Crafty Thursday: Two Little Witches

I recently made two witch dolls inspired by the books I enjoyed as a child. An Amazon recommended book-list helped me remember that one of my favorite books was Little Witch, by Anna Elizabeth Bennett. Other books I really liked were The Resident Witch and The Witch Who Saved Halloween, both by Marian T. Place, The Wednesday Witch, by Ruth Chew, and The Witch Family, by Eleanor Estes. I was also fond of The Witch Next Door, by Norman Bridwell, and am sad that this book is out of print while Bridwell's large rouge canine continues to thrive.



Blue Witch Doll
Purple and Black Witch Doll
Trees and fly agaric mushrooms: The Enchanted Cupboard

Pumpkin Songs

The Library Lady sings The Pumpkin Song, a sweet, simple song used with success for library storytimes. She also posted pumpkin photos, including some shots of her fabulous display board. Thank you, Library Lady!

As a memory jog, Lucia sang a Jack-o-Lantern song for this blog last year. I've linked that as well.

Halloween Fairy

Have you heard of the Halloween Fairy? I first heard of her through my daughter's school. On Halloween night, after the fun of trick-or-treating is over, the child places all but a few desired pieces of candy in a basket or bowl for the Halloween Fairy to collect. In gratitude, the Halloween Fairy leaves a wonderful present (i.e. no socks or underwear unless they're on the child's wishlist).

Outside of school, most parents look at me with bemusement when I tell them about the Halloween Fairy. I can almost hear their thoughts:

Yeah, that's really cute. That may work in your Waldorf la-la land, but the Halloween Fairy would never fly with my kid.

These are the same parents whose kids faithfully put out stockings for Santa Claus long after they've discovered that there is no toe-monster, carrots do not make their hair curly and the Electoral College does not reflect the popular vote. They're gung-ho about the Easter Bunny and think the Tooth Fairy is great as long as the cash keeps coming. The Halloween Fairy deserves a chance, too.

Last year was the first time Lucia went trick-or-treating with friends. She enjoyed the pageantry of the costumes, liked the idea of getting lots of sweets, but was fine with putting out her stash for the Halloween Fairy. The next morning, she received a rhinestone tiara and the Halloween Fairy received a stomachache. This year, who knows what gift the Halloween Fairy will bring? Whatever Lucia receives in exchange for her candy will be worth the trade.

November 2, 2009 update: Here is a photo that has the wooden mushrooms and doll made by MrsBeccijo of theenchantedcupboard along with a hand-dyed silk by BeneathTheRowanTree that the Halloween Fairy left for my daughter in exchange for her candy:



Other items pictured from the NaturalKids team are the needle-felted mushroom girl by Nushkie, a wooden squirrel and crow by Mamakopp, and stitched dolls by me, Alkelda.