Huggable treasures from Trudi (giveaway c/d 23 October 2012)

Soft toys are a vital part of childhood. I remember my two favourite teddies, one bright red, another blue, that were hugged tightly every night, when I was a child. I believe my Mum still keeps them at her place. They were my buddies in whom I confided my fears and hopes.
Toys are so important in a child's develoment, both physical and psychological. Child's imagination is getting more elaborate, advanced and mature, thanks to the role-play and toys.

John Crane Ltd is a well known and loved name, associated with toys for children (and grown ups too who love toys). And if you are lucky enough to live nearby Duston, John Crane Ltd are having a big toy sale on October 12-13 at the Duston Community Centre. There will be hundreds of toys on sale. What can I say? I wish we lived closer. 


As my second blogversary is happening in October, I approached a few of my favourite brands, asking to sponsor a giveaway for my blog readers. John Crane Ltd kindly offered two lovely soft toys from Trudi.

One is an adorable little squirrel. Just look at that fluffy tail!

Another toy to be won is a cute little horse. It is a bit melancholic, I think it wants to be loved and cherished.

Trudi's cuddly animals are fabulous children's toys.

"High density fur fabric is used for each piece of the toy ensuring that the fabric backing never shows through, and special fabrics are sought to match the real-life animal as much as possible. Also each toy is double stitched to ensure durability and longevity. Every toy is hand finished to create a unique expression on each and every animal face."

Trudi is a well known Italian toy company, much loved by both children and adults. It has been spreading cuddles, love and happiness for over 50 years. Trudi toys are perfect for make-believe games, which are so important in a child's development. Role playing games with soft toys allow young children to explore adult roles and relationships.

If you observe children during role playing games, you will find out a lot about a child's psychological state, her idea (or a lack of) of gender roles, the interpretation of the world around us and children's perceptions of the family life. So much is revealed during the make-believe playing.

My younger son Eddie loves playing with soft toys, he cuddles them, puts them to bed and covers them with a little blanket, feeds them, they travel with us into the town centre and "enjoy" a cup of tea in the local cafe, they go out in the garden with us, they listen to the music and do lots of many other things. And they are very loyal, they never complain and are always happy to see you.

If you have a little person who would give a loving home to either a soft squirrel or a soft horse, please enter the rafflecopter. Answering the question is mandatory, all the other options are bonus entries. Please also mention which toy would you like to win: a squirrel or a horse: if you don't specify which toy you would like, a toy will be selected for you, if you win.

Good luck, everyone!





a Rafflecopter giveaway

Two-year-old's busy life

And you thought your life is busy? When you are two, you are constantly on the move.
Eddie is a very active boy, he hardly ever sits still. So many things to do, so many toys to play with.

There are lots of cars to play racing games with. We have quite a collection, which we built over the years, starting with the times when Sasha was a little boy. Now that Eddie inherited his older brothers' toys, they keep him entertained for long chunks of time.

He loves his crayons and pencils as well. Colouring is such a fun creative activity. I am amazed at his dexterity and patience. A perfect time for me to do a bit of blogging, when Eddie is sitting quietly next to me, absorbed in his creative process.

Puzzles are another of our favourites. You think he might be just putting the pieces together. But in fact he is developing his critical thinking skills, motor skills and problem solving abilities.

And what about playing outdoors? Jumping on the trampoline is so much fun. You feel like flying in the air. Simple pleasures of life.


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Books. Who doesn't love them? Peppa pig, Elmer the patchwork elephant, Kipper the dog are our family, we keep discovering new stories and following new adventures.

And of course, there is an ipad (when the big brother is not watching that Eddie has taken his ipad yet again). With so many ipad apps for preschoolers it's not easy to keep up. Right now we're enjoying Peppa Pig's Sports day.

Teddies, the last time I counted, we had 27 of them, of different sizes and ages, including one that belonged to Eddie's Dad when he was a child. We love teddies. The most huggable material in the world.

But if you ask Eddie what his favourite toy is he will tell you - Pandanka.

