Waldorf in the season of life

Waldorf Constantia Market

2009-04-03T23:40:00.000-07:00

We had a great time last weekend at the Waldorf Constantia Fair. Terri sold her knitted gems and her organic essential oil, her hubby, Greg had his painting portfolio on display [wow his work is good!] . I had my weaving and naturally dyed wool for sale and Kalla sold his honey. The children had a fantastic time running up and down the slopes surrounding the school field.

Gosh I love all the colours that can be dyed naturally!

Many more pictures are on my family blog.

French Knitting

2009-03-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

As a child I spent many special days french knitting,. These are my first memories of my creative ability.

I remember....... the willow tree, the blanket on the grass, the reel, the yarn, the dappled sun light and the way french knitting carried my thoughts far away from the day... Oh what bliss....

So with a warm and nostalgic heart I assembled these kits.

These kits consist of :

1 Vintage wooden reel [from Grannys stash] with four hooks

15 g Hand-dyed bamboo in 14 different colours.

As usual this kit comes with full instructions and is packaged in a reusable organza bag and sell for R25-00.

Hope you like these sweet kits.

Flying Pigs

2009-03-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

Another knitting kit that is available on order from me.

The wool is dyed with cochineal and the wings are cut from hand made felt.

This kit sells to group members for R25-00.

GNOME GIVEAWAY

2009-03-15T09:02:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the great GNOMES giveaway on

http://sew-fantastic.blogspot.com/2009/03/its-giveaway-day-citrus-gnomes.html

They are Suez's gnomes! So Viva AFRICA!

Rush over and join before it is so late.

Felt Gnomes and Red Riding hood

2009-02-27T23:44:00.000-08:00

Terri has been making these lovely gnomes and is selling them for R10 - R25 depending on the size. They are made from handmade felt and merino rovings.

I really like her Red Riding Hood it is approx 12cm tall so is a nice size for the nature table or play. It is also made from Merino rovings and Handmade felt.
I bought this one for R35-00 and she has 2 more for sale.

These patterns are from her hand craft book that she will be launching soon [I hope! Im constantly urging her to finish it]

If you want to order from her or ask any questions [like - when will her book be ready! lol], she can be mailed on terriashleycooper@gmail.com or you can mail her on group.

Knitting Kits - Mamma Duck

2009-02-27T22:15:00.000-08:00

I have been having great fun with NATURAL DYES and decided to sell sweet little knitting kits. The first kit is for a mamma duck with an upturned tail. Her final size is approx 10cm long by 8cm wide.

Included in the pack is the pattern, 100% wool stuffing and the naturally dyed wool [plant sources vary per pack but are listed on patern]. Oh and my contact details in case you get stuck. :o)

In my need to always recycle, I decided to package it is a reusable 10cm x 15cm organza bag.

These sets are for sale for R25-00 each.

Have a lovely day everyone..

Easter Rabbit Needle Felting

2009-02-21T06:58:00.001-08:00

I am so excited about how this little guy turned out! I have decided to make a whole range of little needle felted animals for my shop.

I have added him to my Etsy for Easter.

www.mamma4earth.etsy.com

Have a great weekend

Warmly

Linda (Lulu)
www.naturalsuburbia.blogspot.com

Caiden and Erin's crafts

2009-01-18T04:00:00.000-08:00

These are the two little kits that I bought from Carle'. A fairy for Erin and a gnome Caiden for Christmas, and they have completed them. They had so much fun making these little felt characters!

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!

Warmly

Linda

Rose the rose-hip gnome

2008-12-14T09:05:00.000-08:00

Hi All,
Those of you who recently bought felting supplies from me would have found a bead and some pipe cleaners in your pack [Seuz, I never added to your pack,yours left to soon, but added an extra to Lindloos, so please get yours from her].

I'm sure you have been wondering what they are for.
Well here goes.. :-)

For this project you will need merino rovings, karakul rovings, a sponge, two felting needles [fine and all purpose] one bead and one pipe cleaner.

Bend the pipe cleaner in half and insert into the bead then make the two arms.

