Our snowflakes became a little more detailed and fanciful this year. Inspired by our very favorite place to visit in Brooklyn, Acorn Toy Shop, I made these thematic snowflakes for their Winter window display. Created in the same method as we have done in the past { Snowflake Tutorial } but this year with reindeer, […]
When you find yourself by magical waters it may lead you to daydreams of mermaids. It seems all of us are enchanted by the idea of being able to breath under water and explore that underwater world with such freedom. Mermaids make for beautiful make-believe play and a lovely way to include that collection of found shells […]
Maya has been working with Stockmar Modeling Beeswax for a few years and I have seen how beneficial this is for her nature. Patiently she warms the wax with her fingers and with attention to detail she sculpts away. Made from all natural 100% beeswax it requires an understanding of how temperature alters the consistency. […]
Needle felting is a wonderful craft that can lead to a life long love of making things with wool. I started needle felting when I was introduced to it by a co-operative Waldorf playgroup we were part of in Brooklyn. I am so glad I started this craft when my children were little. Since buying […]
Add beauty to the garden, and help the pollinators by being a seed saver! Make and illustrate seed packets that hold collected dried seeds from the previous season and gift them to friends. A thoughtful craft, that encourages family and friends to be seed conscious and will lead to hours gardening together. Plant Milkweed for […]
Block printing is a great seasonal celebration craft, as once you have made the blocks, you can use them year after year to make decorations, gift cards, or gift wrap. This year the girls were printing independently with their own ideas taking hold! They carved and printed with a self directed interest along side of […]
When the weather is freezing cold, then you celebrate by making things that are frozen! Ice lanterns are both novel and beautiful, and take so little to make. You can get the gist from the drawing below… Or read thorough instruction at the bottom of the photos. Materials Yogurt containers, or another medium recycled container. […]
This is one of my favorite winter crafts, cutting the snowflakes is art, and opening each one is like opening a surprise gift, and just like real snowflakes, no two are alike. The key to these snowflakes is that I cut out patterns with an x-acto knife. I also use the scissors, but to achieve […]
Oh sleeping dreams, a place where the mind can be free, where the subconscious can put any little thing into place and give us visions to inspire us on our path, affirm our deepest desires, release fears, or simply teach us a lesson. I had a sleeping dream recently that did all of that. From […]
Just the word leaves, gets me, they leave, they leave the tree as summer says goodbye. We turn over a new leaf and the next season begins…a symbol for us of change. Our mornings become a little slower as we pause to stay beneath the covers, snuggling into the warmth that has become cozy for […]
Sunprints are 70’s goodness at it’s best! A wonderful easy and effective activity that floats somewhere between art and craft. Any age can enjoy this project, and the creative possibilities seem endless. Established as a company in 1975, Sunprints are one of those things that almost everyone says, “Oh yes I have done that” or […]
This week we had the pleasure of going to a local lake for a swim three days in a row, during each visit Elle made a point of collecting the goose feathers that were floating in the shallows and scattered along the waters edge. With a beautiful bouquet of feathers sitting on our dinning table, […]
On Spring equinox we remove the Winter snowflakes and make them into Easter eggs. This was one of those projects that happened naturally by putting 1 + 1 together and by being inspired to work with what we’ve got. I love the recycled aspect of this craft as the paper snowflakes we made in […]
My goodness, Easter is upon us and here I am doing my first Easter post. I apologize for not getting to this sooner, but you still have time my friends to make natural dye and colour eggs before Easter Sunday! My Grandmother dyed eggs naturally when I was a child and this year I felt to […]
As a follow on from my last post – about trying not to buy, buy, buy, and being inventive and creative instead, I came up with this little project for the girls. Despite my knowing that catalogues are produced with the purpose of making purchases happen, I still subscribe to numerous catalogues. I intend on […]
Everyone loves pom poms right? They are so fluffy and soft and cute. They are one of the things in life that really are not necessary, but they make life fun and pretty (I am sure there are those of you out there that think a pom pom is a necessary object!) Anyway, they are […]
I was inspired last week with an image I saw by friends at Papeir Mache Magazine and so I went to work making a collar for my girls. I combined this idea with hand painting fabric – another idea that had been floating in my mind. I started hand painting fabric when some of our screen prints […]
Happy Valentine’s Day! What a sweet day! This year we made bookmarks for Maya’s class as a Valentine gift. 1st grade is all about learning to read and so I thought it appropriate that we make “I love Reading” bookmarks. Useful and cute, and not too lovey dovey to give out to friends. Maya also […]
I have had a busy and exciting week, and feels good to be able to say, I have been getting things done! The first goal I set myself this week was to turn some screen printed swatches into small tote bags. The second goal I set myself was to market them. Now the third goal, […]
Now if you are part of my family – don’t read this, or it will spoil the surprise! I like to have a handmade Christmas gift to give my family each year. Last year we gave them needle felted toadstools, and this year they will recieve screen printed dish towels. Last week I had a little […]