcy has graciously agreed to send one Custom Forest Moon Bun. To enter, visit Moon's Creations, then come back here to tell us which of Marcy's creations fits your personality best and why. Tell us in an additional post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, follow us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter, and "tweet" about the giveaway. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. Contest ends 2/20/09. We have our winner. Congrats Hazel!

A World of Possibilities

Of what are sweet dreams really made? For one, it might be the exploration of some enchanted land across the sea; for another, the discovery of flying ability, or the challenge of a four-story chocolate cake paired with a suddenly bottomless stomach. For Tanya Newbery, dreams are the playscape of narwhals, crescent moons, and kids in their pajamas. These, in turn, are part of a larger gallery that echoes the color schemes and and conceptual stylings of You Belong Here and We Arrrrr Friends, but also draws in complementary characters such as the oft-appearing Bethezda the Cat (most endearing, perhaps, when assisting elephants with their balance as in
Tremendous Help of a Paisley Pachyderm), and assorted rascals such as the ebullient, dancing Winter Bunny. Newbery covers a wide range of themes, from the charm of I Bring Only This to the mystical power of Prince of Owls, but is consistent in her focus on the imagination of children, reminding us poignantly that we adults tend to underestimate the reach of that power.

It's ironic, really: While Newbery's serial art pieces seems tailor-made for children's theme rooms, what the Utah-based illustrator seems to capture most effectively is the idea that in a child's mind anything is possible, and that the only thread holding the world together is the magic that keeps us connected with the tensile strength of a single wish. What, then, does one do with such a diverse collection of prints, brooches, and other media? One idea would be to enter today's giveaway. The lucky winner of this drawing will receive a Tiarrrghed Print to add to their collection. To qualify, visit Gumball Grenade Illustrations, then come back here to tell us about your favorite print in Tanya's collection. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 2/3/09.

We have a winner! Katherine said, "Wow! I love this art...it is gorgeous! My favorite is: I Bring Only This Red Pajama...amazing!I do not have children (still searching for that Mr. Right) but I have always planned a "Nieces & Nephew Room" in the house I want to own...I would love for this to be part of the decor." Congrats!

Touch and Bow

It’s a rough estimate that there are about five million moms in the United States who dream nightly of custom-designing hair accessories for their children. (Don’t ask where that statistic was found. We have our sources.) Of that five million, about five hundred actually get around to doing it. And of that five hundred, a mere handful succeed in producing something fashionable enough not only to pin in little Princess’s hair, but to sell to the rest of us raising little Princesses of our own. Little Lesiw is one of these elite. With all the genuine charm and wholesome qualities one would expect of a family raising its own little bundle of inspiration (an adorable girl adopted domestically), Little Lesiw goes to work winning our hearts immediately with a wide variety of clips in the “Bloom” style, including such fun and fearless styles as Zebra, Candy Mix, Kiss Me, Hot Pink with White Dots and Ni hao Kai-lan in addition to classic solid tones. Of course, the magic doesn’t end there.

For those who prefer pigtail sets, options range from the simply sweet Pink With Swiss Dots to the deep and versatile Pinwheel Set in red. Have an eye for modern interpretations? The Oh Snap collection, like its cousin the Clippie Chaos gallery, offers its fair share of offbeat and on-point themes for anyone aspiring break out of the Girl in Sunday Best stereotype. What makes this particular shop so appealing is the high-quality craftsmanship of its product line; what makes it special, however, is that intangible “it” factor that can only come from the artistic bosom of someone who knows how to celebrate the singular beauty of a child. And as celebrations go, one more will be in order for the winner of today’s giveaway. Little Lesiw has graciously offered to send not one but three items of choice to one lucky Wishing Willow reader. To qualify, visit Little Lesiw, then come back here to tell us about your favorite style and color. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 1/30/09.

We have a winner! Kathleen who said, "Oh my goodness, the quality!! Very impressive. As mama to three girls, it's hard to pick just one style and color I love. The bitty bloom in pink and brown, very sweet! Love that hey would work for my 9yo and my 6mo old." Congrats!

Yankees Aren’t the Only Dandy Doodlers

What if doodling, the timeless art of stream-of-consciousness drawing in the margins of important papers (or on whatever happens to be lying around) while some speaker drones on incessantly, were encouraged as a stepping stone to artistic development, rather than denounced as a useless hobby of ADD sufferers? It’s a great question, but unfortunately anyone looking to formally discover an answer will have to get in line behind Taro Gomi, the illustrious Japanese children’s author whose book Doodle All Year (Chronicle Books, 2008) not only promotes doodling as an art form, but provides hundreds of charmingly child-like, barely-there sketches with which to prime the pump.

