GardenMama

.: Two-Part Waldorf Inspired Giveaway! :.

.: For those of you who have already signed up for the 'Artful Stone Swap' please email me with your blog link as well as your mailing address so that I can send you your swap list! :.

.: The cover art of the "Around The Year With Rhymes" Calendar illustrated by Dawn Klinge :.

I would like to give a very warm welcome to someone I have known in these online spaces since the very beginning of Gardenmama. I am excited to announce that Dawn recently opened an online shop featuring her Waldorf-inspired illustrations. She pairs these hand-drawn pictures with traditional Waldorf rhymes.  In her shop you will find both calendars and seasonal cards. The traditional Waldorf celebration dates are noted on the calendar!

In all of her work she shares so much warmth and gentleness!

The following is an interview I recently had with Dawn about her giveaway and work here today!

Gardenmama: Part of the joy that comes from purchasing handmade is getting to know the artist behind the work.  Would you share a bit about yourself?

Dawn: I'm a mother of two who loves to be creative, both for the simple joy of it, and for the benefit of my children.  I find that when I'm busy creating art, my children are more likely to follow suit.

.: One of the sweet illustrations that can be found in the "Around The Year With Rhymes" Calendar :.

Gardenmama: Would you share what inspires your illustrations and poems?

Dawn: The poems that I put into my art are traditional, seasonal Waldorf rhymes.  I began illustrating rhymes first for my children, on a chalkboard, to provide a seasonal decoration for my home.  The written words were for me, so that I could remember the rhymes and repeat them to my children.  I chose to use watercolors for their soft, gentle look.

.: One of the gentle illustrations paired with poetry that is included in the postcard set :.

Gardenmama: Creating warmth in the home is important. along with using your cards for writing letters, would you share how Waldorf inspired or seasonal postcards may be used in the home?

Dawn: I'm currently using one of the cards on a seasonal table in my home.  I also plan on putting a set of postcards into a mini photo book, as a gift for a young child this Christmas.



.: This sweet illustration can be found in postcard form as well as featured in the calendar :.

Gardenmama: Please share with everyone what will be gifted to one lucky reader through this giveaway!

Dawn: I will send a 2011 calendar and a set of twelve postcards to one of your readers.

Gardenmama: Thank you Dawn for sharing your creativity, warmest wishes to you with your new shop!

Dawn:  Thank you Nicole.

 

This giveaway will run until Tuesday October 19th, closing at 8:30pm EST with a winner announced the same evening at 9:00pm EST

You are welcome to leave one comment every day until this giveaway closes!

Shop: Renaissance Mama Art Studio

.: Watercolor Leaves :.

.: To those of you who have photos (and or) tutorials of an adorned stone for example: crochet covered stone, wool felted stone, painted stone... the sky is the limit! Please email me to be featured in an upcoming post! :.

.:The colors as well as the template {being from a real leaf} gives these newsprint leaves a realistic look:.

The past few days have been chilly and raining,  these are some of my favorite types of days because it means we are indoors wrapped up in quilts feeling cozy while reading books, baking and of course creating!

Maya inspired us while we watched the yellow, red and orange leaves falling outdoors along with the rain we decided to make a few watercolored leaves of our very own to keep indoors!

.: Carefully we traced various sizes of leaves onto newsprint creating a template for this craft :.

Between raindrops we gathered up a few leaves that would become the template for one large watercolored leaf as well as a few smaller leaves to create a lovely garland full!

Once we had folded the newspaper in half several times, we began to cut out the leaves...

.: Mixing the paints in small glass canning jars :.

We enjoy using watercolor paints from the tube. It's magic to watch the paint swirl in the water and  settle into a beautiful tone of bright liquid color. Today's palette is laid out on the morning kitchen table,  presented in small half-pint Mason jars that catch the early sunlight and cast colorful reflections on the watercolor (news)paper.. 

.: We gathered a bouquet to join the table as we created watercolored newsprint leaves! :.

This large leaf will grace the glass of our front door, while the smaller garland of leaves now join us in our kitchen over the nature shelf!


.: Mixing, swirling, painting the leaves for a lovely autumn display! :.

 Dreaming of the forest that is so full with color, we allow the watercolors to swirl into one another and create a lovely realistic-looking autumn leaf.

.: I also enjoyed the relaxation of painting a garland  :.

I love how differently each child chose to paint their leaves. Some solid--others outlined, and some still green waiting for autumn to cast its spell and turn it a yet another shade of color!

.: Rainbows of color remind us of the forest we love so very much! :.

The newsprint was an interesting medium to work with.  I appreciate the way the text pulls through in lighter sections. This adds in a wonderful texture to our leaves!

Even the imprints left behind on the work space were beautiful and interesting!!


.: I appreciate that this craft can be re-visited as you add more leaves to your garlands! :.

Now our home is adorned with the brillant colors of fall!


.: May you welcome the beauty of this season--both indoors and out! :.