Monica Ashley brings us a perfect picture of summer in the nature table scene above.   Who doesn’t associate a bright seascape and its soothing blues and golden hues with images or memories of summer?  June 21, the Summer Solstice, is the longest day our world spends basking in the sun’s light.  How will you celebrate this dawning of summer?  What is on your nature table today?  Please share!

“I always get so inspired when I’m near the ocean,” sighs Monica wistfully.   And her lovely felted creations are certainly evidence of this.  Look closely at her conch shell baby, and tell me your heart doesn’t leap!

Don’t you just want to see this doll on display (or played with!) in your home?  Monica thought you might, and has prepared a conch baby kit with supplies and instructions for you for just $9.95.

Are you also dazzled by her Sea Fairy Queen (pictured above)? This kit can be yours for $19.  You may also want to ask Monica about her Flower Fairy while you are placing your orders.  Contact Monica for your kit at monicadanashley@yahoo.com or check her website in July for web-based ordering through PayPal.

Did you note the sweet sea stars and soft silks in this playscape?  Those are Sarah’s Silks of course!  You can pick up your own sea stars as part of the “Fish Pond with Magnetic Pole Set” for sale at Earth Child or via Sono-Ma’s Amazon store.  Monica, who day-lights (rather than moon-lights) as the Manager for Earth Child, also encourages you to come down and find Sarah’s play silks for additional nature table fun.

Felting wool is a wonderful, whimsical activity for all ages.  Monica loves to bring wool work and other hand crafts to children, and has opened her new downtown Sebastopol studio for a series of art camps for children.  While many of her popular classes are full, there is still room in the final two sessions.   Sign your child up for a week of “Birds, Butterfly and Frog” or “Honey Bees and Bears” for sewing, candle making, and other crafting projects and fun through Monica’s website.

Adults can sign up for felt wall hanging class, “big baby” doll making (request a session starting at $65 a workshop), and more delightful natural material hand work with Monica Ashley.  See Monica’s studio schedule here or find her at Cast Away Yarn Shop.    Monica’s next class at Cast Away is a “Needle Felted Flower Wall Hanging” will be offered on July 23, 2010 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.

 

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