.: Hand-knit heirloom toys and a surprise for mama too! *Double giveaway!* :.

.: My personal favorite, little Hedgie! Beautifully knitted with care and all natural materials by Down In The Meadow :.

I would like to give a warm welcome to Suzanne of Down In The Meadow.  Suzanne has been a kind friend and also a sponsor on Garden Mama  for a while now.  I am excited to announce her very generous Waldorf-inspired two-part giveaway! Yes, a two-part giveaway! One lucky person will be the winner of everything in this post--five of her gorgeous hand knit woodland animals, in addition to a gorgeous autumnal garland with hand knit acorns, felted leaves, and pumpkins. I have a gardener's garland that Suzanne made for me and it hangs happily alongside my front window. It truly makes us all stop for a minute to smile upon entering or leaving our home!

 

.: The sweet spiral shell on this little snail is too cute!  :.

     .: Interview :.

GardenMama: "I am an enthusiastic advocate for handmade natural toys and the positive impact they can have on one's family life. I can always sense the positive energy and love that is poured into the creations that the artisan has made. Just as important as the food in their mouths, it means so much to me to know who my children's toys are made by. I thought it would be fun to do an interview with the creator of these gorgeous toys so that if you win you will know the sentiments behind them!"

Welcome Suzanne!

.: My children are quite taken with this little fellows tail, I couldn't resist showing all of you! :.

.: An adorable and soft little owl friend! :.

Gardenmama: "Would you share with us some of the inspiration behind your natural handcrafted toys?"

Suzanne: "I am inspired by the truly amazing gift of color..I feel that nature places colors together so beautifully that I cannot help but follow its example.  I chose my shop name "Down in the meadow" as it has inspired me  to create an array of animals and creatures living there.  Meadows go through such seasonal transformations which opens up the wonderful opportunity to create themes. For example:  Spring's gift is the young. Little lambs and goats, young chicks."

.: An Autumn garland, beautifully felted vine, leaves with hanging knitted acorns, owl, collecting basket and pumpkins with it's own carrying bag! Made with love by Down In The Meadow :.

.: A close-up of a beautiful felt leave adorning the Autumnal garland! :.

 Gardenmama: "Would you tell us about the materials you choose for your knitted toys?"

Suzanne: "I choose to use pure wool as I feel the need to honor the past of natural simple living. Touch is so important in our children's development.  How wonderful to provide our little ones with the material that comes from a sheep, goat and an angora bunny rabbit.  That too allows a story to be told as to how their toy came about. I feel energized knitting with pure wool. I can only imagine the same experience happening to our children.  I knit all my toys with wooden knitting needles. The  clicking and rhythm of wooden needles adds to the naturalness of the experience."

.: The Autumn garland with it's colorful felt leaves blending in with the real leaves of the tree! :.

.: A sweet little mushroom of the knit and felted variety! Made with love by Down In The Meadow :.

Gardenmama: "Would you share with us a little about what goes into the making of your toys?"  

Suzanne: "Many hours of enjoyment.  I work from patterns and I am at a stage in my "knitting wisdom" to create a pattern. I seem to enjoy finding the wool first and then imagining how wonderful this color or texture would be if I knitted a horse for example.  Once my creation is knitted, it is sewn up and stuffed with pure fleece. Once that is completed, I then have a good look at it and then love the process of finishing it off. A little shell or two here or a flower or acorn there.  I really do have fun.  All in all, what I make is what I would love my children to have."

.: Close up of the cutest little owl and collecting basket that makes up the Autumn garland! :.

.: I appreciate that Suzanne does not forget any details, the Autumn garland and knitted animals each comes with it's own beautifully sewn bag! :.

What I have learned about Suzanne through our conversations is that she is a warm-hearted friend, an honest and generous craftsperson, and she is very talented and creative in her everyday life with her children as well as when it comes to filling up her beautiful shop! I am happy to share with all of you some exciting news that Suzanne recently shared with me about her upcoming opening of a second Etsy shop named "Little Meadow Babies."

.: Real acorn caps paired with knitted acorns make up this addition to the Autumn garland! :.

Comments will close on Thursday, October 15th at 8:30PM EST.  The winner will be announced the same night at 9PM EST.

Leave a comment for your name to be entered into this two-part giveaway.  When you link to this give away in your next blog post your name will be entered into this incredible two-part giveaway three more times! (This proved positive for my last giveaway winner!)

.: If you have an online shop and have an interest in becoming a sponsor and having a giveaway of your own artistic creations, drop me a note at [email protected]