Showing posts with label seasonal table. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seasonal table. Show all posts

Friday, November 16, 2012

Spring Fair

Last weekend our local Steiner School celebrated its annual Spring Fair. This was the third year that I have been asked if I would like to share a table with some VERY talented friends in the gallery space. My contribution was smaller than I might have liked but I have been kind of busy this year with my little ones!

First up I had some needle felted tooth fairy hanging pockets. I made the first of these a few months ago when A lost his first tooth. The pocket is just the right size for a coin, a crystal or two and perhaps a letter from the tooth fairy. The beautiful roving that I used to make these came from here.


I also made some folded star lanterns and two felted toadstool houses with playmats


And here is what our table looked like . . . see I told you they were talented.

Spring Table

Winter Table

Autumn Table

Summer Table



The weather was wonderful and we all had a great time at the various stalls and activities. The maypole dance was a favourite but I didn't get a photo.
H and Dadda made a wreath for her to wear

A taking it all in

Baby L and I having a cuddle

I added this photo because I couldn't resist!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Busy Bees

One afternoon not too long ago this Mama needed to keep Miss H out of the house so that Baby L could get some much needed and sometimes elusive day sleep time. We headed outside and I suggested a walk in the little park that adjoins our house. We wandered downhill towards the large Casurina tree and while playing with the seed pods that we fond there an idea began to form in my mind. These pods make the best bees. This not an original idea rather one that I have seen in various places over the years and I cannot point you to a source. Perhaps it is The Nature Table book.

When we got back to the house I crept inside to get a few things and then we were all set to sit outside and enjoy some sunshine and make bees.

Our supplies : Scissors, wool (yarn) in brown and yellow, tulle, Casurina pods and sticks

The process is simple - wind the pod in the yellow wool and then tie off.
Cut an elongated oval from the tulle and roughly pleat with your fingers.
Cinch in the middle and tie the tulle on using the tails of the yellow wool.
Add the brown and tie a few knots.
Cut brown wool to desired length and then tie onto a stick and viola a simple little bee puppet perfect for flying around the garden.




These bees were so popular with H that she asked to make more so we had some to share with our little friends.
 

The bees also make a great addition to our seasonal nature table or as story props.

H in action telling me a little story about the bees visiting all the flowers in all the gardens
I will note that after a few days of play the knots on the original bees were beginning to loosen so I added a drop or two of PVA glue to keep them from unravelling and so far that seems to be working well.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Mother Earth standing doll

I have wanted to make a Mother Earth standing doll for a while now and as it is spring and the children have a renewed interest in reading the story of the root children I thought it was time to make it happen.
 I get a little time most evenings to work on projects in little chunks.While I can find it quite frustrating not to be able to do things quicker I know that if I work away at something it does eventually get completed (may not be helped by the fact that I have multiple project on the go at any given time and a backlog of ideas in my head - sometimes I don't know where to start!)



I still need to make a blouse/dress and either knit or crochet a shawl but I am very happy with my progress on Mother Earth.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Winter Nature table

We have had a little Steiner style nature table in our home for about three and a half years now. Its a lovely little space especially on days when the clean piles of washing waited to be folded threaten to overtake the living room and I barely get to drink my tea!

I thought I would take a few pictures of our Winter table before we transition into Spring. I have taken photos in the past and love looking back on them. The changes from year to year are subtle but also somehow reflect where the children are up to.

Enjoy
This is our nature table - actually on top of a buffet unit in the living room



shhhh . . . the Root Children are still sleeping

Jack Frost, Winter sprite and some felt mice that Harper keeps putting to sleep


Sometimes this holder contains a picture - currently it is a verse that was part of a seasonal swap that I took part in last year

Jack Frost

Winter sprite with a little lantern



Friday, February 10, 2012

Valentines Swap


I recently participated in a Valentines Swap hosted by Linda at Natural Suburbia.
My swap partner is also interested in Waldorf education so I created a little something for their seasonal table.


I included a kangaroo shaped biscuit cutter for fun. Apparently her your son had lots of fun with it.

In return I received a needle felted heat garland, heart shaped beeswax floating candles, oat bath sachets and some chocolates or candies as my partner called them.


Please excuse the very wrinkly silk play cloth that I used for a background. I must have looked better in real life or maybe I just didn't notice

I love participating in swaps as it gets me creating. Do you like being involved in swaps? Do you know of any good swaps out there at the moment?