A Waldorf Inspired Craft: Getting Ready for School

Since we haven't worked on letters much around these parts and it looks like we'll be Waldorf "Afterschoolers" I figured it might be a good time to work on the alphabet.

Also, on our double Graduate Assistant Income, we've got to be as frugal as possible.  Here's what I started with:

The little treasure boxes were a facebook trade.  I traded some modeling clay for theses boxes and some fabric.  So cost involved was only shipping.  The little chalkboards are from a resale group called The Waldorf Tag Sale (also on Facebook).  Cost with shipping was about $12.  The two boxes of chalk were purchased from a co-operative called Cedar Ring Circle.  I think they came in at less than $2 a box.

The little treasure boxes were rough hewn wood and needed a good sanding.  After the sanding and a quick woodburned letter, I "stained" them with some instant decaf (my favorite wood stain) and topped off with a nice coat of my homemade beeswax polish.  S had a good time painting the coffee on and helping me seal with polish.  Perfect messy craft for a 3 year old.

Coffee stain and wood polish can make any cheap wood look richer!

Here's how they turned out:

And here's a shot of our "homeschool" complete with Stitch sitting there in the window: