The Toby Show

Notice of Huge Sale

Hey, all you chicken farmers out there!  Did you guys see Michelle's note in comments that the Maran Hen at Babus is HALF PRICE?  Bunch of other stuff, too.  Just didn't want it to go unnoticed. 

Sponsor Spotlight :: A Spoonful of Chocolate Hope

My next new sponsor won't be a surprise to anyone who reads this blog regularly.  A Spoonful of Chocolate Hope is a shop I've just recently fallen in love with.  The upcycled handbags and wallets Michelle creates are quirky and craftabulous.  I got one for Mother's Day and was back within a month to buy another as a gift.

I happen to love the whimsy (and colors) of this English Grammar & Composition handbag (any librarians or teachers in the house?) but most of the handbags are classic fiction.  Don't be surprised to find your favorite book of all time in her shop.  And if you don't, no sweat, she takes custom orders too and will painstakingly search for a gorgeous, gently used copy of any book you want.  She also has several bags and wallets from children's favorites that would make wonderful gifts for young girls. 

And before anyone gets bent out of shape about defiling books, the pages of the books are removed in-tact and without damage, wrapped back in the book's sleeve and donated to the International Refugee Committee, a great organization dedicated to humanitarian relief.  Not surprising from a woman who donates 100% of her profits to pulling her parents out of debt and saving the family home her father built with his own two hands.

So with one purchase you are getting something upcycled and totally unique, donating a book to the IRC and helping a family get one step closer to finacial freedom.  Not too bad for a handbag.

Sponsor Spotlight :: Babus

Jemma really only has a handful of baby toys and both of her favorites are from the newest Toby Show sponsor.  Babus makes adorable organic, handknit and felted teethers and toys for babies and kids. 

The Baby Chain and The Original Gnot (the two we have) are to me the pinnacle of design and function in a baby toy--safe, soft, colorful and lightweight.  Totally perfect.  Not to mention natural.  The "water", or whatever the heck it is, in regular teethers has always given me the creeps and with all the craziness over good plastic, bad plastic, Chinese plastic, I just prefer to let my little gummer have a go at something that I know for sure isn't an endocrine disrupter.  Call me crazy.

Michelle goes all the way.  She knits up organically grown and sustainably produced wool yarn, then uses low-impact dyes before making her creations and felting away.  There are no parts to break off and everything is machine washable.

I also love giving babies something with texture.  These toys just feeeeel good, you know? 

Babus has tons of other wonderful creations, too.   Rattles (those cool blue fish up above), finger puppets, crinkle pads, bangles, and you have to check out the speckled hen with a clutch of 6 eggs that fit inside.  Amazing craftsmanship.  I just know one of my chicken farming readers will snap that up.  Yes, I have more than a few chicken farming readers. 

So if you'd like your baby to gum and gnaw on something that's safe, non-toxic and beautiful too, go check out Babus.

Sponsor Spotlight :: Chubbas 'n Boop

You guys know that I'm a big fan of handmade wooden toys.  A huge part of it is just my aesthetic.  I like the way they look.  If my house is going to be filled with kids' toys for the foreseeable future, I'd rather it be filled with toys that increase the beauty of my home.  It just makes me feel better.

Chubbas 'n Boop are makers of such toys.  Heirloom quality wooden barns, kitchens, cradles, pull toys, vehicles and more.  Their work is gorgeous and their prices are reasonable.  This brand new family stacking puzzle is my favorite.  So unique.  Dad, Don, is the toymaker and Mom, Lisa runs a great cloth diapering info site called Cloth Diapering Made Easy.  They are a great team of work-at-home parents doing what they love.

Besides my personal aesthetic, another big win in the handmade toy column is durability.  When I look at a toy to buy for my kids I try to imagine how long it will last.  If I know that it will eventually become trash--and sometimes it is hard to tell.  Well, I just don't really want it.  I want a toy that will last, and not just last through one kid but through as many as I might have.  Through any my sister might eventually decide to have (was that too overt?).  Even through any future grandchildren.  It's not too much to ask.  I know it's not because they exist.  Wonderful people like Don and Lisa are out there making them--and even offering layaway for bigger items like play kitchens.

The truly wonderful thing is that these toys aren't just durable, they actually get BETTER with age.  They begin to tell a story.  Through teeth and crayon marks, dents and dings, they tell the stories of the children who play with them. 

