Stick Decor

It was actually warm enough to take a walk but not warm enough for anything to have started growing so Chiquita was collecting sticks and leaves.  After I had a big handful Chiquita decided we should make a craft with them when we got home. 

I've always liked the look of bare sticks so I thought we could try making a decoration I would actually be happy to put in the front room.  *Tip*  If you've got mold allergies limit the collection to dry, barkless sticks since most of the leaves on the ground will have some mold.  As soon as we got in the door I gathered up a few tp rolls and play dough and put them along with the sticks and leaves on Chiquita's craft tray.

I showed her how to shove some play dough into the bottom of the tp roll and push it down so that the "vases" were weighted down and to keep the sticks in place.  Then I let her put as many sticks and leaves in each roll as they would accommodate. 

She ended up separating out the sticks and leaves (and lone pine cone) into their own rolls.  The leaf roll needed more playdough since the little stems couldn't reach down as far.  When she'd completely filled the "vases" I got out some nice thick ribbon (burlap would also look nice) and tied the three rolls together.

Chiquita was very pleased that her creation was put on display and I was glad to extend our nature time!