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!

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.

Slow down , you move too fast

Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the morning last
Just kickin' down the cobble-stones, lookin' for fun and feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

Hello lamp-post, what's cha knowing, I've come to watch your flowers growin'
Ain't cha got no rhymes for me, do-it-do-do, feelin' groovy

Feeling groovy

I've got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me

Life I love you, all is groovy 

Feeling Groovy - Simon and Garfunkel

Do you know this song? I have heard it in the past but recently heard a new to me version by Renee and Jeremy and I love it! So much of the lyrics resonates with my life at the moment.

In an effort to slow down I have drastically cut down on screen time. Luckily we dont watch TV but I was finding that in the evenings when my little people were tucked up in bed my precious evening hours were being consumed with the computer - Pinterest, Facebook, reading my favourite blogs, Ravelry - I am sure you get the picture. There are so many amazing, generous, loving people out there with tempting patterns, words of wisdom, free tutorials and ideas that would leave my brain spinning.

In my absence from this space and even from catching up with some of my favourite blogs (sorry friends) I have focused on finding a healthier balance and use of my evening time. More time for sleep, my hubby and my crafts makes me a much happier person and Mama all round.

Spring is in full swing here and the last month has flown by in a blur of busy times. I am trying to get out more with my children when I can to spend time in the garden and the older two really enjoy , planting seeds, watering and the anticipation of all the good things to come. Baby L is expanding her little world and is enjoying the feel (and the taste) of the earth.

KCWC 2012

I don't know if I am mad or not but I have signed up for KCWC (Kids Clothes Week Challenge) over at Elsie Marlie. The basic premise is that you spend an hour a day making kids clothes for a week. It starts today and I think that my sewing time will have to be spent in the evening. Hopefully next week I will be able to share what I have made. I sat down last week and planned what my children need and the list includes a brithday dress for baby L and a sunbonnet in the next size up, H would like a sunbonnet too and if I get time there are a few things on my sewing wish list but we will see!

We are into the second week of school holidays and today we went to the dinosaur museum. So far we have had a nice balance between time spent at home on doing little projects (or not so little as in the case of the great bedroom shuffle that took place over the weekend) and a few local outings.

Well time to get dinner ready so that I can sew tonight

Projects from the vintage sheet stash

I love vintage bed sheets and started collecting them almost two years ago. I think I have a soft spot for them because I remember having pink floral sheets as a child (they would now be vintage if they were still around) and I thought those sheets were just so pretty. The stash is pretty sizeable now and I tell myself that I will not buy any more but then I find another and can't pass it up! I will have to start making a dent in the stash soon.

I recently finished these cushions that I made for the children's playroom. They were in fact started last year but only just got around to completing them. The designs were appliquéd from fabric scraps that I have saved from other projects over the years and actually apart from the zips and cushion inserts I didn't have to buy anything to make these (and that's good right).

The one with the curved road was inspired by one that I saw on a blog once (in the days before pinterest so I cannot remember where - sorry) and the house one was a drawing that A did last year.

A's drawing and the resulting cushion - he picked out the fabrics for this one

Both cushions are backed with pieces of vintage bed sheets (which I now realise I didn't photograph). I still need to work out how to put in zips properly.

 
The cushions were made to go onto this sweet seat that I made the cover for - from my sheet stash. It is such a cheerful piece and I love it. It makes me think that one day I will make my girls quilts from vintage sheets. I really like the simplicity of large squares (from memory 5 inches).

Too many teddys'! Friends and family love gifting my children with teddys apparently

The best Op shop find ever

We have this little Saturday routine that I love - each Saturday morning I write up my grocery list for the week and then I go shopping. Sometimes I take A with me, usually though its H who wants to come along. My hubby stays home with Baby L (who sleeps) and whichever of the bigger children is not grocery shopping.

But every so often I go out all by myself! Its great. I have just my wallet, phone, shopping list and maybe my water bottle or lip gloss and even though I am doing the groceries I quite enjoy the time all to myself. On those rare Saturdays I like to pop into the fabric shop or the op shop or any other place that I usually avoid when I have small people in tow.

Well last weekend as I walked through the door of the op shop  spotted a small hard case on the opposite of the shop and I immediately knew what it was. I made a bee line to it and sure enough it was a vintage typewriter. I was soooo excited. I have wanted one of these beauties for years and here was one with a $10 price tag!!

And that vintage sheet was found in the same shop

The man at the counter kindly found me a piece of paper so that I could test it out and I was thrilled that all seemed to be in working order. The typewriter has clearly been well cared for , the manual etc. was intact as well as a few accessories and I have declared her the best find ever .

Though I do think that she needs a name - what would you suggest?

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.

Paper Quilting

We seem to know a few little baby boys born lately and this is what I have been making for them.
It is a paper quilt where the little squares of paper are stitched together with gold thread. I am lucky to know the woman who has developed this style of paper craft and I even took some classes with her many years ago.
Paper quilts make great little gifts - and are something that I can get finished in a nap time or two.

I made and sent two of these little boats last week and have one more little boy to make for . . . maybe this weekend.

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

Needle - ing

  My little H has been quite a keen observer any time I do any kind of sewing and for some time has asked to do needle-ing (that is sewing with a needle). For a tome she was happy to poke pins into a pincushion, then she progressed to threading pieces of felt onto a button that was attached to a ribbon, then sewing on some plastic canvans and her interest was still strong. So two weeks ago after a lovely morning at playgroup we called into our local craft shop to buy a hoop. H choose red - her current favourite colour - and we also (thankfully) got one for A as well to prevent arguments.

 The next day we put together this little basket with some Hessian in the hoop and some pre cut lengths of crochet cotton wound onto a card and a large blunt needle.

 H was keen to start and soon got the hang of which side she needed to poke the needle - she was repeating it to herself (very cute). I did tell her to do little steps with her needle but other than that and a bit of initial help in holding the hoop and sewing at the same time this was all her own little project.

And because baby L was asleep I got own my own hoop and we happily did some needle-ing, side by side together for about 20 minutes (which of course in the word of a three year old is a very long time).


My project is a bit of a long term one that has been on the go for over three years YIKES (on and off - well O.k more off!!) Its a quilt for A that I am hand quilting and its very nearly done. Hopefully I can share the finished quilt soon.

This was such a magical little project sharing my passion with one of my children. Hope we do more soon.