Imagine Childhood : Magic & Memories That Last a Lifetime

... may day for mother's day: lettuce seed tape cone

We had so much fun with our May Day Mother's Day baskets last year that we couldn't help but make a new version this year... a Lettuce Seed Tape  May Day Cone.

Made from natural chemical free paper, plant derived paint, organic four paper mache paste and lettuce seeds, this beautiful cone is a wonderful way to deliver a sweet Mother's Day gift of seeds that can also be planted directly into the garden!

Easily constructed, we started out by cutting simple lettuce shapes out of paper .  Then using a natural plant derived paint we painted one side of each shape green. 

Once the paper was dry (this happens within a few minutes) we painted  a little (use sparingly) paper mache paste (organic flour and water) on the sides of the paper that were not green, sprinkling every other one with lettuce seeds.  

At this point we placed each non seeded leaf (green side out) on top of each seeded one and let them dry over bowls (could be cups, balloons, rubber balls... really whatever you have around)

Once the leaves were nearly dry we placed them in a fan shape (overlapping some leaves) on the table (5 leaves seemed to be the perfect number for one cone) and attached them together.  This can be done with tape, staples, glue... or even a little thread.

Then we simply rolled it up into a cone shape, attached a little organic ribbon...

... placed our favorite seeds inside...

... and voila!  A beautiful lettuce seed tape cone ready to leave on Mom's door Mother's Day morning... and plant in the garden later that day by tearing off the leaves and placing them in the ground one leaf at a time....

Happy May Day Crafting!

Tools of the trade:

Eco Paint

Heirloom Seeds

P.S. Don't forget to stop by our organic garden kit sale this weekend... all kits are 25% off!

*Last time in Crafts and Activities: Right Now

... tell me a story: sharing the woods

With Earth Day celebrating its 40th anniversary and April being Children and Nature Awareness month...

... it just wouldn't seem right not to take a moment to remember two books that are so very important...

... whether written five... or twenty years ago,  Good words and good advice never get old... and neither does the wisdom of the woods.

We could read Sharing Nature with Children by Joseph Cornell and The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv over and over again.

More Nature Book Reviews:

Nature in Your Pocket

Cloud Guides

Bird Songs

Tracking and the Art of Seeing

A Child's Nature Journal

*Last time in Book Reviews: Acts of Kindness
 

... barn stories: everybody has to wait sometimes

Everyone has to stand in line sometimes, even our bird friends. 

Some butt to the front of the line...

...and some... like this little yellow headed black bird...

... are very patient and respectful.

I love how he peeks around to see what's happening...

... then his gentle approach into the bird feeder.
 
I found my bird feeder buried on my great grandparent's ranch in Montana several years ago.  A little worn, but a treasure filled with memories.

Patience and memories not a bad way to enjoy the day...

*Last time in Barn Stories : Sleeping Giants

 

... knowing green

With so much emphasis on buying organic and sustainable....

... on using reusables and recycling recyclables...

  ... on reducing waste and conserving water and energy...  it can be easy to forget that one of the most important parts of going green... is knowing green. 

Lessons are so much more effective when you have a relationship to the subject.  Never underestimate the power of simple everyday experiences with nature... they might just save the world.

How are you knowing green today?

** If you have an image of your everyday green adventures and you would like to share, feel free to leave a link in your comment, we'd love to see it... and perhaps we might even inspire each other to stop everything for just a moment and step out the door...

April is Children and Nature Awareness Month!

*Last time in Nature: Your Very Own Secret Garden

 
 

... giveaway forum: earth day!

We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day than to give away some handy dandy tools for exploring this wonderful planet we call home.

Today we are giving away:

1 Leak-Proof 18oz Klean Kanteen (color of your choice)

1 Organic Cotton Messenger Bag (color of your choice)

1 Classic Sighting Compass

and

1 let's go outside book by Jennifer Ward

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And the winner (chosen by random number) is:

Jason who wrote:

I love the astonishing array of environments the planet has to offer: from desserts to rain forests to mountains to valleys. While we can't always afford to connect physically with this diversity, my wife and son and I get out as often as possible. Even a short morning hike can bring us the deep connection to nature we cherish.

Many many thanks to all who participated in the Giveaway.  Your comments were filled with such wonderful reasons to appreciate this beautiful planet of ours, and so many lovely ways to enjoy it. Thank you for taking the time to share.

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P.S.  Even though the giveaway is over the 10% off store-wide discount is still valid until the end of today 4/26/10.  Simply enter "EARTHDAY" as the coupon code at the time of checkout.  Click here to visit the shop.