Will-o’-the-wisp
Tomorrow is Fauna’s 8th birthday and what does she ask for? A Will-o’-the-Wisp. I had no idea what this creature was until she got out her Spiderwick book and shared it with me. Here is what Wikipedia has to say about a will-o’-the-wisp:
The will-o’-the-wisp, sometimes will-o’-wisp or ignis fatuus Latin, from ignis (“fire”) + fatuus (“foolish”), plural ignes fatui) refers to the ghostly lights sometimes seen at night or twilight over bogs, swamps, or marshes. It looks like a flickering lamp, and is sometimes said to recede if approached. Much folklore surrounds the phenomenon.
The will-o’-the-wisp can be found in numerous folk tales around the United Kingdom, and is often a malicious character in the stories. Wirt Sikes in his book British Goblins mentions a Welsh tale about a will-o’-the-wisp (Pwca). A peasant travelling home at dusk spots a bright light travelling along ahead of him. Looking closer, he sees that the light is a lantern held by a “dusky little figure”, which he follows for several miles. All of a sudden he finds himself standing on the edge of a vast chasm with a roaring torrent of water rushing below him. At that precise moment the lantern-carrier leaps across the gap, lifts the light high over its head, lets out a malicious laugh and blows out the light, leaving the poor peasant a long way from home, standing in pitch darkness at the edge of a precipice. This is a fairly common cautionary tale concerning the phenomenon; however, the Ignis Fatuus was not always considered dangerous. There are some tales told about the will-o’-the-wisp being guardians of treasure, much like the Irish leprechaun leading those brave enough to follow them to sure riches. Other stories tell of travellers getting lost in the woodland and coming upon a will-o’-the-wisp, and depending on how they treated the will-o’-the-wisp, the spirit would either get them lost further in the woods or guide them out. To read more folklore go here.
Now I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a sewing machine person….just plain intimidated by it; I knew it was time to learn how to use that thing and stop being scared of a silly machine. So I spent some time with my mom today learning how to assemble and sew up this gal. However, the Wisp had to have a lot of hand stitching on it too, that’s just my style! So this is what I have done so far:
Do you notice that those are her eyes on the top of the columns on her head? I need to tack down the columns a little better and sew eyelashes on one eye. I also need to add some whimsy to the wings; that’s the cream felt behind her. So I better go finish her and get off the computer……..
Happy, Happy Birthday to my little fairy friend! Greetings from West Virginia and thinking of you on your special day……I didn’t leave a b’day greeting for Araina in June, but I thought of her then and made a fairy wish! You will both always have a special place in my heart since I was there when you were born! Your Mama is so very special to me, too! Say hello to Grandma from me! I love looking at what you are all up to every day!
We love that movie! That’s so neat!
Willow the Wisp was a children’s program in the UK when I was wee! I loved it. Hope Fauna loves her Willow the Wisp – good job!
Happy Birthday Fauna! I didn’t know what a will o’-the wisp was until now. Thanks for sharing that. Your softy is quite cute.
Happy 8th Birthday, Fauna!! We love sharing your growing up journey with you and your family.
Lisa- how great is your love for your girls. You are such a wonderful mom!! J says wow that takes a lot of time to make.
A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Fauna!
I noticed that I always get the same square blue monster Icon… It must like me
That is so cute that she asked for a Will-of-the-Wisp for her birthday!
I love what you came up with, so sweet.
We’ve read about the Will-of-the-Wisp before in Mudsock Meadows by Patricia Palacco… One of our favorite authors.
very cute
What a magical request for her birthday! Your wisp looks great and much happiness to Fauna on her big day
Fascinating! And I love it.
Happy birthday Fauna! I think that’s great that that’s what she wanted. What a wonderful mom you are for making her one!
Ha, ha, that’s so funny – who, but an eight year old could wish for a will-o’-the-wisp! – And I really like your interpretation! Happy birthday to Fauna!!
What a cool mom you are. Happy Birthday to your sweet girl, from Alaska!
Oh, how adorable!
You absolutely amaze me! The is the most darling will-o’-the-wisp I could ever imagine.
Goose likes them as well!!! We love that book! I just told her that tomorrow is Fauna’s birthday and she is now trying to decide what to make for her!!! So cute!
Your will’-o-the-wisp is great!!!!!
It’s funny to read this post because I was going to email you and ask you when her birthday is! I just had a feeling it was coming up!
Have a wonderful celebration!!!
Lisa
That’s super cute! Fauna’s going to love it! (the link is broken over at blogger, btw) I wish Elizabeth would get interested in that series. Paulie read them all and loved them, and she’s usually very into adventure/sci fi. Maybe we’ll try again now that school’s started. I’m glad to know that Fauna likes them.
I’d be like, “Yeah…. is that something like my very own ghost? Or >i>a trip to a space ship? or a pocketful of moonbeams???
lol
Good cracking!