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Harvest Colors by Jess of broodbaby

This time of year I am as busy in the kitchen as I am the studio.  The bounty of the summer garden becomes a harvest that needs to be processed, packaged, and stored so that it can continue to nurture us through the long winter months here in New England.  Tomatoes are simmered into sauce, cucumbers are pickled, and fruits of all kind are frozen.  The bounty of goodies requires that I spend quite a bit of time chopping and slicing, but the rewards are many.  Not only will we have a taste of summer available to us in the dead of winter, but I’m finding I’m inspired by the colors around me in the kitchen.  The rich reds of the tomatoes and coral lusciousness of the peaches: suddenly I know what to do with the brightly toned stash of cashmere sweaters that I wasn’t quite sure how I’d repurpose yet.  A creative appetite has been satiated, as well now, as I envision a neighborhood of little playful houses growing on my studio shelves.

My Little House Cashmere Pillows have been a delightfully fun community to build.  Each seems to have its own personality, and all have a secret.  The front door to each one is a pocket!  Use it as a tooth pillow or tuck away messages or a favorite charm.  Perhaps a small little snack for later so that the house that was inspired by my kitchen work can repay its creation with afternoon fortifications.

jessCollage

Easy Frozen Peaches:

10 peaches
the juice of 1 lemon
1/8 cup of sugar

Combine the sugar and the lemon juice in a large mixing bowl.
Slice each peach into eighths.
Toss in the lemon and sugar mixture in two or three batches.
Lay the slices out in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze.  Once frozen, bag or pack them in containers of your choosing for storage.

Listing link:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/160427285/little-house-cashmere-tooth-pillows?ref=shop_home_active
Shop link:  www.broodbaby.etsy.com <http://www.broodbaby.etsy.com>

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What’s new, and, well, natural from the Naturalkids Team on Etsy

Welcome! I continue my trek backwards through the alphabet to bring to you the most wonderful and imaginative treasures. They are all handmade with natural materials from…yes! the NaturalKids Team on Etsy! This week, we feature wonderful variety of artist from who have one thing in common – they all work with natural materials.


Babus – From teethers to felted dolls, everything you see in this shop is made with love and by hand by Michelle in Silver Spring, Maryland. Michelle says,”Using sustainably produced wool yarns, I knit and wet felt all my toys to make them fuzzy, warm, sweet and enduring.”

Here is her Original Baby Chain Wool Felt Toy.

AshperJasper‘s Vicky is an artist/homeschooling Mum (to Asher and Jasper) living in Southern California. Originally from England, she moved here after falling in love with a young American artist on a painting trip to Italy. Her husband has been contributing wooden toys to her store for about a year. Vicky says,”I love that we can work creatively together again! I have to admit that I am a wool addict. I LOVE the stuff. We are a family floating in a sea of wool and wood at all times.” They offer natural wood and wool toys and accessories. Here most recent post to her Etsy shop is an invitation for you to begin felting with her Deluxe Needle Felting Starker Kit for Beginners.

Armadilo Dreams is a husband/wife shop run by Dustin and Amanda. They live in Central Oregon. They say, “We combined our love for our children, natural materials, woodworking and Armadillo Dreams was born! Together we make an awesome team and love to work together as a family.” Here is their Rainbow Birdie and Wooden Egg – Toy Play Set.

Those are the featured new items for this week. What a rainbow of delightful treasures from one of a kind felted baby toys, to felting starter kits to lovely wooden toys! All are made from natural materials and from the hands of folks who love nature, children, and open ended toys. This is just a small sample of the quality and variety our customers enjoy from the fine crafters and artists of the NaturalKids team.

Thanks for joining us this week and please do return again next Monday as we continue to feature all the wonderful members of the Naturakids team on Etsy! Til then, I invite you to browse all our wonderful shops.


Warmly,
Rebecca aka Nushkie
Nushkie on Facebook

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end of summer greens

Thank you to Farida of Alkelda who chose today’s color-themed picks from among the collections of the NaturalKids team.

(above) Holly Berry Fairy Maiden by Nushkie

Pocket dress by GermanDolls

Green elephant applique quilt by SewnNatural

Flowering bushes by The Enchanted Cupboard with dolls by Princess
Nimble Thimble

Sea turtle by Eve’s Little Earthlings

Bathrobe with green leaf by PurePixie

Merino wool by Chimera

Forest by Pretty Dreamer

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Autumn's Orange

Autumn is coming in her full array of colors. Mother Nature has one last burst of color before the great sleep under the layers of white. Here are some more wonderful orange items from the NaturalKids Team.

 Autumn Pumpkin by Nushkie 
 
35 inch Playsilk by BeneathTheRowanTree

 
pure NZ merino wool wrap hoodie by MerinoMe
 Autumn Forest Playset by TheEnchanted Cupboard
 
Sweet Acorn Fall Doll Dress by germandolls
 To find out more about the NaturalKids Team Check out or links:
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Autumn’s Orange

Autumn is coming in her full array of colors. Mother Nature has one last burst of color before the great sleep under the layers of white. Here are some more wonderful orange items from the NaturalKids Team.

 Autumn Pumpkin by Nushkie 
 
35 inch Playsilk by BeneathTheRowanTree

 
pure NZ merino wool wrap hoodie by MerinoMe
 Autumn Forest Playset by TheEnchanted Cupboard
 
Sweet Acorn Fall Doll Dress by germandolls
 To find out more about the NaturalKids Team Check out or links:
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a short trip to the Caribbean….

At least in spirit! Here are some turquoise colored, Caribbean-sea inspired handmade pieces from members of the NaturalKids team on Etsy. Thank you to Cyn from (the beautiful cloth art doll shop) fairiesnest for this week’s selection!

(above) roly poly gnomie, felt friend by woolies

adopt a robot, one of a kind toy by woodmouse

organic short sleeved bodysuit by curlymonkey

needle felted robin’s nest with blue eggs by fairyfolk

organic turquoise burp cloths set by SewnNatural

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White is not a mere absence of color, it is a shining and affirmative thing!

{Title adapted from quote by Gilbert Keith Chesterton)

Thank you to Sue from PolarBearCreations, a shop full of beautiful Waldorf dolls and natural toys, for putting together this selection of handmade pieces from among the NaturalKids artisans.


peace organic onesie by MoonpathDesigns


Juniper, hand knitted sheep friend by Woolies


waldorf window paper star by harvestmoonbyhand


organic baby sleep bag with red poppies by purepixie

organic monkey stuffed animal toy by SewnNatural

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earthy brown + handmade

This week’s themed color selections from the handmade collections of NaturalKids team artisans were made by Kat, from KatsintheBelfry.

(above) PolarBearCreation’s plush owl


MuddyFeet’s tiny bear family with playmat


PurePixie’s organic cotton changing pad


MoonpathDesign’s baby long sleeved onesie


LittleElfsToyshop’s mini poseable bear


BeneathTheRowanTree’s hedgehogs felted Waldorf crown


Woolie’s dolly named Zuri


asherjasper’s needle felted owl ball toy


mamma4earth’s merino yarn doll hair