Sprouting Easter Grass

We've started our Easter grass. This is a fun and simple project for all ages. You will need a container, grain, soil, and water. I bought rye and winter wheat berries at our local whole foods store, Everybody's, in the bulk section. Soak berries overnight. Fill saucers, or container of your choice, with enough dirt to completely cover the bottom. Spread grain over the top and pat in a little. Water generously the first time. Check daily to make sure they are moist. Don't let them dry out!




I am also inspired in make pet rocks, or in this case pet lady bugs.

Back in the shop

I was able to visit the shop and start sanding on our newest project, the semi car transporter. This is an amazing toy! Henry, of course, inspired us to make it. I made a pattern from a toy at Ella's piano teacher's house. Henry looks forward to going there every week to play. Jim cut two trucks, a walnut and cherry. These are heirloom quality. I can't wait until the wheels come, so we can list them on Etsy!

A little package of magic is off to Canada!

Needle Felting Classes

I will be co-hosting two needle felting classes this month with Reni! We will be at the At Home Store Saturday, March 20 10am-12pm for a needle felting Easter egg extravaganza. The following weekend we will be teaching for the Villages Folk School at the Addie Mae Fudge Factory, 707 1st Street, Bonaparte, IA.
You can register here,
http://villagesfolkschool.com/classes/class_calendar.htm

Bird Seed Cakes

I love making these. Here's a simple recipe.

3 c of wildbird seed
3 T unflavored gelatin
6 T cold water
1/2 c boiling hot water

1. Put unflavored gelatin in a bowl (that can withstand boiling water)
2. Add 3 T cold water and let sit for a minute or so
3. Add 1/2 c boiling water and stir for several minutes, until gelatin is dissolved.
4. Add this mixture to your birdseed and stir. Keep stirring until all birdseed is covered.
5. Spoon into a bundt pan for wreaths or cookie cutters for shapes.
6. Let stand in the refrigerator for 3 hours. Remove from pan or remove cookie cutters.
7. I cut holes with a drill press, 1/4" bit. I think you could also use an ice pick.
8. String with twine, ribbon, or raffia.

The Little Brown Acorn is branching out!

I have been begging Jim to become a wooden toy maker with me for several months now. As his carpentry business has slowed down over the winter, I have finally snagged him! The Little Brown Acorn will soon be offering hand crafted, wooden play toys for children!

Thursday we had Alliant reinstall the gas meter at my Dad's little shop in Keosauqua, a 20 mile drive from our house. Activity picked up quickly with the heat on! We were down there Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and, Jim, today! There is much cleaning and organizing to do, as the photo shows. Jim has spent the last few nights thumbing through woodworking shop books. How best to organize?

How did it all start? After my Dad retired from his automotive and sales business, 1995, he started tinkering with woodworking in his original automotive shop,"the little shop." Many of the tools he started out with were handed down to him by his father, grandfather, and uncles, who were all avid woodworkers.

Our house is filled with furniture he made; an armoire, night stands, kitchen table, futon, etc. The coolest thing about the furniture is it is all made with wood from my parents land, some of which was left to them by his parents. In the late 1990's my Dad built a wood kiln, so he was able to dry all the wood harvested himself. He started making intricate toys right before his stroke in 2003, which debilitated his left side.
Since then, the shop has been sitting there, just like he left it.


Until now. We started good projects over the weekend and I have so many ideas wizzing through my head!

1st Needles

On Saturday, Kate gifted me the pattern to make felted bowls.

On Sunday, I bought two dowels that were 7/16" in diameter and cut them into 12" sticks. Jim sanded the points for me using a mounted belt sander. (Thanks, Papi Jim!) I finished by hand sanding them smooth, especially the points, with a 240 grit sand paper.


I can wait to see the finished project!

Needle Felting at the At Home Store

Reni and I hosted a needle felting class this morning. It was so much fun! Here are some photos of our projects. We were working on headbands, barrettes, and broaches for Valentine's Day.




We will be hosting another beginner class, the basics of needle felting. (Date still to be announced.) At this class we will make needle felted Easter eggs. This was my first project, almost 4 years ago now! This will be a fun opportunity for young and old to learn how to needle felt!