Autumn at Fingerprints

Just lovely, isn't it?

Thanks to Bek, Lana and co for hosting today and Vicki for organising.

We had a wonderful morning with Connie Grawert and Jan Baker-Finch on the theme, 

'The changing consciousness of the 3 year old".  

Good nutritional mind food, scrummy lunch, great company...

makes learning so easy when it is fun! 

More tomorrow....

See you soon. 

A song for washing up the dishes

(Ned enjoyed that dinner, can't you tell?)

Any tune will do!

Sing a song of washing up

Water hot as hot

Cups and saucers, plates and spoons

Dishes, such a lot

Work the dish mop/brush round and round

Wash them clean, as clean

Polish with a dry dish cloth

How busy we have been!

(Author unknown)

Southern Season Exchange Autumn 2011 swap pictures #2

Hopefully by now, my swap partner Paisley has received her Autumn treasure.

This is what I made for the Southern Season Autumn 2011 Exchange, founded by the marvellous Katie. 

An autumn-inspired journal cover, complete with tree trunk pocket!

A little bit of hand embroidery just finished it off, don't you think?

I hope that Paisley will be inspired to journal her thoughts, dreams and hopes.

Autumn is the perfect time for new journalling.  

As the leaves and branches fall into life's great compost heap, we are reminded that soon this old, retired nature's abundance will soon transform into new juicy soil.  

Shall we see what we can grow???

New Farm Park, Brisbane

Last week, on a day that threatened rain, we took the chance and a group of Moondew families traipsed up to Brisbane.  (It had been a while in the planning, and we kept getting rained, or flooded, out!)

For the children, the big thrill was in catching both the train AND a ferry boat down the river.

Gold Coast children don't get to do that here, so it is actually great fun.

But for us mamas, the thrill was in finding the secret squirrel park hidden in amongst the Moreton Bay Figs.

I may have written about it before, I can't really remember, but the park has had a big facelift since I last went, and oh, my, it is splendid. 

Music and mayhem.

Dominika and Justin just couldn't resist these self-spinning roundabouts!

Big kids we all are at heart.

I love this park, and the trees are the real reason.

Whilst sadly, the eerie misty darkness of years ago has somewhat dissipated, due to a nicely done new development out the back, the park does feel a whole lot healthier and safer too. 

The trees remain, and I love that, no matter how wonderful the park accoutrements, the trees still claim the most attention.  Especially the bit where the children can find hidey holes and the way to slide out along this long, supported branch.

This new fangled climbing net is pretty peachy too!

and who can not but love, a magical dragon?

His split egg shells lay hidden around.

Perhaps offspring hide amongst the trees?

One hopes they are friendly!

New Farm Park is located at the very end of 1030 Brunswick Street, New Farm.

The playground is but one feature. You might also like to visit to see over 200 jacaranda trees in full bloom (late October/early November), the rotunda or to ride the many bike paths along the river.  There is one of those new cycle-hire stations just near the ferry entrance too. 

The Powerhouse Museum is here too. 

Easter 2011

Look, Mum.  Footprints.

The Easter Bunny came.

Best friend Love. 

Easter- a time of surrender and new life

I have been doing an exercise in meditation where I visualise myself 'laying down' old beliefs, past hurts, wrong assumptions, and outward actions that haven't served me well.

Once this is done, I then build up a new image of fresh growth and a bloom of pure red roses, out of the compost of old 'stuff'.

It might be a familiar meditation to some of you.

It is also a perfect picture of Easter.

This time of year when we can give thanks for the courage of one brave man, and inspired by his journey, send off our harboured sorrows into a dark cave, hopefully never to be seen again.

(One would hope!)

And, a few days later, we can joyfully greet the day with new, fresh open eyes.

Ripe and ready for something new to birth.

New thoughts, a new job, a new energy, new inspiration or a new determination to meet our goals.

This is the surely the meaning of easter eggs.

The potential that lies hidden inside, and the surprise and joy when we crack it open. 

I have been cracking a few of those lovely chocolate eggs lately, (more than I care to remember) and I will be needing some new determination to give up sugar, very very very soon!

What about you?

What will you give new birth to in the coming months?

I hope you are having a scrumptious few days rest and splendid times with your families, wherever you are in the world.  Pop by and say hi sometime. 

How to make a wash cloth bunny rabbit

A few years ago, my teaching friends Jennie and Jemma were given a Washcloth Rabbit as an easter gift.

This year, I wanted to make Ned his very own pink one.

He does love pink!

There is still time to make one for your children too!!!!

All you need are two wash cloths (face washers) and a hand towel.

I bought a set of 2 handtowels, and a set of 4 washcloths (to make two rabbits) for less than $7!!

There will be one rabbit for Ned, and another for his best friend, neighbour Bella. 

Start with the hand towel.

Place it on the diagonal, then tuck up one corner as shown.

Roll it up tight to make a long sausage shape. 

Next, roll up the two wash cloths, just like this. 

One for the arms, one for the ears. 

This is the placement. 

You'll need a long length of pink ribbon and scissors to put it all together. 

Firstly, use your thumbs to push the top washcloth as far to the top of the handtowel as possible, making sure to have a 'clean' area for the face, and ensuring the 'legs' stay even. 

Tie a knot, but double the loop over twice before you pull the ribbon tight, and it will lock into place securely and not slip. 

Push the 'arm' washcloth towards the tied-off neck of the rabbit. 

Tie a knot in the ribbon to secure this too. 

Push the 'ears' skywards, and tie a ribbon around the ears to secure them into a pair. Knot firmly. 

If you like, you can also tie ribbons around the feet.

Or not. Simple but elegant. 

Isn't she cute????

I REALLY LOVE this rabbit.

I hope Ned does too!

How to make a cute origami envelope

I often need a teeny envelope. Do you?

Something for a few golden coins, or seeds, or paper tags or just a sweet note.

Here is one you can make from one square of paper. 

Turn the sheet over, so the blank side is facing you, then fold it in half on the diagonal as shown.

Fold the top point back until it reaches the bottom edge.

Fold the right side over about 1/3 of the way, and make a crease. 

Fold the left side over about 1/3 and make a second crease. 

Turn back the bottom point on itself, as shown.

Gently slip your finger into this small triangle and open it out. 

Press this new square flat to make a catch for the envelope's lid. 

Fold the top point of the lid down and tuck the point into the catch. 

(The fold should match the horizontal line that can already be seen inside the envelope).

Fill your envelope with your treasures. 

We glued a little punched out tag to the front. 

Once your envelope is filled, you can also glue the point into the catch to ensure it won't come loose. 

Happy treasure finding!