If you've read this blog for any time, you will know that I am inspired by children's artwork, so much so, that I tape my kids' art to my walls and have it spilling out of my drawers.  Even more than the crafts or projects that my kids bring home from school, I am crazy about their doodles.  The notes they write on little scraps of paper, on the backs of envelopes-- I adore them.  They're just so spontaneous and quirky, and if I could I'd plaster them on every surface I own.  (OK, maybe that's an exagerration.) 

A few years ago, I was trying to think of different ways to use Elliot's doodles, and I decided to put together a letter writing kit for him for Christmas using his scribbles as design elements.  After the gifts were all opened that Christmas day, he sat down right away to write my grandparents a note, and since then he's used his letterhead in countless ways, which have resulted in even more fabulous doodles.

I've found that although we have a wide variety of toys, my kids mostly want to pretend to be doing the stuff that big people are doing, and honestly, I remember the same was true for me as a kid.  I've loved stationery and paper products since I was little-- if my Mom gave me some of her old checks or some index cards, I was busy and happy.  I still remember an old fashioned stationery store in Indianapolis (aptly named Stationers) that was like a candy store to me, in all of it's bland officy-ness.

So, that is the inspiration for Busywork, a line of printable paper goods for kids (and eventually parents too), designed to keep them busy and happy.  My first selection of goods is in the shop now, including a set of stationery that can be customized with your kids' doodles.  If you don't have any of those handy right away, I am also offering some paper goods that are customized only with names, so that your child can get busy too.