I’m still experimenting with my puffin applique. I have been working on a flying puffin, which is almost finished, but in the meantime, I made a lavender filled little cushion.
I really loved making this cushion. I think I might be making one for everyone I know. I added a few spoonfuls of lavender from our garden.
I couldn’t resist adding a tag to the cushion. I thought a Union Jack added just the right hint of colour and a patriotic note.
Bizarrely, I even like the reverse of the puffin too. The puffin looks quite snooty! Hidden from sight now.
This cushion is part of a birthday present for my 8 year old niece. We went to her party today. The children had a lovely time and did not want to leave. A sure sign of a good party.
I am always looking for good eco-friendly children’s activities for parties and crafting sessions. I loved the willow weaving today.
The willow whips were cut from a weeping willow in her garden. The children could make fish, bracelets or Olympic rings.
It was such a nice touch to thread a bead on to the willow, half way through the weaving process. I love a party where the guests make the contents of their own party bags. Just like the bath bomb parties that I have thrown for my daughters.
Party bags are controversal. To give or not. What to include. When I do a party, I like to think that the party bag inspires and allows the party goer to continue to enjoy the theme of the party. Today, my children came home full of ideas. We went out into our garden, with the secateurs, and selected some willow whips from our tree. They added more to their bracelets and made fish as well. They are talking about creating a whole sea of willow fish. They are inspired.
Even better than the willow weaving, was the inclusion of a willow stick. The children were given the sticks and my sister explained how they could put the stick in water to make it sprout. She showed them a willow stick which had been in water for 6 weeks. Through the jam jar’s glass, they could see the well developed root system and the twig was leafing up. She explained how they could then plant the rooted twig in the garden and let it grow into a tree. Then they could cut the willow whips and make more willow bracelets and willow fish. Just brilliant. I am adding this to my our next party. Thanks for the inspiration, big sister!
(Joining in with Sara over at Craft Schooling Sunday and Maureen and Shanti at Twig and Toadstool.)
LOVE the willow weaving, as you say, so inspiring for the children………………….and now the chance to grow their very own tree too.
The patriotic puffin looks like he may have a little royal blood in him, lol. x
My goodness. I hadn’t appreciated his royal heritage. I may have to dress him up accordingly next time. 😀
I love the party idea it is just perfect. I think I’ll have to give it a go too. Willow cuttings will often root if just shoved in the ground, they are such robust plants. Starting them off in a jar like that is a great idea though so the children can see the roots forming.
I get very torn about party bags and try to have the children make something during the party to take away (one of our favourites is making bird feeders – hunting down pine cones, attaching a wire hanger, rolling them in peanut butter and then rolling in bird seed – does make for quite a messy party bag!). And we haven’t had a bag for Finn’s friends for the last couple of years and I think Angus’ friends have had their last too, I guess they have to stop at some point. Juliex
I love craft parties, especially ones that use natural material. The willow in the glass makes it clear the objective of the project for the children and is good fun. Alternatively, with all our rain this year, there is a good chance that the willow sticks would root straight in the ground with no problem. I guess the rest will make excellent wands. I’ve not thought of making pine cone feeders at parties. That would be fun. Thanks for the idea. 😀
The whole party bag thing is complicated.
We live in a strange world where the girls get them when they go to parties for ex-pat kids, and don’t get them when they go to Swiss parties. At Swiss parties they don’t give them out. Each child usually just takes home one small packet of sweets or some bubble mix.
I actually think I prefer that.
But those willow sticks are an inspired idea. I love it, and the party craft.
I see willow fish in our near future….
Ah. Party bags. We usually do a slice of birthday cake and whatever they have made. We once received a packet of seeds in the bag which I thought was brilliant. I always tell my children not to expect a bag. Hope you enjoy making your willow fish. 😀
I just love your puffin makes! Am I still ok to borrow the photos for another blog post later this week. You have all been so industrious this month. x
your puffin is just great everywhere! thanks for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!
Hello old friend…Thanks for linking up at our “all spunk, no junk” link up party…even though a UK reader recently informed me about the meaning of the word “spunk” in the UK!!!
Love the pussy willow weaving…I’m all for crafts that use nature…I don’t see alot of willow in our neck of the woods…wish I did…I have nature craft envy, (probably the same for people who see all of our acorn creations with not a single oak tree in sight)! xo maureen
What a stunner! It makes a gorgeous present which will be treasured long after ‘bought’ presents have been discarded. Loving your blog, Josie
Thank you, Josie. You’ve made my day!