Baby it's old outside!

 It may be Summer here in Australia but I know a lot of SHE teamers are feeling the cold right now!

I found some wonderful Winter themed goodies so take a look and warm yourself!

                             Pumpkin Brulee handmade olive oil soap from Maple Hill Farm.

                  Hand painted Merino/ Bamboo/ Tussah Silk Roving from Wool Gatherings.

       Sterling Silver Snowflake Charm bracelet with Swarovski Crystals from favmoongirl.

                                   Little Snowman Crocheted Cuff booties by puddintoes

Posted by Kelly of The Handmaden

Interview with Terri of Terrbear 37

Today's interview is with Terri of Terrbear 37. She is a homeschooling mom, and a talented designer of paper crafts. Terri's work can be viewed and purchased in her Etsy shop.

Q:How long have you been crafting?

A:I have loved art since I was a child and have been crafting my whole life. I got into stamping and paper crafts 5 years ago.

Q:Do you remember any craft successes or disasters from childhood?

A:I won a poster contest in the 5th grade.



Q:When did you decide to sell your handmade items on Etsy and why?

A:My husband created a website to sell my items from in 2006 but when I discovered Etsy in March 2007 I started selling my items there instead hoping to get more exposure. I decided to sell my handmade items because I would rather them be with someone that can use them and it would be nice to make some extra money too.





Q:How long have you been homeschooling?

A:Since my daughter was in pre-k. She is in 7th grade now. I was also homeschooled for high school




Q:How many children do you homeschool?

A:1 my 12 year old daughter




Q:What methods/curriculum do you use?

A:I have always used Calvert with my daughter which is a pre-packaged classical curriculum.



Q:What do you find difficult about homeschooling and running a home business?

A:Having enough time to make things since school comes first.
Q:What do you find rewarding about homeschooling and running a home business?

A:Being home with my daughter and getting to spend all this time with her.



Q:Do you have your own workspace?

A:Yes



Q:Do you sell your handmade goods at other venues, ie craft shows, local shops, other Internet sites?

A:No




Q:Where else can we find you, ie blog, facebook, twitter, myspace, other handcraft websites?

A: My blog http://terrbear38.blogspot.com/

Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/Terrbear38

Facebook Fanpage http://www.facebook.com/Terrbear37

********************************************

Interview by Sonja

Random typical homeschooling day

I saw on another blog a homeschooler challenging homeschool bloggers to post their average day minute by minute. I honestly considered it, but just didn't have that much energy (shame on me) for a complete day. And in typical fashion I can no longer find the original blog to link back to it. Blech. I do read other homeschooling blogs for inspiration, ideas and just to feel like not everyone is perfect! I love seeing other people's school rooms or work areas, so I am sharing ours on a typical day, i.e., I didn't clean it up first!

Our space was a dining room in a former life, like before kids and homeschooling. I love that we have tons of light through 2 windows and a sliding door. And, well, that same light makes for a bad photo from the angle I used. Oh well. The littles can be out on the play structure too, and I can see them while supervising the ones inside. The desk belongs to DS age 8, DS age 5 at the table on the far end and DD age 3 bops from her coffee table full of work boxes and a space at the table for coloring. DD age 4 months likes a sunny patch on the floor for her tummy time now days. The computer and my area are on the far right in the photo.


Closer view of two hard at work coloring, at least until I broke out the camera.


Eden hard at work examining her toy and building her strength in her head and back via tummy time.


And Zach working hard at his desk. He tends towards a really messy desk unless I force him to clean it. This is clean for him.


And this is how we spend our homeschooling days.

***********************************************This was originally posted by our very own Tanya of WeeBeaks on November 28, 2010. Tanya's blog is called Everyday Adventures.

Re posted with permission by Sonja

Keeping Warm at Home

This fun collection makes me think of a great day bundled up against the cold with a good book and a fire roaring in the fireplace.

If you want to be featured in an upcoming SHE Team Treasury, please be sure to tag your items with "sheteam".

By- K Low

Interview With Reda of AgapeGiftShoppe

Stop by Reda's shop and have a look around, then come back here to get to know more about the creator of these fabulous items!


Q:How long have you been crafting?
A:I've been selling crafts for eight years but have been creating since my first box of crayons. I was a stay within the lines child.

Q:Do you remember any craft successes or disasters from childhood?
A:I made a ginger bread house and the icing was too thin, everything slid off. My mom rescued a lot of it with a glue gun

Q:When did you decide to sell your handmade items on Etsy and why?
A:I started two years ago . I heard about on another site. I thought it was a good way to cut down on craft shows as far as time and fees

Q:How long have you been homeschooling?
A:I began homeschooling three years ago.



