I know it’s been awhile since I’ve really blogged. I fear I’m in a blogging lull as well as having a hard time these days fitting any kind of blogging in. My very busy toddler who dislikes sleep is part of the blogging lull culprit. Wanting to create and paint and read and play is the other culprit. I finally got my act together this week to take a few photos of what I’ve been making in the home and I thought I’d share (and hopefully I’ll be back to regular blogging soon).
I’ve been working on new felt characters for Ellie’s felt board. Like any young child, she is enjoying Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar. And I thought it very appropriate for spring-time to make her, her very own felt board set to go along with the book. It’s a bit slow going (as you can see I’ve only made it half way through the fruits) but I’m hoping in a week or so I can finish them up for her.
I have also been debating how to set up a “spring table” for Ellie. I love the concepts and philosophy of Waldorf and when I taught preschool even incorporated some Waldorf philosophy into my classroom. One such thing was the nature table. I always try to have a basket of nature items Ellie has collected on her walks for her to explore at her leisure but I really loved the whimsical nature of having a playspace for spring time. Something that helps a child understand the colors and the development and the magic of the season. Since Ellie is still so young, I wanted to keep it simple. She’s very much enjoying periods of independent play with the little Ostheimer animals we got her for Christmas and so I bought some bunnies and a goose for her Easter basket (for this photo shoot, I brought out the bunnies and goose but shhh! Ellie won’t see them till Easter). So with those wooden animals in mind, I went to work on a fabric playscape for her table. Something she can move around if need be. I used wool felt and batik fabrics and created a lake, grass, a little bunny cave and some stepping-stones. It was a joy to make and she is using it now with the animals she has already. I think I’m going to have to make one for each season!
-joining in with our Making part of Making + Listening with Dawn.
summerplayshouse 
Oh what beautiful work! My daughter is also quite a fan of that book. Where did you get all the cute little animals? Did you make those as well? Such talent… I have to agree with you, you may have to make one for every season… I’m thinking of stealing this idea!
Oh! And I so feel you on toddlers that won’t sleep… for me it,s infant that won’t sleep day and night! 😛
I think many of us mothers understand very well, the craziness that is infant/toddler/child sleep. 🙂 Hoping you get some rest Mama! 🙂
Same to you!
LOL! I was so entranced by the pictures I completely missed the part about where the animals came from. Can you tell I’m not awake this morning. Still, the sprint table is BEAUTIFUL!
Thank you so much! It was so much fun to make! The little animals are Osterheimer animals. You can find them at BellaLuna Toys. Such lovely toys. Ellie loves them but so does our dog. We’ve had to replace 2 animals figurines already!!! Steal away! I’d love to see what you make! Please let me know if and when you do so I can see pictures! 🙂
I will! I’m aiming for a little summer mat. I was thinking farm since we have all the farm animal from another set… They are nowhere near as pretty as yours, but I’m thinking my daughter will love it! 🙂
everything is so beautiful!
Thank you Stephinie! I can’t wait to add your play silk to the table as well, but that will have to wait till Ellie opens her Easter basket!
Love it! I wish you sold some of these creations! I would be the first in line to purchase it! I don’t know how to sew nor do I have any equipment so making it myself isn’t an option. Do you know of any etsy shops that would sell something similar?
Oh my that is so sweet of you!! I’ve been really wanting to open an etsy shop with some of my creations. Your comment may have just been the push I needed to really get it going. You are welcome to email me (remmus26@gmail.com) if you would like to talk about a custom order. Maybe we can work something out. 🙂
Wow, Summer! I love the play mat. Oh, that bunny cave is just too much. Adorable! Making one for each season is a fabulous idea.
Thank you Dawn! I’m already planning the next one!