PRESSED FIDDLEHEAD FERN CARD

Materials:  Q-tip, white glue, paper/card Arrange ferns on card before starting to glue.

Apply glue to back of fern in several spots. Keep the designs simple.

PRESSED VIOLET CARD

Materials:  Q-tip, white glue, card/paper Position and glue the leaf on the card.

Apply white glue to back of leaf. Next, glue on the violet.

S I M P L E   I D E A S   F O R   W E A R I N G

"Everyone deserves some fun in the sun especially if you share it with a little one." 

STEP ONE: Pick a handful of grasses ranging from 12 inches in length.  Then, twist the grasses into a U-shape.  This will show 
if the grass is flexible enough to use.

STEP TWO: Continue twisting the grasses into a curled circle for the base and building up the sides about one inch.  

STEP THREE:  Tuck remaining pieces under and around the center of the nest.  Secure them by folding strays underneath each other. If crafted well, the nest should remain tightly woven.  Until the skill is perfected, use florist wire to keep the nest together.  

STEP FOUR:  Add a little variation of grasses for natural texture to cushion the nest.  Here I used a wispy wild grass growing nearby the other weeds I gathered.  Its delicate stems resemble fine hair or string.   

STEP FOUR:  Insert the grass into the center of the nest and twist it in a circular motion.  This adds a touch of realism and downy softness. 

The nest is finished!  Place it in a wreath, a flower pot, or let it sit on your window sill for a little springtime happiness!

The House Finches have made their nest in the planter at the front door.

Mr. and Mrs. Finch on the look out.

Mrs. Finch is spending her day sitting on the family nest.  Every time our front door opens she frantically flys away.  This afternoon she will be flustered as the piano students come and go.  Here are a few pictures we're documenting of the eggs (everyday there's a new one).  We'll keep you informed as to when the babies arrive!  Happy Spring Gathering!

After days of the Finches gathering materials for their home, we discovered an egg!

The next day another egg appeared.

With anticipation, we checked on the third day to find three eggs in the nest.

Another delivery on the fourth day! Will there be more?

Day 5 revealed one more egg! Now the sitting begins.

The tapping of woodpeckers 
and the occasional call of the Northern Flicker 
are sounds of spring-time gathering
 in the woods.

 It is difficult to imagine how long it would take for
a bird to create a cavity of this size in a tree.  

Freshly carved holes,
 made by the woodpeckers in search of bugs,
 are easy to find when strolling the woodlands this time of year.

Nature accomplishes its purposes
 even in the dying stages of a tree 
as it gives feed for the birds, fuel for mankind, and compost for the earth.

There is consolation in the fact 
that a human soul is far greater than the worth of a tree, 
and that the last stages of life 
are as purposeful as the beginning days. 

I love FISKARS tools.  They're the most prominent cutters in my gathering arsenal, and make other products pale in comparison.  With their sharp blades and "perfect grip," I can tackle any project in a few swift moves.   The pruners stay-put in my back pocket while gathering in the woods, and if I do get carried away, the brightly-colored handles are easy to spot when I drop them.  After ten years of using these tools, I have yet to have one break.   You know how the ol' saying goes, "Many hands make light work."  Well, at least for me I'd like to add, "The right tool makes lighter work!"  Wouldn't you agree?  Read more about my tool selection here.

Garden Scissors

Garden Pruners

The FISKARS name is a leading global supplier of consumer products for the home, garden, and outdoors.  To my surprise, they have celebrated 360 years of operation. That's a long time!  As Finland's oldest company, they were founded in 1649 and began producing garden products for the USA in 1985. It's no wonder these tools are backed with years of precision and knowledge.  Check'em out at your local garden center!  

February has been unusually mild this year.  The sun is warm and the birds are beginning to sing springtime melodies.  The birch and witch hazel trees are pushing fresh buds, and the ground is not frozen.  It's the prime time to gather, especially since the snakes are still hibernating from lurking cold weather predictions.   I was able to sneak out a few days to collect grapevines, moss, and lichens.  What a treat in the middle of winter!  Here are a few tips to make your time in the woods more resourceful.  

Grapevines

Instead of dragging enormous bundles of vines out of the thicket, wrap grapevines into wreaths to keep the mess away from your car, backyard, or garage.  Nature takes care of the clean up. 

Sheet Moss

Put moss and lichens in separate bags when gathering. For maximum lasting quality, dry both materials on a mesh tray before storing in containers.  

Lichens