tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post1952103195302467017..comments2023-08-22T05:58:51.482-04:00Comments on Among the Alders: Adverse Effects of Excessive Crafting?Madame Melvillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14014342177820042162noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-74768203404636043702009-06-29T22:54:11.374-04:002009-06-29T22:54:11.374-04:00Hi Amber! Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I did ...Hi Amber! Thanks for the kind words. Yes, I did make that rainbow stacker. My efforts were worth it as it is a favorite with the kids. With the right tools (scroll saw) the wooden goodies are actually pretty easy to make. Lots of fun! (:Madame Melvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014342177820042162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-57836975510875628802009-06-29T22:45:31.458-04:002009-06-29T22:45:31.458-04:00Your blog is gorgeous :)
I'm starting to think...Your blog is gorgeous :)<br />I'm starting to think that you made the rainbow stacker yourself... am I right!? wow :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10906019871298704814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-39847952648185924412009-04-25T21:54:00.000-04:002009-04-25T21:54:00.000-04:00Hi Pink & Green Mama,
It's promising to h...Hi Pink & Green Mama,<br /><br />It's promising to hear that your six year old appreciates the hand-made creations over store bought. I do agree that a "do it yourself" attitude and mindset will serve them well in life. Even in less "creative" situations, I think they will have developed problem solving skills and an ability to figure out how to accomplish something.<br /><br />Thanks everyone for your input. This was a great discussion. At the very least, it helps to justify my obsession to continue making things and involving the little ones as much as possible.Madame Melvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014342177820042162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-61642285575428886692009-04-25T21:11:00.000-04:002009-04-25T21:11:00.000-04:00I feel the same dilemma, I am always making fun th...I feel the same dilemma, I am always making fun things for the girls and they always ask me to make things for them. My girls do appreciate homemade over store bought and my 6 year old believes she can make anything she puts her mind to. I do think we are teaching our sons and daughters that they can be creators and artists and that is a gift that will serve them well throughout life. Just think how boring it is to just go to a store buy things that everyone else has, my girls love that their treasures are their own and no one else's. They show them off with pride to friends and family.pink and green mama MaryLeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07961907935822653414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-69441610032692702052009-04-24T09:31:00.000-04:002009-04-24T09:31:00.000-04:00Hi Michelle,
I read "Heaven on Earth" not long ag...Hi Michelle,<br /><br />I read "Heaven on Earth" not long ago. I do agree with what she has to say. Thanks for reminding me. I should do a re-read of that section.<br /><br />I'd love some new egg recipes so I will be sure to look out for them.<br /><br />Happy Friday everyone!Madame Melvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014342177820042162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-37283133177429396882009-04-23T21:35:00.000-04:002009-04-23T21:35:00.000-04:00Hi Jen,
I think you touched on something that so ...Hi Jen,<br /><br />I think you touched on something that so many of us think about. And in my opinion, the fact that we are becoming more mindful of over-consumption is a HUGE step in the right direction! I recently read "Heaven on Earth" by Sharifa Oppenheimer. In it she says that we should make our children toys while they watch us; that the toys we make for them are "love made visible." I think that is so true and your children are lucky to have such a creative mother!<br /><br />As for the chickens, they sure are fun, and if you live in the suburbs like we do, they give the neighbors a lot to chat about ;-)<br /><br />I'll plan a chicken primer post soon, including recipes for all those eggs!!<br /><br />Take Care,<br />MichelleMichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13120447955764612236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-7102542529621445612009-04-23T10:02:00.000-04:002009-04-23T10:02:00.000-04:00Hi Thinking Square,
