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nature table projects/instructions  

post #1 of 22
9/2/06 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 
I want to make some things for ds's nature table. Like a mother nature dolls, root children, etc. Can anyone suggest some good craft projects. I want to get into needle felting becuase I think it's so beautiful but I haven't gotten started yet. Thanks so much. Free directions/tutorials are always appreciated! thanks
post #2 of 22
9/5/06 at 8:17pm
Subbing -- I want to start one this year, too.
post #3 of 22
9/5/06 at 8:29pm
Have you checked out the book The Nature Corner (I think that's right) It's way more craftier than anything I could do, but you might have some luck.
post #4 of 22
9/5/06 at 8:41pm
Cornhusk Dolls

Hollyhock dolls

Leaf art

Great thread!
post #5 of 22
9/17/06 at 7:41pm
I find that The Nature Corner is great for ideas--even when I'm not as crafty as they are (knitted sheep, sewn felt people).
I also like All Year Round, and The Children's Year both may be in your library--or available on interlibrary loan.

I taught myself needle felting using More Magic Wool---although it's not a needle felting book--they use the wool and sew it together or knot it, their directions for doll bodies are great--although I must say that the directions are not great as in easy to follow or clear, just that the photos of the process, then the finished dolls are good inspiration.

This fall I'm making some root children with felt and the basic wooden bodies. In the past I've used the wooden bodies as bases to make gnomes--just sew the felt for the hats and the clothes and glue on.

My goal is always to make one new thing per/season or festival, then round out the table with found objects, colored silks, I also like cut flowers or branches.

oh...I also really like Circle Round. There are great seasonal activities/crafts, and there are always altar suggestions that I use for our nature table.
post #6 of 22
9/17/06 at 9:27pm
:
post #7 of 22
9/18/06 at 12:04am
subbing so I can remember the titles of those books. I was actually going to come on and post the same thing
post #8 of 22
9/20/06 at 1:25am
I have to tell you that I JUST started needle felting, and it is so gosh darn easy that you should go directly to the closest yarn store, buy some wool roving and a felting needle, and just start it. Someone at the store could probably show you how to do something simple in just a few minutes. The needle is barbed on the end, and you just get the wool into the general shape you want and start stabbing at it (you will want a spongy thing between your hand and the object you are felting - that sucker hurts!). It packs down into a shape, and you can control the shape by how much stabbing you do. You can attach pieces just by stabbing them together. Since someone took a few minutes to show me the basics, I have made countless toys for my kids for only a few dollars - they love them! Now, mind you they are not all show pieces , but some are pretty darn cute, even though I am a rank beginner. Seriously, if you're interested, just start it . . .
post #9 of 22
9/20/06 at 5:57pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice on needle felting. I actually picked it up a few weeks ago. I am in love with the puppets they use for story time at our Waldorf School and have always wnted to learn. I had a friend who was supposed to teach me how to do it but I got too impatient waiting for her to have time. So, I tried to teach myself and it came out amazing!!! If I can figure out how to post a picture here or a link to a picture I will, but at the moment I don't have time to figure it out. Anyways, suffice it to say that when I showed it to ds's waldorf teacher she was extremely impressed and seemed a bit embarrassed that she thought mine were better than hers!
post #10 of 22
9/20/06 at 7:34pm
I really recomend the book Making Magical Fairy-Tale Puppets by Christel Dhom

http://www.waldorfbooks.com/images/m...uppets_100.jpg

I also recomend The Nature Corner.

I LOVE needle felting, and I have needle feltet lots of dolls etc for nature tables etc.

I have some pictures of our Mother Earth doll, if any of you would like it as an inspiration.

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive34/...rPMfF8S.jpg?96

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive34/...uqzqmN4.jpg?65

http://www.fotoknudsen.no/archive34/...DogGgfe.jpg?56


In the early springtime we also have a doll we call Aunt Teu (from a story called Olles skitrip, by Elsa Bescow). I dont know is that is just a typical nordic thing? And in the wintertime we have King Winter (also from Elsa Beskows story). Most of our dolls are needle felted.

I really prefer the nature table at autumn and in the winter . Everything gets so cold outside, and we use the table so much more than we do in the summer time!
post #11 of 22
9/21/06 at 6:30pm
great thread. thanks so much for the ideas!
post #12 of 22
9/21/06 at 11:32pm
Yes! this is just the thread I was looking for!
I have only made little fairies for our table so far, to go with all our collected leaves, rocks, sticks, etc... I really want o make a harvest doll, but I am having a hard time finding corn husks or other suitable material... maybe if we have corn on the cob I could just use those...
post #13 of 22
9/21/06 at 11:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hedvig View Post
I have some pictures of our Mother Earth doll, if any of you would like it as an inspiration.
Beautiful!
And you have real seasons there in Norway, eh?!
post #14 of 22
9/22/06 at 2:32am
:
post #15 of 22
9/28/06 at 9:42am
Thread Starter 
here it is..nature table, felted doll and fairy house...
http://web.mac.com/kristenataylor/iW...0projects.html
post #16 of 22
9/28/06 at 11:38am
Lovely, snugglebug!
post #17 of 22
9/28/06 at 5:21pm
Snuggle Bug that is beautiful! Did you glue it together on to the base? I think I'll try my hand at it. Thanks for the inspiration.

I have all that sort of stuff around my home and would be happy to gather if anyone would like some please feel to contact me off the list at dancingraindolls@yahoo.com

Amy Prentice
DancingRainDolls.com
post #18 of 22
12/8/06 at 5:09pm
Can we ressurect this thread? I am in a dolly making mood nad I needlefelt mostly. I love to see what others do. i have a few things on my blog and will be posting more soon as soon as I figure out how to get the pictures from the camera to the blog. I am great at all the wooly stuff but technology is sometimes hit and miss for me!
post #19 of 22
12/8/06 at 6:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by zansmama View Post
Yes! this is just the thread I was looking for!
I have only made little fairies for our table so far, to go with all our collected leaves, rocks, sticks, etc... I really want o make a harvest doll, but I am having a hard time finding corn husks or other suitable material... maybe if we have corn on the cob I could just use those...
I know you posted this ages ago but the answer is yes you can use corn on the cob as a sorce for cornhusks.

We used to make cornhusk dolls when I was a kid. Back then no one would have ever dreamed of charging money for cornhusks (ok I've got a few wrinkles .)

Next time you eat corn either set the husks aside to dry like flowers and you will then need to soak them to use; or use them right away as is. BTW the corn silk can be used as hair and spun into string, it's straight when moist but dries curly.
post #20 of 22
12/8/06 at 8:51pm
does anyone have any good projects for a winter nature table?
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