We are always making and creating small bits are pieces, whether that's something for outside in the garden, or something inside to add some life to a space. As I was scrolling through Pinterest looking for inspiration and activities that my toddler could do with my partner when the new baby arrives I came across so many beautiful things. I showed my little one a few little ideas and she immediately lit up at the idea of flower wall hangings, she ran to the playroom straight away and got out her foraging basket... Just like that... Away we went! We got out my old flower press from when I was little and headed out into the garden. She picked A LOT of flowers and a LOT of leaves. It's Autumn here right now so there are still lots of roses and flowers in bloom, but more importantly there are beautiful coloured leaves. Although in our own yard the leaves are slightly limited and I am just too pregnant to walk up the street trying to control a toddler, we made do with what we have. Edi helped to collect the flowers and leaves and place them in the flower press. Then the long process of waiting had arrived which she was not so stoked about. Everyday she would ask if they were ready yet and I had to explain to her that they are not ready just yet... Soon. Then just like that they were ready! The delight on her face as she saw the flowers and leaves pressed paper thin in her finger tips reminded me of when I was little, discovering new and magical things. Not only did she get to feel the delicate petals of pressed flowers but she then got to dig her fingers deep into some "white clay" that we made (it was basically salt sough except the main ingredients were bi carb soda and cornflour). While she made things I created some clay rounds, before putting them in the oven to bake. The waiting game then started again for Edith as the clay slowly hardened and dried... Projects like this definitely test a toddlers patience. The next day we were able to gently glue the flowers on using some marvelous stuff called Mod Podge, which is just a water based, non-toxic sealer. I've always heard great things about it so I was yet to see how well it worked. I would place a small dab on the rounds and Edith would place the flower of her choosing on top, pressing down as hard as her little body could. We made 10 for her and 10 for baby. She did try to help with putting the sealer over the tops but she did not like the smell and ended up just wanting me to do it while she played with the leftover pressed flowers. While Edith slept that night I then threaded the rounds so that each one had a long tail, dangly from it. When Edith woke up in the morning I showed her our little creations. I then explained the next step... Getting some sticks from outside. We are lucky that we have a lot to choose from. I grabbed some from a silverbirch tree that we have in our front yard. The next part was a bit testing, not just for Edith but myself as well. I just wanted to get it done but Edi insisted on helping with each round. Once we finally finished we got to hang it up and my goodness does it look beautiful. We made a wall hanging for above Edith's bed and a mobile for our baby we'll be bringing Earthside in the next 7 weeks give or take. I love having these handmade treasures around the house as they'll always be looked at and bring back memories.
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May 2020
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