Family Traditions, Light, and Sewing

Jessie, Leigh, and Reed shared one of their holiday, family traditions with the children this morning.  They brought their beautiful, Christmas stockings that are made by Jessie's grandmother.  They are intricate needlepoint stockings with matching green velvet on the back.  Jessie shared their process for choosing patterns (they now choose one for each child), how long it takes to create a finished stocking (approximately 6 months), and the fact that her grandmother ordered yards and yards of green velvet many years ago, so that the entire family would have matching materials.  There are now many grandchildren in their family that all have these beautiful needlepoint stockings.  

Thank you to the Sterchi family for getting us started with a wonderful family tradition.  

**A quick note for family traditions.  Our sign up system does not alert us when you've signed up.  We will be diligent to check each evening, but please help us out with this process.  If you sign up, we ask that you send an email to follow up on date, time (morning meeting or alternative times can be discussed), and your tradition.  If you have a few ideas, and would like to discuss them with us, please feel free to do so via email or at drop-off.  

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"It is here, goes there, and then matches there...on the wall." - Giacomo

We have a few developing theories about how our overhead projector works; theories that we want to take a closer look at in the coming days and weeks.  As our hypotheses are developed, tested, and revised, we will keep you updated.  For now, here are a few photos of their work from today! 

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Hand sewing

Our hand sewing materials are now readily available on the shelves near the "weaving wheel".  

Today, a few of the children wanted to add buttons to their sewing, so we worked to thread the needle through the small holes on the buttons.  This takes strong fine motor strength and control, as well as excellent hand-eye coordination.  There was a sense of excitement about choosing buttons and securing them to the fabric.