Gomi, who won our hearts with the unequivocally titled Everyone Poops and garnered widespread acclaim for his Scribbles, Squiggles and Doodles series, gives specific directions at times (“draw a winter rainbow,”; “this horse needs a rider,” for example) but more generally uses the transitions of seasons as a template for children (or grownups, for that matter) to let their hearts/minds/markers run free. Whether one is seeking to encourage youthful creativity, or simply looking for a great book to help energetic youngsters survive the family road trip, one would be hard-pressed to find a more useful tool than this one. You'll be thrilled to hear that Chronicle Books is giving away a free copy of Doodle All Year to one lucky reader. To qualify, visit Chronicle Books, then come back here to tell us which book you would most love to add to your library. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 1/23/09.

We have a winner! Congratulations kellyache who said, "Aaacckkk!! I've been wanting to get the Scribbles colouring books forever! For me, Logo by M. Evamy would be a fantastic addition to my design library." Congrats!

A Primer for Memory Keepers

Some of us are devout collectors of our children’s school mementos, immortalizing their wallet-sized grins and milestone moments in grand collage; others are hybrid scrapbooker/techies who scan and save those precious memories on zip drives for posterity. The vast majority of us, however, do what parents have been doing since the advent of kitchen appliances: we hang it all on the refrigerator and call it a day. For these millions of moms and dads and their good-but-misplaced intentions, School Years: A Family Keepsake of School Memories is a salvation of sorts. Designed as a perfectly sized and proportioned dual journal/trapper with expandable pockets between each page, this handy little book zones on in the basic unforgettables of school life in every year from kindergarten through the twelfth grade: report cards, school pictures, friend lists, hobbies, and the like, and cuts out all the fuss with a refreshingly streamlined format. Remember your favorite teacher in the fourth grade? Probably not. With a little help from School Years, however, your child will. Even better yet, your child will know that his or her world is important enough to you that you took the time to capture it in a memory book. In the end, nothing could be more rewarding.

Chronicle Books is extending a generous 30% off your purchase total and Free Shipping. Enter the code: WishingWillow when checking out. To purchase your own School Years copy, visit www.ChronicleBooks.com.

Rockin' the Snow Cap

Not since Rocky Balboa ruled the bitter streets of Philly in a pork pie hat has headwear been as iconic as today. Brad Pitt’s trilby; Toby Keith’s cowboy hat; even the ongoing Ashton Kutcher-Justin Timberlake cold war over who made trucker hats mainstream cool; everywhere, it seems, someone is reaffirming the enigmatic appeal of hats. What’s a parent to do in such a culture? For starters, one might head over to Cite Fuzz, where fashionable hand-knit wool hats for boys and girls are offered in what seems like a thousand different must-have varieties, most sporting a consistent modern Euro-Aspen vibe, yet each in its own right somehow managing to achieve that “it” factor that sets a great hat apart from the rest. Be it the quiet confidence of the cotton Groovy Bebop Brim Hat, the sunny disposition of the cotton earflap hat in Pink with Bright Stripes, or the heart-capturing cute of the mini monkey flap hat in chocolate with red trim, Cite Fuzz makes it possible to cover your undeniably unique child’s head with something equally individualistic.

After all, it goes without saying that all children are cute, but is there anything more rewarding than clothing them in something that celebrates each’s own special kind of cute, and watching the personality, in turn, emerge? In keeping with this value, Cite Fuzz is graciously offering our Wishing Willow readers the chance to own a hat that spotlights that intangible aspect in children that brings smiles to our faces on even the dimmest of days. For those of you who never stop loving to watch your kids “monkey around,” an adorable Mini Monkey Hat (6mo - 24mo) can be yours by winning today’s giveaway. To qualify, visit Cite Fuzz, then come back here to tell us about your favorite style and product. Tell us in a second post if you subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 1/07/09.

We have a winner! besosforpesos who said, "Ok, so the honest truth is that the monkey hat is my absolute favorite...and that shot that you posted on this blog is ridiculous! That baby is so cute in that hat and I'm sure her hats are flying off the shelves! Ridiculously cute! Anyhow, I know bloggers don't like us choosing the same they review, so I checked her site and my second favorite is this little number Cotton Lipstick Bebop Brim Hat. Very sweet! I love the girly flowers that can be added on too. That's some talent!

