I’ve been working on a few custom craft-along rag doll orders and it’s been such fun! I wanted to share that for a very limited time only I’ll be taking a few more custom orders so if you’re interested please email me. These sweet oversize dolls are perfect for little ones to cuddle and older kids love …
Baby Bat Costume with Cardboard Wings and Ears
Last year I created a series of simple and easy to put together costumes for Kids 21. We had lots of fun with them and with our Playful Cardboard Costume Contest going on I thought it’d be fun to spotlight our little Baby Bat Costume we made with cardboard wings and ears. Depending on the year and …
A Birthday Morning for a Three Year Old
Miss M turned 3 last week. We have a tradition of putting up tape on our kids doorways so that they can jump through it into a new year of life (a tradition we got from my friend Ruth Schultz) so that’s how we started off her birthday. We also give our kids one gift on …
Playful Cardboard Costume Contest!
You guys this is my favorite time of year! I love the end of Sept. which ushers in the beginning of fall while still being a warm with hints of colder weather on the horizon. I love prepping for Halloween but mostly I LOVE dressing up & creating costumes. Of all the costumes I’ve created I have to …
Birthday Wish List for Miss M
Little Miss M’s birthday is coming up, and fast! She’ll be three!! My baby. Wasn’t it just yesterday when this day happened? Last year we had a little house theme birthday party for her with just a few family members. But this year I think we’ll have an official party for her with guests and …
Making an Animal Habitat with Play-dough, Leaves and Twigs
We have a collection of animal figurines (we have a tradition of acquiring one for each kid based wherever we go on vacation-read more about it here) and last week we decided to make a little habitat for some of them using play-dough, scavenged leaves, twigs, etc. This activity is great for toddlers and preschoolers but when my older boys …
Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie
I recently mentioned on IG that we have a Sunday tradition of trying out different Chocolate Chip Cookie recipes and playing around until we find exactly what we like. Well this last Sunday we struck gold! We adapted Tara O’Brady’s recipe and discovered a cookie we just can’t get enough of. 1 c of butter cut up …
Child’s Play by Martha Hatfield
Have you seen the darling images from designer Martha Hatfiel and photographer Jacqueline Hayward’s Child’s Play shoot over on Small Fry? They are so lovely. I love these two sisters and Martha’s perspective on play. You can read more about it here. The Banister House was lucky enough to share it’s walls and love with these girls …
DIY Nature Mask with Leaves and Flowers
We recently drove up to to visit my sister and her family who have left all semblance of urban living behind for the open fields of Idaho. They live a simple life on a farm with tons of room to roam and explore. Making it a perfect spot for us to play and get crafty with …
Sunday Night at Jolly’s Ranch
I love where we live. I love love love the Banister House and all that it brings to our family. And I love that we are moments away from the the mountains, and from the country and also from the “city”. As a mom I’m more content with my little family and in putting down …