The sun catchers above were made by Iain and Elijah and they were inspired by the sunflowers at our farm. Sunflowers are Steve’s favorite, and we always fill the house with them in early autumn. Well, and what kind of autumn would it be without a jack ‘o lantern or two? We’re hoping that our partner has a window near his nature table!
Yes, his.
I’ll admit I was a bit panic stricken when I realized I had been paired with a man with no children. All along I had been picturing cute childish little things and I was completely stumped as to what to do for an adult. Especially considering the fact that it was out of country and therefore couldn’t contain any bits of nature. But then I got to know Tine, through his emails and his wife Pia through her blog Waldorf Heart and it was such a relief! I was still feeling pretty uninspired mind you, but they are such lovely people that I know they won’t judge harshly and they will accept our humble gifts knowing that they come from the heart. I’m kind of glad that, when I sent out my package, I didn’t know that Pia’s partner was Shelley of Waldorf Mama. Because seriously, talk about the potential for developing an inferiority complex, you know?
In looking through the contributions on the Season’s Round Flickr group (there is some incredible stuff out there by the way), I was kind of surprised to see that more people didn’t get their kids involved in the exchange. Actually I guess it makes sense since most of the people have their own kids to add to their nature tables. Accumulating stuff from other people’s kids is probably not high on the list of priorities, huh? Nope. Perfectly crafted Mama-made goodies where the submission du jour.
My kids really wanted to help out on this one and honestly I let them take the lead. Feeling over-whelmed by our whole housing situation seems to have temporarily stunted my creative mojo. I’m not sure what I’ll do for the next exchange, but for this one it felt right to let them forge ahead.
So, they made up the sun catchers, with a bit of advice from me. And this was my contribution…
in honor of my new love of course. Hey, wool is harvested too!
The boys sorted through my yarn basket and pulled out little bits of any color that they deemed “harvesty” and I just crochet each one in as it was handed up to me. The result is this funky little mat. I thought it would be good for putting a candle or a bowl on. That bright splash of yellow in the middle is some yarn that we dyed with turmeric several years back.
The card is from a local (to me) artist and features a series of farms along an autumnal river bank. It seemed just the thing to add to our package and if they so desire, to their table.
Meanwhile, I’m really hoping that this post hasn’t ruined the surprise! I’ve not gotten word that my partner has received his package yet, which isn’t exactly shocking. I know we sent our packages within a day of each other and his hasn’t arrived yet either, though we are all very eagerly waiting! Photo’s were supposed to be posted by today, so I thought I ought to get this out there.
Dear Melody!
I will "let" (English phrases … huh) Tine answer you for himself, but I really would like to give you my side of the story. We just received your package and it is gorgeous!! I love it. I love that you involved your children. The sun catchers are perfect. We only get sun in the morning, because our side of the house is turned to north, so this will be just perfect – in the morning they will catch the sun and we'll have it through all day
. And we just painted the room yellow so it really goes with the room! 
And since we don't have a cloth on the table yet so you mat is perfect! And I just love the photo. What a great idea! This way we get to see a bit of where you come – a bigger picture 
About not having the children … that is something that I am dealing with right now. Accepting that I have to go to a (small)surgery to have them. On one hand we are so busy, we work 12-16 hours a day, on the other we would so much like to just take it a bit slow with a baby … but we will just have to let the life take us where it want us. And even thought we don't have children yet, we do have a store for children and workshops for parents and children so we really have children all around us
And since we are both involved in seminar for Waldorf teachers the season exchange felt like the perfect thing to do, to find new friends and to take some time for us, instead for working. 
And as I said before, your story inspired us so much. I hope you will like what Tine made you. It was such joy to watch him working it and he loved making it. Hopefully we get one of these to
And for my partner.Interior complex … how do you think I felt.
But I think it turned out very well and I think that my gnome and fairy found a really nice home with lots of nice people. 
And that is what matters.
With love,
PIa
Melody,
hi also from my side of the house
It will fit perfectly on the table. What I worry now is how my "little" package will fit on yours.
We got the mail just a little bit ahead of your post so the surprise was not "ruined".
Your "humble" gift was the best gift you could have made … whatever comes from the heart is best, so much more if it comes from 2 more children hearts
Well your housing situation may be blocking your creative mojo, but it sure helped me chose what to do. I hope you will enjoy it. It is something that you (and hopefully your kids) can take with you wherever you go and still have a piece of the house that healed you with you. That is all I will say otherwise the whole surprise will be ruined.
Felling harvesty I also included some chestnuts…I hope all goes well at the customs
I am very glad that I got you as a partner in this exchange because I got to "meet" such a great family.
Warmly,
Tine
Hi there! I just wanted to stop in and thank you for introducing me to the LTK Pilot Hat pattern. I am positively addicted to knitting them now. My latest baby has a warm little head because of all your beautiful photos of your daughter!