Introducing Paxton

This is Paxton the fox and no he's never been involved in news night! Paxton is the wee younger cousin of Chester who has been a very popular addition to our Ragtales crew.

At 22cm tall, Paxton is made from a soft chestnut colour velour with a long bushy tail. He has a lovely brown, hand knit stripy top (which no doubt some very determined toddler would whip off and use it to dress another toy) and a purple polka dot lining to his pointy ears. He has a rather smug grin. (I think he knows that he's my favourite Ragtag).

Paxton and his Ragtag friends are suitable from birth and make perfect little baby keepsakes. They are just the right size for little toddler hands, with loveable, tuggable ears, paws and tails. They all come with hand finished, vintage style clothing making them charming and quirky toys.

Here is Paxton helping in the garden. He's checking out the agapanthus that I bought at the flower show a few years ago.

This is Chester. He's a bit bigger at 35cm tall and comes in his own named linen draw string carry bag. He's also a fan of hand knitted waistcoats and likes wearing purple trousers! 

Paxton has lots of other friends and we stock some of them too. Priced at £9.95, they are great little newborn gifts.

So if you are looking for a fox to help out in the garden this summer take a look at Paxton here.

Janne x

The tooth fairy

A customer sent me a little note the other day saying "Logan is so excited to be using his new tooth fairy" and a lovely gappy photo of her little boy. I was reminded of this photo of my own daughter, Eloise taken by Vicki Knights when she was 7 years old. I remember thinking at the time why does she have to lose a tooth a week before the photo shoot? It is now one of my all time favourites precisely because it does mark a precious moment in time of her 7 year old, carefree self. No inhibitions and no self consciousness! She'll hate it when she is 20 I know that I would.

There has been much discussion about the tooth fairy this week as yet another tooth falls out. "Mum, I want you to be the tooth fairy tonight because I really want to keep this one". The lucky tooth has now been consigned to her 'memory box' to stand as a reminder of year 4 and all it's highs and lows! This particular tooth has sparked discussions on the meaning of life, who we are and why we are here. Quite an extensive topic for 9 o clock on a school night. One thing that I'm sure of is the day this one fell out will always be remembered!

We do love our little keepsake gifts here at MYHAH and this is a favourite. A sweet little tangle haired fairy complete with a tiny back pack in which to place the toothy treasure. Dressed in her velvet and net frock she stays safe in her keepsake box. It makes an adorable present for any little girl from 3 years of age.

And boys don't miss out either with this cute little fairy elf in his velvet dungarees with a pocket for the tooth. 

We have lots of other tooth fairy gifts on the website too. Go and take a peek!

Janne x

Molly and Megan

A few months ago I was thrilled to discover Ragtales, a new and emerging toy brand. I'm delighted to be one of the first independent retailers to be stocking their beautiful range of rag dolls and soft toys. I have written about  the Ragtags in a previous blog post here, but I'm  dedicating this one to these two lovelies, the Dollytales.

With soft cotton bodies and plush velour knotted hair tied up with ribbons, these pretty dolls have plenty of character. Friendly, gentle faces with rouged cheeks and freckles will surely make  them firm favourites in the playroom. With timeless appeal, these dolls really hark back to the days when dolls were handmade with love and care, designed to cherish and hand down to the next generation.

Molly has a pretty velour dress with flouncy skirt in a ditsy floral print and net petticoat. Stripey tights and polka dot knickers complete the look! 

Megan is a real cutie in a pink polka dot dress and velour ballet wrap and matching shoes.

Both these dolls are suitable from birth and it is the attention to detail and authenticity that makes them so special. They both come with a cotton carry bag embroidered with their names making them a perfect travel companion for little girls.

These sweeties make delightful keepsake gifts for god daughters, christenings, a first birthday or simply because us Mums find them completely irresistible! This is one lovely testimonial from a thrilled customer:


"Omygiddigoodness the Molly doll is BEAUTIFUL....totally exceeded my expectations and I'm thrilled. My daughter is going to love her. I encourage all those with little girls in their lives to get one too! Thank you!" (Katherine Morgan Textile Crafts) 


I can't wait to see the next range of toys that Ragtales have designed.

Janne x

Jubilations

Jubilations

Britain has gone mad for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations this month and why not? This year more than ever we feel the need to party and the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics are the perfect outlets for us Brits to wave the flag and celebrate all that we do well. We do love a good street party after all!

I remember the flag waving and excitement in 1977. The Silver Jubilee mugs we were given at school, the commemorative coin, a girl guide trip to see the Queen as she came to Cardiff (I lived in Wales at the time), the street parties and party games. I also remember my mother buying a Jubilee Tea set. The only tangible item that remains of that special year is the large Jubilee tea pot and whenever it is rolled out at family gatherings I am instantly transported back to my 'happy go lucky' 11 year old self!

So feeling very nostalgic this week and having just taken stock of some beautiful rag dolls,  I persuaded my own Princess out into the garden for a 1952 inspired tea party shoot!

The gorgeous red, white and blue bunting is from Jacqueline Jones and Eloise is wearing a rosette from Let the fun Begin with the words Jubilee 2012. Both make  really lovely keepsakes of the day

Isn't she sweet? This is Molly from new toy brand Ragtales. With her velour pigtails and freckles, and vintage inspired floral frock she'll brighten up any playroom.

And this is Megan with the prettiest polka dot frock and pink cardi. Both dolls come in their own carry bag with their names embroidered on the side.

This weekend me and my family are going to see the Pageant on the river. We'll wave the flags and join in the Jubilations and long after the celebrations are over I am hoping all the special momentos, bunting, rosettes, trays and cushions I have bought will be happy reminders of the occasion for my children to enjoy in years to come.

Ragtales

Ragtales

I was super excited to discover 'Ragtales', a new and emerging toy brand earlier this month. As an independent retailer of traditional children's pyjamas and toys I'm always on the look out for something different and less main stream to the high street offering. When I discovered the beautiful characters that Ragtales have created I literally felt......well like a kid in a toy shop!

Each character in the Ragtales range has been designed in the Uk. They all have individual stories to tell and are made using plush velours, vintage style floral prints, hand knitted and crocheted garments. 

There is 'Dasher' the cute little dog complete with his own little kennel and bone. He has a removable coat and pink flappy ears.

Then there are the Ragtags. A group of three little characters that will surely become firm playroom favourites.

Peter the hamster. A chunky little fella in a hand knitted coat.

Patch the Mouse. A cheeky character with mismatched ears and pink fluffy slippers.

Poppy the rabbit. A real sweetie with her ditsy floral skirt and pink cardi.

The thing I love about all these toys is the attention to detail. The packaging, labelling and the stories behind each character make them unique. You can see all these characters for sale at http://www.myheartandhome.co.uk and I can't wait to introduce Darcy!