Just two more sleeps and we can open the first doors of our Advent Calendars! I love this time of the year… the countdown to Christmas, Nikolaus that comes on the 6th, Lucia celebration here in Sweden and lots of red cheeks and gingerbread baking.
Together with my friend Claire from Craft Make Play we have this great Advent Calendar free printable for you. If you are in a hurry for a calendar this is perfect. Just print the page. Cut out the days. Colour them or leave them black&white for monochrome lovers. Stick onto 24 cute little paper bags or paper cups {or what you find at home} and fill.
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I had some great ideas for stocking & advent calendar fillers a few days ago, little boxes of raisins, balloons, stickers and such are also great!
I would love for you to share a picture of our Advent Calendar free printable in your house on Instagram and tag ‘craftmakeplay’. Thank you!
And psssssst… in our next newsletter I will add two EXCLUSIVE free printable for some more Xmas fun with your little ones. Make sure you are on the list!
Malu Organic has a little story and it started some time during our epic road trip this summer. We were in Santa Barbara and just wandering through the city on the way to the park. Looking for a little shop or cafe to take some drinks with us. When we {well me} stumbled upon a little corner with a cute cafe, a French bakery and two shops. They looked quite interesting from the other side of the road. Exactly. It was very necessary to check this all out. Of course!
In one of those shops I discovered Malu Organic
… and had to buy two pairs of pants for Joséphine. A few days later I then discovered that the shop, called DIANI, has a blog that I follow for quite some time. That was why I had the feeling that I know where I am without really knowing because I have never been there before. If that makes any sense to you.
And then I wanted to tell you about Malu but there were not many lovely pictures on their website. Until now. With the launch of their new A/W collection they also did a little look book and I am happy to introduce you to Malu Organic today.
{and congrats if you managed to read until here, promise you are in for a treat} [read more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
It is a family business, creating beautiful, high quality, sustainable kids clothes. Everything is made from a 55% hemp & 45% organic cotton blend that is great for your child’s skin and better for the environment. {than non-organic} It is soft, light and very durable.
‘We’ve created an ethical brand that is 100% Eco-friendly, using the softest, most comfortable fair-trade organic cotton and hemp fabrics, and environmentally friendly, solvent-free inks and natural dyes. We strive to be sustainable and to have a small footprint, sourcing our materials from as close to home as possible.We use organic cotton because farming cotton conventionally requires more chemicals than any other crop, so choosing organic means our water, soil, and air are a little better off.‘
The design and print is done in the brand’s own studio. The rest in downtown LA. Using fabrics made in the USA, or from fair-trade sources.
Malu Organic create their own colors and all pieces are garment dyed, giving them the unique feel of each piece.
When I saw the brand in store I was smitten right away!
Next to the pants I absolutely adore the TIPI dress, it is cool, fun and so functional. {shame they did not have in the store}
Mouse in the House is the name of a fairy-tale like new knitwear brand for kids and babies.
Inspired by nature and very dreamy and whimsy. The pieces are perfect for this season.
Mouse in the House was created by husband and wife Ashley and Scott Jensen. Living in a rural community near Seattle, raising two young daughters and being surrounded by natural beauty, the business was born out of a love for knitting and an obsession with high quality children’s products.
“Beautiful things are made through patience, attention to detail, and ideal circumstances. We strive to honor that process by creating goods for children using ancient crafts such as hand knitting and embroidery that require slow stitch after slow stitch, employing women in developing nations at an above-average wage, and seeking out nature’s finest materials.” [read more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
The beautiful embroideries remind me of the fern we find in the forest and the tiny mittens are just waiting to be worn by little hands. And I will say it again – high quality knitted garments can be passed down to siblings, kept for grand children and will become a memory of a wonderful period in your child’s life. Everything is made from pure and soft merino wool.
And it is companies like these that make the love for small businesses grow. The stories, the passion, the people behind it, the deep will to produce sustainable and high quality products. Values, love and believe me… every order one makes puts a smile on their face!
Mouse in the House reinvest 5% of all sales directly into the Nepalese communities where the products are made. I love that they have a page with pictures and names of the ladies who knit and work with them.
All images by Candice Hackett.
2nd image by Veronika G Photography.
Can you believe that we will light the first Advent candle this Sunday? The year is nearly over… I am not ready yet. Are you?
I promised the kids that we will get the Christmas boxes upstairs and start with some decorating. We have a Christmas coloring poster in the kitchen and the kids add a little sparkle every day.
Do you have all the gifts? Advent calendars ready? Decoration up or maybe even a tree in the house already?
… but right now I want you to make a cup of tea, take a little cookie if you want to and read on. I have some lovely things in this Friday list like the wonderful Advent Calendar on the first picture. Maybe an idea in case you have no plans for the upcoming week end {… yah, I know… very unlikely}: [read more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
Aro for kids with sweet cushions and lovely wall decorations.
25% off and free shipping & the best sparkling outfits – Eden & Zoe.
Oscar’s can sit, play, crawl… just like a normal dog! By Architect Made.
Sweet little bear with matching back pack and book!
Hang this Moon Phase Charm from the ceiling and let it dance in the air.
Do not forget to join our Instagram give away we run together with Petit Kolibri – the best alpaca goodies!
Paulina Umstandsmode (Maternity clothes) – they have such stylish clothes. Are you pregnant – lucky you!
I love this selection of ‘pretty things‘.
Limited Edition hand sewn “La Petite Parisienne” doll. Love the baguette and croissant accessories.
My Leonor would love that dress.
Junior Edition added books to their sortiment. Just the best of course! Have a look, books are always make a great gift!
In January I will attend Pitti Bimbo and Playtime Paris and then in February Ciff Kids – will I meet you there?
2000 sheets of high quality paper on wheels. As a little table or a great creative tool for the kids. Love it!
Next to my big love for everything knitted, I have another very soft spot: Wooden Toys!
Well made, pure wooden toys. I shared many during the years here on Paul & Paula and I tried to find a few not so common and rather new products for this gift guide. I hope you enjoy and that I can inspire you. These toys are true keepsakes and will bring joy for years to come: [read more=”Read more” less=”Read less”]
