Etsy treasury created by FeeVertelaine

♥Love this sweet felt heart tutorial!

♥Cough drop lollipops... nothing but honey!

♥Here’s a great article on feeding young children from an Anthroposophical viewpoint.

♥What a cute appliqued shirt! I’m going to make one for my daughter’s birthday next week. maybe with a horse…

♥Greek style quinoa burgers, yum!

♥How about heart shaped cinnamon rolls for a Valentine’s day breakfast?

What are you loving this week?

 
Julie Hunter is a wife and mama, raising 3 spirited girls, two babydoll sheep, angora rabbits and a gaggle of chickens and ducks in the North Carolina Foothills. She spends her days at home, crafting with her children, homeschooling, taking long gathering walks in the woods and knitting Waldorf-inspired toys. You can find her blogging and keeping shop at This Cosy Life.

Painting small details takes two things: A steady hand and a set of fine brushes – very fine brushes!  Beccijo from The Enchanted Cupboard owns both. Check out the neat photos of her tools she sent me.

In the first photo you can see how each brush creates a different type of stroke. You can see the variety from the tiniest eye lash brush to the widest filler type brush. The tiny brush on top is my favorite.

In the next photo we are closing in on the object being painted. It’s one of Beccijo’s cute pink wooden dolls. Will she adorn a wedding cake maybe? Or will she star as a little girl in one of The Enchanted Cupboards cute play sets in a box?

Here she is all finished. See her teeny tiny eyes? The lovely green collar of leaves around her neck? I love the cute little heart shaped lips. I hope these photos inspire you to send me some photos of the favorite tool in your studio!

Happy Crafting!

My husband and I both enjoy cooking. We alternate the chore and often cook together. As the kids are getting older we try to include them as much as we can. I think it’s important that children learn how to cook and don’t just sit by the sidelines waiting for dinner to be served. After all cooking is fun and a life skill they will need once they move away from home.

This weekend we cooked this delicious curry-lamb dish together as a family. We love this dish yet we had not made this meal for a very long time. If you want to know why you can read on my blog…

Ingredients:

2 pounds of lamb shoulder (organic if you can afford it)

4 Tablespoons oil

1 Tablespoon Curry

2 Tablespoons flour

2 cups chicken broth

125 ml cream

500 g fresh leaves of spinach

1 large oinion diced

pepper and salt to taste

lemon juice to taste

How to make it:

1. Remove all the large fatty parts and silver skin of the meat. Cut meat into bite sized pieces. Heat the oil and brown the meat on all sides. Be patient when doing this. It’s key to making this dish a success! Since I don’t have a lot of patience when it comes to cooking meat I prefer to leave this job to the man.

2. Dust the meat with curry powder and flour. Add the chicken broth and cream. Let the meat simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Wash the spinach and take out all the bruised leaves and tough stems. My daughter likes to do this job. Rip or chop the leaves (if they are very large) into smaller pieces. Meanwhile I will chop the onions and our son likes to get the freshly squeezed lemon juice ready. Saute the diced onions in oil and add spinach to the pot. Wilt the spinach together with the onions. This takes about 10 minutes or so. You can do it while the meat is simmering.

4. Add the spinach with the onions to the meat. Add lemon juice, pepper, and salt to taste.

We like to serve this meal over rice. You can also eat it as a stew in a bowl with some bread on the side.

Ulla Seckler  is a dollmaker who was born and raised in Germany. She lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and two kids. You can find her Notes by a German Dollmaker on her blog where she shares some great German recipes, pictures of her sweet dolls, and life lessons learned.  Don’t forget to stop by her Etsyshop and take a peek at her wonderful doll creations.

Etsy treasury created by BirchLeafDesigns

♥It’s time to start garden planning. Sprout Robot will tell you when to plant what, going by your zip code!

♥A tutorial for making root babies.

♥Here’s an awesome tutorial for making an upcycled, girl’s t-shirt dress.

♥I made these Blueberry Cream Cheese Scones for brunch last weekend and my girls gobbled them up so fast!

♥I love this Paper Hearts Wreath.

♥A Crafternoon.. this sounds like so much fun!

Tell me what you’re loving this week!

 
Julie Hunter is a wife and mama, raising 3 spirited girls, two babydoll sheep, angora rabbits and a gaggle of chickens and ducks in the North Carolina Foothills. She spends her days at home, crafting with her children, homeschooling, taking long gathering walks in the woods and knitting Waldorf-inspired toys. You can find her blogging and keeping shop at This Cosy Life.

