POLKA-DOT PEANUT PARADE

We're always on the hunt for high-quality toys, so I wanted to share a lovely company with you today. Polka-Dot Peanut Parade was founded by Vanesa Stutz, a talented artist who learned sewing as a young girl in her parents' upholstery factory. Fast forward twenty years later and Vanesa is advancing her career in the fashion industry. With the birth of her daughter in 2013, she decided to spend time at home, and after making a rag doll for her once, Polka-Dot Peanut Parade was born. All of the dolls are made from sustainable material and hand-crafted in Los Angeles. Here are a few of her beautiful pieces. 

Friends Forever Doll

Pink Tutu Bunny

Flamingo Soft Toy

Lion Soft Toy

ANIMAL NECKLACE WITH TASSEL DIY

Now here is a QUICK craft! Inspired by those beautiful animal necklaces from designers like Gunner & Lux (those Little Lux pieces are real fashion accessories for little ones), we put together this sweet little DIY for playtime fun. 

You'll need: thick satin ribbon for necklace, thin ribbon for tassel and a small toy animal. 

Cut a thirty-inch length of the thick ribbon. Place the center point of the ribbon at the toy animal's belly. Bring up and tie a knot at the top of the animal's back. 

Cut ten 5-inch lengths of the thin ribbon. Take one of those pieces and tie it around the middle of the bunch. Knot it and bring those ends to join the sides. Trim ends to make even. 

Pull ends down to form a tassel shape. Take another length of thin ribbon and tie it at the top fifth of the tassel. Knot. Trim.

String the tassel onto the thick ribbon. Leave it a couple inches above the animal's bum. Measure the necklace on the recipient's neck. Tie that thick ribbon into a beautiful bow to finish!