We had so much fun creating this tiny pumpkin patch playset for our little friends (in this case, Calico Critters). Emily has been busy helping me make this, and then playing with it all day!
First, we made tiny pumpkin seed packets with some paper and flax seeds. Dog got to work planting the pumpkins right away.
Then, a tiny vine (yarn with some felt leaves) started to grow….
The first pumpkin appeared (An acorn with the cap removed, painted. Does it get any more frugal than that?), but it was green! At this point, Bunny started to become very impatient and declared that these pumpkins were taking forever to grow. Emily tried to distract him with things he likes to do, and that seemed to help pass the time.
Finally!! The pumpkins turned orange! Bunny and Dog set out to pick their pumpkins. Bunny, however, was quite particular about his pumpkins… “This one’s too small. This one’s too big…” They were both so excited to see so many pumpkins to choose from!
They went home, and made Jack-o-Lanterns…..
…and lots of pumpkin pie (an acorn cap filled with some felt)!
Note: If you plan on keeping your pumpkin playset for an extended period of time, roast the acorns in a slow oven first, be careful not to burn them.
So much fun!!!
Dear Valerie,
What are the odds that I will step on one of these (barefoot) in the middle of the night? I'm not sure if I am up to date with my acorn shots..
Love,
Mark
Now, this is definitely the cutest thing I have ever seen! How on earth do you think of these things?
Mark,
I think the odds are pretty good that you are going to step on one of those in the middle of the night. At least in our house you would! Good luck with that. Maybe Emily is better at picking up her toys/playthings than my children.
You are amazing 🙂
adorable =)
So freakin' adorable. I'm impressed time and again by your creativity.
So freakin' adorable. I'm impressed time and again by your creativity.
that's just ridiculous it's so cute. i would love to get donut some calico critters… she doesn't have any girl toys for the most part. i wonder if i could find a bunch of them used on ebay!
That is really cute!!
This is so awesome. Really amazing
Oh my goodness, this is so cute! We just got a bunch of acorns and slow-roasted them (although I'm not sure if I slow-roasted them properly…how did you do it?) The plan was to turn them into pumpkins, but now I'm totally going to copy this. What a fabulous idea!!
Elizabeth
I am having a hard time processing how incredibly cute this it. I have always loved the miniature and those pumpkin pies, oh my goodness!
@ Elizabeth — 250 degrees for about an hour will do the trick. Also, we found the best way to coat the acorns was to dip them in orange paint, instead of brushing the paint on. Hope this helps, it's so much fun!!
Pero qué cosa tan dulce! 🙂
That's so cute. Where do you store all of these little things? Is there a Princess and the Pea and a pumpkin patch box. 🙂
That is the cutest thing I've ever seen!
I'm glad my daughter didn't see this or she'd have me working on one right now!
Oh my. This is almost more cuteness than I can take so early in the morning. I LOVE it! You are so creative. Those vines are fabulous.
OMG… I have not been here in far too long. This is completely adorable! Cyan has a doll house that I do this type of stuff with quite a bit. We make pumpkins out of flower husks… but acorns are a GREAT idea! I will have to keep that in mind for the future doll house gardens.
Love Val
You really make the most with your alone time with Emily. I can imagine the two of you hatching the plan and then executing all the while having so much fun.
Everything is always so imaginative with you! I adore that patch. I feel like reading your blog makes me a better mom, cause one day I can use your inspirations to help foster creativity in my own child.
@ Rachel — I tried to warn you! Hee hee! So happy you'll be linking.. thank you!
@ Val in the Rose Garden — Pumpkins from flower husks sounds super-cute too!
@ urban craft — Wow, your comment just made my day! That is so awesome, thank you!!
How sweet! I love this!
What an adorable playset! I really love the action shots of the little "friends" 😀
Too cute!!
That is super cute and looks like fun to play with.
Thanks for linking.
That's so cute. I love the vines and seed packets and the story! You can also make pie using bottle caps. Here's a photo of my pies: http://www.flickr.com/photos/katydiddes/2974743869/in/set-72157608393398855/
this is just TOOOOOO cute – especially since we have Calico Critters here and my DD plays with them everyday.
I'd better get to work, LOL!!
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!