DIY Play kitchen - Part 1

I love Ohdeedoh and I check in daily to see what's new. If you're a reader you already know that Play kitchens are HUGE there, especially the homespun kind. Many readers have sent in gorgeous photos of play kitchens they've put together for their kiddos with results that surpass by far IMHO any run of the mill plastic big box kitchens you could purchase! I've been so inspired and have had my eyes on the lookout for any old chest/cupboard/bookshelf/scrap wood that held potential to become a custom built kitchen for my daughter. I enlisted my mom's help on this one and she was kind enough to donate an old vanity table and a stainless steel mixing bowl to the cause. Our play kitchen is still a work in progress. We're ever so patiently waiting for our handyman A.K.A DH to help get things on the road...

If you've been thinking about the idea yourself and could use a nudge in the right direction, check out Ohdeedoh's roundup of awesome DIY play kitchens.

This is our before picture, after the sink installation.

But there has been some progress; We've got the sink installed, a sink skirt and the oven knobs in place. We have a faucet in waiting, another donation from my mom, and I plan to make an apron, some dish towels, oven mitts and maybe a potholder or two to coordinate with the sink skirt. The plan is to replace the bottom two shelves on either side with a plywood door to make an oven and a fridge. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to make burners out of and it would be nice to add a shelf or two over the sink area...I'm keeping my eyes peeled...

A work in progress...

I've got tons of sewing to do, between the kitchen accessories and the felt play food to stock the kitchen with the next few months are going to be busy. I'm excited though for when everything is complete then we can invite ourselves to DD "house" for dinner, I could use a night off!
Stay tuned!

Here come the Russians!!

Okay, well sort of...Matryoshka's AKA Russian nesting dolls seem to be all the rage right now and I have to say that even I have been taken by their eclectic charm and design appeal. These dolls sure aren't just for kids anymore, they're turning up just about everywhere and on everything! So as promised here's a roundup of my favorite etsy finds for the category:

These are Ravenhill's "Scandinavian Matryoshka's". I love the whimsical fabrics and their unique look, they can be found at her Etsy shop, here.

I'm totally loving Fambee's Matryoshka cellphone/mp3 "poppets" great for making a statement on the go. With a handy clip handle these can be strapped onto a diaper bag or stroller. They can be found at her Etsy shop.

All the way from Canada! This is just one of Modisteme's plush Matryoshka dolls in a great hugable size. Buy one at her etsy shop.

This adorable fabric from starlitnest's shop could be great framed or stretched over canvas, cut some out for a one of a kind embellished onesie! available in several cuts, buy some here.

These doll's are even showing up as ever popular wall decal's. Available in a wide range of colours, check out Holly's version here.

Sewsewsuckurtoe's offering Mommy and Baby Matryoshka set's. The "baby" fits in the mommy's pouch! Available at her etsy shop.

Enna's matryoshka dolls wrapping paper is almost too pretty to use. Wrap your matryoshka gift's in it, frame it for insta-art, cover a book, the options are endless! get some here.






I'm anxiously waiting for the arrival of these Babushka's at Rosehip's new Etsy shop! sign up for the early bird notification on her blog.