crochet & crafts

A precious Finnish woman here in the city volunteered to offer a Crafty Class to the seven-and-up kids! Asia LOVES her class! She first learned to crochet with her fingers, and has now learned to use a crochet needle. Her teacher is also teaching them how to use a regular needle & thread, starting with beads. Every week Asia walks to class with her friend Emma - over to her apartment, and spends 2 hours being crafty!

I love helping Asia get ready for her class: helping pack her backpack with necessities so that she can walk there on her own, and come home after!! She has to take the elevator, open the big heavy metal door, walk down the street and through a neighborhood restaurant, down some big stairs, through another bunch of apartment buildings - and up five flights of stairs. And then she comes back the same way, using her very own key! Asia loves the feeling of going by herself (with Emma) - they feel so responsible and grown up. Its a big accomplishment for momma too, letting her little girl branch out like this. I know its safe...and it builds confidence in our baby girl. She is growing up!!

Here are a few pictures of some of her recent creations:

She crocheted a long strand of yarn, and wound it around a toilet paper tube, converting it into a little pencil holder! This was our anniversary gift. Then she made a purple & yellow lizard out of beads. Now she is working on a small table mat - sewing the edges with a needle & thread, and embroidering a flower too! Its so fun to see her try new things, and come home energized and enthusiastic about her new skills! I am so thankful for our Finnish friend - and her love for these girls. :)

And I LOVE my new pencil-holder-man, specially crafted by my sweetie.