It's done- part 3 bubba Eve

I think she's bewdiful! and I can't claim credit...it was Owen. We actually had a huge fight over her- I came up and said some things and he didn't like it and I offended the artist...and so on. I said I was sorry and this is the end result of a joint collaboration (mostly Owen). She's essentially wool roving laid in thin layers over a felt base and then needle felted a tiny bit to make it a little more stable as per the method in Magic Wool. We love our little god daughter and we hope she likes her fairy princess.

It's done- part 2

This is a pair of silk butterfly wings for my niece Tahlia. It was probably the easiest, most fun and beautiful present of the holiday season. silk painting is so fun, and then it was just a matter of gathering the middle with ribbon and sewing some hand loops on. I can imagine her running around the backyard arms outstretched, hmmm... wouldn't mind a pair myself actually. I just have to stress to her Mummy that they ARE for playing with and not to be precious. I think that children should be surrounded by beauty, even delicate beauty- the impact it has on the child far outways any material cost (which really wasn't that much)

It's done- part 1

Thought I might catch you up on my crafty pursuits. Well I decided on a more wholesome and meaningful Christmas this year- my new years resolution for 2006 was to be do more with my hands like garden, cook, sew and generally create. So I DID start early on Christmas I promise. Inevitably I was panicking with a week to go but with C - 2 days I'm able to sit here blogging that it's finally over. I feel kind of guilty for the people I made stuff for- cause they get my crappy craft, but I also feel guilty about the people I bought stuff for! Yes they got a nice shiny store bought pressie but the they didn't get the hours (or days) of me thinking fondly of them as I worked on their project. Not that anyone knows that except me. So first cab of the rank was a very special baby for Lorien, based on the Waldorf doll philosophy which suggests that the fewer the features on the doll's face, the more the child's imagination is awakened in play and the more he or she bonds to the doll. Waldorf dolls are always made with all natural materials to absorb and reflect warmth and to provide wholesome materials for the child. Louise and I got a kit each from Sarah's Dolls and here is my result, hopefully she'll be loved despite or because of her extra long arm and odd feet. Obviously she'll be dressed in more natural materials after Christmas!

Heavenly Host

my heavenly host using the instructions from Echoes of a Dream

Sing Hallelujah! My nativity scene is looking pretty schmick so far, I would almost call it a nature table but until now I've kind of had in the back of my mind that it was a little , well, Paegan and not in keeping with my Christian beliefs. In the weeks of advent for instance the Steiner nature table devotes a week to minerals, then plants, animals and finally the heavenly. But I was thinking yesterday, I already have a nativity scene and don't consider it a shrine- why can't it be beautiful and represent the natural world

like this passage from Luke 19

³⁷When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
³⁸"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"^[b]
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"

³⁹Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"

⁴⁰"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."

⁴¹As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it ⁴²and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

So I'm OK with continuing to teach my children about natural beauty as a testament to God's wonderful creation, and all for his glory. Might have to explain it to the other churchies that come through the door, but they already think I'm a bit of a crackpot anyway.

Peanut Pervesion

NOT A GRANDMA FRIENDLY POST. This really couldn't be blogged before the recipient had been gifted with this Charlie Brow corruption. Trust me, it is totally in keeping with afore mentioned birthday boy's personality, he wanted this. It was done using officeworks dark t-shirt transfer paper and machine and hand stitching. If he puts it in the dryer I will SCREAM. Guess it would be better than him never wearing it (even if it is just over to our house... hint hint).