Cozies for the Toes-ies

We’re born exposed. Our extremities, from the first moment of chilling introduction to the world outside that lovely warm thing called a womb, curl in shock as we realize immediately that someone, somewhere, is going to have to put some socks on those cute little tootsies of ours or we’re in deep trouble. Maybe that’s why craft-savvy moms, such as Courtney Anne Chu of CourtneyCourtney, succeed where many others fail in pinning down the perfect clothing accessories for kids: Whose instinct to better trust, after all, than her own? Of course, to call the fruit of her labor “socks” would be a misnomer. Technically speaking, they’re booties; practically speaking, they’re a versatile and tradition-tested product that inspires even more hip-shaking, slide-down-the-hall fun than the name implies. Parents will love the fact that these booties can serve as socks or shoes, depending on the occasion (thus bypassing the Herculean task of immobilizing one’s children long enough to tie shoelaces). It’s the personality of the product, however, that sells it. With a delightful variety from which to choose, ranging from the nautical/modern flair of Surfer Cool and the pixie sweetness of Rainbow Red to the li’l tyke ruggedness of Mini Rugby and the dapper kid-cool factor of Schoolbus, the struggle isn’t finding a winner, but rather in settling on just one.

Visit CourtneyCourtney for a full “exposure” to these items as well as Courtney's colorful and incredibly fun line of children's clothing.

A Golden Touch

Children, don’t discard those secret hopes and not-yet-jaded spirits just yet. Your parents may not admit it, but there’s a significant element of truth to the fantastical stories of toys rising to life, as they do in legends running the gamut from Pinocchio to The Velveteen Rabbit. Here it is: Sometimes, we choose the toy. Sometimes, the toy chooses us. The fuzzy, felt-skinned friends offered by Kata Golda serve as a splendid sample group through which to test this theory, laboratory-style. Go ahead little girl, pick up the hand-stitched dog, spring-pretty in her skirt and blouse, and see if her tiny dark eyes like chocolate chips don’t implore you to take you home, best friends forever. Don’t be afraid, little boy, to hold that bear in the buttoned jumper close to your believing heart, and see if he doesn’t softly whisper a plea that he might be the toy that wins your smile this Christmas. Give Kata’s characters a window of opportunity, Mom and Dad, and that lamb with the beguiling eyes, rabbit in Sunday best, or darling little peep just might capture you as well.

Of course, any review of Kata Golda’s work would be remiss without a mention that it isn’t just her stuffed animals that carry this magic. With the same enviable ease with which she turns a few mousy bits of felt into a full-fledged finger puppet, she turns tea sets etched with animal life, cards announced by unassuming snowmen, journals sung to life by carefree birds and a score of other products into the kinds of keepsakes that never lose their place in our lives. The fact that Kata donates a percentage of every sale to elementary schools is really just a second layer of frosting on an already-delectable treat; these toys are appealing enough as examples of the kinds of toys that all of us as parents wish we could make. Well, maybe you don’t have Kata’s golden touch, but if your luck is golden, that might be enough: The winner of today’s giveaway will be receiving an adorable Mouse Finger Puppet from Kata’s collection ($24 value). To qualify, visit Kata Golda, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 12/11/08.

**We have a winner! Jenna who said, "I really like the Kid’s Messenger Bag. It is very cute!"

Sass Meets Class

There are two schools of thought when it comes to designing and sewing children’s clothes. One is that the perfection of a child, like the perfection of a pearl, needs no dressing up. Designs from this school are simple and functional. The alternative school, however, argues it is no crime to craft a clothing piece that honors the beauty of children with a little beauty of its own. Michelle of Oh So Sassy, obviously a graduate of the latter school, believes so strongly in the importance of hand-stitching her love, her playfulness, and a generous dose of “sass” into each Whimsy Dress, Little Abigail Apron, and Oh So Dapper Tie she makes that it’s very possible you’d find yourself cooing in admiration over the pieces alone, even if no children were in the picture. Incidentally, children are in these pictures, however, and the photographer’s success in capturing them in moments of natural innocence is positively praiseworthy, proving once again that an Etsy shop equals exposure for more than just the seller.

Not to be outdone by the likes of the Sassy Flower Hair Clip, Adri Michelle Dress, or Pink Dahlia Dress in her collection, Michelle also delves into the world of accessories with great aplomb, turning out gotta-have-it items such as the Dafina Bag and the Sassy Strings Apron, both of which feature decidedly grownup-friendly prints. Her Sassy Diaper Clutch, another favorite, is day-trip sized and dashingly discreet. One of her sweetest creations of all, however, the Splash of Red Boutique Dress, is also the one most immediately accessible to you (in your choice of sizes 6mo - 6T), should you be lucky enough to win it in today’s giveaway. To qualify, visit www.ohsosassy.etsy.com, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Tell us in a second post if you happen to subscribe to Wishing Willow, since our subscribers receive an extra entry in the contest. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/26/08.

