School Doesn't Always Look Like School

One of the biggest challenges I face as a homeschooling parent are the mind games I play with myself.  When (over) thinking the education we are providing for the little one, I often swing from certainty, to doubt.  I wasn't raised like this, am I doing the right thing?  What if?  But then I get hit in the head with the reality that this little kid is thriving, striving and teaching me every day.  She is so packed with knowledge and the desire to learn and is allowed to progress at her own pace.  Her interests and inspiration lead her while I facilitate by providing what she needs or asks for.  How could that be wrong?

This past week, a friend who also creates mobiles asked me to bring her some 2ft long sticks.  Sid and I went into the bush to find a selection from downed trees.  We came across an old birch that had split and was suspended in the trees.  It was dried out but not rotted since it wasn't on the ground.  After some time picking through to find the perfect branches, we were happy with our selection and lugged the branches home.  I tasked Sid with the job of removing the loose bark so the branches were smooth and wouldn't shed bark bits all over the place.  Well this turned into a day and a half project.  First Sid discovered that she needed sand paper but that wasn't enough.  She thought she was capable enough to use my pocket knife to whittle the bark away.  Why not? 

 I set her up in the living room with a bin, a pocket knife and the knowledge to use it safely and then she was off.  She spent three hours whittling, sanding and perfecting the sticks.  The next morning she got up and in her jammies she continued her work and only stopped for breakfast and lunch.  By two in the afternoon her job was done.  She was so excited and loving wood carving.  We went out to Canadian tire and bought her her own pocket knife and off she went into the woods to collect more branches. 

 Does anyone need some nicely whittled branches?  We have a steady supply now and we are learning and learning about how to carve, whittle and identify different types of wood.  Sid has found something she is passionate about and I keep thinking how lucky she is to be able to explore these interests. 

During this whittling extravaganza, I created this bunny play mat!  It turned out beautifully and is now in the shop!  Sid whittled, I felted and we laughed, talked and listened to audio books.  WE love school!

BUNNY PLAY MAT - Etsy

Everyday I learn to sit back and trust that we are learning and growing.  Then I look back at how far we have come and I know we are definitely heading down the right path.

From Farm To Fiber To Felting To Finishing

I was so lucky to get in touch with Shirley Browsky who owns Canaan Mohair.  Shirley's sons Mark and Chris played in bands with Ken when I first met him and Shirley's late husband Jerry was the purchasing agent for our home.  Our families were meant to be intertwined for some reason because while looking for a supplier of local wool I found Shirley and she lives less than 10km from our place!   Not only is she a master spinner and dyer but she has been doing this for over 30 years and has her own flock of sheep!  Sid and I went for a visit and got to meet the sheep the fleece comes from.

This is Bailey the guardian animal that protects the sheep from the coyotes which we heard howling in the woods.  Bailey is a Llama.  Inquisitive and right up in my camera, he liked stealing the show and protecting his sheep.

Shirley's girls wear coats in the winter to keep the fleece as clean as possible.

This picture makes me want to go to sleep ;)

Apparently they always walk in the same place and always in a line.

Inside the studio, Shirley showed me her drum carder and how to card the wool into batts.  She also showed me how to motorize the carder by adding a washing machine motor and a pulley.  Oh and my good friend Sheila who owns an alpaca ranch has offered me her drum carder to "store" here. 

Then I got to play with the uncarded dyed wool.  Shirley dyes every spring so I can ask her to dye any colours I might need for the upcoming year.  OMG  

I left with a pound of freshly carded mohair (lamb mohair!!) and some dyed wool and the inspiration to card my own wool as needed!  This means I will have a steady supply of fibre that is local!    I can also supply Jen with all the wool she needs for her sewing projects available in the shop. 

The Etsy shop is booming.  I completed another one of these bee mobiles today and have a pet portrait to start tonight!  I still have to get my spring / Easter items made to post in the next week.  On top of that, the shop was featured on the cover of Today's Parent Magazine and will be featured in an article in the Huffington Post this week.  I've got to get moving because we are about to get insanely busy!

Another thing I do for the shop is styling through photography.  Here are few of the latest pictures that are making waves for us on Etsy. 

 This hand boiled wool cape that Sid is modeling and was created as a gift for her in exchange for a photo shoot.  It can be purchased here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/105878381/red-riding-hood-cape-girls-lined-boiled?

 And these are Jen's beautiful hand stitched wool bunnies ready for Easter!  http://www.etsy.com/listing/67438897/spring-bunny-toy-organic-stuffed-animal?ref=v1_other_1

So that is a glimpse into our new journey.  From farm to finishing.  What an amazing adventure!