Natural Parenting Blog Party

Today is the first day of the Natural Parenting Blog party over at http://thepeacefulhousewife.com ...This is a great way to find other natural parenting blogs and learn more about each other as well.

GIVEAWAY TIME

It is a Fabulous Natural Parenting Blog Party Giveaway! Who doesn’t love a giveaway? This Giveaway is for one of our Beautiful Rainbow Stacking Toys

Come and ENTER TO WIN

To begin we are asked to participate in answering some questions to get to know each other better:



How many children do you have, and how old are they?

I have three children a son who is nine years old, a daughter who is six years old and another daughter who is three years old.

Do you have a partner, or are you a single parent?

Yes, my husband and I have been married for 12 years this year. I am so glad we have each other .


What are your “hot button” parenting issues?

Circumcision HIS BODY, HIS DECISION .

Vaccination Over Six years of studying the risks and the benefits and I have yet to find any benefits NO VACCINES FOR US

Breastfeeding. When you look at the feeding recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) you will find that the first choice for infant feeding is breastfeeding. If that is not possible the choices are:
“The second choice is the mother’s own milk expressed and given to the infant in some way. The third choice is the milk of another human mother.The fourth and last choice is artificial baby milk (infant formula)” Every baby deserves Breastmilk. If you have trouble contact Le leche league

Homebirth....Had my daughter Peace at home in under two hours. It was bliss and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Pregnancy is not an illness, Trust birth.

Have you made any parenting choices that you didn’t think you would make before you were a parent, i.e. cloth diapering a child when you had previously thought it was disgusting?

Hmm thinking back there was nothing I ever thought was disgusting but I can share my first experiences with cloth diapers.
I had no experience with them and had only seen flat diapers. This was back in 2001 and we didn't even have internet access at the time.
We went to our local drugstore and bought a package of flat gerber prefolds, plastic covers and diaper pins. At the time I thought I was so cool.
I struggled with how to fold the diaper and get it secure with pins on a wiggling baby. The diapers also didn't hold anything and leaked all the time.
I finally gave up and said "Why, do people use those things they are such an inconvenience."

If I had only known about All in ones, wool longies  and pocket diapers.

It makes me happy knowing there are so many choices today. That you do not have to get leaky prefolds and pins and you can get awesome set like this one:

Is there one book or person in particular that’s heavily influenced your parenting choices?

Summerhill:A Radical Approach to Child Rearing. This book was given to me by a friend. When I saw the book at first it was old looking and kinda tattered. I didn't think much of it and set it on the shelf for later reading. One day I found myself with nothing to do, my son was away visiting his Grandmother and my husband was out working. So I pulled the book off the shelf and started reading. Right away from the the beginning I loved the book.

One of my favorite quotes of his is :

"The function of the child is to live his own life - not the life that his anxious parents think he should live."

If you had to describe each of your children using only one word, what word would you use?



Imaginative


Is there one parenting decision that you regret more than others and wish you could change?

I wish I knew more about natural parenting when I had my first child. Back then I was a mainstream mom.
I vaccinated,used Pampers and had no support with breastfeeding. My doctor even recommend using CIO method but mostly I wish I was more educated on Vaccines. If I could turn back time I would have never vaccinated him.

Is there an area of your parenting you wish you were better at?

Organization...Seems like no matter how hard I try I can never keep things organized. Be it clothes, books, cabinets, art supplies they end up all over the place. I have tried using baskets, boxes, crates you name it . Nothing helps. I know where everything is but I just can't stand the clutter. Any tips and advice much appreciated!!

Now for the fun questions – is there one particular food or type of food that you could eat every day?

My smoothies...I love them so much and how I can create something new everyday.

Vanilla ice cream or chocolate?

Chocolate

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Delicious homemade caramels...need I say more!

If you could be part of any television show, which show would it be?

Hmm I do not watch television 

Celtic Flower fairy HandFelted Alpaca fiber hat by Allthingsimple

Celtic Flower fairy HandFelted Alpaca fiber hat by Allthingsimple

Peace and Love for you..

With Valentine's day coming up I thought I would share some of my favorite Valentine Etsy finds.I like to plan ahead especially if i am going to order things for the holidays . Some of these items are custom made so make sure to get your order in so it will arrive just in time.

It takes more than lace and ribbons
And lovely verses too
To make a Valentine
Thats nice enough for you
It takes a world of special thoughts
Tucked into every line
And thats exactly what you'll find
Inside this valentine.

 

This pretty little wand is from Simply Playing by Adolina on Etsy . Simple Playing specializes in creating beautiful Waldorf inspired toys. This would be a perfect little gift for Valentine's day. 

 

Oh how I love thee...Isn't this just the sweetest little cuddly ever. This is Lenora Love folks,  she is a limited Edition Valentine's Day Love bear created by Sleepy King on Etsy.

 

and of course this pretty little watercolor heart card created by Heartful Art on Etsy.

Wednesday Etsy picks - Independence Day

“We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” Thomas Jefferson

 

Since Independence Day is this Sunday - You guessed it ! Why not do a 4th of July Etsy picks theme.It is so much for to shop through Etsy, there are so many great Etsy shops.

 So to Celebrate of nation's Independence we are pleased to feature these three shops:

Sparkleberry Crafts

At Sparkleberry crafts you will find an exquisite collection of handmade hats from Newborn to Pre-teen. When you enter her shop you are greeted with:

 

"All of my hats are made to order, and each is carefully and lovingly made."

Her Etsy pick of the day is titled "The Madison" . It is a crocheted beanie for a 3-6 month old in Red,White and Blue. 

 CrowSmack's Shop

Quirky & Cute Retro Shirts for Babies and Kids! This shop has a wide selection of screen printed shirts. When you enter their shop you are greeted with:

"Our shirts are carefully dyed and screen printed by hand using eco-friendly water inks.

