Wooden Animal Toddler Gift

I am in love with these little animals. Isn't it funny how *proud* of yourself you can feel for something so simple to make?? I love the look of these....that watercolor wash that still lets you see the grains, the simplicity of the patterns. What I love most of all is that these toys encourage imagination without all the bells and whistles of modern toys. I've tried my best to fill my house with toys that are simple and inspiring, rather than overwhelming with all the technology. 

 These toddler toys were made for my nephew for Christmas (sorry for the preview Sis!!). It only took an evening to finish it all!! So easy. I found the pattern/tutorial for the bird HERE. The rest of animals were made in the same way, but based on sketches I found online and blended with my own drawings. They've got a great folk art feel to them. 

Someone is in love with Kangaroos right now. :-)

 I used watercolor paints to color them and a coating of beeswax to seal them. 

Of course, I picked my Nephew's favorite animals....minus a cow, which split in two during the scroll saw step. Well, everyone else turned out fine. Phew!!

I shared this post at these fabulous Linky Parties:

Frugalicious Friday

Three Or More Tuesday

Works For Me Wednesdays

Standing Joy

I like that name: Standing Joy. :-) Wanna make this??

You'll need:

Wood letters (found mine at A. C. Moore) 

Hot Glue/Wood Glue

Paint

Wine Corks

(sidenote: I used hot glue to attach the letters together but I just broke one by mistake.....perhaps wood glue instead?)

~Take your letters and glue them into the position you'd like them to be standing in with the hot glue. 

~Paint each letter individually.

~Use hot glue to attach the corks to each other to make a flat base. I glued mine while they were already on a flat surface to make sure that they'd be even. 

~Take one cork and slice out a rectangular shape that wide and long enough to fit the bottom letter into and hot glue it into place. 

Pretty simple, eh?? My favorite kind of project!!

I shared this project at these fantastic linky parties:

Frugalicious Friday
Three Or More Tuesdays
Works For Me Wednesday