Next weekend we, as a family, are heading to Pittsburgh to run a 5k together. It'll be the first time either kiddo has done a full 5k, although it's not their first race. Of course, I imagine that there will be several walking breaks, perhaps the occasional..."are we almost done", but since we are all doing it together I'm sure it'll be loads of fun! But, aside from the fact that the kids are quite interested in running and racing, etc...we are really running this race for a great cause and one amazing little girl!
We are running for Ada Mae, the daughter of one of my close friends from college and team mate from my college cross country & track teams. "Ada Mae is 6 years old and living with Phelan McDermid Syndrome. PMDS is a rare genetic disorder caused by the mutation of a gene responsible for the formation of neuronal synapses." The "World of Mae" was created in order to support Ada’s medical, therapeutic, and adaptive expenses, but also in order to enrich the quality of Ada’s life.
It's a great reason to go for a run, see some old friends, meet their children, have a good time and enjoy each others company! I truly can not wait to meet little Ada, her sister and her Dad...and of course see her mom, whom we haven't seen since we were married (over 11 years ago!)!
In addition to being there and running the race, Ada's mom, Katie, asked me if I would be interested in donating some handmade items for the World of Mae Basket Raffle. Of course! Katie told me that Ada loves fairies, and since we've got a thing for fairies and the like around here too I sort of went with that and put together a mix of goodies...
For imagining...
A wool felt woodland fairy crown...
Perfect for imagining that you are in fact the king/queen/prince/princess of fairies!
For gathering and exploring...
A child sized gathering bag, covered in tiny mushroom fairy houses of course...
Because woodland fairy play often, at least in our home, involves gathering of fairy supplies like stones, pine cones, bark, leaves and many other treasures...
And lastly, for saving...
a pair of felt baskets and a tiny fairy friend...
Because when you get home from gathering you need somewhere to put all of your treasures!
I do hope that someone at the World of Mae race next weekend has an affinity for fairy goodness as well and wins these sweet little gifts!
The kids really loved the bag, particularly Henry, as Violet already has a messenger bag and a gathering bag! Perhaps I'll make another...
I was quite pleased with the way the felt baskets turned out myself and surely plan on making more of these. Want to make some yourself?
Felt Basket How to:
The green basket is wool felt which is nice and thick and sturdy, the grey is craft felt and a little more flimsy so I used a double layer (grey & white craft felt) for that basket to make it more sturdy.
Next...
After your slits are cut...
Fold the corners in to meet each other at the points. Pin folded pieces of felt in place. Stitch all along the top of the basket using a zig-zag stitch, make sure all of your folded edges and points are caught in the zig-zag.
Lastly, stitch, with embroidery floss, a running stitch all along the folded edges, move around the entire basket to stitch both the folded pieces seen on the outside and the pieces that are on the inside.
And just like that you've got a fun little felt catch-all basket...
I'm so excited to see some old friends next weekend and happy that I could help in more ways than one. Here's hoping my handmade goodies bring in some money and make someone else happy!
Want to learn more about Ada and the World of Mae check out this article. Stop by the World of Mae Facebook page, sign up to run if you are in the Pittsburg area, or if you are so moved donate!