**We have a winner! Abigail who said, "I love all of them, but the Whimsy Dress is my favorite!"**

Wooly Whimsy

whimsy (hwim’-zee), n., a fanciful or fantastic device, object, or creation especially in writing or art

Strictly speaking, of course, the above definition is not usually the one intended when craft artists such as Anne, the creator behind Murdock Designs describe their work as having in it a touch of “whimsy,” but in this case, it works as beautifully as does the art itself. Our six-year-old, Aedan, himself a fanciful/fantastic creation, confirmed the elusive “it” factor, the magic, of Anne's vibrant handiwork when the Blue Leafy Super Bug became his favorite wooly appendage from the first moment he snatched it away from the three-year-old brother for whom it was intended, but by no means is the Murdock Designs charm lost on adults. Just the opposite: while critters the likes of Dotty Super Bug or Diagonal Busy Bear might hog the spotlight with their heroic costumes and disarming smiles, the mod-magnetism of accessories such as the Periwinkle Appliqued Linen Tea Towel and the Blue and Red Button Magnet Set is rather arresting in its own right.

If you’ve been in the market for pillows, you might not find a more adorable, versatile set than those found in the Murdock Designs shop. With varied themes from factories and antique bombs to cashmere suns and stars, these pillows strike the perfect balance between bold style and accessibility. In other words, you won’t be able to help showing them off, but you certainly won’t mind your guests enjoying them, either. In keeping with the “whims” of the designer, Anne's repertoire also includes wool felt hair clips and flower pins, a lovely messenger bag, and a number of other items. Whatever your preference, however, one thing we can all agree on is that nothing tops free, and free is exactly what the Red Flowery Busy Bunny will be for the winner of today’s terrific giveaway. To enter, visit Murdock Designs, then come back here to tell us about your favorite product. Wishing Willow subscribers earn an extra entry; be sure to let us know in a second post if you’re a subscriber. To post without a Google account, just click “anonymous.” Be sure to also leave your email address. The winner will be chosen randomly. Contest ends 11/18/08. Best of Luck!

**We have a winner! ThreadBeaur who said, "Dotty Super Bug is so cute. The linen tea towels are also fantastic. I like the red and the orange ones. Great shop, thanks for introducing us to murdock design!"**

What The World Kneads Now

Whether it’s melamine-tainted infant formula, chili peppers corrupted by e-coli, or playpens that go splat in the night, hazardous products seem to be sprouting like wild mushrooms in our stores these days. It’s reached the point at which I even question staple goods—after all, who’s to really know whether my sugar has been cut with Splenda? What a blessing to remember that when customer confidence in our commercial goods plummets, however, a revival of homemade goodies has a way of rising up—no better exemplified than by the work of Cynthia, maker of Do Si Dough and icon of the homemade playdough movement. Cynthia’s quest to offer the world a trustworthy fingermash blended from 100% natural ingredients has resulted in the birth of one very timely, charming, and affordable product. Moms who fret over FDA warnings can finally rest their worried heads for a moment (or for hours, depending on how long your child plays).

Peruse the Do Si Dough gallery, and you’ll find sorbet orange, green glitter, bubblegum pink and a host of other kid-friendly varieties from which to choose. Spend enough time clicking the thumbnails, and you’ll probably find yourself wandering back to your own schoolyard days, too—and wondering if that same instinct that makes certain grownups want to ride their shopping carts downhill in sloped parking lots is responsible for the sudden giddiness you feel as you imagine squeezing this stuff between your palms. Well, whether you’re a youngster or just young at heart, you’ll like hearing this: To one fortunate giveaway winner, Cynthia will be sending a prize package that includes (1) any two four ounce tins of Do Si Dough, your choice and (2) a “secret” product that she is working on presently. To qualify, visit Do Si Dough, then come back here to tell us your two favorite color options in Cynthia's shop. As always, subscribers to Wishing Willow will receive an extra entry (Leave a second comment, and confirm your subscription. The winner will be chosen randomly.) You don't have to have a Google account to participate. Click "anonymous" to enter. The contest will end 10/13/08. Best of luck!

**We have a winner! LadyBug-Kellie who said "I like the green glitter playdough! It's such a vibrant color, and the glitter gives it some extra fun!"