Monday, October 10, 2011

Making an Autumn Wreath - Transformation

Taking children on a nature hunt as the seasons change is a wonderful way to honor the plants and the new season.  During Autumn, we enjoy collecting acorn caps, oak balls, dried flowers and rose hips, while marveling at the changing colors of leaves and wild grasses in the preserved pond area near our home.  The landscape has truly transformed!


Once we collected a variety of dried flowers, we decided to create a beautiful wreath for our front door, welcoming autumn into our home.  A bit of Feng Shui included -- wreaths are a way to bring positive energy to your family life.





Supplies:

1.  Two gauges of wire
2.  Wire cutters
3.  Variety of dried flowers, herbs, rose hips
4.  Optional: ribbons and other embellishments (we chose to keep this wreather all natural with no ribbons)










We started off making a circle out of a thicker wire, and then cut pieces of thinner wire for wrapping.
 















Long pieces of sage were placed around the circle and tied on with bits of wire. 


















Then, we added dried flowers, berries and rose hips. 


















Eventually, there was enough wire wrapped so that all we had to do was stick the plants into the wreath and they would stay. 
We'll add and change out some of the plant material as ithe wreath dries over time, and as we continue on our nature hunt adventures!  














It was exciting to see the rose bushes so transformed from flowers to hips...we wonder what we will find on our next trip! 

Monday, October 3, 2011

Autumn Nature Tables

Autumn is a favorite time for us when it comes to creating nature tables.  Going on nature hunts for rose hips, fallen leaves, oak balls, dried herbs, and acorns is part of the fun! 



We read books about the harvest, gnomes, and the changing of the seasons as the root children begin their descent into the Earth.















We celebrate Michaelmas and bring out pumpkins in anticipation of Halloween.














Rainbow summer colors, green leaves, and ocean waves disappear as hues of orange, gold, eggplant and brown appear.  A time to celebrate the cooler weather and a time of rest and contemplation.