We had brunch at a friend's house not too long ago who is a grandmother.  She pulled out some old toys for Huck to play with and among them was a wooden train similar to this one.  It was no longer the yellow of new, sanded wood--as I'm sure it was when it was presented to its original owner.  It was dark and shiny having been naturally cured and oiled by the hands of all the little people who'd played with it over the decades.  It had the initial M carved into one side, maybe with a nail or a little pen knife--I'm sure M remembers, or at least his mother does.  It was a toy with a history.  I loved that. 

And Huck loved it, too. 

So for toys that will last a lifetime (or two) and be infused with all the love your child puts into them for future generations to absorb, click the ad below or in the sidebar and visit Chubbas 'n Boop.

Sponsor Spotlight :: Mama Merit Badges

I've been a fan of Mama Merit Badges since the first time I saw them on Rookie Moms. 

The idea, the execution, the attitude.  It all rocks.

Basically, Mama Merit Badges take the good old Girl Scout idea of earning badges for your accomplishments and brings it to moms.  We deserve a little credit for the crap we go through!

Had to travel on Jet Blue wearing toddler vomit? 
Sucked it up through back to back cases of mastitis? 
Had to flee the scene of a smash and grab on the spaghetti sauce aisle? 

You deserve something, sister. 

We've all had those moments when a merit badge would have helped us laugh through the pain or take pride in an accomplishment that only another mother could appreciate. 

I think it would be really wonderful if people bought sets of these to just have on hand and then doled them out to friends, neighbors, cousins and sisters when they make it through something tough.  But I also I say buy them for yourself.   As an acknowledgment that you've made it through some pretty hard, scary and embarrassing stuff as a mom.  I mean, get real, you know there will be more!  Maybe a little reminder that you did survive an entire year of reading Going on a Bear Hunt ten times a day will help you realize that you're strong and able and, most importantly...this too shall pass. 

I think they'd look awesome on a baby wrap or a do everything canvas tote bag.  Me?  I've been planning to make myself a strap for my new camera and that's where I want mine.

I'm lobbying hard for a Road Trip Badge.  We're only through the first leg of the Trail of Tears Tour, but I think I've earned a badge for car seat nursing and not holding it together when my son spilled an entire strawberry smoothie in the backseat. 

So if you think you deserve a little nod, or you know a mom who does, click the ad below or in the sidebar and give a little credit where it's due.

Sponsor Spotlight :: hand full

I am thrilled to welcome a new sponsor to The Toby Show.  Hand full is a fantastic Etsy shop full of really adorable, unique, hand-dyed, organic play clothes for babies and kids.

They have hoodies, hoodie dresses, loose fitting "busy" pants and the cutest hooded ponchos I've ever seen. 

Sidebar:  Have I ever mentioned my affinity for ponchos?  No?  I went through a phase when I was about 4 years old where I insisted on wearing a hideous lime green & white knitted poncho everywhere. Regardless of the weather.  Regardless of what other unflattering combination of colors, patterns or styles I might be wearing.  I often wore it with a pair of ugly, pink, rubber clogs I was equally enamored of.  God, I loved that poncho.  I think I'll try to find a picture of me in that poncho.  In fact, now that I think about it, and am reliving my poncho obsession a little bit, I might need to revive the poncho trend for adults.  Are you game?  Maybe it can be my first knitting project.  The ugly pink clogs have already made a big comeback--they're called Crocs.

Anyway, I assure you the shape and name "poncho" are all my green poncho and the hand full ponchos have in common.  Everything these ladies makes is adorable and their line of Easter dresses with little tie front cardigans are to die for--and can be purchased as a set or separates.  Each piece is totally unique with wonderful little embellishments on the pockets here and there.

 
The other thing I love about these clothes is the fact that there are no snaps, button or zippers to fool with.  These are comfortable, pull on, roll around and play clothes and yet they have enough individuality that they're stylish to boot. 

Susan and Rebecca will also make any of their styles in the colors of your choice and are even willing to talk about different applique designs. 

How do you beat that?  You don't.  You click the cute little button below or in the sidebar and go buy some wonderful mommy-made duds.

