12Dec 2022 by catbird No Comments
Festive Mushroom Ornaments

Festive Mushroom Ornaments

Craft Project, Nature Art, Play, Winter, Winter Solstice
I don't think its any secret that I love mushrooms, foraging and eating them, making art with them and generally just finding and observing them. They seem to me having a moment right now too. At the same time I am slowly becoming one of those crazy old ladies who has a tree in every room of her house with a different theme. I’m at three now. (Is there a threshold for when it becomes crazy? Like cats?) The family tree is in the living room and has all of our special ornaments, there is a sunny solstice tree and last is this tree. I live in an old Victorian house with a tower… so it clearly needed a tree. And obviously that tree needed to be a mushroom tree.…
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11Dec 2022 by catbird 1 Comment
Golden Solstice Tree Topper

Golden Solstice Tree Topper

Craft Project, Nature Art, Winter Solstice
Once I started making these simple tree toppers I never looked back-- they are easy and cheap to make, rustic yet elegant and speak to the importance of the sun at the Winter Solstice. I have three- one for each of my various trees and I have made smaller versions as ornaments too. It could be a fun way to use special sticks (yes we have those too...) the last one I made used sticks that had mushrooms growing on them, lichen can be beautiful too! Golden Solstice Tree Topper Materials: Sticks Scrap cardboard Hot Glue Strip of felt for the hanger Method: Decide how big you want your topper to be and cut all of the sticks to approximately the same length. I like to make sure that cuts…
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09Dec 2022 by catbird 3 Comments
Solstice Tree & Handmade Sun Ornaments

Solstice Tree & Handmade Sun Ornaments

Craft Project, Nature Art, Play, Winter Solstice
I have been meaning for years to make a dedicated Winter Solstice tree. Our family tree has solstice-y vibes but really focuses more on ornaments that we design together to commemorate each year. It's already packed full of ornaments and we add a few more each year. So last year I got another tree for another room and dubbed it the solstice tree. That December got away from me as the often do and I only managed to buy one blown glass ornament. This year, not wanting to buy a million expensive ornaments, I decided to make the bulk of them and I am beyond thrilled with how them came out. All of the crafts are super kid friendly, but can just as easily be done by adults. My Solstice…
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07Dec 2022 by catbird 1 Comment
Pine Needle Tea

Pine Needle Tea

Campfire, Folklore, Foraging, Recipes, Winter, Winter Solstice
Pine needle tea is a fun and easy winter beverage hat is is oh so wintery! Its a fantastic source of nutrients, particularly vitamin C, which was used to supplement people's diets in the days before you could go to the store and buy a bag of oranges without a thought. Allegedly, Frenchman Jacques Cartier and his crew were cured of scurvy by an Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) tribe in 1543 and they wrote an account of it. All edible species of pine contain vitamin C-- purportedly have three to five times more than an orange, depending on what source you read. Vitamin C is an immune booster (and a cure for scurvy!) Pine needles also contain vitamin A which improves red blood cell production. Pine needle tea can also soothe sore…
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01Dec 2022 by catbird No Comments
Chrysalis Sleeping Bags

Chrysalis Sleeping Bags

Craft Project, Hibernation Celebration, Learning, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Winter
I was so inspired by this artwork from photographer Levon Biss that I knew I needed to come up with a project about insect hibernation. My brain immediately went to chrysalis sleeping bags because a chrysalis is in a way a tiny sleeping bag, and the patterns on these are so beautiful I though they would be amazing inspiration. First things first, insects don't technically hibernate. Many are inactive during the winter and undergo a state in which their growth, development, and activities are suspended temporarily, with a metabolic rate that is high enough to keep them alive. This dormant condition is termed diapause. We made our sleeping bags on a small scale for stuffies, but this would a fantastic project for an older student (or grown up...) at full…
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04Nov 2022 by catbird 2 Comments
Orange, Rosemary, Tahini and Honey Cookies

Orange, Rosemary, Tahini and Honey Cookies

Recipes, Winter, Winter Solstice
These cookies feature one of my favorite favor combinations that I use in all kinds of things- butter, rosemary orange amd honey. The tahini takes it to the next level! Ingredients: 6 TBS unsalted butter ¼ cup tahini ½ cup sugar 2 TBS brown sugar 2 TBS honey 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary 1 TBS orange zest  1 tsp vanilla 1 large egg 105 g sorghum flour 40 g potato starch 25 g almond flour 1 tsp cream of tartar  ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp gray salt ¼ cup sugar for rolling rosemary leaves Method: Beat the butter, tahini, sugar, honey, rosemary, orange zest and vanilla on medium in the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment until creamy and lighter, about two minutes. Add the egg…
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04Nov 2022 by catbird 1 Comment
Make Twig Stars

Make Twig Stars

Craft Project, Nature Art, Play, Winter Solstice
Make some easy stick stars one of two ways. Big ones can be used to decorate the house and small ones can be ornaments or gift toppers. You cab leave them plain or dress them up with other natural materials. Twig stars are an easy nature craft for all ages that look rustic and elegant. Twig Stars Materials: twigs twine pretty greens and other natural materials (optional) Method: Cut or break your things into 5 pieces of approximately the same length. Lay them out in a 5 pointed star shape and tie the joints with twine. Add a loop of twine to the top if using as an ornament. Add greens or dried flowers for decoration as desired. Willow Stars These will really only work with willow branches, you bend…
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03Nov 2022 by catbird 1 Comment
Naturally Scented Cinnamon Pine Cones

Naturally Scented Cinnamon Pine Cones

Craft Project, Winter, Winter Solstice
I always look forward to those cinnamon pine cones that find their way to grocery store checkouts and craft stores this time of year. Even though they are extremely artificial, I kind of love them. So I decided to make my own with natural essential oils and ground cinnamon. They smell even better and are simple to make. Use teh recipe below to make a big batch or just sprinkle some essential oil on a few! I actually used to sell these back in the day. Materials: pinecones cinnamon essential oil clove essential oil cheap ground cinnamon water freezer bag Method: Place your pinecones in a freezer bag and pour in just enough water to cover/ soak them. Start sprinkling in the essential oils-- I don't measure, just enough that…
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03Nov 2022 by catbird No Comments
Snow or Mud Faces

Snow or Mud Faces

Craft Project, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Play, Winter, Winter Solstice
Here is an easy activity for a winter day-- make snow or mud faces on trees! Collect some natural materials: sticks, pinecones, berries, leaves etc, and find a tree to make a face on! Pack your mud or snow on first and then use your nature finds to embellish the face. Easy and fun! Wet snowball type snow will work best, and if there isn't any snow where you live live will do the job too! You can think about what the spirit of the tree might look like or just make a funny face,
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