waldorf mama

a rainbow of love...

here is the finished rainbow baktus (modeled by maya) that i've been working on for maya's kindergarten teacher (which we plan to give her, as a family, at maya's kindergarten crossing over ceremony at the end of may). each stitch is filled with an abundance of love. and deep gratitude. and unending thanks. a rainbow gift for a teacher whom simple words seem too mundane to describe. for the boundless treasure she has given our rainbow girl during this first year of her waldorf education. for making dreams come true...

in deepest gratitude...

shelley

p.s. also, in response to many previous requests regarding where i purchased this yarn...this 50% silk, 50% wool gradient dyed yarn was custom dyed for me by tree frog knits!

this moment...

a friday ritual (inspired by soulemama). a single photo capturing a moment from the week. a simple, special, extraordinary moment. a moment to pause, savor and remember. if you're inspired to do the same, share a link to your 'moment' in the comments!

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this week, i am grateful for...

:: handwork!

:: seeing maya engaging more at school and with her friends.

:: my new book study group and the personal work that is coming up for me as a result of it.

:: meeting some new mama friends.

in gratitude,

shelley

eastertide...

we had a lovely eastertide celebration...

hope you did, too!

wet felting...

i recently did some wet felting with my kindergarten mama friends. it's been a while since i did a bigger wet felting project and i had forgotten how much i love it. i plan on refining my technique a bit more, but i'm pretty happy with the way this first piece turned out - in my favorite colors, of course! i was thinking i could use it as a spring centerpiece for our dining table. i made the front and back different so that i can use both sides, depending on my mood (one side having a bit more color than the other)...

front side:

back side:

i see a lot more wet felting projects in my future!

shelley

art and beauty...

** a big thank you to everyone for all of the wonderful birthday wishes you sent me on friday. i had a truly magical and very special birthday - one that i will always remember. thank you again! **

this weekend, i found myself observing beauty in some of the handmade art that adorns our home...

:: a watercolor heart made by maya, for valentine's day

:: a custom made tapestry by crazy momma productions

:: a wool roving fairy mobile

:: a ceramic angel made by a waldorf student

:: a forest girl tapestry, made by orit dotan

each piece, special in it's own way. each imbued with the spirit and skill of the maker. each celebrating the beauty of handmade.

what beauty are you seeing in your home?

shelley

fingerweaving...

along with fingerknitting and spool knitting, maya has also recently learned to fingerweave in her kindergarten class. which, as you can imagine, she is now beginning to include in her repertoire of handwork skills here at home. and with a vengeance, i might add. all it took was a stash of rainbow wool yarn and she's been as busy as a bee...

after being created, these fingerweavings are then used for just about everything imaginable - think necklaces, bracelets, belts, leashes, crowns, bookmarks, gifts, etc. ahh, the true joy and beauty of handmade!

shelley

p.s. for anyone interested, here is a simple fingerweaving tutorial video that i just found online.

knitting squares...

to answer a few curious readers regarding my knitting photo from monday's post, these are the ten squares our family pledged to knit for our waldorf school's annual knit-a-thon (rainbow colors, of course!). these will be used to make scarves and blankets for homeless folks. and raise some money for our school in the process. it's not too late to sponsor our family's efforts, if you have the desire or inclination to do so (even the smallest of contributions is humbly and gratefully accepted and we thank you for your support).

shelley