So many of the crafts and toys we make are played with loved and…well consequentially thrashed (R.I.P dear little tea box train, you were loved). I of course want my kids to play with and enjoy the crafts and toys we make together. However I’ve began keeping a few of them on shelf with the hopes that they will be preserved a bit longer and I’ve been really happy I’ve done so. Now the kids can ask for a specific item to be brought down to play with (the interlocking castle being a big fan favorite around here) and then we put it back up and away when they are through.

I’ve also enjoyed seeing my work all together in one place, and seeing how one thing informs another, and so on. Like our well loved mix n’ match um blocks from three years ago. It was one of my first plunges into making toys out of wood and it’s still a very favorite of mine. I kind of feel like putting all of this “on display” translates into a big messy craft/toy mood board of sorts for me.

This of course only represents a very small portion of things we’ve made. And if I’m being honest, the big beast of crafts and supplies is starting to take over pretty much our entire home…It’s getting a bit out of control and really I should cut back a bit, toss a few things, maybe do a giveaway (would you guys want repurposed toys anyway?).

But for now, I’m enjoying being reminded and inspired by our crafts of the past.