Q:How many children do you homeschool?
A:I only have one son who's eight




Q:What methods/curriculum do you use?
A:I use the k12 curriculum

Q:What do you find difficult about homeschooling and running a home business?
A:Not having enough time , energy , or sanity to go around. Plus keeping the home in tact and making sure I stay healthy and still exercise

Q:What do you find rewarding about homeschooling and running a home business?
A:I can pull back when I need to and not answer to anyone else about why I need to. If I need to put in more time with my son I can cut down on the amount of creating and listing I do and when I feel like his needs are met I put some more in the creative pot.

Q:Do you have your own workspace?
A:Now I do , we just moved so its a work in progress. Most of supplies are in tall crafting drawers in my dining room so I have to clean up when I'm done. But looked forward to being able to close the door and leaving my stuff out so I ca can come back to it.

Q:Do you sell your handmade goods at other venues, ie craft shows, local shops, other Internet sites?
A:I have my own site that meets my exact tastes htttp://agapegiftshoppe.weebly.com Customers can browse more of the selection of custom items on there


Q:Where else can we find you, ie blog, facebook, twitter, myspace, other handcraft websites?
A:I do have a facebook and blog but I don't use it much. I do list on other sites like zibbet, and bonanza

Q:Since this is the holiday season, would you briefly tell us which holiday is your favorite and why it means so much to you?
A:I would have to say Christmas... its a whole month of being able to hear Christmas music and sing off key. I love Christmas lights and copious amounts of deserts there are to make and receive, and enjoy all of the decorating I get to do and sales on crafting products. I like to gift the last one to myself.

Interview by - Sonja

Mud pies with worms for the kids!

Here is a fun holiday activity for the children - and the best part is it's edible!

We got the idea from "God's Design for Life - The World of Animals" by Debbie and Richard Lawrence (a most excellent set of Christian science books).

First, mix a packet of chocolate instant pudding according to the instructions on the packet. I don't usually go for this pre - packaged stuff, but it is quick and easy. You could substitute with home made chocolate mousse or similar if you don't like the packet stuff.

Crush some chocolate cookies (we used Chocolate Ripple biscuits).

Place some of the cookie crumbs in the bottom of a clear plastic or glass cup. On top of this, place a gummy worm so that it sits up a little.

Spoon the pudding mix in dollops and add another gummy worm if you want. Sprinkle a thick layer of cookie crumbs on top.

Refrigerate until set, then watch them disappear into waiting mouths!

By Kelly of The Handmaden

Holiday Baking

It's the time of year that many homes begin smelling wonderful with all kinds of holiday baking. Whether you make everything from scratch or use store-bought mixes and dough the array of goodness often abounds in this season full of rich memories and the foods attached to them. Here at Etsy it is apparent Schooling at Home Etsians have been doing some "baking" of their own. Enjoy these delectable treats that conjure up images of holiday baked goods and their delicious smells.

Bath N Beads -Gingerbread Man Soap Set

Besem Natural Scents - Vanilla Chai, one natural palm/beeswax pillar

Harvest Moon By Hand -Wool Felt Doughnuts for Little Bakers

Julie and Co. - pumpkin butterscotch - hand embroidered thread ball - japanese temari

Prairie Cottage Rose - Mint Chocolate Fingerless Gloves

CindysSuds - Lemon Poppy All Natural Cold Process Soap

By- K Low

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

Christmas!?! Are You serious?!? I am not sure how an annual holiday can catch me by suprise, but this one always does. It always falls on December 25 but I always find myself scurrying around on December 1st thinking, "I only have 24 days till Christmas."

So once again winter is on it's way and with it the colors and sounds of the holiday season. Whether you are celebrating Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, or Winter Solstice this holiday season, the talented Sheteam has selections to help you cross off gift items from that shopping list. Here are just a few.

How about this adorable Waldorf Inspired Toy Party Time Playset from TheEnchantedCupboard

For the cooks in the family I love this Mini Apron and Dress Form made by The Good Ole Days
Who doesn't have a young fashionista in their family? And what young girl wouldn't love to bundle up in style with a Flowered Earflap Beanie made by those Crochet Sisters over at CrochetRUs?
Finally, get a gift for yourself - a gift in which you can carry your stash of presents. This Soft Green Backpack Purse can be custom monogrammed by The Blissful stitcher.

