Needlebooks

May 4, 2017 we will begin needlebooks -- useful for yourself, lovely as a gift. Whether or not you choose to decorate the cover, you can sew together a few "pages" of felt to stick needles in, add a pocket for tiny scissors, and other embellishments we inspire from each other and our Internet searches for ideas beforehand. If you have a needlebook you like, please come tell us why you like it so those of us making new ones can benefit from your design and experience.

What to bring (any or all):

• Felt
• Fabric
• Needle(s)
• Embroidery thread
• Buttons or other knick knacks to sew on
• Scissors
• Design ideas

For credits of pictured needlebooks see the full page post:
http://www.museofthemorning.com/museblog/2014/weekend-inspiration-amazing-needle-books/

Knitting bee

Bring your knitting project, your needles you've never used before, your interest to learn... and we will all knit together! We do this about once a month, so far, but some folks have expressed interest in an ongoing knitting group.

In Waldorf schools, children learn to knit in First Grade, so you may want to join your child in learning, brush up on the skills you learned from a relative when you were young, or tackle a knitting challenge in good company.

Beginners are always welcome. If you are buying needles, a pair of big ones size 10 or so are good to start. We usually have yarn to share.

We often have experienced knitters who can help fix mistakes, read a pattern, or suggest a good yarn for your project.

Candle decorating

Please bring a candle to decorate at our April 6, 2017 crafting session.


Candles are a central part of the Waldorf meal blessing, and are reverently used in both Passover and Easter celebrations. While Hartsbrook is not allowed to use lit candles on campus, you may enjoy the pleasure of them at your table at home. Working with wax to create something beautiful is a very therapeutic activity and you can also do it with your children at home.

You can decorate tall taper candles or larger diameter pillar candles, or even votive candles. Beeswax is particularly lovely but not at all required.

The school store sells the beautiful thin wax we can use to adorn candles. (See the sample pillar already decorated for spring at the store, open Fridays in Hartsbrook Hall.) 

We will have assorted colors of wax available for sale at a discount at our crafting session:

• 50 cents for half sheets
• $1 for full individual sheets
• $10 for a full box of assorted colors

NOTE: If you have a design in mind and need certain colors, please check with Wendy at the school store to be sure she has the quantity and colors you want.

Wet felted eggs and chicks

March 16, 2017

Parent will lead us wet felting eggs and little chicks to put inside! The school store will provide wool roving for your eggs and chicks in exchange for each participant making a few little yellow chicks to give back.

March 24, 2016

Fiber-rush baskets

Jennie will teach how to make these baskets of fiber rush (paper fiber), which doesn't need to be soaked like wicker basketry, and it comes in many colors!

March 23 and 30, 2017 (two sessions per basket) 
$18 materials fee ~ contact the School Store by 3/3 to register!

We will use 5/32" diameter rush, which is sold by weight. One medium basket probably uses 1 lb of rush, so it's fun to get a couple of colors and share. You can bring your own materials or order from the School Store (use the email address at the bottom of that page if you don't see a specific link). If you know a local source, please let me know; otherwise, The Caning Shop http://www.caning.com/html/product/FIRUSHC.html in Berkeley, CA is the only source I've found for the colored rush. (Craft brown and yellow are widely available and less expensive.)

Valentines with young children

Valentines for classmates in early childhood can be very basic, and are not too difficult to have the children make themselves. Making enough for all the children and the teachers in the class may feel like a lot, and it's not required. It's definitely not something to lose sleep over! But it can be fun if you have a little time and just a few materials. If you don't have materials, ask your Class Parent for suggestions.

A few ideas:

Painted hearts 

Have your child paint a few paintings, or use some you already have, and cut into heart shapes (adult or child). For the child to cut, the paper can't be too thick or it's too difficult. 

Potato stamp (see photos)

Potato cut in half, cut out a shape with a cookie cutter and stamp with paint on paper, either large paper to cut into hearts or squares or already-cut valentine size.  

Sew paper

You or your child can hole-punch around the edge of a colored paper shape and then sew with yarn -- with big holes and big yarn no needle required. 

Special pens, crayons, or glitter on paper or cloth

Collage

Glue small pieces or paper onto a larger heart shape, etc. 

Valentines are preferably homemade and simple. Please do not address them to individual children as it is so much easier for each child to give everyone a card without needing to figure out which one is meant for whom. Children can of course write their own name on their cards if they wish.

Planting bulbs

In honor of the Jewish festival Tu Bishvat, the "new year of trees" and celebration of trees and plants as we look toward the hope of Spring's growth, we will be planting bulbs in containers to grow now. Tu Bishvat is on January 20, 2019.

Thursday, January 17, 2019 we will have small stones and some bulbs; please bring bulbs and a bowl, jar, or flower pot for yourself or to contribute to a classroom at the school.