Last Minute Stocking Stuffers [Made By Joel]

I discovered Made By Joel last week, and I absolutely love everything about him. His designs are simple, but oh-so lovely and creative. Explore his site and be sure to check out his crafts by age.

I stapled together the Thaumatrope, Tumble Bunnies, and Paper Woodpecker Toys, with Straw, Skewer, and two marbles in a bag. Several projects are printed two per page, so I cut them apart first. 

I printed a few of his projects (Paper Woodpecker, Bird Thaumatrope, and Tumble Bunnies) onto cardstock for stocking stuffers for my kids and my nieces and nephew. Then I assembled them into kits, with the other materials needed to make the projects. That way, the kids can help make them later - double fun! I should have added instructions to the kits, but didn't get to it - maybe we'll do it together at Christmas - otherwise, hey sis, check out the links above!

As I was assembling the kits, I realized two of the kids in our family were really too young to be given [ahem] marbles and skewers in their stockings, so I just assembled the thaumatropes using plastic straws for the little ones. Whew, that was a close one. His coloring pages are great for little ones, too.

For the cousins: Tumble Bunnies and Thaumatropes, with two marbles and a skewer in a bag. The assembled Thaumatropes with plastic straws for the little ones.

Below is a playlist of several Made by Joel youtube videos. He definitely wins for best use of a pop-up puppet ever! Enjoy!

 

Pink Dog: a toymaker's confession

Of all my daugther's toys, many handmade and specially designed for her, made from my favorite fabrics and cute little trims - this is her favorite toy.

Pink Dog

She loves all the animals and dolls I've made her, in all seriousness.  But this is the one she carries around, takes to the grocery store, and snuggles with at night.  This pink and white dog, given by a kind co-worker and promptly named Pink Dog.  Sigh.  I can admit it.

I'm jealous.

I wish she loved one of my toys the best.  Yet, it isn't just Pink Dog, L has somehow developed a bit of a dog collection.  It started with John's hand-me-down Bernard.  But it really began when we saw some dog movies: Milo and Otis, Mist, and, well, okay, Hotel for Dogs, and she was given Pink Dog.  Later, when I was sick John got them each a sheep dog from the drug store (each named for the movie: Mist).  Then another co-worker gave them dogs. And there were yard sales, bribery, and grandparents involved.  Now her dog collection looks like this:

Top Row: Coffee Mug, Black and White Dog, Bernard, Pink Dog, Mist, Baby Blue Dog;
Bottom Row: Teacup, Clifford, Grey and White Dog, Hound Dog, Coffee, Biscuit)

At one point, I thought I would just have to design the perfect dog to trump all other dogs.  But now I realize there are too many kinds of dogs, and she's too invested in the community of dogs, and Pink Dog in particular.  We've had dog birthday parties, and made Dog Hotels.  There was the official Dog Meeting, and many dog bedtime stories.  They each have names (some cute, some unconventionally descriptive) and special memories.  I don't love the idea of her collecting every cute factory-made dog in the world, or collecting anything at this age.  But here we are.  It's too late.  She loves them.

And now I do, too.

Because every day I see how fiercely she remembers and cares for them.  You may have to teach children how to talk kindly, share toys, and ask nicely.  But you don't have to teach them how to love.  It will need some guiding and expanding over the years, I'm sure.  But the urge is already there, and that's a beautiful thing.

NOW.  Let me introduce you to J's favorite toy.  She calls her Pink Dog.

J's Pink Dog