Tease some Karakul and slip it over the bead. Karakul is the best option as it felts quickly and easily. [for those of you who bought needle felting kits, there was some in your packs] If you don't have and Karakul then merino wool will work fine.

Needle felt it at the waist and bodice.

Needle felt some skin tone onto the arms and add some extra karakul [or wool] into the skirt to bulk it up.

Tease wool [I used a blend of two colours] and the slip it over the gnomes head and needle felt it at the waist and bodice.

Tease some pink wool and position it around the rose hip gnome and needle felt it at the waist.

Felt the 'skirt' starting from the waist working downwards and mould the pink wool around the base of the gnome. Felt it well.

Add a belt and give a final felting to the gnome. This gnome is felted quite firmly so that it is durable and and be played with.

Needle felt a triangle, fold it and felt the top 2/3rds togethers. Felt the rest of the hat rim together and then add your creative ideas on top.

Viola... A Rose-hip gnome is born....

I think she is precious and Gina is going to enjoy playing with her.

Hope you are all inspired to create over the holidays.

:-)

Carle

Cape Home Educators Expo

2008-09-19T03:41:00.000-07:00

Terri [in photo - with part of the table, on the left we had a nature table for children to play on] and I had a wonderful day, we connected on a real level with almost 40 mums, and were able to share our thoughts on Homeschooling and the Homeschool industry. Some great new friends were made. Terri also became an all-in-one support group for some seriousely burnt out mums. [Good job Terri - I think you have a career lined up! lol]

We sold craft items, books, hand crafted toys and shared resources and links. Many of the mums want to visit Terri and I in Philadelphia [South Africa] and we are excited to meet them again.

It is amazing how we are blessed when motivated by love.

Thank you to all who offer crafted toys, craft items and books. Without you we could not promote Waldorf Inspired homeschooling in South Africa.

Terri thank you for jumping right in and helping me, without you I would have never coped. You were an absolute gem!

Some Knitted Treasures

2008-09-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

Radcliffe Donkey R 145.oo

Grazing Sheep Family R 155.00

Piggly Wigglies R 155.00

You can view them at www.mamma4earth.etsy.com

Little dolls

2008-09-12T09:25:00.000-07:00

These have bendy hands.

So cute and have all found wonderful children to love

1 is knitted and the other 2 are cloth dolls

Pumpkin Folk

2008-09-12T09:20:00.000-07:00

R55

1 Small available

Waldorf Doll

2008-09-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

Emma the waldorf doll has found a special home.

Climbing gnomes

2008-09-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

Walking gnomes – hang on the wall, pull the two beads – gnome goes up, let goes and down he slides R65
Only 2 available - The pink one and a purple one.

Gnomes - pictures

2008-09-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

Mr Mustard Hat is moving up country, he is happy because he is not a coastal gnome and the moist coastal winds make him sneeze.

The mushroom fairie is also moving but is being more secretive, maybe you should check in your garden...

These guys are so cute, they can stand, sit and are a favourite in my family.

The sell for R55 and are a one of a kind.

4 more of these have been sold, but I am waiting to confirm which are sold.

But one of these cute guys has already packed his bags and is waiting to go home. Do you know where his home is? let me give you a clue, go to

http://environmentalhomeschooling.blogspot.com/

Puppets

2008-09-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

These are the pop up puppets three are open and one is closed down below. They are have all found new homes with special little children.

We love playing with them and they are quite strong [Oliver has not broken his one yet - lol]

These are made by a Waldorf mum who is now a Waldorf granny.

SPRING IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE

2008-08-24T06:11:00.002-07:00

OH I love the change of the season, and spring is my favourite time, everything is lush and the earth is full of promise. Yellow daffodils are popping up, Blue skies are bold, pink rambling roses are so velvety! It is the perfect time of the year to introduce extra colur onto your table and into your art works.

NATURE TABLE

I like to start planning my new nature table at this time, I look for my colour insparations and prepare my nature table cloths for dyeing. This is a very easy task to fulfill and I keep it really simple. I use cotton muslin as it is a great natural fibre that is well priced and it dyes easily. This is my method...

