Tapestrees

Years ago, I was offered this "Tapestree Table" and just couldn't refuse. Zeal has used it off and on, sewing nature treasures into it, signing his name, using it as a "guest book" for his room, and just generally enjoying bringing the needle back and forth through the cloth and creating a work of art while developing fine motor skills.

















We hadn't seen it for a while, but with the change of seasons, the table has made a reemergence in our home. With a few new needles and a package of new embroidery floss, the boy is off and sewing again. Now older, he brings a new maturity to the skill and has plans for some new framable art for his room. :)

















Any frame or embroidery hoop can be turned into a great creativity tool for boys and girls of all ages. Enjoy!

Body, Mind and Child!

I had the distinct pleasure of a recent interview with Rae Pica, host of BAM! radio. You can download or listen to it here.



In the meantime, I hope this fall finds you climbing all sort of haystacks with a curious mind.

A little bit of talking... a whole lot of loving learning!

This week is one of those busy ones. We're getting ready for colder weather (details coming soon) and I am looking forward to this fun, informative, and thought-provoking speaking engagement and workshop I will be leading in Portland, Oregon this weekend at The Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL), and The Washington Library Media Association (WLMA) Joint Conference 2008.

If you're a librarian in Oregon or Washington, I hope to get the chance to meet you! I'll also be signing books Saturday morning (which I believe is open to all - not just workshop participants) Come on out, and let's talk a whole lot of wonder!

Super Sand Clay!

For a boy who has had a history of getting engrossed in sand play, has been forever fascinated by anyone who works with cement, sand or gravel, and has a most recent fascination with the art, science, and play of Ancient Egypt, working out a recipe that we could simulate stone blocks with has been a major coup!

Above is the recent game Zeal made with this sand clay, a coiled up snake waiting to be painted and played. (Rules yet to be determined)

Here's the recipe:

Super Sand Clay
3 cups sand
1 1/2 cups cornstarch
3 teaspoons cream of tartar
2 1/2 cups of hot water

Combine all ingredients in a wok or large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture becomes thick and heavy (several minutes). remove from heat and turn onto cookie sheet. Once mixture is cool, it will be able to be modeled. (Don't try to use it before it is cooled or you'll just get a sticky mess on the hands - spoken from experience)

I so wish I had a picture of him making this dough and the mess that ensued when he decided he needed to sift the sand with our various-sized strainers and funnels in stock in our kitchen. Oh well -- I have the experience!

And here's the new favorite book with one of the Pyramids of Giza, which has a remarkable resemblance to the texture of real stone blocks!

















He's so proud of this feat of ancient architecture!

October Issue of Wonderwise

Here is the introduction of this month's issue of Wonderwise. If you are interested in signing up, please do so at the right of this page.

Dear Friends in Discovery!

Welcome to fall and the October edition of Wonderwise!

I can't believe fall and October are already here. My mom always told me every year how the years seemed to be going by faster and faster as each one passed. I never believed her, until now. I hope that doesn't mean that I am growing up. :)

As much as I love the summer, I find that something in me is creatively heightened and turned on just as the leaves themselves are turning. The weather turns a bit cooler (but it's still lovely to be outside) and the days are a bit shorter (but not too short for a decent amount of fun). There's still enough time to think and wonder before the crush and craziness of the October through January holidays seem like they are ruling everyone's lives and thoughts. For us, we find ourselves turning toward each other, working on projects (sewing, house, writing, building, cooking and the list goes on) and it is a wonderful time to fall into our creativity and just let it take over for a bit. I hope this finds you too, falling on in, and letting your creativity consume you in every way possible.

In this issue of Wonderwise, you will find:
-Autumnal Reads and Recommendations
-Consuming Kids coming soon to a theatre near you!
-Concocting Creative Minds on Vegfamily

Enjoy, and Happy Wondering!