Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Horsing Around {GIVEAWAY}

Life with two toddlers pretty much guarantees that your home is filled with brightly colored plastic toys that take up way too much room and totally negate any semblance of style you've tried to give your space.  So with the holidays just around the corner, I went on a quest to find some gifts for Gabrielle and Alaina that wont' require me to put on sunglasses when I enter my own house, and I was so excited when I found just the thing.


Hobby horses from Manely Recycled!  Just look at the cuteness!


I know, I know, you're probably thinking that you can get hobby horses anywhere but the ponies from Manely Recycled are really unique.  Each one is handmade by Amy, a mom to three boys under 4, from recycled and upcycled materials she buys from thrift stores, which makes every horse one of a kind. She says her boys fall in love with each pony she creates and they love to see photos of them in their new forever homes.  Does it get any sweeter than that?

I can totally see how Amy's little guys would be head-over-heels for this Puff Dragon version:


Your little princess will love riding off on the Pink Leopard pony!


Or these fabulous unicorns.


And the plaid reins on the Molly horsey make me smile.


Amy very generously sent me a pony for Gabrielle and Alaina to try out.  I was immediately impressed with the details.  The yarn mane is super soft and the length of the dowel is perfect for toddlers.


And our guy has a pretty brown button eye!


It was love at first sight for Gabrielle.  She gave the pony kisses.


And stroked his mane.


She even took him for a ride on her rocking cow.


Unfortunately, I can't show you what Alaina thought because when I tried to give her the pony, Gaby held tight and gave me this face:


Yeah, we're still working no that sharing thing.  Obviously, I'll be ordering another hobby horse from Manely Recycled before World War III breaks out at our house!

If you're like me and like buying mom-made green products then the ponies from Manely Recycled should be going on your holiday list, which is why they're one of our HOLIDAY GIFT PICKS.


And if your little one loves polka dots or is all about the color yellow, Amy can make custom a pony to your specifications (provided she can find the right materials).  Because each horse is totally handmade, make sure you place your order before December 5th to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas (you can pay for expedited shipping after the 5th too) or if you miss the deadline, you can buy the little cowboy or cowgirl on your list a gift certificate instead.



And boy am I glad to find a great gift that my kids love without any bright plastic or batteries required.  Hallelujah!


Amy has graciously offered to give away one custom-made hobby horse to a lucky AFOMFT reader!  To enter, visit Manely Recycled and post a comment here telling me what you'd like your horse to look like if you win (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:
  • Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber.
  • Visit Manely Recycled on Etsy and add the store to your favorites.
  • "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook 
  • "Like" Manely Recycled on Facebook and leave a comment that A Few of My Favorite Things sent you.
  • Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.  
  • Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  It's the Holiday Happening on @AFOMFT w/ a giveaway-a-day all month! #Win an upcycled hobby horse 4 your kiddo - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
  • Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - Vote For Us @ topbabyblogs.com Top Baby Blogs.  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
  • Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
  • Grab our HOLIDAY HAPPENING button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
  • Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.
Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends November 30th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on December 1st. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

Please note that Manely Recycled sent me one hobby horse for the purpose of this review.  No other compensation was received.  The opinions I've shared of their products are my own and yours may differ.

Images: AFOMFT & Manely Recycled
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137 comments:

  1. I love these! I think I would pick the Molly hobby horse.

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  2. I added Manely Recycled to my favorites on Etsy.

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  3. I voted for AFOMFT as best baby blog.

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  4. I love these and I would want a purple unicorn! SOO CUTE!

    breahardesty4@aol.com

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  5. I love the Dapple grey one and there was one with sparkily blue fabric that was adorable!!

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  6. I am a subscriber to AFOMFT E-Mail.

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  7. I <3 MR on Etsy as Blushing Baby.

    breahardesty$@aol.com

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  8. I am already a fan of Manelt recycled on FB... but gave them some love saying u sent me :)

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  9. I was already a FB fan of MR, but showed some love anyways!! :]

    breahardesty$@aol.com

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  10. I voted for you!

    breahardesty4@aol.com

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  11. FB'd about this giveaway! Here's the link!

    http://www.facebook.com/blushingbabyboutique/posts/125761600817518

    breahardesty4@aol.com

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  12. I love these! I would a light pink unicorn with a star sewn on and lots of fuzzy yarn hair! That's what I would choose...but there's no telling what my daughter would want! ;)

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  13. Already a fan of Manely Recycled by audioamy but sent love!

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  14. I follow your blog :) My daughter would go bananas for one of these!!