1] Buy a square piece of muslin [150cm x 150cm] and check it is 100% cotton.
2] Purchase a sachet of dye from the Pharmacy. For spring you can either stay with traditional waldorf colours [soft green, soft pink, soft gold] or you can look into your environment and see the natural colour pallet. [this spring we will use greens, white and yellow as we are surronded by green wheat fields, white namaqualand daisies and yellow canola fields.]

3] It is a great idea to hold your cloth at the center point and slowly lower it into in dye bath. If you do this really slowly [5-10 minutes] you will have a cloth that is gently toned with the center of the cloth being the lightest. When this cloth is put on the table you will have a subtle colour variation that will create different depths and tones. Sooo Pretty.

4] Remember to fix the dye [refer to packaging] and hand out to dry

5] Now hem the edges.

It is also I nice idea to grow bulbs in a open neck vase filled with pebbles and water. White or pink Hyacinthes are ideal for this, and can be bought in nurseries in a pack with a special vase. [next year you need only buy the bulb]. Your child will be able to watch the roots grow and the bulb diminish as the energy all goes into the flower and the leaves. It is like watching a miracle, and is a perfect way to have the beauty of natural science in your home.

For felt work [or clay work] make bees, butterflies and ladybugs and sweet flowers for the table.

If you dont want to create your own felt then purchase some premade felt and cut out 2 petal rings and sew them together - this is easy for little hands to do and is fun to have a special flower for the spring table or to decorate your spring picnic basket.

Knitting for the nature table is always fun. I plan to knit the following

Sheep - http://www.loot.co.za/shop/main.jsp?page=detail&id=30375429249179215

Lady birds - http://knittingonthenet.com/patterns/miscladybug.htm

Bees [of course] - http://www.christinelandry.com/?p=3

Make a birds nest from pulverised reeds. soak the reeds in water untill they ferment, then the fibres will seperate and become soft and pliable. Ideal for nesting material. Or watch what the birds are collecting and mimick them. In our garden the weaver birds pull the fronds on the palm tree to shreds and use this for nest building, so we will try this. :-) Linda suggested using finger knitting to make a nest, [Linda please post a picture to this blog when you get a chance]

For the Spring equinox make a special meal remembering you are celebrating the balance between night and day [length] and the beauty of the floral kingdom. So choose your menu accordingly, with ideas like, flower shaped half rye half wheat bread [roll your dough into even numbered rolls use one for the center and position the others around it.] Make a salad that is half leaves and half flowers. Make a flower arrangement that is half pink and half yellow. Put flowers into everything..... bake a spring cake and decorate it with flowers.... serve iced mint tea with block of ice with a nasturtium petals frozen in.

Have a really wonderful spring filled with star gazing, cloud gazing, laughter and love.

Play dough etc

2008-07-20T11:18:00.001-07:00

Here is a collection of our group recipes.

Lucy's Long lasting Play dough recipe
I use this playdough recipe and it keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for ever.
2 c flour
2 c water
1 c salt
1 tbs oil
4 tsp tartaric acid/cream of tartar
food colouring

Put all in pot on low heat and cook till it forms into a ball and becomes very very hard to stir.

My variation: use veg water [beetroot, onion skins, tea]

Janets Hardening Salt Clay
2 c. salt
1 c. + 2 tbsp. water
1 c. cornstarch
Mix salt and 1/2 cup water in heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until salt dissolves. Remove from heat. Combine cornstarch and remaining water and add it to the salt water. Cook over low heat until mix is thick and smooth. This happens quickly. Spoon the clay onto table or board to cool. Store air tight. It will harden in the sun and can be painted.

Modeling Beeswax
Approx 1 cup of beeswax
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp lanolin [do not use if you are allergic to lanolin]

Melt the beeswax in a double boiler, [add grated crayon for colour]
Mix the lanolin and the olive oil together and add to the beeswax.
Once all is melted - remove from heat and keep stirring and pour into a walled [and lined] cookie tray. Cut into pieces and leave to cool
To check consistency, warm a piece in your hand and check its pliability. If it is to hard, add lanolin or oil. If to soft add beeswax.

