I found this idea for a fall craft/ decoration in family fun magazine and I thought it was neat so I thought I would show you all.

                               Nature Walk Wreath                                       

The end product -- a one-of-a-kind door decoration -- is certainly special, but the best part of this project is the "collecting walk." This homemade wreath is an ideal group project -- each family member gets a chance to contribute, and there's no wrong way to do it.

CRAFT MATERIALS:
	Nature objects you've gathered on a walk (dried leaves, acorns, seedpods, pinecones, twigs, etc.)
	Large grapevine wreath (available at garden centers) or individual small ones
	Floral wire
	Glue gun
Time needed: About 2 to 3 Hours

1. Take your family for a stroll through a neighborhood park or any nearby nature spot to gather whatever catches your eye. 

2. Back at home, invite everyone to arrange their finds on a large grapevine wreath, or provide individual small ones to serve as take-home keepsakes. 

3. Twigs, stems, and larger items can be woven into the grapevine or secured with floral wire. A parent can affix small items such as acorns or pebbles with a glue gun. Hang the finished product proudly -- it should last until spring.

                                Foilage Friends   

Use your imagination (and some paper, glue, and a pen or pencil) to turn ordinary backyard leaves into a whimsical menagerie.

1. Go outside and see what kinds of animals are hiding in your leaf piles. Below are some possibilities. When you've found leaves in your yard whose shapes you like, glue them to pieces of paper and use pencil, pen or crayon to make your creatures complete. To preserve your creations, press them between two books.

2. MAPLE:  These leaves have three main points and lots of smaller ones; count them as they flutter by.

3. ROSE:  The rounded shape of this bush's leaves makes them look a lot like little shields.

4. BIRCH:  As big and tall as this white-bark tree can get, its leaves are as small and as light as feathers.

5. GERANIUM:  You might flip your wig if you find one of these wild-looking leaves in your yard.

6. BARBERRY:  While this plant doesn't live underwater, its leaves resemble raindrops.

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Oct. 20, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by trinaleah

I love that idea. We used to do this every year, but since I was pregnant with Roman and now have him we havent. Why? I dont know.....maybe we should again. Thanks for the inspiration!

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Oct. 20, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Fiffi

Hi Cheryl
These are great.... we're enjoying Summer at the moment... so I save this to favourites and use these crafts next year!
Thanks
fiffi

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Oct. 20, 2006 - HI

Posted by giggles3

That is awesome stuff!! Thank you so much for sharing this great idea.
Hope you have a wonderful day,
Christina

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Oct. 20, 2006 - Those are so cute!

Posted by mom2chris

Gotta do this over the weekend. The little faces are really cute, and what a fun way to identify leaves. :)
By the way, the africam apparently is offline today due to severe weather/thunderstorms. But try again when you have a chance. It is really neat!

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Oct. 21, 2006 - Thanks for sharing this!

Posted by servingtheKingofkings

The foilage friends are so cute! I think my kids will have fun with that (I will, too) :).

Happy Autumn!

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