Saturday, August 4, 2012

Making a Gnome Calendar

It has been a crafty summer here at Syrendell!  


We spent an inspired weekend at the Griffin Dyeworks Dye and Fiber Retreat in Castaic, CA.  Camping, spinning, teaching Tunisian crochet, weaving, dyeing, coppersmithing and so much more!  Truly a treat for all people interested in learning more about fiber arts in a relaxed setting. 


Next, we spent 4 weeks teaching, leading and assisting at the Davis Waldorf School Summergarden camp.  Week 1: Knitting, crochet, lucet; Week 2: Spinning, weaving, kumihimo; Week 3: Plant-dyeing, wetfelting, needlefelting; Week 4: Papercrafting and sewing.  Children also participated in gardening and wholesome food preparation.  


Now, we are enjoying crafting at home.  Joey is spinning yarn to earn $ for her upcoming 8th grade trip.  Her yarns are available at www.syrendell.etsy.com and by custom order (email: info@syrendell.com).  Ricky has been helping get our craft/music room reorganized (a thrilling and scary task!).  



Wilson and Mommy created a calendar with gnomes.  This was inspired by one that we had seen made by Mama Roots a while back, one of our favorite Etsy shops.  First, we ordered a wood ring from Joshua Rutherford of Honoring Fallen Trees.  He makes them out of beautiful hardwoods in different colors.  We chose maple.  Next, we selected 12 special little wood people.  We talked about the 12 months of the year, the 4 seasons, and the colors and symbols that represent the seasons.  


Next, Wilson chose colored pieces of felt for each month and matching embroidery threads.  With some embroidery assistance from Mommy and sister Joey, little gnome hats were sewn.  



Wilson painted the gnomes the color of each season and then sealed them with beeswax polish as they dried.  Hats were glued onto the gnomes.  Now, we will play games, tell stories, create math problems, and talk about the months of the year in Spanish and English with our beautiful gnome calendar!

9 comments:

momto5 said...

that is so wonderful. what a great idea. i think i might give it a try as well.
it sounds like you all have been so busy. :)

Anonymous said...

Love the colours!

Anonymous said...

I love the colours of all those gnomes!

Anonymous said...

I love the colours of all those gnomes!

My Serenity Craft Shack said...

I love this idea. I must make one with my little ones for our homeschool room! :)(aka dinning room lol)

Bridgit's Bell said...

Great post!

Leigh said...

What symbols did you use for the hats? I'd like to duplicate them!

Tan Family said...

Leigh, we used snowflake (asterisk) for Winter, flower for Spring, sun for Summer, and a falling leaf for Autumn. We love these little gnomes!

Leigh said...

Thank you! They are so cute! Can't wait to make them!