The wooden toys are lots of f...Hi Thinking Square,<br /><br />The wooden toys are lots of fun to make, though I do worry I'm going to injure myself on that scary saw one of these days. Lack of sleep and power tools are not a good combination!<br /><br />I use watercolor paints on the toys and then seal them in a beeswax finish. The watercolor paints I use are made in England and are AP certified non-toxic. You have to be careful as some artist supplies actually state on them they use lead in the pigments. The beeswax gives a nice soft sheen and finish and a yummy smell too!<br /><br />Thanks for dropping in!Madame Melvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014342177820042162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-48624896670185699632009-04-23T09:58:00.000-04:002009-04-23T09:58:00.000-04:00Yes, once the wee ones are in school, I can imagin...Yes, once the wee ones are in school, I can imagine it gets harder.....no matter what I am doing right now!<br /><br />April, you can come visit my chickies anytime and maybe go home with an egg or two (: If I ever decide to offer boarding services, you'll be the first to know (:Madame Melvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014342177820042162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-88019465519818673392009-04-23T09:51:00.000-04:002009-04-23T09:51:00.000-04:00I love your wooden toys, they are wonderful! When ...I love your wooden toys, they are wonderful! When my daughter was younger I searched high and low for wooden fruits and vegetables. <br /><br />What kind of paint do you use?Good Things I Findhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11602948804670733838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-4845339753944482182009-04-23T08:37:00.000-04:002009-04-23T08:37:00.000-04:00I love that the chickens had names. That says a l...I love that the chickens had names. That says a lot about their approach to farming, I think. My first two cows were Cheryl and Becky, I still think of them fondly (even though Cheryl kicked me when I was three, but it was my fault for standing behind her!) They would come when their names were called. My dad eventually sold them to a farmer that lived near my grandmother, and we would still "visit" in the summer when they were in pasture, calling their names and they would come.<br /><br />It taught me to respect every creature's right to live, to treat animals humanely, and that all animals are intelligent.<br /><br />I think your boys will learn a lot from your chickens, even if they do have pretty classy digs :) You're providing them with humane and appropriate conditions.Aprilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11743430941204772560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-83254234875019803952009-04-22T22:17:00.000-04:002009-04-22T22:17:00.000-04:00hi :) i wrote to you on etsy..the girl who lives ...hi :) i wrote to you on etsy..the girl who lives over in eastern passage :) my name is ashlee, by the way.<br /><br />i really like this post. i spend a lot of time worrying about whether or not i'm teaching my children to buy into commercialism, take things for granted, etc. i don't buy them much, but our relatives certainly do. my oldest daughter especially has started the 'buy me this!' phase. she is 5, and i think a lot of it comes from being in school and listening to other children. <br /><br />we don't have many toys in the house. one large toy box in sydney's room, and a few smaller bins in halle's room. we don't have much money where both my husband and i are university students, so thankfully i don't find myself tempted to buy things very often :) but it still suprises me that i hear my children raving about all the things they 'want' so badly. it bothers me! i try to instill a love of crafts and imaginary play in them as much as possible. that is hard, since i am not very crafty myself!acookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00943553209791888597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-16126293055777209482009-04-22T16:31:00.000-04:002009-04-22T16:31:00.000-04:00Ew! I can relate to that rotting star fish. We h...Ew! I can relate to that rotting star fish. We have the yolk out of a skate egg case sitting on the kitchen counter right now. It is one stinky thing and I'm losing my desire to eat supper.<br /><br />Thanks for your input L. I appreciate it! I've always looked up to you and T as you seem to have certain aspects of parenthood in balance and "figured out". I guess it certainly will get harder as they get older and get exposed to outside influences. I will enjoy these innocent ages while I can.<br /><br />Thanks!!Madame Melvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14014342177820042162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8115396648811285835.post-85614648012257055122009-04-22T16:16:00.000-04:002009-04-22T16:16:00.000-04:00Jen
Im in no way as crafty as you, but O is very ...Jen<br /><br />Im in no way as crafty as you, but O is very crafty, in fact after school a rotting star fish and an old cookie container were is inspirations for at least an hour of creation.<br /><br />He does always want me to get him things though and I accept responsibility for that. We are worse than some, much better than others. Always find it hard to say no to books, but that is me imposing my value on him? He rarely gets other "stuff" unless its an occassion, even then we try to control it.<br /><br />I think keeping there life simple now is good, when they go to school it will be an uphill battle! Thats when you have to challenge all your tactics and values! I must say I hate that part.<br /><br />This is a special time in your life when they are really excited and value your crafts and they are not competing with the power ranger the dude at school has. My humble opinion is you cant spoil them with your beautiful, heartfelt creations.<br /><br />They are lucky boys!52 at 64https://www.blogger.com/profile/15359952507949532020noreply@blogger.com