decorating, naturally

This is one of those posts I've been meaning to share for weeks now. But I'm just getting to it this morning. A little late, I know, but maybe it will provide a little inspiration for any last-minute crafting you and your family might do this week.

Emma and Mary's 4-H club decorated a Christmas tree this year which then gets auctioned and sold for charity. This year the club decided to create ornaments for the tree that were all handmade using natural materials. The idea was inspired by the Brandywine River Museum which decorates a two story tree each year made completely of these handmade ornaments, with natural materials gathered from the grounds of the museum. 

For the get-together the 4-Hers were told to gather and bring any natural materials to the meeting with them, as well as a good supply of hot glue guns! Everything was dumped into a large table and within minutes the 4-Hers were creating. 

It was truly amazing for me to stand back and watch the creative minds of these children come to life. Many had never visited Brandywine, but with a table full of raw materials, they were able to come up with the most creative, amazing, inspiring ornaments. Their ideas were endless. 

The tree turned out to be amazing, as you might guess. It won an award at the festival, and was one of the first to sell( for quite a good price. ) And it has inspired quite a few crafting moments here at home as well. Especially when the combine was working across the road last week, spewing corn cobs and seed into our yard....

I truly hope this inspires you to take a little walk outside and gather. You'll be surprised what little minds can come up with. Just have the glue gun hot and ready. 

See the whole set of ornaments HERE. 

Comments

[Spruce Hill]

Oh cute! I didn't get to see any of the ornaments that went on the tree. You guys did an awesome job!

[melissa]

oh, love. esp. the mouse and owl.

[Gina :]

These are just amazing. I love the owl and the dragonfly.

[gina]

i have a bag of collected items such as these for this very purpose...thanks for the inspiration to get moving on it. beautiful!

[Lynn Harris]

This reminds me of a tree that was at the Smithsonian many years ago. The Carter era I think. It was HUGE and done in all natural ornaments. They used mica in some. I studied that tree for a long time. I enjoyed the creative way that the simple natural elements were used. These are really great too.

[Rita]

Very cool. I think we'll do that with our girls next year, instead of the usual cookies.

[molly]

ack! i absolutely love this!!!

[Leah]

Beautiful! I bet the whole tree was amazing. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Mousy Brown]

They are so beautiful and so clever - I love them all!

[Georgia]

These are gorgeous. I would've loved to have seen them on the tree! Very inspirational!

[Stefani]

totally and completely fantastic

[Mama G]

Beautiful, sweet, funny, wonderful. Thanks for sharing.

[Cait]

Those are beautiful, Molly - go 4Hers! And I feel you on the whole snow thing - I'm down in NoVA, and we got two feet. I have a 39inch toddler who does NOT understand that he wouldn't be able to move in our yard...all he understands is there's snow outside, and he's inside.

[Marie]

Oh, what lovely memories! I grew up not too far from Brandywine Museum, and it was a family tradition to visit before the holidays, see the naturally decorated tree, the doll displays and the trains! Along with all of the wonderful paintings I grew up loving so much. Thanks for bringing me the memories and the inspiration!

[Melody Park-Shin]

These are so cute! I love crafting with my children:-) Thanks for sharing!

[Brinda]

Oh my god. These look fantastic. You have such wonderful ideas. kudos!