waldorf mama

right now...

inspired by amanda's post, here are my ten words for right now...

:: inspiration

:: cozy

:: creativity

:: comfort

:: art

:: play

:: organization

:: beauty

:: imitation

:: possibilties

what are your ten words this february day?

shelley

here's to baskets...

we love using baskets for many things in our home. one of the main things i love about baskets is how easy it is to organize with them. they keep things neat on shelves and tables. and are very handy for carrying about. and whether wooden or wicker, i always appreciate their natural and organic appearance...

here's to baskets today!

shelley

a new year...

today marks the beginning of my third year here in blogland. from my first humble post (on blogger) in january 08 to my move to typepad in january 09, little did i know what was in store for me here in this wonderful online space. i have forged so many new friendships. and i have learned so much about this amazing online community, as well as myself as an individual.

this past year has been a learning curve for me. i've let some folks down by not getting the handmade items that they purchased from me out to them in a timely way. i unintentionally over-extended myself by way of custom orders through my shops and under-delivered to my customers (due, in part, to some unforeseen circumstances). and for this, i am truly sorry and wish to send out a big apology. now with a fresh start at the beginning of this new year, i am committing myself to a new and better way of doing business - only ready-made and ready-to-ship items will be listed in my shops! i will continue to knit my popular silk and wool pilot caps, dolls and other waldorf items with great love and care and offer them in my shops as i am able, shipping them immediately upon purchase. this will undoubtedly be a more desirable and less stressful way for me to do business. and, at the same time, allow me to devote more time to respond to comments and emails that i receive...as well as focus on the creative development of this little blog of mine. i have so many new and inspired things i would like to share with you here in this space! i hope you will join me.

now, on to my special blogiversary giveaway. in what i am now announcing to be a waldorfmama annual tradition, i am giving away a set of the older style (and no longer in production) ostheimer knights and horses (see my original giveaway and story here). this waldorfmama giveaway set includes: a riding blue knight and red horse, a riding purple knight and gold horse, a standing blue knight and a standing purple knight (as pictured below - castle pieces not included)...

to enter the giveaway, just leave a comment on this post. and as much as i would love to give each and every one of you a beautiful set like this :) ...i will be selecting and announcing the winner, via random integer generator, on monday night, january 11, around 9:00pm CST.

thanks, to each of you, for joining me on my journey here. i am grateful for your continued support and for each and every comment you leave. i look forward to a wonderful and exciting new year with you here on waldorfmama!

with much love and gratitude,

shelley

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comments closed! and the winner is...

congratulations, kyrie!

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our christmas morn...

maya :: december 09

for maya :: new books, a wee house for a wee gnome, an auris stir xylophone, a wee doll lyre, a felted rainbow jumprope, rainbow colored beeswax and a rainbow pencil...

 house from germany, wee gnome from zooloo naturals...

a doll lyre from germany, made by mariengold...

a rainbow playscape silk, from palumba...

a castle, ostheimer knight and princess...

and lastly, this rocking board was recommended by maya's kindergarten teacher to strengthen her balance and overall coordination. it was made by a therapist and artist at the waldorf fellowship community in new york...

:: update on rockerboard info: after many inquiries on where and who we purchased our rocker board from, i received permission from the artist to share his contact info here. please direct all inquires to rockerboards@aol.com. however, also please be aware that these boards are made by a small community of people and they often have difficulty keeping up with the demand for them! ::

maya has been playing on and with it constantly since she received it!

happy birthday, audrey...

happy 9th birthday, sweet audrey! we love you so much!

shelley, maya and papi 

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!

around the house...

as we were making our weekly commute to austin yesterday, about half way through the trip...i realized i left my camera at home! so over the next few days i'll be including in my posts here previous photos i've taken but haven't yet shared. little snippets and scenes from our home and life.

today's images are just a few from around our home...

kitchen table with art boards for drawing and drying watercolor paintings

mr sun, who greets guests at our front door

our much loved ostheimer doll house

a heartwood arts gnome house by our front door

home, sweet, home...

shelley