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  15. The Purpura pony is adorable!!! :) I would definitely pick that one.

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  16. I would love it to look like Molly the Hobby Horse. I love that one.
    pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

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  17. I subscribe to email
    pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

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  18. I heart the Etsy shop as FrollicksandFrills88
    pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

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  19. Like you on FB
    Chelsei Ryan
    pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

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  20. Like Manely Recycled on FB
    Chelsei Ryan
    pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Voted on Top Baby Blogs
    pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

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  22. 1-Posted on FB

    http://www.facebook.com/ManelyRecycledbyaudioamy#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=109935832410325&id=843349308

    pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

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  23. 2-Posted on FB

    http://www.facebook.com/ManelyRecycledbyaudioamy#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=109935832410325&id=843349308

    pica_princess_88@yahoo.com

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  24. I'd like my hobby horse to be chocolate brown with
    Tiffany blue accents.

    samanthab20(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. I subscribe to AFOMFT!

    samanthab20(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I like AFOMFT on FB!

    samanthab20(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I voted for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs! :)

    samanthab20(at)gmail(dot)com

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  28. I added Manely Recycled on Etsy!

    samanthab20(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. I "liked" Manely Recycled on FB!

    samanthab20(at)gmail(dot)com

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  30. I like G&A's horse! And I like you on FB!

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  31. I am a follower! Still like G&A's horse!

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  32. Purpura stick pony/ hobby horse is the one that caught my eye.

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

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  33. I am a subscriber.


    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

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  34. •Visit Manely Recycled on Etsy and add the store to your favorites.
    I did

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  35. •"Like" AFOMFT on Facebook
    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  36. •"Like" Manely Recycled on Facebook and leave a comment that A Few of My Favorite Things sent you. Did this

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

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  37. http://twitter.com/rlee1950/status/7275705565978624

    tweeted
    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

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  38. follow on Twitter as @rlee1950

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

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  39. voted for you on Top Baby Blogs

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

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  40. I like the Purpura Stick Pony

    stacyjohnston03@hotmail.com

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  41. I am a fan of AFOMFT on face book\

    denise mcdonough

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  42. I fallow AFOMFT on twitter

    redsoxchic6382

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  43. I like Manely Recycled on facebook and told them you sent me :)

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  44. I'm a fan of A Few Of My Favorite Things on Facebook! :)

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  45. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=125036257555435&set=a.119040304821697.16066.118825354843192&ref=nf#!/ <~~~I wrote about it on facebook! :D I hope I win!

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  46. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  47. I LOVE these! I'd pick a chocolate brown one with lime accents and a white unicorn too!

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  48. Manely recycled is one of my etsy favorites

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  49. I like the brown one with green hair that you got.

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  50. My granddaugher would love the Purpura stick pony/ hobby horse OOAK upcycled toy Christmas gift

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  51. I added Manely Recycled to my favorites on Etsy.

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  52. I like Manely Recycled on Facebook.

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  53. I subscribe through e-mail

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

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  54. I "heart" Manely Recycled on ETSY

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com
    ETSY username: 2Cats4Me

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  55. I'm a facebook fan.

    Donna Hufman Warrington
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I 'like" Manely Recycled on facebook and left a comment on their wall.

    Donna Hufman Warrington
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I follow you on Twitter as 2Cats2See and I tweeted.

    http://twitter.com/#!/2Cats2See/status/7498435305414657

    Donna
    dwarrington1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. After looking through I actually like the simplicity of Dapple Grey.
    Thanks for the giveaway
    jessica_lee_mt AT yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. http://twitter.com/rlee1950/status/8012883984130048

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  60. voted for you on Top Baby Blogs

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  61. voted for you on Top Baby Blogs on hubby's computer

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

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  62. They are all so beautiful- My girls would probably like the dapple grey and red pony, or maybe a bright red one like the one in her profile pic. Purple is also very popular in our home....ok I cant choose- I might just let her decide :)
    Thanks
    meangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com

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  63. I'm a new subscriber
    meangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com

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  64. I also VOTED :)
    meangreenmom[at]gmail[dot]com

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  65. I like the Light Pink horse with purple Eyes and dark pink mane or hair!

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  66. Like A Few Of My Favorite Things on FB!

