Create + Play on Etsy - Chaunie Brusie

For my daughter’s 5th birthday last month, we took a fun little trip to the local aquarium, where I got to catch up with my long-lost cousin, Kristi.

Kristi and I went to school together way back in the day, when we sported plaid skirts and practiced gymnastics at recess and these days, we’re both stay-at-home moms to a bunch of little kiddos. Kristi gifted my daughter with the cutest little wooden peg dolls as her birthday present and as it would turn out, she actually made them herself.

I’m always in awe of moms who craft, because it’s so not my jam and I am actually pleasantly surprised to tell you all that the peg dolls are a hit in my house-even amongst the 10,000 other toys my kids have. Jake, especially, has taken to the “Sven” peg doll that she made. He carries it around everywhere and for some reason, tucks him to sleep under the chair cushion in my office. (What the..?)

Kristi just opened up an Etsy shop to sell her creations, which include custom peg dolls, cake toppers (such a good idea for kids’ birthdays!!), and fun felt toys. Some of my favorites from her shop are:

1. Pizza felt fun

Image: Createandplay

My kids would love this! I usually am stuck with some napkin pizza when my kids play pizza parlor at home. This is much more appetizing, no? (Createandplay, $8.99)

2. Birthday cake toppers

Image: Createandplay

Almost every year, I get suckered into buying some kind of expensive cake topper for my girls. (One year, I did the Barbie cake and spent way too much on a Barbie whose legs I ended up chopping off.) But I love the idea of using these-cute and much more affordable. (Createandplay, $4.99)

3. “Frozen” peg dolls

Image: Createandplay

The fan favorite in our house-these wintery snowflake Princesses are perfect for the Frozen-obsessed girl who most definitely does not need more plastic in her life. #holla (Createnadplay, $4.99)

4. Felt farm set