Sponsor Spotlight :: Woodmouse

This sponsor spotlight is a cautionary tale.  It's for those of you who find fabulous online shops full of handmade wonders that you absolutely LOVE, you bookmark them, you visit them often, you covet.  But for some inexplicable reason, you NEVER BUY ANYTHING! 

Woodmouse is that shop for me. 

Woodmouse is full of clever, whimsical, handmade, wooden toys.  Animals, seasonal fairies, houses, cell phones, writing slates.  All kinds of wonderful goodies.  I love everything sold there but, I've never made a purchase.   Lucky for me, I contacted Amber about being a sponsor on The Toby Show mere days before she stocked her store for the last time EVER!  Giving me not only a chance to share the shop with you but also one last chance to get something for myself.  Just under the wire.

See, that's the trouble with small businesses and individual crafts people--they're just like you and me.  They're often families or work-at-home-moms and sometimes they just move on to a new chapter in their lives.   Sometimes they up and decide that life is entirely too short or too complicated or the sun is shining too brightly outside to sit around making adorable doodads for your children.  Your chance to take advantage of their skills and creativity are gone.  Poof.

Well, not so in this case, but it was so so close. 

Today is the big day at Woodmouse.  The shop will be stocked for the last time at 1:00pm Pacific time today.  These items will go fast so head over this afternoon and see what you can snatch up.  I'll be going for a bunny for Jemma and some houses for Huck.  I like to go green, handmade & sustainable for Easter baskets (here's last year's) and Woodmouse goods will be perfect! 

Get 'em while you can, folks. And be forewarned about thinking a small handmade shop will always be around when you're ready to pony up.

Oh, and congratulations to Amber on the new project that will be keeping her up all night in another 8 months or so.

Sponsor Spotlight :: Stubby Pencil Studio

I have one more great sponsor to share with you!  Stubby Pencil Studio is a wonderful shop that sells eco art supplies, recycled cards to color and non-toxic toys and gifts.

The items pictured above--soy crayons, a spelling spindle, jumbo colored pencils, a make your own vehicle kit and washable markers--were all recently purchased by yours truly to go into either Huck's stocking or a filled wooden art caddy he's getting from Santa.  I can't say enough about these products.  They are all top quality and reasonably priced.  I also bought an amazing set of watercolor crayons, but those didn't make it into the caddy for Christmas.  We used them immediately and they are so much fun!

There's something for every age group at this shop so be sure to visit the site before Christmas and grab up some goodies to make an artsy gift basket, art supply caddy or to fill up those stockings!  It's also a great place for eco-friendly party favors for all those January 2006 birthdays I know are coming up!

And if you were really hoping for the Crayon Rocks from my blogivarsary giveway...this is the place to buy them.

Access the shop through the ad below and the one in the sidebar.

Sponsor Spotlight :: Tre Anelli Jewelry

Another one of those shops where I want to buy everything I see.

Tre Anelli is an Etsy shop and the handmade jewelry Emily sells there is gorgeous and reasonably priced.  I'm in love with her simple style and bright but earthy color palette.  So in love in fact that one of the disc necklaces is now ALL MINE!   A little gift to myself.  I also got another one for an unnamed family member.  Now they're all wringing their little hands and wondering. BWA HA HA HA!

Besides clicking through her ad below and in the sidebar and doing a little Christmas shopping, visit her blog, Adventures in Color, where she offers even more eye candy and some yummy recipes to boot.

Sponsor Spotlight :: A Toy Garden

I love this store!  You just can't beat Sonya's taste and customer service when it comes to natural, high quality toys. 

And besides being natural and non-toxic, most of her toys are handmade, Fair Trade or Made in the USA.  You gotta love that.  They are the kinds of toys you will buy for your children, and then put up and save for your grandchildren.  Plus, 18 of the toys offered at A Toy Garden were recently featured in Mothering Magazine's "Best Natural Toys of 2008" (Nov/Dec Issue on stands now).

For Christmas this year, I've already ordered and received several items from A Toy Garden: the peg people car & the doctor's kit (pictured above) and a wonderful Handmade Fair Trade art caddy that I've stocked with natural art supplies.  So I can vouch that A Toy Garden is a wonderful place to take care of some of your Christmas list.  You can also set up a wish list or a gift registry for grandparents.  Sweet! 

Access A Toy Garden from their Ad here and in my sidebar and enjoy shopping!