- VeryVerdant

The Thanksgiving Dinner

Once there lived a woman,
who was hosting her family Thanksgiving.












She cleaned for days and the house smelled so nice.











Dressed in her best, she welcomed her guests.




Herbs from her own garden formed the humble wreath on her door,as guests arrived bearing gifts to say Thank You to their hostess...










Her table was set with lovely dishes...







...and the food was...well...divine.


Buzz, buzz, buzz...The alarm clock sounds. Wait it was only a dream. What time is it? What is today? Tuesday? The 23rd? Wow, I have a lot of work to do. Cleaning, scrubbing, cooking, baking...Thanksgiving is only two days away!





Wishing you all the best,
VeryVerdant

Untitled

Let's have a little fun with this post. I was asked to do a themed collection of items from a few Sheteam shops. So, here are the items and shop links but....I am leaving the title up to you. What would you name this "themed" collection?



Set of Four Napkins by WeeBeaks




Original Painting on Linen Canvas by Whimsygal



Zippered Pouch by VeryPrettyThings



All Hearts Bracelet by Unkamengifts


Leave your suggestions in the comment box. I am sure this very talented group of Homeschooling Families can come up with a few extraordinary titles for this collection.

VeryVerdant

Just What the Doctor Ordered

I'll be keeping this post short and sweet.

My kiddos have been sick babies the past few days. Some with stomach virus, others with colds. ICK ICK ICK!!! So the
"Fun Theme" for today is
Just What the Doctor Ordered...(Dr. Mom that is)

1. Eat lots of colorful fruits and vegetables.



2. Take a nice warm shower with fragrant essential oils to help relieve the aches and pains of fever and to open up those bronchial tubes.




3. Get plenty of rest.



4. If you must go outside, be sure to bundle up. Keep those ears and that throat of yours covered and warm.




I found all these lovely "Make you feel better" items in the shop list over to the left...right here on the SheTeam blog. I am so glad I looked around.

French Lavender Essential Oil Soap for the nice warm shower - byZosca

Hand Painted, Silk Roving to make something warm to wrap yourself in - by Woolgatherings

The Plush little "Meadow Bunny to snuggle while you rest - by Wilkinsoncrafts

The bright multicolored bracelet to remind you to eat your fruits and vegetables - by Wiredwhimsey


This post of helpful tips and healthy tidbits - by VeryVerdant

When Summer Turns to Winter

It is a regular practice of ours to commit various verses to memory. Be it scripture, parts of plays, historical speeches or poetry, we always feel such a sense of satisfaction when the work is memorized. This is one of our current poems and a few selections from the talented Sheteam.

Something Told the Wild Geese
-by Rachel Field

Something told the wild geese
It was time to go.
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered "Snow."








Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned "Frost."








All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.









Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly-
Summer sun was on their wings
Winter in their cry.






Items pictured above:
1. MommysDream - Vacationing Snowman Handpainted Ornament
2. Ham-n-Cheezr - Holly and Berries Quilted Table Runner
3. BraceletsbyLinda - Amber and Pearl Bracelet
4. TemporaryTrappings - Snow Angel

- posted by VeryVerdant

No Tricks - Just Treats

OK, here is my Halloween confession. I have never been trick or treating - not even with my children. There, I said it!

I do, however, remember a trick or treat scene that is indelibly etched into my brain. It is the Halloween scene from Meet Me in St. Louis where the youngest, Tootie, goes out to "kill" a neighbor. In doing this, the children would knock on a neighbors door and chant "a very scary" chant, then throw a sack of flour into the neighbors face. Then, the children would make a run for it and fast!

Well, no such tricks here, only treats.

First we will need a bag in which to carry all these treats. For that we can visit MinnieMaes
This particular bag is made for tiny hands and will be perfect for carrying the Halloween stash. There are several different designs and sizes to choose from and MinnieMaes also carries similar totes for Mom's market trips.

Next we will need a costume. Now, here I go back to Meet Me in St Louis. The children dressed up in their fathers clothes and wore fake mustaches...
Ah Ha! I found these lovely disguises at Joosycardco.
How much fun is this?

Now for the treats, you can find candy corn at CellChic's Shop.
If you stay around her shop for just a little, you can also find a black cat, a spider, a ghost and a bat!

Finally, I can't leave out my favorite candy...CHOCOLATE.
Yes, I like dark chocolate, white chocolate, milk chocolate and mint chocolate and I found all of these goodies made by Julieandco

There, I think we are now ready for a fantastic evening of Trick or Treat.

Be safe out there and enjoy the holiday.

-Sonja