29Oct 2023 by catbird No Comments
Pokeberry Anthotype

Pokeberry Anthotype

Autumn, Craft Project, Folklore, Foraging, Nature Art, Nature Art Materials, Samhain
Pokeberry (Phytolacca americana L.) otherwise known as; pokeweed; poke, poke salit, pigeonberry; inkberry; redweed or red ink plant, is the plant that I am most drawn to at Samhain. I am not usually one to say that I am drawn to plants, but pokeberry always calls to me in the fall. It’s deep purple, almost black, berries ripen in September and October. All parts of the plant are poisonous, yet the berries appear lucious and inviting. It’s a North American plant and has no direct connection to the Celtic traditions of Samhain. (Although, I celebrate Samhain in a secular nature based way so I am not worried about that.) It was, however, traditionally used by the Iroquois for bewitchment. It’s dark and mysterious and the perfect metaphor for this season.…
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10Oct 2023 by catbird 2 Comments
Pokeberry Ink

Pokeberry Ink

Autumn, Craft Project, Nature Art, Nature Art Materials, Samhain
While pokeberry is a native plant in North America it is generally considered a weed. It spreads readily from birds eating the berries and can often be found clustered under fences and trees where the birds were enjoying (and expelling) their meal. Phytolacca americana comes from the Greek word phyton which means “plant” and lacca which means “crimson lake.” Crimson lake is a traditional red pigment. It was a common source of ink in early America (hence the name inkberry) and during the Civil War particularly, it was the most common way for soldiers to write home and journal. The Kiowa people used the dried berries for jewelry and the Mahuna made dyes and inks. The Pawnee people made a red paint that they decorated horses and clothes with. Early…
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09Oct 2023 by catbird 1 Comment
Turnip Lanterns

Turnip Lanterns

Autumn, Campfire, Craft Project, Folklore, Nature Art, Samhain
I have been meaning to make these forever--turnips actually are the original vegetable lantern. They gained popularity in the Middle Ages and continued to be made well into the 20th century. Pumpkins are actually relatively new to the scene even though a Halloween/ Samhain without them seems unthinkable now. The turnip lantern tradition began with the Celts, who believed that the veil between worlds was especially thin on this night halfway between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. Because of this, people would light lanterns as extra insurance from wayward monsters and spirts. Metal lanterns were expensive at the time, so people in the British Isles began carving lanterns (and faces) from vegetables—particularly turnips, but in some cases potatoes, radishes and beets as well. They would place lit candles inside the cavities,…
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05Oct 2023 by catbird 1 Comment
Nature Spiders

Nature Spiders

Autumn, Craft Project, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Play, Samhain
This super easy project brought our nature table into fall. These nature spiders are made from sticks, and Osage orange fruits and a black walnut. The sticks are just jabbed into the fruit (do it outside because they leak juice) I hot glued the bent part of the leg, but you could easily skip that, have straight legs and not need any glue at all. The walnut is just set in front on the table. It’s a testament to the crazy way my mind works that I was inspired to make these by a one of those blow up yard decorations… our neighbor got one and my kids were entranced. So I started to think about making a giant spider out of sticks (which might still happen) and then we…
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24Sep 2023 by catbird 4 Comments
Harvest Moon Lanterns

Harvest Moon Lanterns

Autumn, Craft Project, Free Printable, Full Moon, Harvest Moon, Play
The Harvest Moon might just be my favorite full moon celebration, and its definetly the one we have been celebrating the longest. Its also an important celebration in many different cultures which is always something of interest to me. In Western Europe it was named the Harvest Moon because the light from the full moon helped farmers bring in the last of their crop well into the night. Many cultures believe that the Moon is at its brightest and fullest size at the Harvest Moon, coinciding with harvest time. At same time many American Indian tribes use full moon names referencing the harvest this time of year. (Read more here) In China and much of Southeast Asia there is the Mid-Autumn Festival. (In Japan its called: Tsukimi, Korea: Chuseok, and Vietnam:Tết Trung…
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19Sep 2023 by catbird No Comments
Little Leaf Baskets to Store up for Winter

Little Leaf Baskets to Store up for Winter

Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Craft Project, Foraging, Garden, Nature Art, Play
One of my favorite things about seasonal midpoints is that they reflect what is happening in nature-- and different cultures all over the place have similar observances. As I was researching Equinox around the world this year I stumbled across a random mention of the the French Republican Calendar- which was briefly instituted in France after the French Revolution. They instituted a calendar that began the year on the Autumn Equinox and had months named after things happening in nature. The first month was named for the grape harvest. This got me thinking about phenology which the science of tracking seasonal changes. (And one of my favorite things!) I decided to go for a walk in the garden and see what seasonal changes might inspire me. Sadly I don't have…
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04Sep 2023 by catbird 4 Comments
The Simplest Autumn Lanterns

The Simplest Autumn Lanterns

Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Craft Project, Play
It's no secret that we love lanterns, this site is full of various lantern designs of varying complexity. (falling leaves lantern, star lanterns, harvest moon lanterns, frost lanterns) But when my kids were toddlers this was the go to lantern craft. It's super easy for little hands and can be upgraded in any number of ways. The supplies and simple and easy to manipulate. Fall is lantern time for me. The nights are darker and longer and a lantern brings a cozy flickering light. A number of traditional celebrations and festivals include lanterns this time of year and it's the perfect time for a lantern walk. Easiest Tissue Paper Jar Lanterns In their simplest form these lanterns consist of a recycled glass or plastic jar, tissues paper, glue, and some…
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04Sep 2023 by catbird 2 Comments
Inky Cap Ink

Inky Cap Ink

Autumn, Craft Project, Foraging, Nature Art, Nature Collection, Nature Journaling
Have you ever noticed that lots of mushrooms have “ink” in their name? Shaggy ink cap, inky cap, fairy ink cap etc. This isn’t a coincidence, you can make a simple ink from most mushrooms that have ink in their name. The process couldn’t be simpler- the mushrooms naturally (and quickly) deliquesce (which is a fancy way to say they turn into a pile of goo) into a black liquid which is filled with spores. This is both the mushroom's way of dispersing spores and a quick way to make ink. I tried to find some historical accounts of the use of mushroom ink and unfortunately came up mostly empty. Mushrooms do make a strong seemingly lightfast ink though-- the pictures below are made from ink I have had sitting…
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