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    STONE SOUP

    GUY FAWKES NIGHT

    Mark your calendars! November 5th is Guy Fawkes Night, an evening for bonfire fun.

    In 1605 the British rogue Guy Fawkes was arrested in a cellar filled with barrels of gunpowder. Luckily, he was caught before he had the chance to strike the match that would blow up the kegs and King James. Yup, Guy's plans went up in smoke and he was sentenced to death.

    "This sorry tale has been preserved in British folk culture ever since, with an evening of fun on November 5th. An effigy of Guy Fawkes is burned on top of a large bonfire, and the night crackles and sparkles with fireworks.

    "On the days before November 5th children make "Guys" from old clothes, stuffed with paper or straw," as explained in All Year Round, a wonderful book of festival lore and activities. Children would then wheel their straw men through the neighborhood and ask passer-by's for "a penny for the Guy". The penny stash would be used to buy wood and fireworks for the celebration on the 5th.

    In pagan times, the transitional times between the seasons were always celebrated with fire rituals. The enthusiasm for the annual Fawkes event may be tied to the folk memory of these ancient seasonal bonfire celebrations.

    Times have changed, alright. These days it would take a wheelbarrow of pennies to buy one log! And you can bet that sending our kids out to beg on the streets would raise a few eyebrows. Now they just beg from their parents!

    But, why not embrace the Guy? Who doesn't love an occasional bonfire; it's a good excuse to clear up garden rubbish, burn all evidence of Goodwill craftbook shopping, roast potatoes,  stay out late to gaze at the stars, and dream into the flames and the flying sparks.

    If you can't manage a large bonfire, maybe gather one or two small children and organise a backyard campfire or an indoor fireplace party to celebrate the end of autumn? And don't forget to bring your Dancing Rain Dolls...they enjoy watching the fire, snuggled next to the kids they love.

     

    YESTERDAY'S SOUP
    Friday
    09Jan2009

    How it all begins...

    DateFriday, January 9, 2009 at 10:09PM

    Being new to blogging, you're all going to have to bare with me while I find my bearings. So much has been happening that my mind is mush and and the whirl wind continues to blow around me. But, the new year is here and our studio is brimming over with new ideas as we sit here and drink hot tea, bundled up against the winter cold.

    Change is in the wind this January!

    DANCING RAIN DOLLOur studio has been busy setting new goals for the new year. Here is a peek at what we are working on:

    • DANCING RAIN BLOG: a place to share thoughts and ideas on doll making, crafts, educational activities and other ideas to bring families and friends closer.
    • VIDEOS: instructional short "How To" videos. These short 1-2 minute clips will teach you how to crochet your doll's wig, master felting, and other crafty things.
    • DOLLMAKERS FORUM: a craft circle online forum in support of women in the business of dollmaking who juggle home and work and are trying to find better ways to do it all.
    • CHARITY DOLL MAKING GROUP: organize a cooperative sharing circle, working with dollmakers and suppliers, to help children in need receive dolls they can love and cherish.
    • KNITTING: patterns for Dancing Rain dolls and the kids who own them.
    • FELTING: a series of kits that include patterns, roving, and supplies to make beautiful landscapes, floral designs, and scenes from the natural world.
    • STUDIO CLASSES: retreats here at our studio where you can relax and spend a day here beside the sea, where you can get hands-on instruction, make a craft project, and enjoy the company of other DancingRainDoll mamas.
    • LOGO: Yep, it's time to finally make it official and create a logo for DancingRainDolls! And keep an eye out for the birth of our studio's very own DancingRainDoll, a special dolly we can snugggle and chat with while sewing your dolls! We will post pics.

    Well, it was good to talk with you. I hope we can inspire one another this year, find ways to let our creativity flourish, and grow closer in a community of nurturing joy and peaceful intention.

    Many blessings,

    Amy

     

    AuthorA&A | Comment2 Comments |
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