    ReplyDelete
  67. voted for you on Top Baby Blogs

    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

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  68. I am so in love with these hobby horses! I've been drooling over them for a few weeks now. There was a custom one up a while back that was a zebra. Loved it! I would want one like that or maybe a unicorn because those are stinkin' cute too.

    khaymax at hotmail dot com

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  69. I subscribe in Google Reader.

    khaymax at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  70. I Like AFOMFT on Facebook.(Katie W.P.)

    khaymax at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  71. I Like Manely Recycled on Facebook.(Katie W.P.)

    khaymax at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  72. I follow you on Twitter. @khaymax
    Tweet!
    http://twitter.com/#!/khaymax/status/9129079206842368

    khaymax at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  73. Voted on Top Baby Blogs.

    khaymax at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  74. If I won I would want my horse to be Orange, Green and yellow, with multi colored hair and a solid strap. My SIL is pregnant with her first baby and shes collecting everything! I think this would make a percious gift she could give the baby down the road.

    aaron_amanda(At)Live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  75. I subscribe to AFOMFT by email :)

    aaron_amanda(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  76. I added Manely Recycled as a fave on Etsy (Smile789)

    aaron_amanda(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  77. I Like AFOMFT on Facebook as Amanda Tomlinson.

    aaron_amanda(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  78. I follow Manely Recycled on Facebook as Amanda Tomlinson, and I told her that A Few of My Favorite Things sent me :)

    aaron_amanda(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  79. I follow u on Twitter @Smile7891 and I Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/#!/Smile7891/status/9223982813282304

    aaron_amanda(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  80. I voted for you today on Top Baby Blogs :)

    aaron_amanda(at)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  81. Her horses are so cute! I would like one similar to the blue on in the first picture. I love those stars on him! I also like the gray, blue, and red on in her Etsy banner that's on the left. Pretty much as long as it looked like a boy horse, I'd be happy 'cause I have two boys! =D

    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  82. Subscribed to your blog!
    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  83. Added the store to my favorites on Etsy under "Avanaar"!

    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  84. Liked you on FB! =D

    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  85. Already a fan of her FB site, but I thanked her for the giveaway!

    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  86. Following you on Twitter and tweeted about the giveaway!
    @jessaknight
    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  87. Voted for you today 11/29 on Top Mommy Blogs!

    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. Posted on my FB status about the giveaway
    Entry#1

    http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1154466425

    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  89. Posted on my FB status about the giveaway
    Entry#2

    http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1154466425

    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  90. Added your button to my blog.
    http://jessaknight.blogspot.com/
    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  91. Added your Holiday Happenings button to my blog too!
    http://jessaknight.blogspot.com/
    knightsgirl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  92. Voted For You on Top Baby Blogs!

    ReplyDelete
  93. Voted for you on Top Baby Blogs today 11/30/10! =D

    ReplyDelete
  94. If I won, I would like one that both grands could play with since I have a boy and a girl. These are so cute!

    clarkclay@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  95. I added Manely Recycled to my favs on Etsy.

    clarkclay@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  96. Following AFOMFT on Facebook. ShirleyHaynesClark

    clarkclay@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  97. Following AFOMFT on Twitter, and tweeted. I'm embmimi.
    http://twitter.com/#!/embmimi/status/9738809100996608

    clarkclay@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  98. Following Manely Recycled on FB, and I left a comment. ShirleyHaynesClark

    clarkclay@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  99. Voted on TBB.

    clarkclay@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  100. I would like something gender neutral if I won, something like the Dapple grey one she has listed.
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  101. Subscribe to AFOMFT via email
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  102. I heart Manely Recycled on Etsy (LaydieAphrodite)
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  103. Like AFOMFT on facebook (Kirsten T..)
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  104. Like Manely Recycled on facebook (Kirsten T..)
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  105. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  106. Follow AFOMFT on twitter and tweet
    http://twitter.com/LaydieAphrodite/status/9742244034641920
    kirsten.jason.2010 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  107. I left a comment for manely recycled on FB. :)
    haps@heidimail.com

    ReplyDelete
  108. I like you on FB (Heidi Plummer)
    haps@heidimail.com

    ReplyDelete
  109. I sent Sarah Pitchford to like AFOMFT on FB.
    haps@heidimail.com

    ReplyDelete
  110. I follow you on twitter, and I tweeted. (@Haps41)
    haps@heidimail.com

    ReplyDelete
  111. I subscribed (hap041@yahoo.com)

    ReplyDelete
  112. Wow! My daugher would go wild for her very own pony! Her favorite color is blue and she loves pink princesses too. I think a blue/pink princess unicorn would rock her socks off. :) Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

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  113. I'm a definitely a fan of AFOMFT on FB!

    ReplyDelete
  114. I'm also a new fan of Manely Recycled on FB!

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Thanks for the love!