One of the many beeswax ornaments K and I made the other day inspired by my friend's blog
Last Saturday our future school had their 'Heart of Advent' event. This is a yearly event for the parents to get together to learn new crafts, create beautiful decorations for the holidays, make gifts for friends and family and gather projects to do at home with our children. As soon as I found out about it, I knew I just had to go. Since it was a parents only event the school kindly offered childcare for kids two and older in one of their kindergarten classrooms. This tiny detail was what made it an awesome experience, not only for me but for K as well (She wants nothing more than to be in school right now but her age and finances make it impossible until next year). Kevin agreed to watch C for 2 hours so everything worked out perfectly.
Wooly sheep still in progress
I dropped K off in the classroom and she never even looked back, then I was off to create. I thought 2 hours would be enough time but really I could have spent the whole day there. I only got to three tables, and didn't finish a single project in that short amount of time but it was all so perfect. Everyone there was so kind, helpful and just soothing to be around. Even the atmosphere as a whole was incredibly calming. They had the most beautiful piano music being played by a very talented student, and the smell of warm beeswax all through the halls.
Wool felt photo album
I was able to start a tiny little sheep at one table (and took home supplies to make another one, as well as a camel),and a wool felted photo album (which will be a gift for K for Christmas) at another. But the highlight for me was the wool roving angel, not because of the project itself, although it is very beautiful, but because of the woman teaching it. When I first saw her there was just this kindness and sincerity in her eyes that was so warming. As she taught me we talked about our families and places we have lived. It ends up she runs a Waldorf inspired daycare from her house literally down the road from our house! We could walk to see her whenever we want. Pretty crazy since families at the school drive from all over northern Oregon to attend. After the amazement of finding that out, she asked me my daughters names and when I told her K's name she said she knew a girl by that name back in New York. I instantly knew who she was talking about because K's name is pretty rare, there are only 3 of them that we know of, and all 3 know each other. The two of us were completely taken back by the fact that we both knew this one inspiring family. What are the odds?! I ended up spending most of my two hours at that table talking with her. The girls and I are already making plans to go for a walk one of these days and visit. We can't wait!
Wool roving angel
Every time I look at that angel I will think about what a wonderful time I had at that event. It was truly an amazing, amazing experience. It was an opportunity to slow down, be creative, enjoy the company of other adults (which never happens for me), while preparing for the season that is coming all to soon! I still can't get over how fortunate we are to be here and just how much I love this community.
Now to finish up the wooly animals and the photo album...
Happy Creating!!
24 comments:
Oh how lovely! I am envious of the community you've immersed yourself in! The angel is so pretty...lovely!
What a magical experience - how lucky you are! We're making beeswax ornaments too. I am addicted to the smell.
What a wonderful angel! I'm glad you had such a great time at the event. :) Inspired by the same blog, I bought all the supplies for making beeswax ornaments over the weekend. I can't wait to try them!
I love the story that goes with your angel - I'm so glad that you have found such good company in your new home and community. We are from Virginia and lived in Warrenton and Culpeper for a few years, so that makes your adventures a little more "special" to me.
What kinds of things was K doing while in the childcare? I know she was over the Moon! :)
Peace,
Carrie
i am so happy you have found your place in this world! finding home is so wonderful and the pnw is a haven for comfort. sounds like you are right where you need to be..:)
xoxoxxo
Thank you for the blog love Nicole. :) Your ornaments turned out lovely!
Do you remember enough about how to make the angel to be able to teach me? I would love to make one.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time!
Oh Nicole, I am so very happy that you've found your community! What a wonderful gift the universe has sent you in the form of the friendship with a woman who is a neighbor and knows the other K! It's destiny, my friend...
Lovely. lovely crafts... actually bought wool to try to make the angel here :)
So wonderful. It seems to me that when we immerse ourselves in the kind of positive and loving energy that your community pulsates with, these sorts of coincidences arise - as if to tell us the heart of the universe in right here with us, and all is well.
Beautiful angel.
I got my issue of Living Crafts today and I LOVED your contribution! (Hope you don't mind the comment, I saw your "hint hint", so I figured it was ok ;-)
-Samantha (a longtime reader, but very infrequent commenter)
How lovely. No waldorf or enki community here, though we do tend to visit them wherever we go! So lovely that you are finding community in your new home. What are the inner pages of the album made with?
Would you consider telling us how to make the wool roving angel? Beth
How wonderful, your handwork and the beautiful community!
Love the angel you made!
I just made some of those sheep for a recent swap. The Nature Table book?
How wonderful to have that community. The angel is beautiful.
Nicole, I can't help but feel calm and centered just by reading your words here. Such a lovely post♥
Sounds SO lovely! If you could share how to make the wool photo album I would be incredibly appreciative. Pita Pocket is starting speech therapy soon and I've been asked to make him some albums with our everyday objects in them for labeling. thanks!
My favorite items in my house all have to do with Waldorf. I loved my days in Parent Tot where we would go home every Friday with our toddler and a new craft to place in our home. I've never made beeswax ornaments but I'm going to try my hand at it. I think my son especially would love this.
It is always incredible when you stumble upon a kindred spirit. Yet one more thing to make you feel like you belong. Thanks for posting the pic of the angel. I haven't made one in probably 15 years. A few years ago I gave away the last one I had made. I now feel compelled to make one for this year. Thanks!
These beeswax ornaments are absolutely beautiful!
These ornaments are so beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you everyone, we truly feeled blessed to be here. It feels like this is where we were meant to be, know what I mean?
Carrie- K told me she colored, played, sang and cleaned up :) Not sure if it was all in that order though :p
Simple Mama- Of course! I will try and teach you when we meet up, I'll contact you about it soon.
Samantha - Thank you! My issue has yet to arrive so I am anxious to see it!! Nice to hear from you!
Taimarie - I am not exactly sure what they are made from, I think it's from a cut up photo album or a scrap book, maybe. I had to sew them in.
Beth - Yes, let me find my instructions and wool roving ;)
Mama Rose - The sheep were the kindergarten teacher's pattern inspired by that book.
Nicole -I will try for sure! I t seems simple enough!
I apologize for not having the time to respond to everyone right now. Lately I have had to steal these blog moments when I can.
How blessed you are to have that sort of day.
I have never lived where I can attend anything like that. Anything I have learned I have had to teach myself from books or images.
So glad you enjoyed this so much. I think we all need some refeshing time like this.
I am enjoying yhour blog greatly.
Blessings
As I am sitting here late at night trying to make the angel, I flickr'd it and of course came to your site, dear friend... do you know where I can find stars to put on the angel?
less than 3, Me :)
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