Madeleine's class was very busy in Term 3 producing two amazing work of art:

Sewing and handicraft are a big part of  Montessori education - children are shown how to make very simple sewing cards at 2, sew on buttons at 3 and by 5 are making embroidered cushions and doing huckaback. There are so many things I love about a Montessori education, but you can imagine, I have a particularly soft spot for the way that sewing is taught and valued.

Every year the school has a fundraising ball and each class creates an artwork that is auctioned at the ball to raise funds for the school. This year Madeleine's class used Prints Charming screen printed linens as the basis for their work.

Every child was given one of the screen printed pieces to work with. They chose the colours and embroidery techniques they wanted to use. Some children liked to follow the lines, some liked to cover them completely, others liked to make beautiful patterns outlining the lines. Each piece is different, each piece is beautiful.

With sewing so close to my own heart, I am now so thrilled to be the lucky owner of the red one.

Attached to the embroidery when we bought it was the story behind the work written by Madeleine's teacher - the inspiration, the process and the challenges.

"No child was hurt in the making of this embroidery! No fingers pricked Sleeping Beauty style, no eyes poked, no-one embroidered onto their chair! In fact, if you want anything embroidered, bring it to the Amazing Class Embroidery Guild!!"

Pippa started school yesterday. Well sort of! She joins Madeleine and Lizzy at a local Montessori 3-6 year school after her birthday in June and to prepare her, she is doing a transition program - two mornings of Montessori a week by herself. This is the first time she has been cared for by anyone other than family, so it is a big change and adjustment for all of us. We have all been feeling a little uncertain:

But we keep reassuring each other that it will be OK.
And it is!

It's time to begin a new adventure!

Did you notice Pippa's new bag? It actually a version of my heart shaped purse. (If at first you don't succeed - try, try, try again!). I cut up my favourite maternity dress to make it. The fabric was hand screen printed by Prints Charming. One of the  most common phrases associated with Montessori education is "Help me to do it myself." This bag was designed with this in mind.  It has a large zip but a small handle - perfect for little hands.

It opens up wide,  Pippi can access all of her essentials (a change of cloths and a snack) easily.

Today was day two - there were a few tears. Understandably, I don't think she is completely comfortable at school yet, but the bag seems to be working well.

PS  If you asked Pippa why yesterday was a big day, she'd be far more likely to talk about excavators than school!

Our neighbours are building a pool. We had one very excited little girl!!!