Father's Day Keychain

Father's Day is just around the corner and the what to make dad dilemma had us stumped once again. It is always a bit of a challenge to find a practical, yet thoughtful to gift to give. We decided to combine our perpetual love of acorns with something he will use daily... a keychain!

Inspired by the lovely Father's day quote "From great oaks little acorns grow" this is what came to be.

To create you will need: 

A flat round of wood or a tin juice lid

oak leaf

acorns (we used two ~ one to represent each daughter) there was still some on the forest floor ~ but perhaps you are acorn-crazed like me and keep a stash at all times!

mod podge

embroidery floss

keychain ring

glue

needle

To create:

Head to a forest and hunt out an oak leaf and acorn.

Brush a layer of mod podge on your wooden round or juice lid.

Lay your oak leaf on top and brush on another layer of mod podge.

Allow it to dry.

Drill or hammer a hole in the wood round and tie it to the key ring.

Thread a needle and poke it through your acorn cap.

Tie it to your key ring as well. 

Tie a knot inside the acorn cap.

Glue your acorn back into it's cap.

 Add on as many acorns as there are children giving it as a gift.

 Write the Father's Day quote on the back.

There you have it.

Ready for gifting!

 Hope your Little Acorns enjoy creating and your Great Oak enjoys receiving.

Mama & Baby Bunnies

With spring now officially here (YAY!!) we were inspired to craft up some fresh faces for our spring nature table. My daughter Luna, has a real love of  bunnies and I have a real soft spot for all things itty bitty... combined these baby bunnies and their mama just needed to be born!

They were short and sweet to whip up.

To create you will need

walnut

pipe cleaner

wool roving

acorn cap

felt

cotton ball

paint & paint brush

peg doll

To begin 

Pry your walnut open and scrape out the insides.

Slide your bead onto a small piece of pipe cleaner.

Wrap the pipe cleaner in roving to create the baby body.

Add on an acorn cap and glue the babe into the walnut shell.

Cut out some little felt ears and glue on.

Add a face if you wish.

For the mama

Measure and cut a pice of felt to cover the body and glue it on.

Add on an acorn cap and a face.

Cut out felt ears and glue on.

Add a little felt tummy and glue on a cotton ball tail.

There you have it! Mama and baby bunny.

Seeing as bunnies tend to be a bit prolific and that the bitty babies were so much fun, we couldn't resist but give him a sister. Doesn't she look so happy to be a part of things?! 

In spring love

Borax Bejeweled Bits Of Nature

On my walks I am often drawn to gathering bits of beauty that cross my path and carrying home an arm load (and pockets full!) of natures gifts. My girls have joined in on this pleasure and together we keep our vases, nature table, baskets, jars... (you get the idea ;) full.

The collecting doesn't seem to end in winter. There is still so much beauty peeking out of the snow ~ milkweed, Queen Anne's Lace, berries, branches... a bounty of natures gifts!

Inspired by the borax snowflakes, I thought we might combine our love of nature with our love crystals and see what happens!

  We were truly delighted by the outcome. 

Mother nature being the true artist!

Here's how simple it is.

To create you will need

seed pods, branches, dried grass, berries, pine cones... any bits of nature that call to you

borax 

jars

water

*Borax is a laundry booster and is labeled *all natural* but please use caution when working with children. Have the adult or teacher handle the borax and work in a ventilated room just to be safe*

To begin gather your bits of nature.

Put your water on to boil.

Then place your borax into your jar (3 Tbsp for each cup of water).

Add your boiled (measured) water and stir until dissolved.

Submerse your bits of nature into the jar and let sit. 

The longer you leave them the larger the crystals will grow.

We just kept peeking at ours (every couple hours) until we had the size of crystals we desired.

When they are ready, gently remove them from the water and lay to dry.

Be sure to handle the pieces with care, as the crystals are quite fragile.

We were enchanted with their shimmering crystals.

Each one beautiful in their own way.

I think one of our favorites was this coneflower seed head. The girls were convinced it was now a wand for a very lucky fairy.

Perhaps an acorn hat for the fairy too!

The berries looked as though they had been frost kissed

and the grass sparkled and glittered in the sun.

The crystals hung so delicately on Queen Anne's Lace skeleton.

The milkweed pods were lovely all bejeweled.

With each piece we marveled.

We placed a bouquet of these jewel glazed beauties our table. Just the right bit of glittering magic to brighten these cold winter days. 

We also lay some on our nature table with King and Queen (and baby) winter to keep them company. 

I think we are hooked!

 A very HAPPY VALENTINES to one and all. May your day over flow with all things LOVE!