Sara Sacks of Woolies:

I think in another life I may have been a horse. I was born in the Chinese year of the horse. I’ve been in love with horses since the age of 2. Where our backyard ended, a stable began. My mother used to find me hanging on the fence, just watching the horses. I started riding at 4. I started a horse club at the age of 7. We were only allowed to play ‘horses’. I finally was able to purchase my first real horse at the age of 30. We now have 2 horses. They are the most amazing animals. I adore to make horses, in every color of the rainbow. Here is one of my Earth Ponies:

Rainbow Unicorn Earth Pony by Woolies

 Kristi Ashley of Tickety Bu:

Everything I make has been born out of necessity for our family, but the colors I use in my dyes tell the real stories of our lives. Each colorway has been inspired by an experience, most often with the kids. This one was picked straight from our garden. We spend all our time outside when it’s warm and we are lucky to have lots of heirloom hydrangeas in our garden. We dry the blooms every year and my daughter is especially fond of them. I think of her and all our summer adventures outside each time I dye this up:

Bamboo velour teether in dried hydrangea by Tickety Bu

Julie Ouimet of FeéVertelaine: 

I gave my daughter a little heart a couple of years ago and I still use it frequently as a little love note. When I make her bed, I leave the gnome on the pillow or I leave him with a little “snack.” It’s become a habit, and my daughter always enjoys this little gesture. The Valentine Love Gnomes I make for the shop leave room for your imagination. They’re good anywhere, just to say I love you!

Valentine Love Gnome by FéeVertelaine

Julie Ouimet's original heart for her daughter

Stephinie Miner of Gypsy Forest:

My Spindrift quilts are the most loved handmade item I offer in my shop. The shape of each quilt is hand drawn with a curvy edge that gives it a soft organic feel. The name spindrift is a nautical term meaning spray blown from crests of waves by the wind and was chosen to honor our family’s deep connection with the sea. The quilt however was inspired by a lovely colorful whole cloth quilt gifted to me over 15 years ago when my first baby came into the world. I was given kind but stern instructions that the quilt be used, and not hung upon the wall. It was a cherished gift that in time swaddled 4 babies, became the roof and walls of many blanket forts, and was clothes-pinned under chins as a cape. I always hope the quilts I send out will receive this much use & love.

Octopus in the Sea Spindrift Quilt by Gypsy Forest

Farida Dowler of Alkelda Dolls:

I wish I could have been one of those children who loved math from the beginning and learned to use it as a tool to comprehend the science I wanted to study. I wish I’d had a math gnome nearby to inspire and encourage me to persevere and be patient with myself when I puzzled over (and sometimes cried over) fractions, theorems, and story problems. As a grownup, I  was inspired by the math gnomes used in the Waldorf educational curriculum to make math-themed dolls for children, teens, and adults who would like some company during homework, check-book-balancing, and tax return times. I know I still do!

Math Gnome by Alkelda Dolls

These are just some of the stories my fellow artisans have shared with me. I look forward to bringing you more of their stories.

Farida Dowler of Alkelda Dolls lives in Seattle, Washington, USA, with her husband and daughter.  Saints and Spinners is her song and storytelling blog. Her favorite math songs are “Ten Tiny Turtles” and “Ladybug Picnic” by Don Hadley and Bud Luckey.

Who is Vanessa? She is young woman from Brooklyn, NY who recently lost her husband. You can read her story on the auction site.

I am proud to say that a number of doll makers on the NaturalKids team stepped up to give for this course. Honestly, I wasn’t sure in the beginning. You know it’s hard when you get requests for donations almost every single day in your Etsyshop. Our family is not rich and I have been struggling with the fact that we have not been able to afford to visit my family in Germany for almost 8 years now.

But I think we always need to leave space in our heart to give to those in need. So I decided to donate a little dress I made for Valentine’s Day. With the hearts it seemed to fit the theme perfectly… I am awed by the fact that in less than 24 hours it has been bid up to $52. I am so happy that I could help Vanessa and her kids. Please, check out the auction and bid or make a donation if you can!

In the Winter time our family enjoys this warm vegetable salad. I adapted the recipe from a German cookbook I brought along when I moved to the US from Germany. It’s called Kochen mit Obst und Gemuse in translation that means “Cooking with Fruits and Vegetables”.  I could not find this book in a translated version. So I guess it has not appeared in English translation. But googling the term “cooking with vegetables” I stumbled upon a few really neat cookbooks I am very curious about now…

Here is the recipe of the warm veggie salad  from my German cookbook:

Ingredients:

a couple of small bunches of broccoli

half a head of cauliflower

2-3 small carrots

butter

a touch garlic

oil

vinegar

salt

freshly ground black pepper

How to make it?

Wash and cut the broccoli and cauliflower into small bite-sized florets. Wash and peel the carrots and cut into small disks. Bring a small amount of water with butter, and garlic to boil. Add the cauliflower first and saute for a few minute, then add the broccoli florets, last throw in the carrot disks. While the veggies are cooking make a dressing with the vinegar,oil, salt, and pepper. When all the vegetables are tender, take the veggies out with a slotted spoon and mix them with the dressing right before you serve them.

Timing is the hardest part of making this salad. All veggies have different cooking times so you need to figure out when each will be tender but not overcooked. You also don’t want to start this side dish too early so  it arrives cold on the table with whatever else you are serving. If your other dishes are not finished yet you can put some foil over it and keep it warm in your oven.

For variation you can throw in other vegetables you have in the house. I have added sliced mushrooms for example…

Ulla Seckler  is a dollmaker who was born and raised in Germany. She lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and two kids. You can find her Notes by a German Dollmaker on her blog where she shares some great German recipes, pictures of her sweet dolls, and life lessons learned.  Don’t forget to stop by her Etsyshop and take a peek at her wonderful doll creations.

