GardenMama

.: Branch Vase ~ Tutorial :.

.: The finished Twig Vase ~ Inspired by children and nature! :.

Today the children were intent on gathering twigs and found objects in nature to create. While watching their play I found inspiration and soon this twig vase was born!

You Will Need:

Recycled glass jar / Mason jar

Hot gluegun / Glue sticks

Dried twigs of equal size

Flowers for the finished vase

.: Cutting dried twigs from the Lilac bush :.

Step One: Measuring The First Twig

Choose a recycled glass jar or mason jar for this project and bring it outside with you to use as a measuring guide. Pre-measure a twig against the side of the jar to make a template for your twig vase.

.: The bundle of equal sized twigs we used to create the twig vase :.

Step Two: Cutting Equal Sized Twigs

Cut as many twigs as you will need to encircle your glass jar (using the first cut twig as your ruler.)

Bonsai shears work very well for this.  Use a tool that will give a precise cut to leave the bottom of the glass jar with a flat surface to sit upon.

You may keep the tops of the twigs similar heights, or it also looks very natural to stagger them a bit to blend with the flower's differing heights.

.: We begin gluing twigs to the mason jar :.

Step Three: Gluing

Begin with a line of  hot glue down the side of the glass jar and place the first twig in place.

.: Some of the gaps may later be filled in with smaller twigs :.

As more twigs are glued into place you will find each sit nicely against the last by locating a similar curve to the other twigs.

Gaps can be filled in later with thin twig pieces.

.: Make sure the bottom is cut more precisely than the top so that the vase will sit flat on the table :.

.: The finished Twig Vase :.

Once your vase is completely covered with twigs you can enjoy gathering up flowers from the garden to fill your new twig vase!

Similar to my last vase tutorial, these vases would also make lovely tea light holders.  In a set of two or three they would make a wonderful gift!

.:May your days be inspired by the creativity of your little ones!:.

.:The Country Fair:.

A Country Fair is a delightful tapestry of agricultural tradition blended with the colors of the midway. The fruits of the harvest are proudly displayed, judged, and shared with the community.                                       

4-H children are seen leading small lambs and cows into stalls while feeding and nurturing them. Home baked pies and treats are for sale by the surrounding community. 

For a short time we can enjoy with our family the freshness of summer and this blue sky from the lofty perspective of a gondola that is attached to a Ferris Wheel...

.: Clear blue skies and white fluffy clouds made for a beautiful ride up into the skies! :.

.: I had the strongest mama urge to hold one of these sweet sleeping piglets! I can hardly stand it! They are so cute! :.

.: It's feeding time! Look at all of the gorgeous fiber! :.

.: We enjoyed walking through the chicken barn. The many varieties of chickens were all a delight to visit! The bantam roosters are a favorite! :.

.: It was very cute to notice two little girls gather eggs to place into this basket just as soon as the hens could lay them! :.   

.: The colors of this day were incredible! :.

.: Hula hooping our day away to the sounds of the band that played nearby! :.

.: A crowd gathers among the trees to listen to the band that set the beat for our hula hooping! :.

.: Honey bees working hard as we watch them intently through a clear glass frame! :.

.: Here we purchased honey sticks and blocks of beeswax! :.

 

.: Incredibly sweet scented wax - I will share in a later post what we will be using this for! :.

.: The large barn displayed many antique artifacts depicting early farm life.  This "Wash Wednesday" was one of my very favorites! :.

.: This barn was inspiring.  I enjoyed seeing each antique farm implement and the way they were arranged :.

.: Small lollipops hide among the hay--an inspiring idea for a party! :.

.: In another inspiring corner of the barn, an antique wheel barrow is set out with dirt and potatoes buried under the dirt.  The children were encouraged to dig the potatoes and throw them into the basket below! :.

.: Outside of the barn was a pitcher pump atop a whiskey barrel.  :.

