Thursday, December 10, 2009

Santa Lucia Song and a Crafty Playmat Site

My daughter has been out of school for a good part of the past two weeks. She's had a nasty cold that's dragged on. She's finally on the recovery end, but now I've got the cold lodged in my throat and limbs. I need quiet space in order to think, and that is why I have not had much of a chance to blog or comment. However, I did record a simple version of the "Santa Lucia" song yesterday so that people could have it in time to celebrate on December 13 (I could hear the "fogginess" in my throat even then): Santa Lucia (Saint Lucy) Song. Here are two different Santa Lucia dolls I've made:





Since today is "Crafty Thursday", take a look at the needlefelted playscapes of Sage Dream Design. In addition to finished playscapes with swings, mushroom dwellings and the like, the website offers kits for people to make their own magical forests and meadows. I don't do much needlefelting, but I've been looking at a lot of playmats and nature table scenes for inspiration. My daughter's class auction project this year is going to be composed of four playmats (for four seasons) with figures and accessories. I wanted a project that could be large and impressive in terms of display but be easily packaged away when not in use. Projects from previous years like the circus and puppet-stage required household space that a lot of people simply do not have.

9 comments:

jama said...

Lovely song and dolls, Farida. Hope you're back in the pink very soon!!

Anonymous said...

Ack, I hope the cold goes away and leaves you all fully healthy soon.

tanita✿davis said...

Last year, I got a kick out of playing the Santa Lucia song over and over. The doll is really cute! The new camera is working out well - the pics look great.

(Sorry I've been incommunicado; just not quiet adjusting yet to being home. And freezing!!)

Saints and Spinners said...

Tanita: Thanks! The second photo is one I took using the new light tent (EZCube, for anyone who's interested) and lamps. There's still some adjusting and learning to do, but I was SO glad when I figured out that I needed the "Tungsten" setting on my camera in order to make the backgrounds not turn yellow.

Adrienne: Thanks! It's incredible that I've held out this long. This is my first cold of the season, whereas last winter, I had a cold every two weeks.

Jama: I only hope! "In the pink" would be lovely. Thank you.

Lone Star Ma said...

Cool stuff!

I hope you are on the mend!

Jules at 7-Imp said...

Hope you're feeling better soon. Glad your daughter's on the mend.

The Library Lady said...

Glad Lucia is feeling better. And oh, I love the dolls! Are you going to make more? I would love to get one and tuck it away for next Santa Lucia, when our part Jewish/part Filipino household celebrates our house full of Ikea!
(And I could have had it out yesterday at our Hanukkah party along with the plate of Swedish meatballs :D )

Saints and Spinners said...

Thanks all! I'm glad to say that this virus doesn't seem to be hanging around for very long. On Friday, I just slept and slept.

Library Lady: I'm thrilled that you like the St. Lucia doll. I don't plan on putting any more into the shop until next fall, but should you ever want a custom-made St. Lucia doll before then, you know where to find me.:)

Anonymous said...

So sweet! I love this story....