Hand Made Gifts for the Little Ones

While I enjoy making gifts for everyone I must admit I love making them for the littlest ones.  I was able to finished up two Waldorf inspired playscapes complete with gnome friends, toadstools and trees.

These little playscapes are so much fun to create.  A selection of felt and fabric and you are on your way to a magical world.

This larger mat measures 9.5" by 12".  The path, pond and stones are attached with a simple blanket or running stitch.  The fir tree is free standing and can be moved around the scene.  The toadstools are wooden button painted with water-colors.  Two peg people gnomes complete the set.  

This little set was given to the sweet boy I watch. He named the gnomes Grape and Pumpkin.  His reaction was so sweet, clapping his hands and telling us how his gnomes were moving to his new house. 

I hope you'll try your hand at creating a magical world for your little one.  I'd be more than happy to help you.  And if you rather you can order one especially made for you through my Etsy shop, The Toadstool Forest, using the custom listing button.

Sharing this today over at Natural Suburbia's Creative Friday.

What's New

Wow!  It has been a couple of month since I've been here and boy have we been busy.  Rebekah is flying through first grade, Hannah is soaring through the air in gymnastics, and Sarah has been busy in quite a few plays!  And as for me, on top of all of the usual mom stuff I've started a new venture - I opened a Waldorf inspired Etsy store!

Introducing . . . .

The Toadstool Forest is where gnomes and the friends come out to play.  You will find a unique variety of creations for playing, learning and living.  After creating for my children for years as well as for gifts and swaps, I had a few requests to purchase my creations.  Wow!  I was floored.  The response was amazing and so The Toadstool Forest was born.  

I hope you will hop on over and see what I have to offer.  There will be lots more coming in the near future and I take custom orders.  You can also follow The Toadstool Forest on Facebook.

Hand Poured Beeswax Snowflake Ornaments ~ Set of Three

Wood Burned Perpetual Calendar shown with a Day of the Weak and Weather Gnome

Christmas Brother Bendy Dolls

Set of 10 Wood Burned Memory/Matching Games ~ Perfect Party Favor

Wooden Peg Snowman Family ~ Taking Custom Order to create your family.

These are just a few of the creation you will find over at The Toadstool Forest.  I hope you will take a minute and stop by.  I'd love to hear what you think as well as your ideas for new creations.

Warmly, Elizabeth

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual inspired by Amanda, aka Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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In gratitude this week for

Laughter during our school days

Cool night and warm days

Daily walks 

Planning and Curriculum Support from two wonderful sources

Wishing you a truly blessed weekend!

First Grade!

Wow!  I can't believe the first week of first grade is behind us!  What an exciting week it was!  Full of lots of new discoveries.  Rebekah and I started each day with a nature walk around the neighborhood.  Some days it was just the two of us, sometimes a sister or two would joins us or a few of the little boys I watch.  We had a great time collecting items for the nature table.  Some of this weeks find were a cool puzzle rock, pine cones, wildflowers and a black feather.

Form drawing is a Waldorf thing.  I don't know of it's use in any other educational model.  Rebekah loves it.  She was introduced to the straight line and curve.  We found them all around the room, out in nature, walked them (here on the jump rope) drew them on each others back and modeled them out of bees wax and yarn before drawing them in the main lesson book.

The first of many black board drawing to guide us through the year.  In the morning it was covered by a beautiful blue silk.  Rebekah couldn't wait to see what was underneath.  Twice a week there will be a new picture with a secret message hidden in it.  This is how the letters will be introduced along with a story.  Such fun!

More form drawing - this time making the forms with bulky yarn!

Rebekah made her jump rope at the farmers market a few weeks ago.  It was a both set up by our local Waldorf School!  She loves it and is getting really good!  During circle time she jumps her little heart out.  I just love her smile!  First grade is definitely agreeing with her.

Painting and exploring with colors!  Such fun!  We both painted yellow next to blue and then yellow next to green.  This exercise comes directly from Steiner himself.  It was interesting to see how each of responded differently to the contrast between the two.  Painting is part of a weekly rhythm.  We will paint every Tuesday!  It is a day everyone looks forward to.

What a fabulous first week!  We did so much more than this, but I just couldn't leave the fun to snap pictures!