Waldorf Nature Table Flower Doll

Here is the first Flower Doll for our nature table-- The Snowdrop. I am working on several others including a crocus and daffodil. A few may find their way to my Etsy shop.

Birthday Flowers and Doll Dresses

My daughter had her birthday recently, and I had a long bout of tiny sewing to keep me busy. She requested a new doll dress and a Little Red Riding Hood costume to go over top. I sewed the dress out of yellow and blue calico, with a bodice I embroidered by hand (free-form). The cape is made of red cotton velour lined in rose-patterned calico. It was fun to make, but I have to admit I was glad to get back to my knitting. Deadline sewing stresses me out. Who can disappoint a 7-year-old on her birthday?

This year her choice for cake was lemon cheesecake, and we had an enjoyable (if lengthy) time making lemon cheesecake with a lemon curd topping. (Triple Lemon Cheesecake from Luscious Lemon Desserts.) This is a truly delicious cake... The kind you want to eat waaay too much of.

Just want to let you know that this post marks the arrival of my high-speed internet! Thank you, Comcast (and our boss who made the installation possible!) So hopefully, I'll be posting a little more frequently now. I also have begun dividing my crafts for kids (Buttercup Corner) from my own sewing and knitting projects (now at my new blog Threadblossom.blogspot.com.) Feel free to come find me there now too!

Little Elves

Here are my two happy kids getting toasty by the chimney. Below is the doll I made for my son's birthday last month. He has become very attached to it already and won't go to bed without it! I hope to make a tutorial of how to make this doll and post it on the blog. If you are interested in the tutorial let me know, and I will definitely get it done sooner!

Spring: Robins and a Snowstorm

Yesterday, we had a beautiful, sunny first day of spring. First thing in the morning, we looked out our window and saw FIVE robins! They were the very first ones we've spotted this year, too. They wouldn't let me get very close, but there is one in that picture above, right in the middle of the photo, in the shadow. Then today... four inches of snow! We brightened things up by making a Queen of the Spring doll for C. We were inspired by the beautiful dolls at Cherished Dreams. C chose the colors and I did the rest. I had forgotten how much fun needle-felting is! And below is our spring nature table, with our felted eggs, chick and flower dolls. I need to make a flower for the snowdrop doll, but for now she has the real thing-- even better!

What to expect when you're expecting and your sister is crafty

I had so much fun making these gifts for my sister's first baby, due near Valentine's Day. We know that she is expecting a girl, so I couldn't resist making a doll out of some exquisitely soft pink velour I've been keeping on hand. (Speaking of hands, the doll did get some eventually, but I forgot to take a photo after she was all done.) The booties got a hat to match, too. I can't wait to see my first niece in her little tiny booties! Finally my knitting skills are up to the challenge of baby knits. Sadly, my children's infancies passed by before my commitment to gauge swatches began.

A Little Sunshine

Ah there is light at the end of the tunnel! We had temperatures hovering around 75 degrees Fahrenheit today. It felt fabulous. Too bad I spent most of the day inside doing last-minute paperwork and folk-dancing! But I love it that I get to walk to and from workshops each day. Those 10 minute walks 4 times a day lift my spirits each time, regardless of the weather. Only 3 more days until we will begin our two weeks of spring vacation! We will be heading west to visit our good old friends and relatives... Can't deny that I also look forward to visiting all my old haunts: favorite bakery, my old LYS, and SALVATION ARMY, THANK GOD. I MISS YOU. (there are no thrift stores within one hour of my current location-- apparently New Englanders do rummage sales--which are mysterious and sporadic and in as-yet-unknown locations)

Here is a little sunshine (doll) to share with you. I made it as a special order for a special online pal, Alkelda, who is opening her own Etsy shop soon. Thanks again, Alkelda.

Winter Fun

I am delighted to be studying Waldorf education full-time this year! I am up to my elbows in clay, watercolor and crayons as I learn the intricate beauty of the Waldorf curriculum. My children have been quite inspired by all the drawing I've been doing on the kitchen table, and have taken over the space.

I have become very excited about the possibility for Waldorf methods to grow in the realm of public education. If anyone is interested in reading about-- or even better, setting up your own-- Waldorf-inspired charter school, here is a website you shouldn't miss:http://allianceforpublicwaldorfeducation.org/ Maybe in a few decades I'll start one myself. :)

Amidst the delicious homework assignments I am offered so generously, I steal a few moments for knitting (of course) and for making some special gifts for the little people in my house. Both children wanted full-size dolls for Christmas, so that kept me busy... I'm still sewing the promised doll clothes!

We have been enjoying some spectacular winter weather, beginning with perfectly smooth frozen lakes and leading to several feet of snow. In fact, it is soon time for a sledding break.

Sleeping Beauty

My daughter is in love with all things princessy, so we have been enjoying needle-felted princess dolls. This is one I made over the winter. She is a Waldorf-style Standing Puppet doll, "Sleeping Beauty," according to my daughter.

Spring Woodland

Finally a new felting kit added to the shop! After receiving a request for a felted doll kit, I designed this Spring Woodland Fairy in honor of the violets carpeting our woods. The kit includes everything necessary for beginning needle-felters. I wrote explicit instructions accompanied by detailed photos of the whole process. She is needle felted from pure wool and mohair roving, some of it hand-dyed by me. (Note the matching handspun yarn) I love the multi-purpose nature of roving. Makes me want to start spinning again...

Yesterday we had an incredibly blustery day, and C was delighted to take her new fairy out to fly. We are enjoying lovely weather here today, so back outside to swing!

Handwork

My hands are something I have always appreciated, but apparently not enough! For the past few weeks I have been suffering from some wrist pain... Don't say that C--- T--- word! I have forced myself to abstain from knitting, and to reduce my typing, and things are feeling much better, but I guess I will make this short. Here are some photos of more exciting arrivals. We figured that even though we only have daffodils blooming indoors, it was okay to bring the new Daffodil Doll out a little early. We are watching for signs of growth outdoors, but so far ice melting is the only sign of spring!