Pandanka is Eddie's name for a little panda from Trudi/John Crane Toys. It truly is softest of soft touches. Totally adorable and small enough to carry around.

First thing in the morning, when Eddie wakes up, he is looking around and asks "Pandanka sleeping?" We have to take it with us when we are out and about.

And just before going to bed, Eddie wraps his beloved Pandanka in a small blanket and wishes it Night-Night. As Pandanka moves around the house, there is often a frantic search before bedtime to try and find her, and being cheeky, she likes to hide.

Trudi's animals are realistic and lifelike children's cuddly toys.
"High density fur fabric is used for each piece of the toy ensuring that the fabric backing never shows through, and special fabrics are sought to match the real-life animal as much as possible. Also each toy is double stitched to ensure durability and longevity. Every toy is hand finished to create a unique expression on each and every animal face."

Trudi is a well known Italian toy company, much loved by both children and adults. It has been spreading cuddles, love and happiness for over 50 years. Trudi toys are perfect for make-believe games, which are so important in a child's development. Role playing games with soft toys allow young children to explore adult roles and relationships.
If you observe children during role playing games, you will find out a lot about a child's psychological state, her idea (or a lack of) of gender roles, the interpretation of the world around us and children's perceptions of the family life. So much is revealed during the make-believe playing.


Our Pandanka has a wistful smile on her little face and kind eyes. She is a mini-Eddie, a cheeky little thing.
When you are 2, your life is one long role-playing game, full of joy and discoveries. And that's not even half of the activities we do on any given day. There is garden and all its joys of jumping in the puddles, watering the courtyard, picking the berries. Cooking together with Mum. Eating cakes and cookies. Learning all the time, making new discoveries every day.

When you are 2, you are not only a toyologist by nature, you are a micro- and macro-cosmologist, sociologist, neologist and also chaologist, to name but a few activities.

Grandpa in search of love

Lonely hearts ad: I am a good looking chap. Don't have bad habits. Looking for romance.

In them good old days I was a sailor.

I used to date a giggly Russian girl who loved her food.

The single farmer next door said her hands are full already, what with all her livestock and the farm, and she is not looking for a relationship.

I might have a free bus pass...

... but I am still young at heart, and I am looking for a companion to spend the days lounging together, watching TV and listening to the birds in the garden.

P.S. You might be asking what's all this about and whether I have lost the plot.
Actually, I haven't. John Crane Ltd have been sending a hundred wooden granpas and grandmas to bloggers around the UK. To see our adventurous grannies and grandpas, have a look at John Crane Facebook wall and/or visit the Blog-Match.

Emma Talbot's enchanted world

Emma Talbot, a talented illustrator and mixed media artist, has joined John Crane Ltd. Now, if you have kids, you must have heard of John Crane's fab toys.

This year all new Tidlo toys from John Crane will feature Emma's illustrations.
Emma Talbot has been working as a designer for over 14 years after graduating with a B.A Honors Degree in Graphics Illustration.

On her blog she says that she loves making people smile with her work.
Her little bunnies, birds and other little creatures are very kind, gentle, gracious, warm and charming. They would appeal to both children and adults alike, as they open the door to the kind-hearted world, where magic things might happen. Entering her art portfolio is like joining in the enchanted world of fairy tales with happy endings.

I saw an appeal to bloggers on John Crane's FB page to review Emma Talbot's limited edition print, and was delighted to be one of the lucky bloggers who received a lovely print.
Eddie was smitten, as the print shows a very cute panda. He keeps pointing, saying Bear, bear.

As you can see, our little Panda bear has soulful eyes and a warm smile, and this print will look lovely in any nursery room or child's bedroom. We are going to frame it for Eddie's bedroom, so that when he wakes up, a kind Panda will smile to him.

Having browsed through Emma's illustrations, I kept thinking that they would make perfect stamps (like Stampin'Up kits) when you stamp several layers of colours one over the other.

I think John Crane Ltd are very lucky to have Emma working with them.

All images were provided with John Crane's and Emma's permission.