a walk in the woods

We needed an escape. I've been working really hard on the patterns and the website - writing text, taking pictures, putzing around on Adobe Photoshop, and learning how to maneuver InDesign for the pattern layout. Ouf! Plus, my abso-posi-ti-va-lute-ly loverly husband has been dedicating all of his free time to designing the new pattern shop website. In short, we've been spending far too much time in front of computers in this past week.

While it was difficult "leaving it all behind" for an entire day, we made it a priority to get out-of-doors, no matter the weather. With a small backpack, lunch essentials and our swimsuits, we drove to the edge of the Copper Canyon, parked the truck and started hiking down, in thick fog. Down. Down some more. Finally we arrived at the natural hot springs at the canyon floor. After three hours relaxing in the warm pool, we began the climb out, this time with the sun peeking from behind the clouds.

A leisurely hike observing all the different varieties of fungi, noting the songs of birds, and tasting cactus fruit. Reconnecting to nature. Rejuvenating. We needed that.

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the third pattern

Here's a snippet for you to ponder ... the third pattern in "Brown Apples and Pears" by Alexander Henry.

Tonight we're making chocolate chip cookies. A sweet date with my sweet husband.

Love,Meg

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the lucky number and a heidi headband hiatus

Thanks for all of your comments! I used a this random number generator to pick the lucky lady, and the winner this time is ...

COMMENT #3! So Theresa, could you send me your mailing address when you get a chance? Felicidades, as we say down here south of the border. You can expect a package of handmade goodness by the end of August!

I took a few minutes today to make some of Amy's "Heidi Headbands" from Bend the Rules Sewing.

This one is for a six-year-old, so I added elastic instead of a twill tape tie so she can manage it without help from an adult.

Both the dog and the mushroom ribbon are from Reprodepot.

These are so quick and fun to make! Just sing Zippidy-doo-dah a few times and you'll be finished. (Okay, so I guess you'd have to sing it about 30 times.) May I suggest some other music instead? We just discovered Annet Louisan, a German singer whose music is relaxing in an "I'm-hanging-out-in-a-French-cafe" sort of way. Perfect for crafting, and perfect for adding to your world music curriculum!

My reading pillow has been getting some action, as well. Thinking about making your own? Be sure to sign up for my mailing list in the side bar! You'll be the first to know when the pattern becomes available!

Ta ta for now,
Meg

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pay it forward giveaway

Still crankin' out those patterns! (Excuse me as I wipe the sweat from my brow ... phew!) In the meantime, sign up for my new mailing list in the side bar to get notified when the patterns go on sale. Isn't that chipmunk a dapper little guy?

Here's some fun news - it's my turn to pay it forward! A few days ago, I was notified by kwoozy that I had been picked in her pay it forward drawing. Here are the details if you care to play along:

"I will send a handmade gift to a random person who leaves a comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange.

I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise!

The only thing you haveif you like to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog."

Are you in? I'm stoked about sending a special something to the lucky reader! Comment fingers ready? 3,2,1 ... Go! Comments will close the next time I post.

xo,
Meg

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reading pillow pattern

Who wouldn't want to curl up with one of these and get lost in a book!? This has to be my favorite pattern. It was a hair-puller to conceptualize and put onto paper, but I'm ecstatic about the results! I only wish I had it finished when I was reading that heavy, heavy Harry Potter. Alas. From now on, I will be reading in absolute comfort, and you will too, once you have one of these on your lap!

Inspired by my grandma's well-loved reading pillow, this pattern adds some funky and useful twists, such as handmade piping, a built-in book mark, page holders, and pockets for your reading glasses and pencils.

As a teacher, I think these pillows have awesome potential for encouraging reading. I imagine that a collection for the elementary classroom would do wonders. A reading pillow would come in handy for anyone of reading age. Think of the possibilities - homeschooling, family reading time, college students, and grandparents. The days of reading = upper body workout need not continue!!

Today I'm making pumpkin pie. When I was back in California I grabbed an organic mix from my mom's pantry and dropped it in my luggage. I just can't wait for October. I see the can every time I walk into my kitchen. It has seduced me. Yum.

I hope you've been having a wonderful weekend!

xo,
Meg

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my ... what a hairy baby you have, my dear

First off, thanks for all of your notes and comments following yesterday's little introduction. I can't wait to get to know all of you a little better! Also, thanks for your encouragement and enthusiasm regarding my new pattern collection. It's hard putting yourself out there, not knowing what kind of response one will receive.

Here's a sneak peek of one of the three patterns I will be starting to sell within the next month. I'm so happy with how it turned out, and I hope you mamas out there will love it! It's an Asian baby carrier, also known as a Mei Tai. But first things first, I really need to give a shout out to my cat, Timoun, who's a snuggly type and doesn't mind being carried around baby-style. FYI, he's about the size of a six-month-old infant. With a smaller head, of course ... and a hairy body.