Their Etsy Pick of the Day is Amercican Independence Day T-shirt

 

I love this shirt. I know my son Gabe would totally wear something like this. The price is great for a hand-dyed screen printed shirt. Perfect for Independence Day.

EnchantedSmiles.etsy.com

This shop is very new to Etsy. She makes handmade Tutu's, Headbands and Bows. It is nice to read her Shop announcement

"Put a smile on your little ones face with an enchanted tutu & accessories, crafted especially for your most precious princess and enchanted dreamer."

Her Pick of the Day is

Custom Made Firecracker Tutu and headband

This Tutu is custom made with Red,White and Blue.

Love is in the Air and so is an Awesome Giveaway!

It is Valentine's Day and the air is filled with Love right???? So  Who doesn't love a giveaway! This Giveaway is for a beautiful hand felted Spring basket from Green Mountain Woolies !

 Green Mountain Wee Woolies is a family based business nestled in the Green Mountains of Vermont. They offer hand crafted Waldorf inspired toys.They hand make with a variety of items with recycled and natural materials.

This basket is the cutest little one will ever see. This is the perfect toy for the little nature lover in your family. The basket contains a knitted bunny, a Hen, and some cute little eggs these are sure to  bring endless fun for your child.


Basket has been knit and then felted and embellished with an adorable little  sheep.

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway
***This Giveaway is open to US and Canada with free shipping and to International contestant for a small shipping fee***

There are so many different ways to win. This giveaway will end onMarch 14 2012  at 11:59pm EST. 


Just enter easily by clicking on the above link right through Rafflecopter! 


Easy Peasy :) Goodluck!

Help the Gulf Coast

Right now on Etsy there is a collective etsy shop set up to help the gulf coast recover from the massive BP oil spill. Etsy sellers have donated their items so that 100% of the proceeds can be given to charity. 

So far they have donated $2000 to Oxfam America!!

You can see the blog to stay updated.

http://helpthegulfcoastetsy.blogspot.com

I have donated two items from my shop . If you're interested in donating an item for this shop, please check out the donation guidelines here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop_policy.php?user_id=10158415

You can also find them on

  Facebook
  http://www.helpthegulfcoastetsy.blogspot.com
 Twitter - http://twitter.com/HelpGulfCoast


Here are the two items I have donated from my shop.

A Large Rainbow Stacker



 

A bar of Organic Lavender and Comfrey Soap   

Wednesday Etsy Picks - Eco-Friendly Kids Toys

So today's Wednesday Etsy picks are Kids Eco-Friendly Toys. I had the afternoon to spend some time frolicking through Etsy shops and I think I have come up with some of my Favorite ones. First off is:

The Salty Seahouse 

I was so excited to find this shop. They are filled with beautiful shells and stones handpicked from Florida beaches. When you enter their shop you are Welcomed by their lovely announcement :

Here you will find unique supplies and designs from the east coast Florida beaches. We have a unique selection of Beach stones and shells, and some Beach inspired jewelry and creations as well! Our shop is Eco-Friendly and we love recycling great beach finds.

My Favorite item from this Shop is Kids Rock Buddy  . I mean Lenny is so stinkin' cute . I want him for  a friend. I also know my children will flip if they see Lenny . A little about Lenny:

This fun rock buddy is named Lenny and his birthday is April 18th.Lenny loves the beach, and loves to laugh at your funny jokes.Lenny will keep your secrets and be your buddy for life!

So If you have a moment please check out The Salty Sea House's Shop on Etsy. They have many lovely items to inspire everyone. 

Next shop that I just adore is :

Golden Needle Creation

This Shop is filled with adorable Waldorf creations.When you enter there enchanted etsy shop you are greeted with a magic inspiring feeling.

Original creations and heartfelt gifts are just what you will find here; perfect for children of all ages. I create each treasure with careful attention to detail and all natural, earth friendly materials, recycled and new.

They have beautiful felted items like little kitties,chick and hens. But my favorite Eco-Friendly toy from this shop was Baby Stella








 

Baby Stella is knit from 100% organic cotton yarn and filled with clean and carded wool. I know for sure my two year old would love to cuddle up with Stella and read a story! It is so nice to find Etsy shops that make true lasting lovable toys for children and Golden Needle Creation is definitely one of those shops.

Last but not least is :

MamaK's

At MamaK's you can find the best Gluten Free Play clay! When you enter the shop you can almost smell the essential oils you are greeted by :

Soothing the Creative Beast in Every Household! Squeeze, Mold and Knead Your Cares Away... Made in a gluten free facility

This is so wonderful for children who are sensitive to gluten. As an added bonus the Aromatic clay looks divine. With scents of Lavender, Sweet Orange and Chamomile. 

 

 

There's  no better way to relieve your daily stresses from the day than to sit back and relax and play with some lovely colorful dough with your little ones!



Till next Wednesday

Some new items at my Etsy shop!

With the holidays coming up I am in the process of stocking my Etsy Shop AllThingSimple!

*~*~*~Now currently taking orders for Christmas/Solstice~*~*~

Please pre-order to reserve your items today for the holidays!

All Things Simple is a little shop in northern Vermont.We specialize in all handmade items made from 100% natural materials,paints or fibers. Our passion for crafting is inspired by our children and our Waldorf lifestyle. We are a homeschooling family of Five. We believe in living a simple and natural lifestyle and strive to create a gentle and embracing environment for our children. We feel that natural toys awaken the child's creativeness and awaken their spirits!

We enjoy making things together as a family and we hope that our love shows in our creations. All of the crafts and toys I make are made in the Waldorf tradition, using natural materials and leaving much to the child's imagination.

We hope that you enjoy our shop and will come back often.

Here are some new items: