Toys and more gifts!

Today was a good play day for Lief and I'd like to introduce some of his handmade toys. On the left is Oscar, one of the 'Fools Parade' animals, made by Christine and Fiona in Vancouver. I had seen the Fools Parade on display at the Circle Craft Gallery, and though I was tempted to buy one then, I never did. My Mom, Lief and I found Oscar at the Roundhouse Christmas Craft Fair in Vancouver. My Mom decided it would make a great Christmas gift for Lief, so that's how Oscar came to live with us!

Next is Kenana Zebra, knitted by rural women in Njoro, Kenya. This group of women buys homespun wool produced locally. They believe in using environmentally friendly and ecologically sustainable materials and processes to support their farming communities in Africa. This was a wonderfully thoughtful gift from one of our friends.

Then there's Pull-Raven by Sleeping Forest, from Nova Scotia, which I bought at etsy as a gift for Lief. He drags is around the house (mostly on its side...) and somehow likes to rub the coarse cord on the back of his neck. The beautiful wooden frog is another great gift from my Mom. This one is made by Melissa and Doug and it actually hops along when you pull it, his legs push his back up in the air, quite cute. And these are some wonderful felted and sewn gifts by Ella and Arlo, thank you so much! We really enjoy them, so soft. The patterns are great, one day I may even create a mobile with the birdies... Thanks again Ella, very thoughtful!