Tuesday 17 April 2012

Autumn Nature Collage

Autumn in Canberra is a truly beautiful time... yes the nights are suuuuuuurreeee getting chilly, but the days are crisp and sunny and oh the gorgeous Autumn leaves everywhere - in every shade from Sunny Yellow to Claret Red. Props to Walter Burley Griffin for importing all those European trees to compliment our lovely natives... (I have a feeling there is probably downsides to these imports but you know... they are pretty!!). Kicking through piles of crunchy leaves during Autumn is a Canberra tradition, and we love it!

So of course we had to get out and collect some of these beauties.... time to do another Nature Collage, but with an Autumnal theme this time. I armed the kids with a little bucket each and we strolled around our block, to 'see what we could see' and collect whatever treasures took our fancy!













Always hand in hand...


The NON-highlight of the outing was when Lily was happily sitting on the ground sorting through sticks and I realised she was half-sitting on a decomposed magpie carcass. *shudder*gag*shudder*

Apart from that horrifying moment, it was a lovely little adventure, seeing the kids enjoying really looking at their surroundings, at all the unique and amazing kinds of leaves and grasses and sticks and bark. So much to marvel at in all their tiny miraculous details.... especially with the eyes of children who take pleasure in the smallest of things. What a beautiful world God made for us to enjoy! How sweet it is to slow down and just take the time to see the world anew through their eyes, to stroll along without hurrying them (for a change), without a destination in mind except to be there and see things and enjoy life together. These are the days...






Our Autumn Bounty!!

Once home, I then set the kids up at their outdoor table (did I mention it was gloriously sunny?!) and unpeeled a sheet of clear contact paper for them both, putting it sticky side up on the table. Then was the reallllly fun bit - sticking on their collected treasure in whatever fashion took their fancy. Hmmm, I really should have peeled a bit of contact paper for myself as I was simply dying to get involved!!! So fun!

Lily of course had the time of her life. In her element! Her leaves were not randomly placed but of course represented people and rivers and clouds and so on... laid out in some purposeful fashion suiting the story unfolding as she chattered away...





Of course after about five seconds, Eli's page looked like this...





At which point we both gave up! :) The sticky paper was just a bit beyond him but he was happy to play with the leaves and potter around while Lily did not one or two but three collages!





The finished products - simply stuck onto large sheets of white paper to be added to Lily's gallery. As you can see, the artist got more minimalist throughout her career....







Happy and rich Autumn colours, a relaxed and sweet outing, a fun and simple project and some precious memories to display.

All in all... good times and great blessings! Did I mention - we love Autumn ;)

13 comments:

  1. Kate this is such a great idea! Combining the outdoors and craft - me likey!
    I laughed outloud at Eli's contact paper :P Hmmm, I can imagine Harper's going very much the same way.
    Great job Lily!

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    1. aw thanks - yeah sometimes the inspiration hits ;) we have done before but just regular backyard findings, it was fun w the extra colours! LOL yeah i can see Harper going wild too - lets attribute it to the age huh!!

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  2. Wow, you found some amazing stuff! Great idea. I really love your storytelling. I think you do the perfect word and image combination - just the right amount of both which compliment each other so so nicely.

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    1. wow thanks Trisha that is high praise from someone so talented as your self!! thanks so much! yes i admit i find it hard to resist adding story to the photos - i admire so much those (like you) who can let your gorgeous pics speak for themselves!

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  3. Yes, great little story. I too love collecting autumn leaves, though unfortunately Brisbane doesn't get too many. So mine are from when I lived in London nearly 10 years ago! I do miss a proper Autumn. I love the colourful bucketfuls of goodies your children collected. Wonderful idea!

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  4. This has got to be one of the best things to do with kids. I have such great memories of nature walks with the boys and so happy to see you enjoying it too. Lovely read. Marg

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    1. wow a comment from Marg, what a treat! :) i know you loved nature walks w your boys, i love those happy childhood stories and so fun to now pass them on to the next gen!! xx

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  5. What a great idea!! I saw something along the same line on Miffy but you and your cuties make it look like so much fun. Must give it a go this weekend. Btw, we have a ton of big paper (A2 & A1) to give you from Ger's work.

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  6. Beautiful! Can't wait for the leaves to finally change here. We're still in shorts and t-shirts and going to the beach though LOL

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  7. this is such a meaningful way to spend time with a child in nature! we will be doing something similar with my daughter!

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  8. You have some lovely leaves around your neighbourhood! We haven't done this in such a long time! Adding it to our School Holiday list again!

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    1. Yes we are very spoilt with lots of lovely trees around. I hope you get time to do it and enjoy too, it's always a lovely time :)

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