Natural Plasticine.
1 cup of modelling wax [recipe above]
2 cups vegetable oil
2 tsp essential oil [do not add if pregnant]
3 cups powdered DRY clay

Heat wax, once melted add the oil, and slowly add the clay to the mix, stir well.
Once all is mixed,take it off the heat and allow to set.
Then knead it until the perfect consistency is reached [add more dry powdered clay if necessary]

Felted items

2008-05-12T22:01:00.000-07:00

One Saturday I bought this really cute felted note book cover that is hand crafted by Karen Platte from the Craft shop at the Constantia Waldorf school. The Poppies are orange, red and purple, sigh it cant get better than that! :-) They also sell the note pad refills there.

A great gift idea - It cost R40-00 and if you contact Karen directly, I am sure you could order from her at a slightly reduced price.

Brag - It is on top of a scarf I made by, spinning the wool, weaving the scarf and then finally felting it! 3 days work! :-)

2008-05-12T00:29:00.000-07:00

Cleaning and cooking can wait for tomorrow,

For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.

So quiet down, cobwebs, dust, go to sleep.

I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

Lindas Maths Gnomes

2008-04-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

Linda has been busy making cute maths gnomes!

I think they are adorable! Please tell us how you made them.

if you cant see the picture, click on the web link!

[Daily Groove] Inner Separation Anxiety (Part 1)

2008-02-21T04:29:00.000-08:00

THE DAILY GROOVE ~ by Scott Noellewww.enjoyparenting.com/dailygroove:: Inner Separation Anxiety (Part 1) ::Babies and small children often become anxious whenthey're physically separated from their familiarcaregivers, especially their mothers. This instinctivereaction is known as *separation anxiety*.Sometimes a parent's physical presence is enough toallay separation anxiety, but children feel mostsecure when their parents are *fully* present:body, mind, and spirit.In other words, your child may be right there in yourarms yet be experiencing a kind of "inner separation"anxiety because you're mentally, emotionally, and/orspiritually "absent."Ironically, parents often *worry* about theirchildren's anxiety, not realizing that worryingundermines their inner presence, thus increasingtheir children's anxiety!Today, look for a correlation between your child'sstate and your own. Is s/he more anxious when you feeloff-center in some way? If so, let your child'sanxiety serve as a reminder to practice centering.Take a deep breath and affirm your intention to befully present -- here and now -- at peace withWhat Is.http://dailygroove.net/separation-anxietyFeel free to forward this message to your friends!(Please include this paragraph and everything above.)Copyright (c) 2008 by Scott Noelle"Inspiration & Coaching for Progressive Parents"http://www.ScottNoelle.com http://www.EnjoyParenting.com1044 Water Street, Suite 342Port Townsend, WA 98368USA

CANDLEMAS - SAND CANDLES

2008-02-04T00:09:00.000-08:00

CANDLEMAS - ROLLED CANDLES

2008-02-03T23:51:00.000-08:00

Dip your plaited wick into very hot wax. Allow enough time for the wax to permiate the the wick. Remove and allow to harden.

Cut the beeswax sheet into 2 pieces of equal size.

Roll the beeswax arround the wick to create a natural and beautiful scented candle.

Cut the second piece of wax as illustrated in this picture

Start rolling, ensure that you start by 'squashing'the wax onto the wick and then roll slowly. Thomas is 5 so I start rolling for him and then allow him to finish.

He rolls the sheet while trying to ensure that it rolls straight.

If your candle is tapered at the bottom then

Position it on your working board and gently push down

The result is a beautiful candle. Trim the wick, light and enjoy the beautiful yellow glow.

These 7 candles were all created with 2 sheets of bees wax and 1 meter of wick.

The best [cost effective] place to buy you foundation sheets would be from a local beekeeper or a beekeeping suppy store!

Whilst dipping your wick, dip extra for next year and other candle projects.