Craft Project – Page 2 – Phlox Architect

02Dec 2024 by catbird 1 Comment

Pretty Plentiful & Pleasant Pomanders

Craft Project, Play, Recipes, Simmer Pot, Winter, Winter Solstice

Sorry! Sometimes I have to give in to my terrible alliteration tendencies. This post is all about pomanders in every form. I love the smell of oranges and cloves together more than most things-- it's one of those things I never get tired of. So I decided to go nuts and collect a whole bunch of the various pomander projects I've done over the years in one convenient place! Pomander balls have been associated with Christmas and/or Winter Solstice for some time, but that isn’t how they originated. We think of them as oranges studded with cloves, but in medieval Europe, people would keep little satchels of herbs on them because most everyone and everything smelled bad. They became a status symbol and the wealthier you were the fancier your…

19Nov 2024 by catbird No Comments

“Owl Moon”

Craft Project, Picture Book Buds, Picture Book Hikes, Play, Recipes, Winter, Winter Solstice

Picture Book Buds are a fun and easy way to incorporate literacy into nature study. Read a book (you can even read it outside!) and then enjoy the related activity and snack suggestions! Owl Moon Written by: Jane Yolen Illustrated by: John Schoenherr Owl Moon is a classic winter story about a young girl and her father going for a walk at night. They are hoping to see some owls and her excitement at staying up late like a big kid is palpable. I am also always struck by her desire to keep quiet so as not to scare off potential owls, that struggle for a young child to be quiet and observant is something so many parents will immediately recognize, and it's so beautifully detailed. This one is a classic…

18Nov 2024 by catbird 1 Comment

Peppercorn Owls

Craft Project, Nature Art, Nature Table, Play, Winter, Winter Solstice

When I saw that the Plant Wonder Collective November plant of the month was peppercorn I was a bit stymied. I have committed to making a craft with each plant each month and the more culinary herbs are often tough. I had used tri-color peppercorns in my spice mosaic ornaments a few years ago, so I decided to make a twist on those. As I was sifting through cookie cutters looking for inspiration, the owl cutter jumped out at me-- the colors were perfect and it would make the cutest winter decoration! And so peppercorn owls were born. They are adorable as ornaments, make the sweetest gift tags, and my favorite way to use them was the owl moon garland I made by stringing them with dried moonwort seedheads. The…

17Oct 2024 by catbird No Comments

“Chomp! The Truth About Sharks”

Craft Project, Free Printable, Learning, Picture Book Buds, Play, Recipes, STEAM

Picture Book Buds are a fun and easy way to incorporate literacy into nature study. Read a book (you can even read it outside!) and then enjoy the related activity and snack suggestions! Chomp! The Truth About Sharks Written by: Annette Whipple Chomp! The Truth About Sharks is a fun new nonfiction book about sharks. Having just spent some time hunting for fossil shark teeth this summer, my boys were all over it! It does a great job of breaking down all the info about sharks in a nice concise way: where they live, how they work, the parts of the body, different adaptations, and of course some blood and teeth. It's also peppered with fun unusual facts (called shark bites!) I definitely learned some cool shark factoids to impress…

18Sep 2024 by catbird No Comments

Giving Back Seed Bombs for Foraging

Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Craft Project, Foraging

We love to forage as a family, One of the most important things about foraging is remembering to give back-- to leaves some for the animals, to thank the plants and to cultivate gratitude. When kids are invlved I like to do something concrete to help them think about giving back. Recently we have been making seed bombs with native plants to throw along the trail and very literally give back. So many natural areas are completely overrun with non-native invasive plants that I hope this small action helps native plants regain their foothold and makes more food for the woodland critters. It's really REALLY important that you use seeds for plants that are native to your area and will thrive in the conditions that you are distributing them. Sun?…

12Sep 2024 by catbird No Comments

“The Weeping Tide”

Craft Project, Folklore, Learning, Middle Grade Book Buds, Recipes, STEAM

Continuing with the middle grade book buds, I present the next book in the Wilderlore series, The Weeping Tide! I have been reading a ton of middle grade books lately, but would love to hear your suggestions for more book buds! Middle grade books are substantially longer, so I have broken the middle grade book buds into a lesson (called lore in honor of Wilderlore here), a craft or two, and a snack. All are driven by the themes and ideas in the respective book. These could be the jumping off point for a more in depth academic book study, or just a fun project to further immerse yourself in the worlds of your favorite books! The Weeping Tide (Wilderlore Series) Written by: Amanda Foody The Weeping Tide is a middle…

09Sep 2024 by catbird No Comments

Autumn Leaf Lanterns

Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Craft Project, Nature Art

As soon as the weather begins to turn cold, I cannot stop making lanterns. This darker time of year is perfect for flickering lights and lantern walks. Sometimes I build the lantern structure itself for a more advanced project, but I like to have a variety of easy to make lanterns as well. This is one of those. I usually like to leave natural materials natural, but these lanterns are so cute I couldn't help myself! The lantern also makes use of fallen autumn leaves making it especially seasonally appropriate. If you are working with younger kids, or just prefer the natural shapes, you can skip the cutting and just use full leaves instead. You can use any type of leaf you prefer, although some seem to hold their color…

09Sep 2024 by catbird No Comments

Harvest Moon Sun Catcher

Autumn, Craft Project, Folklore, Foraging, Full Moon, Harvest Moon, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Play

I know, I know, it should really be a moon catcher, but those aren't a thing and not all littles can stay up late enough to see the full moon! The Harvest Moon is what the September full moon is called in Europe and parts of North America. In most of Asia it is the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival and while I don't live in Asia, I find this celebration and it's related folktales super inspiring. I am also always interested in similarity of celebrations across cultures, and you will find some sort of harvest celebration in just about every place with a temperate climate this time of year, many with similar traditions. The Mid Autumn Festival is connected to the folktale of Chang'e and the Moon Rabbit. It's a lovely…

06Sep 2024 by catbird No Comments

The Best Summer Solstice Party Ideas

Craft Project, Garden, Play, Recipes, Summer, Summer Solstice

We love to celebrate the changing of the seasons and the longest day! Looking for some fun and easy ways to celebrate with friends and family? Check out some of our favorite parties and celebrations! Fun for all ages! t A Solar Luncheon Let the sun be your inspiration and your oven! Building a simple solar oven is easier than you think! You can find instructions in my summer solstice book, or a simpler pizza box version all over the internet, or you can buy a fancier version online. It is truly amazing to be able to cook with the sun (and not heat up the house) on a hot summer day. The Summer Solstice, being the longest day of all, is the perfect time to make a solar luncheon!…

06Sep 2024 by catbird 2 Comments

Summer Stream Craftbrunch

Craft Project, craftbrunch, Hike Ideas, Nature Art, Nature Art Materials, Nature Collection, Play, Recipes, Summer, Summer Solstice

Summer is miserably hot and swampy where I live and sometimes we struggle to get outside as much as we do the rest of the year. It’s theoretically a slower time of year, but it never feels that way to me. One minute the whole summer stretches in front of you and then suddenly it’s September. I started hosting “craftbrunches” years ago to slow down and connect with friends and family. The premise is simple, everyone brings a simple dish and works on a seasonal craft together while laughing and gossiping. It’s an afternoon event which feels easier to schedule between clubs, camps, and soccer games. Including a simple kids craft keeps the littles occupied while the grownups catch up. A Summer Solstice craftbrunch is a perfect respite from…

Category: Craft Project