Spring is here. The weather is getting warmer. The grass is getting greener. My Pinterest boards are filling up with landscape design and gardening tips. There is just one problem: my thumb is brown.
I love the idea of a beautiful garden, but after years of failed attempts I needed to think of ways to incorporate natural elements that I can… well… not worry about killing. I also wanted to involve my daughters. That’s why I decided to start a garden this year that we can add to all spring/summer without the fear of it dying. We are creating a fairy garden. It has all the elements we love – nature, whimsical design, crafts, and sparkle.
To create a fairy garden you can simply gather any natural elements from your own yard, along with some Tinkerbell-approved lost things for a magical touch. Although, if you want to make it more of an adventure, try creating a scavenger hunt of materials you think would be useful. Then, head out on a nature walk and see what you can find. My middle daughter would suggest that while out digging in the dirt, you should still keep it classy by wearing your favorite princess crown. I think it must help her search for the best rocks, pine cones, acorns, and sticks. Collect your treasures and get to work, or save them for a rainy day project!
There are no material lists or instructions for this project. It’s meant to inspire imagination without spending money. Look around the house for a pot (or, in my case, a random home decor item in a donation pile) to use as a base. You can create a house from virtually anything – oatmeal containers, soup cans, milk jug, a vase, or birdcage would all be great.
What would a fairy garden be without a little extra sparkle? I enjoy mixing beads and wire along with natural elements.
While I would love to use real flower petals to add color and texture, I knew that for an ongoing project it just wasn’t practical. I gathered some fake flowers and began disassembling them and wrapping around a small wooden peg to create a small fairy. I have to admit, I am more excited to see how my daughters create their own fairies.
I really wanted to keep going on this project, but I had to force myself to stop because I made it as an inspiration for my daughters with the intention that we could all continue to work on it together. Now we can make a list of what we need for our next addition and head out on a nature walk to gather materials.
