Kid Crafts: Easy Flower Experiment

By Jessica Brown, Photos by Lenora Gim 

Think you need a degree in biology to introduce your child to science? Fortunately, an easy experiment like this one, which shows in colorful detail how plants consume water, is all it takes to spark his curiosity.

Not only will he love watching the flowers change color as they drink the dyed water, he'll also be developing skills he can use in everyschool subject, says Kathleen B. Horstmeyer, director of thepreschool and elementary level of the National Science Teachers Association in Philadelphia. "Science experiments help children as young as 3 become keen observers, think critically, and gain confidence in their ability to solve problems," she explains. "This project encourages kids to ask questions and offer opinions on how it worked."

You can boost the educational benefits by pointing out the flowers' veins as they change color and asking him what he thinks they're for; he may be able to guess that plants use them to feed. Then discuss why plants need water and how water overcomes gravity.

"Take the time to learn about the world together," Horstmeyer says. "If you show interest in your surroundings, your child will as well."

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Yankee Magazine: How to Press Flowers

Crafts: How to Press Flowers

by Shelley Wigglesworth

With the end of the growing season fast approaching, pressing and preserving flowers is an inexpensive and fun way to keep your garden memories alive permanently. Here are simple directions on how to press flowers along with five ideas to get creative with your pressed petals and blooms. Pressed flowers are also perfect for documentation purposes in garden journals.

How to Press Flowers

1. Pick flowers when they are at the peak of health if possible. If the flowers are wet, allow them to air dry before pressing.
2. Place each flower separately between two pieces of square cut plain white paper. Allow for at least a one inch border of white paper on all four sides of the flower.
3. Place the enveloped flower in the middle of a hardcover heavy book such as an old encyclopedia. Many flowers may be pressed at the same time in one book as long as each flower is enclosed in separate pieces of paper and spaced between several pages each.
4. Place other heavy hardcover books on top of the pressing book and leave the books sitting for at least two weeks.
5. At the end of the two weeks, check to see if the flowers are flat and dry to the touch. If they are, they're ready. If flowers show any sign of moisture, place them back in the book between fresh pieces of paper and check them again in a few days. Remove when completely dry.

5 Simple Craft Ideas for Pressed Flowers

1. Flower Documentation: Arrange the flowers between two pieces of waxed paper and cover the top of the waxed paper with a thin dish towel and iron. The wax will seal the flowers. When the waxed paper cools, use a permanent marker to write the plant name, the year it was grown and notes about it to add to your garden journal/record keeping.
2. Bookmarks: Arrange pressed flowers on cardstock paper or recycled greeting cards cut into bookmark sized strips and laminate.
3. Framed with a Poem: Copy a favorite poem onto handmade or textured paper. Place flowers around the poem to accent it. When you are happy with the arrangement use a tiny dot of tacky glue to secure each dried plant. Let dry and frame as usual.
4. Handmade Cards/Stationery: Purchase plain card stock paper or handmade paper and fold in half into a card shape. Use tacky glue to secure flowers and spray with a clear sealant if desired.
5. Place Settings/Mats: Use 11 X 14 inch heavy cardstock paper as a background for place mats and smaller cuts of heavy cardstock paper for place settings. Arrange flowers around names in calligraphy and laminate.

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Yankee Magazine: How to Dry Seeds

Gardening: How to Dry Seeds

by Shelley Wigglesworth

It's time to gather this past summer's seeds from your favorite flowers and veggies to save for next year's garden crops. In this post, I'll explain how to harvest and dry seeds from your garden and share which seeds are the easiest to harvest for great results year after year.  Read more

The Invasive and Beautiful Bittersweet Vine

by Shelley Wigglesworth

New Englanders know that the bittersweet vine is a catch 22. Loved for its beauty and versatility, yet loathed for its invasive and destructive ways. Bittersweet is an ornamental climbing vine that is native to Eastern Asia. It was brought over to the United States in the 1860s and has been running rampant ever since. Hardy, fast growing and visually interesting, the vines of the bittersweet plant mirror the warm colors of autumn upon reaching maturation. Reddish-brown creeping stems and leaves support clusters of tiny yellow flowers and orange berries that usually bloom just in time for autumn floral arrangements in the Northeastern part of the United States.
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Yankee Magazine: Make a Lavender Air Freshener

Make a Lavender Air Freshener

by The Editors of Yankee Magazine

"In the Middle Ages, the laundress was called the lavender," says Lorraine Kiefer, herbal expert and owner of Triple Oaks Nursery, in Franklinville, New Jersey. The name reflected the use of lavender to scent linen and laundry. "If you sprinkle lavender on your carpet or couch before vacuuming, it will be a beautiful air freshener," Lorraine adds. "If you sprinkle lavender oil on furniture, under cushions, or on carpets, it will rid your home of that doggy smell. And cats will refuse to sit in a spot sprayed with lavender oil."
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YANKEE MAGAZINE: Make Canvas Photo Prints

[From Yankee Magazine:  Make Canvas Photo Prints, by Bonnie Thomas]

Canvas photo prints — black and white photos transferred to canvas — are a unique alternative to hanging photos in frames. Canvas boards add texture and depth to photographs, and the transfer method used in this project leaves images looking weathered and aged, which gives the photos additional character and charm. When words are included on the boards you end up with wall décor that combines image and inspiration. The boards also make beautiful handmade gifts.  Read complete article

Easy Crafts Made from Paper Plates, Cups & Other Dishware

Spend an afternoon with your little ones transforming ordinary paper plates and plastic utensils into entertaining craft projects.  Read more

By Margaret VanEchaute; Designs by Jodi Mensing Harris [parents.com]

Baby bird nest

Paper plate banjo

Pretty paper purse

Mushroom house

Spoon puppets

Paper cup terrarium

Finger puppet cup doll

Paper cup owl

Cotton ball cat