Saturday, May 22, 2010

Found Art- Fairy Houses



Upon recommendation, my Munchkin and I rented a movie at our local library and found ourselves utterly inspired. The movie, titled  Kristin's Fairy House, is about a young girl and her Aunt (an artist looking for inspiration) who take a week-long vacation on Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine. There they discover the fairy houses built throughout the woods by children. Kristin builds her own fairy house and her Aunt is inspired by the process and writes/illustrates the story of the Fairy Houses. Kristin narrates the adventure and the movie ends with the question: "Do you believe that fairies are real?"
My munchkin always answers without any hesitation, "Yes!!" 
We took off to a secluded part of our lawn and built our fairy dwellings using only the material nature provided us: bark, twigs, grass, rocks, dirt, leaves, and flowers. This craft was so enchanting and engaging for the imagination. There is nothing like seeing a fairy world in a pile of twigs to help open your mind. 
 
The entire afternoon felt magical. Our peony tree was blooming. I could just imagine the pollen as fairy dust.
The ants were helping our peony buds by eating the sweet nectar and encouraging the leaves to open.
 
I even made some fairy people to go with the houses. I just used the twig growth and leaves from the maples that we had set our houses up against:
 We even had a visitor.


It was so amazing to me to be able to make this Found Art and know that it probably wasn't going to weather for very long. It is transitory. Of course I could probably mod podge it (*wink*)....but where is the fun in that?? Okay, there's some fun in that, but not with this. I **like** that this art will not last....and that is pretty counterintuitive to how I normally feel about my art. But no matter how long it stays, these little homes and the time my Munchkin and I spent together on them, has made a lasting impression. 
I Linked Up To These Lovely Parties:

The Girl Creative
Sumo Sweet Stuff












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Beyond The Picket Fence
Join us Saturdays at tatertotsandjello.com for the weekend wrap up party!





Making

 http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/

18 comments:

  1. That looks like something my kids would do. Isn't fun to watch nature.

    Debbie's L'bri skincare blog
    http://debbiellbriskincare.blogspot.com/

    Stop over for my anniversary give away
    http://debbiellbriskincare.blogspot.com/2010/05/anniversary-month.html

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  2. That is such a fun day and something she will remember.

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  3. How wonderfully creative! And beautiful, too. My kids and I used to construct little fairy dwellings down by the creek using sticks and stones, this brings back such sweet memories! Have to do this with the grandkids or maybe just for my own pleasure. Lovely.

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  4. Beautiful photos! I did not realize that the ants actually helped the peonies. When we lived in TX, I had 2 bushes, and wondered why they were always covered in those huge ants... Now I know! Thanks...
    The grasshopper photo is framed so well! Excellent!

    Jane (artfully graced)

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  5. I try to remind myself that art is more about process than results and this post proves it...it is so very, very lovely...

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  6. I love this idea. You did a great job on your fairy house, too.

    D

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  7. Very sweet. That sounds like a lot of fun. I loved all the pictures. :)

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  8. What a fun day with nature and one the kids won't soon forget! Thanks for sharing and for visiting.
    Sandy

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  9. I have seen that movie also. It is inspiring. I love Fairy Houses. I have seen several on the blogs. Such a nice idea.

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  10. The wonders of the imagination. What a lovely post and pictures -- I want to go out back and play right now! Thank you for sharing this great project!

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  11. Charming! I've been to Monhegan Island. Wish I'd had a little girl with me.
    I love your creations and your story.
    Kathy

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  12. How sweet is that. I would have been so excited to find a fairy house in the woods.

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  13. Love all those pictures :) I have a link party that I would love for you to join. It is on Saturdays at www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com

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  14. My kids would love, love, love these fairy houses. You are encouraging me to get out there and find a fairy house or two!!!

    Thanks for planting your creative seeds at Plant a Punkin Seed Party. Hope to see you on Friday!

    Kristi
    Punkin Seed Productions

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  15. Have you ever watched the movie called "FairyTale: A True Story"? Your fairy house reminds me of that a bit. We did something similar with outdoor fairy houses after watching that particular movie. Your house is adorable!

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  16. What a wonderful day, and wonderful imaginations.
    Fairies are not meant to be visible forever - and I do not think they like being dipped in mod podge.

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  17. i love what you created with your lil munchkin! how fun to cultivate her imagination and creativity through bonding activities like this!

    thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving me a comment. i read your profile and just LOVED it. in some ways i felt like i was reading the profile of a kindred spirit. :o) i love creating things having a final end product in mind but just experimenting and making messes along the way...

    blessings to you and your family!

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  18. My daughter loves making fairy houses--they truly are magical! Thanks for sharing.

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gimme dat comment.