We've had in mind now for a little while that we wanted to make a fairy shaker to take to the woods with us.
So one evening after dinner, we took a stroll and started looking for a suitable stick. "It has to be a CAPITAL Y shape stick Mummy" yelled Ruby over her shoulder as she dashed this way and that looking for a suitable specimen.
It was a lovely evening, with the last of the dabbled sun glinting through the trees. The heady aroma of wild garlic, warmed by the day's sunshine filled the air, and the first of the bluebells were beginning to open.
Once we found just the right stick, we took it home to make our musical instrument. Ruby was totally inspired and wanted to make a shaker for the bluebell fairies, so she set to choosing blue ribbons and buttons to decorate the wand. We used strong nylon thread to tie on a row of jingle bells (ours were left over from a Christmas decoration, but you can find these in craft or haberdashery stores). Then she chose some velvet ribbon to wrap around the handle because it gave a nice soft finish and made in comfy to hold.
Once it was suitably adorned, we took it back to the forest to play and see if we could coax the bluebell fairies out.
Do you think it worked?
We shared this instrument with Red Ted Art's craft hangout, take a look at the video for more amazing musical creations. There's enough to start your own orchestra!
Check out the blog links for all the instructions:
Maggy's maracas and shakers and her fabulous guitar
Adele's straw kazoo
Ali's cool castanets
Anthea's bottle pan pipes
George's tambourine
Crystal's jingle wristbands
Linking up with Kids Get Crafty and Country Kids.
Check out the bluebell page on the Forestry Commission website to find the best spots to see bluebells in bloom.
We moved house a few months ago and apparently we are surrounded by bluebell woods. We went for a walk through one of them recently and didn't see a single bluebell. Maybe if we made a shaker we could encourage them out. My daughter would certainly like a reason to go walking in a tiara.
ReplyDeleteThe hard winter has made them particularly late this year Kate, anything up to 3 weeks later than usual so hopefully you'll be seeing some soon.
DeleteGet jingling, it's sure to coax them out! x
Love this loads. I think we will be making lots of these. Well three anyway
ReplyDeleteYay! That's great. x
DeleteAww, see now, if I had a girl.... what a lovely idea, in fact, I AM going to try that with the boys, it'll have to be a monster-scarer or something.... how did my feminist boys get so 'boy-ish'?!
ReplyDeletePfft. External influences and all that. Same as my daughter aspiring to be a princess and wear pink all the time. Least she dressed in blue in honour of the bluebells!
DeleteIt is a lovely idea, we have a bluebell wood here at Coombe Mill, I just wish I still had a daughter still young enough to want to make a bluebell fairy shaker to take there! I watched the video last night, some great ideas on there. Looks like Ruby enjoyed everything from searching for the perfect stick to fairy charming! Thanks for linking up with Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona. I loved how involved Ruby was from this. The whole focus changed and she took complete artistic control!
DeleteOooh to have my own bluebell wood...
Such a fabulous and girlie idea. My Girls are begging me to go to the woods now!
ReplyDeleteDo it!!!!! x
Deleteoh really lovely, glad I came to read the post. You reminded me we have a bluebell wood, last tim e we went the bluebells weren't out but they probably are now. We'll have to go on a visit
ReplyDeleteAhh thanks for dropping by. The bluebells are late everywhere it seems, but should be out your neck of the woods (so to speak!) if mine are. x
DeleteHow magical! A really lovely idea.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea - and it looks so much fun! A great time outdoors for all x
ReplyDeletenice post
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