This is a really comfortable carrier. The shoulder straps are wide, and the weight is distributed comfortably across your back. There's no hardware or uncomfortable metal rings that pinch. Just pure, almost seamless, flannel-lined cotton. Yum. Also, the flip-up head support doubles as a nursing shield.

My pattern includes an internal x harness for safety and comfort. Most mei tais have straps that attach only to the edges of the main panel, which makes me a little nervous - this pattern is unique in its super safe construction. Here's a photo sketch (made at www.dumpr.net) of the x harness before sewing and inserting.

For more photos of mei tai's, see the following links. I've also included a link on "how to wear a mei tai." It can be worn in the front, side, or back. But Timoun's not that complacent!

How to wear
Baby Hawk
Yummy Mummy

Check back tomorrow for a sneak peek at the second pattern, which is a design that the entire family will love. Here's a hint - it promotes literacy. Any guesses?

xo,
Meg

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the puppeteer speaks

I think it's about time to properly introduce myself. When I first started this blog back in January, it was intended to be a resource for Montessori teachers like myself. I had envisioned creating a space to share ideas and techniques for making didactic material - in other words, a resource bank devoid of a personal story. I was simply to act as a puppeteer behind stage.

Um, hello there. I'm the puppeteer. And I'm ready to peek my head from behind the curtain and give a timid wave. You see, this blog has grown into much more than a collection of resources. This is thanks to you, my wonderful readers. You are not only Montessori teachers, but mothers, homeschooling families and craft enthusiasts as well. You might not be Montessorians by education or training, yet we share much in common. We are passionate about the handmade. We are champions of childhood. And so I extend to all of my readers a warm embrace of friendship. I'll be putting more of myself into the blog from now on. No more puppeteering. Just lil' ol' me, communicating my ideas, creations, thoughts, dreams, and hopes to my readers ... my friends.

Here are six random facts to help you get to know me better:

1.) I was a Montessori child. I attended a Montessori preschool and kindergarten. My teacher, Mary Jane, became my my friend and yoga teacher in my late teens. We remain in contact and I hold her in high esteem. She is one of the reasons why I decided to pursue Masters degree in Montessori education. I guess I've come full circle.

2.) I am an INFJ on the Myers-Briggs personality indicator test. Apparently, it's the most rare of the personality types. It does describe me pretty well. However, I am not a psychic, and I don't purport that I bear any resemblance to other supposed INFJs, such as Mother Theresa and Martin Luther King, Jr. Ha. Double ha.

3.) Music is another of my passions. Vocal music, to specify. My mom says that as soon as I could talk, I was singing. I was so fortunate to grow up in a community that supported the arts - my high school had (and still has) and incredible Chamber Choir. Check out this link to listen. We sang some really fun and challenging pieces. My senior year we toured Europe. I don't know if there's anything more otherworldly beautiful than sixteen gawky teenagers creating such complex, emotional melodies.

4.) I love animals. I'm not just "a crazy cat lady." If my family would let me, I would take in any animal - dog, cat, rabbit, horse, iguana - and give it a happy home. My two cats are, predictably, very spoiled.

5.) I live in rural Mexico. Why? Many of you have asked. My grandfather is Mexican, and I was curious to find out more about my heritage. My husband, Patrick, has a passion for history, and especially Latin American history. In fact, he's planning to get his PhD in the subject when we return to the US. We thought, "Why not spend several years in a Latin American country to learn the language and have a few adventures before having children?" It worked out great. I found this job at a one-room Montessori school, and Patrick continues to work for the DC-based organization, Just Foreign Policy, from the comfort of our home. We've both learned so much from the Mexican people, and my students have taught me more than any Masters degree ever could have. Our time here is running short, however. Patrick is already applying to graduate school, and as soon as this next school year is over, we will be heading back to the US.

6.) We don't have children yet, but we are looking forward to it! We're beginning to lay a foundation for a family. I'm looking to attend the Montessori Assistants to Infancy course in 2009. Another key element is figuring out how to be able to stay at home with our children while my husband is racking in the big bucks as a grad student with a measly stipend. Here's my plan, and you folks will play an important role in its success - I'm going to create a collection of sewing patterns for sale! Also, in answer to many of your queries, I will be selling some of my original creations once we move back to the states. It just can't be done while living here - we have zero confidence in the postal service.

That's it for me, now it's your turn! I would love to know who you are, so leave a comment or shoot me an email at montessorirevolution@gmail.com. And thank you for being such a warm, supportive, and motivating community. Really, you are wonderful.

xo,
Meg

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