Fröbelstern

[mothwing]

It was Crocky's sister Teddy's birthday party yesterday, or rather, one of them- this was the "queer adult edition". I was reacquainted (do people still use this word?) with Crocky's and Teddy's older bisexual foster sister and Crocky's bisexual godmother. I've often marvelled at the fact that my MIL, who died in 1991, had so many queer friends and foster children, and then wound up having a bisexual daughter, too.

Teddy, my former Russian learning partner, is still at it because she's planning to spend a few months in that country on her world tour. I'm slightly jealous because I could never do the same. I'm worried for Teddy, too. Still, I hope she's going to have a great time touring the globe and will return home safely. She cooked a tasty dish from her Russian cuisine cook book for us.

We spent the time eating, laughing, and trying to fold Fröbel stars. which their foster sister brought. The English Wikipedia has this to say:

"Froebel stars are very common in Germany, although few people know how to make them."

To which I can testify- IRL I don't know many people who can do Fröbel stars. I know that my grandparents could make them and my mother can, too, but I am convinced that in my generation I think that only the incredibly crafty like angie_21_237 can do it- and the latter is the head of a kindergarten, so it's probably basically her job to know these things.
I have the shrewd suspicion that you talented flisties are probably experts at paper crafts happily fröbeling away, too.

We did end up with things resembling the stars, though and were quite proud of ourselves.

If you want to have a go yourself or need a refresher on how to make them, here's something that looks a lot like the directions we had:

Comments

[ysilme]

Sounds like a great party! And yes, I can do Fröbelsterns, but I'm not incredibly crafty by any means, just average, I'd say. I do them well enough, simply due to sheer determination and frequent repetition - I love them, my mother and one sister love them, so I'm making as many as I can every year. Sadly, it has become difficult to buy the Ramieband I prefer to use in local shops, but last year I discovered an Ebay seller who had even colours I had never dreamed of. Even pink - not that I would like to have pink ones, but there you are. I make small, white ones we put on the Christmas tree branches like snow flakes, just lying there, and clouds of whites on thread to hang from lamps and door knobs. Large ones made from beautiful wrapping paper are also lovely, but very difficult to fold IMHO.

[mothwing.livejournal.com]

It was! :D

We used pre-cut paper that Foster Sister bought at Rossmann. I had never seen those before, in previous attempts I cut my own. Using Ramieband never even occurred to me, what a neat idea! I'll check the local arts and crafts store for those. I really like them as Christmas decoration, just like the simple Lucky Stars.

[ysilme]

I only ever knew them made from Ramieband, but it became difficult getting it in our small town. I had to specially order it through them and take the lot, so now I have heaps of white Ramieband. Then I found a link online (Ebay?) where they had many colours, but didn't get around ordering some in time, as last year I was into making these flat Bascetta stars I might have told about, from red and green patterend original Origami paper. They look much better than the pic; I really have to make good pictures this year before I pack them away again. *g*
But I wouldn't have had time this year anyway, I'm far behind with everything thanks to NaNo and the apple flood *g*, but I will perhaps do it next year. I'd love to have blue, red and green ones, too.
Did I ever tell about the awesome one we got as a travel souvenir from Sweden? It's made from birch bark and hangs at our window all year round.

[cranky--crocus.livejournal.com]

I use reacquainted--not sure about other people! :Þ I'm marvelling at that with your MIL, too!

Oh, those stars look fascinating! I'm not very good at learning from images--I usually have to follow videos. I'd definitely be interested in trying, though! (And if I could do it, perhaps seeing if my 4th and 3rd graders could. :B) Looked up a video and saw one in English but the instructions aren't consistent so I'd have to spend lots of time figuring it out. Perhaps when the holidays come 'round!