With Candlemas approaching my thoughts are moving toward planting the spring garden and spring cleaning. Here are a few links to bring a little inspiration to the the approaching month.

♥A Hans Christian Anderson story to read at Candlemas

♥Make a Brigid’s Cross with your children

♥Ideas for celebrating

♥Some verses for a Candlemas circle time

♥A beautiful Candlemas nature table

♥Tutorial for for making dipped candles with children

Julie Hunter is a wife and mama, raising 3 spirited girls, two babydoll sheep, angora rabbits and a gaggle of chickens and ducks in the North Carolina Foothills. She spends her days at home, crafting with her children, homeschooling, taking long gathering walks in the woods and knitting Waldorf-inspired toys. You can find her blogging and keeping shop at This Cosy Life.

We try to keep things simple, though, it wasn’t always so. My eldest will be 7 this year. For the first few years we did themed parties with relatives and friends. I know we frequently overdid it on the gifts, too. But for the past 2 or 3 years we’ve scaled back and simplified things. In no way diminishing the celebration, but making them smaller, closer to home and, I think, more meaningful.

Traditions are always evolving in our home. If it doesn’t suit the people we are growing into or creates more stress, we easily let them go or skip them this time. We also add or try new traditions out as the inspiration strikes.

One tradition that we started on my oldest daughter’s first birthday and joyfully keep for each child year after year is the birthday morning gift. I take one small, specially selected gift and my camera to bed with me the night before the big day. In the morning, when the birthday girls wakes, she comes straight to my bed (or we go to her if she’s being a sleepy head) and we all gather round as she opens her ‘morning gift’. It’s always small, usually mama-made, but such an exciting way for them to start the day. My girls love this so much that, as they’ve gotten a bit older, they like to contribute a special morning gift of their own. Some of the morning gifts I’ve given them; a hair clip, gnomes like I make in my shop, a new coloring book, books, small knitted animals. And I always look forward to capturing with my camera them opening their gift as they wake up a year older!

The birthday crown is a new tradition for us. I made the crown for my youngest and my mother made crowns for the older two (as she’s more gifted in embroidery) based on their likes and personality. The crowns are made from wool felt and the back is elastic. I’ve sized them so they fit from the first birthday all the way to the last. The crown comes out first thing in the morning and it’s the birthday girl’s choice how much she wants to wear. We use them simply because the make my girls feel that much more special on their birthday. The older two like to wear theirs all day, even if we go out so that everyone can see this is their very special day.

Other than that, we like to stay flexible, doing what the birthday girl wants to do; going out for lunch or to the park, staying home and playing, spending time with a couple of friends or just intimate family… whatever. We keep the gifts minimal and preferably handmade, even more preferably handmade by mama or daddy. Yesterday was my youngest daughter’s 2nd birthday. Her morning gift was a felt hair clip I made. She also received a handmade wooden horse puzzle I had purchased from a local crafter, a set of picture puzzle blocks  painted by my husband and I knit her a doll. Sweet, simple and suited just for her. For our family we choose not to bring too many things into the home and to choose few things of good quality.

Most of all, the emphasis is to show whoever’s birthday it is that they are cherished and loved and we are so glad that they came to be with us on this day however many years ago! I usually cook a special breakfast, let them choose whatever they want for supper and make a simple cake. We follow their lead for the day, asking ahead of time what they want to make their day special. One day a year it’s all about them and I hope I do impart to them how very special they are and how very blessed we are they came into our lives.

Julie Hunter is a wife and mama, raising 3 spirited girls, two babydoll sheep, angora rabbits and a gaggle of chickens and ducks in the North Carolina Foothills. She spends her days at home, crafting with her children, homeschooling, taking long gathering walks in the woods and knitting Waldorf-inspired toys. You can find her blogging and keeping shop at This Cosy Life.

I decided to hunt for more of it. Hunting for fabric is one of my favorite activities. I am kind of a “fabroholic”. Or is there another word for this addiction?  Luckily I found 3 different sellers who still had some of this fabric I love so much. I wrote to each of them. Everyone was really kind and responded quickly. All of them did great on the shipping time. Within a week I had more of my beloved fabric.

But one seller stood really out by the way they wrapped their product. I am including a photo here so you can check it out. I had so much fun when I got the package. I still have not had the heart to take the wrapping off because it looks so neat with the little bow with buttons and all.

I like it when sellers put some thought into this. It makes such a huge difference. After all, when you shop on-line there is no face behind a counter. All your interactions and communications are via a computer screen. To me it almost felt as if this package was smiling at me. It said: Hey, I care about you as a customer and hope I made your day better. ” Does this sound silly to you?

I wrote about this on my own blog. I sent the seller on Ebay (angl1952, named Cyndi) and note. I think she was quite surprised that I took the time to do such a thing. Every day millions of sales happen on-line. But you know what –  only once in a while does one get a package that is personal and looks really nice. I hope my packages feel that way to my customers when they receive them.

I hope I make them smile and think somebody cared about them beyond just being another sale…Well, done Cyndi!