Paper dove DIY - make it with your kids!

Here is how to make a beautiful paper dove together with your children. These paper doves could be hanged on a branch and will make a lovely Easter or a Spring nature table decoration.

You will need :

1sheet of white cardboard or watercolor paper for the body

silk paper or calque for the wings

a pair of scissors or a cutter

beeswax crayon blocks or watercolors

1 needle

a piece of string/ thread (golden or silver color looks very nice)

You can leave the body of the dove white or paint the paper with color crayon blocks on both sides. Children will be happy to give you a hand with this. You could also use watercolors to paint the paper.

Cut out the shape of the dove as shown. With the help of the cutter or sharp scissors make a straight cut across about 1.6 inch long.

Fold over the edge of your A4 silk paper , then turn around and fold it again. Go on until all the paper is used as shown on the photo. This will be the bird's wings.

Pass them through the cut on the bird's body.

Bend and lift the wings unfolding them gently and joining the two together with a string.

Make a knot leaving the string long enough to hang the bird.

That's it! Your dove is ready.

Happy Spring!

By Masha (BertyandMasha)

Waldorf toys for children's development

Waldorf toys are traditionally made of only natural materials. They are handmade and that's why they are the most precious. They keep the warmth of the person who made them.

 

Today Masha (BertyandMasha) and Oksana (LaFiabaRussa) are talking about the traditional Waldorf approach to making children's toys and spring seasonal activities.

A child is learning and exploring the world around him through play. The first Waldorf toy for a baby would be a simple cloth doll with a round head and a soft body. There are no facial features to keep the imagination free but there are some details. Like a wooden ring and fists to chew on to comfort and soothe baby's growing teeth. 

This doll is designed for age up to 1 year old.

As the child grows, the dolls become more sophisticated. The head is sculptured and has facial features. The body has well formed limbs and the doll can now be dressed and undressed by small hands.

These bigger dolls are designed for children many years to come.

Wooden toys and toys made of wool or silk are also important for a child's development. They are simple open ended toys that give space to child's creativity and imagination. They are also indispensable in role playing games.

Natural Seasonal toys and activities will allow a child to joyfully live through the change of seasons and the natural rhythm of the year, which is considered essential in Waldorf pedagogy. 

 

Every season has it's own feasts, colors and attributes, usually something a child can bring back from a walk, a forest or a garden. It can be cones or acorns, stones or flowers, small branches and dry leaves.

 

A Spring nature table reflects all the changes that happen in Spring, the awakening of nature. 

So flower children, light and beautiful fairies, birds, tree branches and, of course, flowers will create a beautiful Spring nature table. 

Here you can also add some animals or spring gnomes. Don't forget about Easter, the most important feast associated with Spring!

 The creation of a nature table can be a lot of joy and fun, especially if done together with children.

This Sunday we'll show you how to make a beautiful paper dove - stay tuned!

By Masha (BertyandMasha) and Oksana (LaFiabaRussa)

Dragon giveaway results

We are happy to announce the winner of our toy dragon giveaway!

 Comment # 12 by nihama was chosen as a winner. Congratulations!

 Antonina (Wonderlandinhabitant) will contact you to verify your mailing address.

Congratulations to the winner and thank you for participation, everyone!

A Dragon giveaway

What could be better than having your own small-size dragon in the Year of Dragon! Especially when it is given to you as a gift!

Well, today we are offering a surprise dragon giveaway.

A little dragon is being made for you by Antonina's (Wonderlandinhabitant) right now! The dragon will look similar to this one:

 It might be a boy or a girl, or have some different accessories, it all depends on Antonina's imagination. All we know is that is going to be a cute dragon made with love and just for you!

Antonina is a maker of wonderful Waldorf dolls and toys. Take a look at some of her creations:

 ... looks like her secret are these two little helpers!

Visit her shop and you might want to adopt one of her Wonderlandinhabitants. They are so cute and just waiting for a good home to go to.

 Here's how you enter for a chance to win this:

- Visit the WonderlandInhabitant shop, take a look around and leave us a comment of what your favorite item is (1 entry per comment)

 - Favorite Wonderlandinhabitant shop - 1 entry

 - Follow our blog - 1 entry

- Subscribe to our blog via RSS - 1 entry

- Grab our button and place it on your blog - 2 entries

 - Blog about this giveaway - 2 entries

- Tweet about this giveaway - 1 entry

- Leave a link to this giveaway on Facebook - 1 entry

- Follow  Wonderlandinhabitant on facebook - 1 entry

- Purchase anything from Wonderlandinhabitant shop - 7 entries. Leave us a comment on what you purchased.

- Subscribe to Antonina's blog (in Russian)- 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment on each entry and don't forget to leave us your email address so that we can contact you! 

The more entries you submit the more chances of winning!

A winner will be chosen by Antonina using random.org on January 13th and we will announce the winner on our blog.

Felted balls DIY

Every child likes to play with balls. There should be a lot of them in different colors, sizes and made from the different materials like plastic, wood or textile. 

How about a felted wool balls for your home decor? Let's make it together with Oksana from LaFiabaRussa shop on Etsy!

You will need:

100% wool yarn, new or recycled from old sweaters

one or two unexpensive nylon pantyhose (leg portion only),

a pair of your old jeans

string or cord,

washing machine

Roll the yarn into balls (we are using 100% wool only for this project. Non wool yarn will not felt). 

Now it is ready for a cycle of intensive wash. Stuff them one at a time into the legs of the pantyhose and tie a cord in between the balls.

 Continue this way until all of your balls are inside.

Toss your filled pantyhose into a washing machine on a short hot cycle together with a pair of your old jeans to help the process of felting.

Check your balls, they should be fulled into balls but they are still soft! 

So it's time to embellish them with colorful threads or wool appliqué.

Return your balls to a washing machine for further fulling. Repeat the process of washing on a spin cycle in hot soapy water. Use as little water as possible to help the balls bounce together more.

If the balls still feels too soft after the first cycle run it again.

When the balls are tight enough switch the setting to rinse and add a big towel to hold your balls in place as they spin.

Ready!

For a couple days dry your balls out in warm place with lots of air circulation.

So, here they are, bright, warm, soft and safe for your furniture! Just don’t be surprised if your new felted balls will be a hit with your kids and pets!