Handwork Tuesday - A Felted Flower Mural

We began with bubble wrap, hot soapy water  and a beautiful day. 

Wool roving was next! We fluffed the wool and layered it just so. 

We choose our favorite colors and shaped all types of flowers. It was a challenge because wool doesn't always want to do what you want it to do. It was a pleasant reminder of how much control I like to have - with wet felting I have almost none. 

I had to let go of perfection.
Enjoy what becomes.
Trust. 

 Traits  that come naturally to children. 

Traits that are good to brush up on. 

Traits that are good to model.  

When we were all decidedly happy with the mural, Eva carefully poured the hot, soapy water.  

 Then the girls patted and massaged the flower mural softly with their fingers.

It was a wonderful process to watch and do! 

   Eva sang a beautiful song. We created our best and it felt like our best.

 Lifting the cloth continually impressed the girls. We were all so delighted. 

 It was time to roll and agitate. 

We poured another layer of hot water and rolled it up. 

We enjoyed a very warm, summery day and it was fun to get wet...and soapy! 

We rolled and re-rolled and rolled some more. About 6 times total. 

We set it out to dry and while we wait I am going to find the perfect place to hang it. 

Thanks for another inspiring

 lesson Eva!

Namaste, Nicole

If you click on the top photo you can see the process enlarged. 

Field Trip Day ~ Winterthur Enchanted Forest.

We spent a magical day with homeschooling friends on this most beautiful day.  It was calm, warm, colorful and very cool! We beat the Mother's Day crowd and now I can be happy staying home all weekend long. You'll find  me in the garden or taking a bath. 

I hope you get the weekend you want too! Happy Mother's Day. 

Namaste, Nicole

Goddess Wednesday - Morning Dew in May

It is an old Irish custom to collect the morning dew in May and bathe your face in it.  The promise of a special and healthy glow all year round is the desire and I thought I would give it a try along with the girls. 

We set out our freshly laundered hankerchiefs in the evening, (very excitedly, I would say) and woke up the next morning to find them drenched with morning dew! We were in awe to find them so wet and refreshing. The experience was magical. (and so darn easy.)

Anything that connects my girls and me together with nature is a win-win. Maybe next year we'll add some needle work to our white little hankies and add our initials. This was fun and it spoke to our inner voices,  it encouraged good thoughts and brightened our own self value. 

Go ahead, collect some morning dew and shine up your aura. It works. We were all very delighted and you will be too. 

Namaste, Nicole

Hand Felted Birdhouse

The girls and I, with the help of our talented friend Eva, made homes for a very special Jenny Wren and her feathered friends. We wait patiently for their arrival and peek every so often out our kitchen window. 

To make these hand felted birdhouses we used wool roving, balloons, nylons, ribbon and hot soapy water. 

It took patience, it felt warm, the company was good. We massaged the birdhouse for about 30 minutes. 

Plain, simple and fun  - each birdhouse is uniquely beautiful. 

Namaste, Nicole