also inspired by green

Of course, I'm not the only one inspired by all the green.

Moss is most definitely the perfect bedding of all for those tired little fairies. And a good pillow for the big ones who wait patiently for their arrival while at camp.

And back at home, the green leaves from a trail walk provide just the right inspiration for my littles to rush home and paint what they see.

Comments

[cloth.paper.string]

lovely, amanda! inspiration everywhere, especially where the fairies rest and play.

[Lisa]

Love that second photo. Beautiful colors!

[Stefani]

Your little one, waiting for fairies, reminds me so much of Opal Whitely in Singing Creek Where Willows grow. So sweet.

[annette]

Welcome back Soules! Love that fern at top.

[molly]

that "Handbook of Nature Study" looks like one we'd love around here, too.
For some reason, Emma just discovered the magic of crayon-rubbings with leaves this week. I'm sure I've shown her that before but it just didn't sink in with her, I suppose.
Now she's going off on her own walks coming back with all sorts of things to "rub".

I love seeing nature show it's face in children's artwork. beautiful!

[bigbucketgirl]

Love the painting, the paintbox is a work of art in itself. I love it when the paints look liked they've worked hard!
Amanda...I wanted to ask you..what do you do with all the paintings, drawings and other masterpieces that your tribe create? We display the latest, and store a few of the ground-breaking ones but wondered if you have another way? This Summer has been a pastel frenzy..and we're in danger of suffocating in all the 'unsold' works! Our three are following the recycling route..but I'm struggling to know when the time to recycle is right!? Any ideas? (Thankyou)

[SOULEMAMA]

hello, bigbucketgirl! - this is such an issue for so many of us, I know, that I included a chapter in The Creative Family full of ideas on both displaying and storing kids art. Ours end up in a bunch of different places - some get fridge/art clip time, some go to my space for embroidery/sewing inspiration. Large pieces get saved for wrapping paper. Some get framed. Our (and their) favorites end up in a storage box. And some...end up being cut and recycled. When I'm struggling with tossing some, I try to remember how much into the 'process' my little ones are, and that helps a little bit.

[homemakerang]

We have Anna's Nature Study Book too... couldn't live without it for all of our nature hikes and life...

[Mary Beth]

I'm big into the "process" argument--especially for young children, it truly is the process/experience of creating art that is important to them. And I hate clutter, so I don't feel too bad about tossing. My husband likes saving, though. I suggested that we take digital photos of each piece before tossing/recycling. After that, I do really like the wrapping paper idea and used that recently for Father's Day.

[amy]

Amanda,

What brand of watercolors do you use? I'm trying to find a nice set for my kids. They love to paint with acrylics, but they get it everywhere. I think watercolors may be the answer.

Thanks,
Amy in CA

[Michelle]

The fungus on the tree looks like reishi?
http://www.toi-reishi.com/toi-reishi-e.htm

or

Artist's Conk?
http://magickcanoe.com/blog/2006/09/26/one-big-conk/

This is what Artist's Conk can look like if you draw on it:
http://www.myctor.org/Vito's%20Other%20Mushroom%20Carvings.htm

Cute fairy. :)

[SOULEMAMA]

Amy in CA - I think these paints they're using in this photo are by Prang. They're portable and easy. But when we're inside and set up by the art cabinet, we use a lot of our Holbein Guache watercolors - I really love the quality of those.

[SOULEMAMA]

Michele - the fungus looks the most like the reishi to me, but is that found in Maine? I don't know. It was such a bright color. And those artists conk - so cool! We're definitely going to be on the lookout for those now. Thanks for the links!

[bigbucketgirl]

Wrapping paper is our next mission then! DD added that she wouldn't mind cutting into some paintings to make gift tags. Sounds like a great idea. As an ex-early years teacher I do believe in the 'process' of doing a painting etc. but as they grow and have been so absorbed in their work and put thought, control and effort into their pieces then it can be difficult to recycle before the paints dry! (DH is a 'flinger' and its lucky to live a day unless its stapled down.) xxx

[Veronica TM]

lovely and inspiring, as always, amanda!

[Gift of Green]

New to your blog and it's beautiful and inspiring. Thank you.

[Tere]

Hi Amanda,

Sounds like you had a great vacation, and it's nice to see you back with such an inspirational post.

I have been wanting to mention something to you for a while, but haven't gotten around to it until now. It may sound a little peculiar coming from a stranger (although I don't feel like one, having read your blog on and off for over a year), but you know, I think you have grown so much since you started this blog.

I recently looked back at some of your first posts (I love to get sewing ideas from you!), and was struck by how your writing has changed. The way you feel about your children, your life, and the world around you, comes through in your words; it seems as though over the last couple of years, you have taken on the challenges of motherhood and not only stood up to them, but truly made the most of them. From a "stranger's" perspective, you seem to have found peace. Sorry, it sounds so cheesy, but really it's the only word that feels right :-)
Anyway, I thought I would tell you, it's nice to see. Looking forward to another couple years' worth of posts!
Tere

[Ilse]

Hi Amanda.
your holidays in the wood always inspires me, and they seems like so much fun !! Ooh and that green is so, so peaceful and relaxing to watch, I just love it. Green is such a wonderful color.

Glad to have you back on the blog...

[sara]

Love your blog- beautiful pictures!

[Rhoda]

Hi Amanda
Just wanted to let you know that I've linked to you on my blog - I'm never sure of the etiquette of these things, so I thought I'd tell you!
Thank you for your writing; I love it!

[Miss*Laurence]

I love green too, and although I used to embrace it "in general" since last year I've been particularly drawn to the small intricate details of perfection it is made of!

[Heather]

Lovely... we definitely believe in fairies in this household. We have several houses for fairies in the garden and leave "offerings" regularly at special spots. We also read our mushroom book like a story and pore over the pictures and names. Last fall we took all kinds of pics and put them together in a book. This year my 4 yr. old keeps asking if it's time yet...for more mushroom pictures. She can identify more than I can.

[chosha]

Just letting you know I tagged you as a thinking blogger. I'm not fussed if you do the meme or not, but just thought I'd let you know. :)

[Julie]

Look at all those gorgeous greens! And the fairy house! I have such wonderful memories of building so many of them as a child (although, for me, they were gnome houses) on an island in Casco Bay in the summer here in Maine. I hope my children will also love doing the same. We're headed out to the very same island this weekend with my kids...

[Anne]

Love the green and the fairies

[cyndi]

hello Soulemama,
how are you? lovely holiday photos you`ve got there. am so envious. maine looks gorgeous.
i have a question not really related to this post. that`s my specialty...going off on tangents.
i have a 4 1/2 yr old and the little guy has been begging me to use the sewing machine. i know at least one of your little ones sews so i came to you seeking a litte advise. i want to encourage and support him in this, but i am so...well...terrified. i`ll admit it, i am a worry wart especially where the babes are concerned.
i am truly torn on this issue so i was wondering if you could recommend an easy first project (i`m sure your soon to be released book is chock full of great ideas so sorry for jumping the gun or putting you on the spot...). how did you approach this when your little one wanted to begin sewing with the machine?
thanks
cyndi

[Di]

Another great post! I particularly like the fairy bed! It's nice to see the leaves collected and being painted! I used to do that as a child!

[boodely]

I love the blue stripe for the sky and the green stripe for the earth. Like saluting the 4 directions before getting into the painting. Beautiful.