They sang and they danced
out under the stars
And played little tunes
On their faerie guitars.
Faerie furnishings from Toad Cottages
Winter walkabouts are a great time to begin gathering an assortment of natural treasures for your future faerie projects. Just last week, I collected a bundle of perfect sycamore twigs and tiny branches of mahogany colored birch. Smooth, colorful pebbles from along the creek will help outline miniature gardens and walkways, and two skeletonized leaves will make a perfect canopy for a magical little pod-bed.
Skeletonized leaves and smooth pebbles
Won't you share the magic of faeries with a child?
20 comments:
Thanks for the brillant idea for a fun project when my grandkids come for their next visit.
Oh I will...someday!
I love all of these ideas so much.
Once I was visiting in the Catskills as a child and took a walk in the woods. I discovered a whole tiny village of faerie cottages, with mossy roofs and stone pathways connecting them. It was so magical. I was old enough to know that these were made by people...but young enough to think, maybe they weren't? I've never forgotten that place or the feeling I had when I found it.
My sister in law doesn't even want me to tell her 2 1/2 year old son that certain gifts are from Santa Claus, let alone say anything about faeries or magic. She says it's "lying." So I am saving up all of these beautiful things for my own children.
Thank you for all these inspired ideas and whisps of magic...
Love,
Dawn
Oh, I so can't wait to get my hands on this book! What wonderful new ideas to share with the little ones in your life. I know it may be a few years before I can share these activities with my grandchildren (the first one is due in June!), but it's not too early for me to start making plans. Your artwork is always so whimsical!
I have always loved fairies, especially Flower Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker, so much so that I have all of her books. One of my favourite books of all times is about Gnomes 'The little Grey men' by BB.
One day I will definitely share the magic and joy of fairies, gnomes, elves and pixies with my children.
Love Morwenna xo
I love your beautiful way of looking at the world. I had many such adventures as a child, and have shared the same with my children. Hollyhock dolls are a favorite late summer pasttime here. My boys adapted the usual "doll" and made boy holly hock dolls. What lovely memories! Thank you for stirring them up.
Beautiful pictures! I love the leaves, they look like works of art on their own. It is incredible what nature can create...
xo
Zuzana
Oh, how awesome! Is that the view outside your window? If it is, I am packing my bags and coming to visit! Don't worry, just kidding, but that is just gorgeous! Cindy
My two girls (4 and 7) would love this! I wish I were as creative when it comes to sitting down and putting it all together.
Great ideas, Sharon.
Another thing about not being able to have my own little ones is not sharing magic like this with them. My niece is almost 8, but has always been practical & too logical for fairies...so disappointing, my sister (her mom) & I STILL believe in Santa & ALL the elves & little beings...of course! But my oldest nephew (just turned 6) has an amazing imagination & leaves wonderful notes for the tooth fairy so maybe he's the one..Thanks for the inspiration, wonderful illustrations and being you xoxo Rachel
Oh, how CUTE! Yes I will too... someday :)
I'm looking forward to when my granddaughter is old enough to share things like this! Meantime I am enjoying the journey with her.
I am SOOOOO looking forward to getting your book. I know it will be a new favorite! (I love all your books!) My youngest daughter Erin is very very into Fairies and for years has built them little houses and furniture in the spring and fall in the back yard. I am carefull where I step..you never know when there will be a little grass hut or fairy sized tea set. I LOVE that at 13 she still has such a fun imagination and finds joy in nature too!
I have to admit that I have missed out on the Faerie thing. When I moved back to New England my neighbors kids were big into these imaginary creatures living in the woods. I thought it was kind of strange, but have come to realize how popular it is. I love the cute illustrations in your(?) book...and the leaves you have collected are works of art in themselves. Have fun in Faery land!
I can't wait to have granchildren...this will definitely be something that we will enjoy together, especially in the woods at our mountain home! It is one of those things that makes a childhood magical. there are so many fancy faerie things to buy nowadays, but I love your version of making hollyhock dolls and twig houses...and all handmade furnishings. That book is one I'll need to get!
Ronelle
Sharon, I just can't wait to get a copy! Is there anyway to get copies from you signed or could I buy and send them to you for a signing. I want to do a giveaway with one on my blog--I know the readers would love it! If this is possible please email me at:
Taketimefortea@aol.com
Dear Suzanne,
If you go to my website www.sharonlovejoy.com, you will find an order form, which you just need to complete and mail to us. On the form it will ask you how you want the book inscribed, and to whom.
Thanks so much for your sweet words-they're so appreciated.
Fondly, Sharon
Oh, this is such a great idea! I remember loving books about faeries when I was a child, but somehow, I never thought about a faery garden for my children. But I think that in our next walk in the countryside, we'll be collecting our own natural treasures - we always do this, but we never thought about using them this way and I know they will love it!
I just read a book with quite a different view of faeries. The message was that you don't want to cross them or do anything that makes them angry. :<) This was a story set in 1920s Ireland called An Irish Country Girl by Patrick Taylor.
Uh oh, Nan's comment is worrying me. Better not pull dandelions or cut any feverfew flowers (one of their favorites).
S
I must have this book for my girls, ages 4 and 11. We regularly ramble through the woods for furniture and household items for our fairy houses. Our woods may be messy to some, but they're magic for my family.
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