Merry Christmas!

It's my favorite day of the year!
I hope you all have an wonderfully relaxing holiday, spending time with the people you love, and soaking up all the good things this time of year brings.

Christmas Gift Guide: DIY Decoupaged Notebook

Can you believe it? Christmas is only 10 days away!
If you're still trying to come up with that special something, we've got a great idea for a gift your kids can make themselves (with only a little help!). This decoupaged notebook is pretty, personalized, and easy on your wallet.

First, find a plain notebook (or sketchbook) that you can decorate. You might even have one laying around at home! Draw a border around the edges.
Have your kids pick out images from magazines that remind them of the gift-receiver, or choose some special photographs to print out. Photos should be cut into squares that will fit into the designated box.
Your kids can now arrange the pictures on the notebook, and once they have decided on the composition, they can glue them on. Then comes my favorite part...the modge-podge!
It's a good idea to do a few layers of modge-podge, and allow for adequate drying time between each coat. You can even have your little one inscribe the inside cover with a special message before wrapping this beauty, and placing it under the tree!

via Design Mom

The babies are coming!

You love babies, right? Well, then this one’s for you...

Do you ever wonder about the significant cultural difference between the babies born here in Canada, and the babies born all over the world? ‘Babies’ is a film coming out in 2010, following four babies from around the world, from birth to first steps. Watch the visually-stunning trailer, and be amazed...

Christmas Gift Guide: DIY Pup Tent

Every child would love to have their own crawlspace...which makes this simple DIY pup tent a great gift idea! Parents can assemble this in the basement, the living room, or even in a child's bedroom! You can even leave the decorating of the tent-space up to the kids...
The tutorial comes from CasaSugar, and can be used for any number of special occasions. She made her's for Park(ing) Day, so her and some friend could get some shade. Find detailed instructions here.
Inspiration for a simpler version can be found here. This tent, made from a simple sheet, would be great for a rainy or snowy afternoon when you're stuck inside with the kids.

via Casa Sugar

We think DREAMING BIG is AWESOME!

Little Bird is honored to carry 'An Awesome Book!', written and illustrated by Dallas Clayton. Based on the simple concept of dreaming big, this book will inspire kids and adults to pursue the passions they dream of, and realize that nothing is impossible.

Dallas says 'There are two kinds of dreams. The ones that you have when you're sleeping, and the ones that you have when you're awake. And that's what the book is about. It's about bringing those two types of dreams together: Your wildest fantasies and your hopes and aspirations. It's about dreaming big.'

Surprised by the thousands of books he was selling, and the amazing feedback he was getting, Dallas began his book tour. His idea was to read the book to as many people as possible, and for every book that had already been sold, he wanted to give one away. And so the 'Awesome World Foundation' began. This foundation exists to promote children's literacy by encouraging kids to dream and dream often. For every copy of An Awesome Book sold by Awesome World, books are delivered directly and distributed to schools, hospitals, libraries, camps and shelters both domestically and worldwide.Little Bird is so pleased to support this foundation. Just like the message Dallas is sharing all over the world, we want kids in Hamilton to know: 'Whatever your dreams are; however crazy they are, how wild or intangible...don't give up. Anything's possible. That's what it's all about: dreaming, giving, sharing, helping other people. That's the goal, that's everything. That's awesome.'

'An Awesome Book!' is available now at Little Bird.