waldorf mama

wip wednesday :: handspun hats

we're still on the road to health here (maya had another fever last night), so i don't have any new wip's today. only one finished project to share - two hats that i made for my friend, melissa (who waited ever so patiently for me to get these to her), out of her own beautiful handspun yarn!

to go with the beautifulful handknitted baby kicking bag she made for her new baby's arrival - lovely, isn't it?

melissa actually only wanted one hat, but my gauge was off on the first one i knit and it ended up being a bit large. however, she had sent enough yarn that i was easily able to knit up a smaller one, as well. now the little one will have a hat for next winter, too. :)

sending you peaceful and positive birthing energy, melissa!

shelley

yarn...

just a short one skein update to my ravelry stash today. love this new color!

araucania aysen, color 824

i've gotten a few comments recently about my yarn updates/additions, so i wanted to clarify that...no, i didn't suddenly come into an inheritance. :) the majority of the photos i'm taking is older yarn from my pre-existing stash that has taken me years to collect (that is not to say that i don't add a few new skeins here and there, of course!). i'm just slowly making my way through, taking photos to organize it all on my ravelry page (and loving every minute of it).

so here's to more yarn love!

shelley

autumn leaves...

the north wind came along one day,

so strong and full of fun.

he called the leaves down from the trees

and said...run, children, run!

they came in red and yellow dress,

in shaded green and brown...

and all the short november day

he chased them round and round.

gratitude friday...

artwork by ruth elsasser

this week, i am grateful for...

:: returning back home to nest (after driving to austin for our school week) upon discovering maya had a low-grade fever.

:: building up maya's immune system as she continued to battle some congestion and fever.

:: the lantern walk at maya's kindergarten tonight (which we hope to attend now that she is fever-free).

:: wesley's quick recovery from an injury that he suffered at work (welders burn to his eyes after being exposed to UV light).

what are you grateful for this week?

shelley

yarn...

a short and sweet, late post today - yes, more yarn pictures for my ravelry stash!

dream in color smooshy, in lipstick lava

dream in color smooshy, in flamingo pie

shibui merino worsted, in ink

peaches and creme, in fiesta

here's to more colorful knitting!

shelley

wip wednesday :: dolls

this week i am working on finishing up some more dolls for my waldorfmama shop. and adding a couple of new rainbow doll colors, as well. stay tuned!

happy creative wednesday!

shelley

needle felting...

ahhh, the smell of wool. i am planning for some christmas tree ornament needle felting in the next few weeks. one of my favorite seasonal crafts of the year. i remember my aunt sybil always making beautiful handmade christmas balls using tiny beads and ribbon and giving them as gifts to eagerly awaiting family members. each a lovely, one-of-a-kind work of art. i still have the treasured ornaments she made for our family. and so every year as the christmas making season approaches, i think of her and how very special each of her unique handmade ornaments was and still is. and how i, too, am passing on the tradition of handmade to others...

look for some colorful felted ornaments in my waldorfmama etsy shop soon!

shelley

new sponsor :: orit dotan dolls

i would like you all to welcome waldorfmama's new featured sponsor, orit dotan dolls! orit dotan dolls is the etsy shop of master waldorf dollmaker, orit dotan. orit is a very special and dear friend and we are honored to have some of her beautiful creations adorn our home. her dolls and felted creations are enlivened with the love and spirit she gives as she creates them. orit is the main handwork teacher of waldorf education in israel and believes wholeheartedly in the fruits of this stream of eduction. she trains teachers and works with people of all ages who want to study and learn handcrafts according to the waldorf pedagogy. she also writes many waldorf related articles in hebrew and hopes to translate them in the future. in her shop, you will find her beautiful waldorf handmade dolls, toys, crafts, arts and supplies made of natural and ecological materials.

here are just a few of orit's amazing dolls and felted creations...

{photos courtesy of orit dotan dolls}

here are some of orit's own insightful thoughts...

i believe waldorf dolls are bearing healing forces for the child. the love and warmth which is involved in the creation of these kinds of dolls streams to the doll in the process of creating and the child can feel it. i can tell you from my experience that hyperactive children who did not sleep well began to sleep all night when their mothers created a waldorf doll for them. also the process of creating these dolls is therapeutic for the adults, as it is a process that requires soul forces which are different from any other creation i know...and forces the creator to be in touch more deeply with their own inner powers.

welcome, orit dotan dolls!

gratitude friday...

this week, i am grateful for...

:: maya making her way through a somewhat intense illness quickly and efficiently.

:: seeing a lovely, ethereal sky on our way to austin.

:: a perfect coffeehouse supper and knitting afterwards with naomi.

:: an upcoming fun, family holiday weekend.

what are you grateful for this week?

shelley

some new zealand yarn...

i received this lovely rainbow merino wool yesterday from my friend in new zealand (along with an adorable little bunny handmade just for maya - which i'll show you later in another post - thank you, steph!). of course, maya immediately fell in love with this beautiful yarn and wouldn't let it go. she wants to fingerknit another long cord for our christmas tree...

here's to more rainbows, always!

shelley