.: Soap was added to the barrel with enamelware pitchers and cups to collect the soapy water.  I am now looking for a hand pump to create our own wash station in the backyard at home.  :.

.: The pitcher full of soapy water was brought over to a galvanized tub with a wash board for the children to use in play! We also stayed here for quite some time! :.

.: The laundry line was held up on either end by two decorative iron plant trellises. It would be sweet to have vines growing up them! :.    

.: We just never tire of hanging laundry around here! In work and in play there is a peaceful meditation that accompanies the clothesline! :.

.: This little girl had a calf of her very own! How incredibly sweet is she with her pink cowgirl boots and calf with pink lead at her side! :. 

 

.: We felt very lucky to have an up close and personal visit with a few other sweet cow friends! :.

.: These sweet babies were born in March! :.

.: This was the...

.: Most memorable...

 

.: moment of our WEEK!! :.

.: We walked among the vendors tents and came home with a special treat! :.

 

.: Here is the treasure that we came home with in memory of our visit to the country fair--a family of alpacas that have seen many play times! :.

.: We ended our time at the country fair with a rainbow of colors lining our path and three sleepy little ones with many memories in their hearts. :.

.: Another summer fair has passed in celebration of history, farming, family and lots of fun! :.

.: Welcome To Wandering Wednesday! :.

Thankfully, I have wandered into my workroom today. It has been very difficult to make time to sit and craft this summer. It has worn on my mind and mood. It is proven that exercise raises endorphins and brings a sense of well-being. I would argue that crafting does the same for me. ~Mari Beth

Here I stand with my feet on the pattern I’m trying to decipher. I have seen star charts that are easier to follow.~ Cheryl

The evenings are cooling and occasionally I can smell the start of autumn. Our apple trees have supplied a few fallers already. This is what remains after I have processed half the crate today, making cake and stewed apple for the freezer.

 

Here I stand, again on the beach, with my husband and younger son. Our feet glow in a stream of water, turned to amber by the peat it has flowed through on its way to the sea. ~ Jacqui

Here I stand with the beginnings of the Winter season gifts. ~ Lynnette

   

This is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and I place I long for every summer. Lost Lake. I love it here so much. There is such peace in this immaculate gift of nature.
Yesterday I swam way out to the deep, deep water and floated on my back. As I floated, arms open wide, I felt a peace come over me....a much needed rejuvenation of my spirit. ~ Heidi

Here I stnd...among the morning glories growing in our resting compost. ~ Jess

A couple weeks ago, while traveling to Drumheller, Alberta, we found ourselves wandering on a suspended bridge. The kind where your hanging 100 feet over a flowing river. I paused briefly with my daughter to take this picture, but looking down made me feel a bit queasy. The combination of the bridge having a "see through" bottom and it being able to shake with the wind and people walking on it left me all but confident while crossing. Strangely enough, holding my daughter's hand made me feel better. ~ Sunshine Mama
 

Here we stand at the feet of the great Oak tree, so grateful for the gifts of big green acorns that this old tree is sharing with us. ~Christina
 

Here I stand in the HUGE puddle next to our front door. It was bitterly cold and the rain stung my face and froze my fingers, but I stopped to puddle paddle for a moment and wondered why I don’t do that more often. ~ Kate                     

      

This week was our annual family Gulf Island vacation!  My feet went exploring around the cottage and then, to relax, sat around doing nothing more than watching the trees, the rising waters of the Pacific and the sunsets on the horizon.  ~ Open Roads Mama

Here I stand among mesquite pods, loving the crackle as I plant my foot firmly onto the cream gold bean. That crisp snap – my favorite sound of summer next to the cicada hum. ~ Terpary

.: Next Wednesday marks the start of a new month, it will also mark the completion of this photo challenge.  Thank you to all of you who have joined in on this fun! :.

Where did you wander today? I would love to know! With a link back to this post please share your 'Wandering Wednesday' photo on your blog too!

Please share your link in the comments so that we can all visit with you too!