Nature Box for Storing Random Bits

She also picks up random bits and bobs that we find on our walks.  She's done this ever since we started our daily nature walks.  Some days it might be a special stick that works really well as a drum stick and others it could be a pile of rocks that tickled her fancy.  Everything she collects goes into her nature box where she can continue to explore and discover new things about her special pieces.


Every so often the box starts to get full and we need to repurpose these treasures.  So we make fun art projects that we can continue to enjoy.  Last summer we made a sculpture piece using a recycled egg carton and a selection of pieces from Atty's nature box.

Recycled Egg Carton Project

Supplies -

• paint or markers
• nature objects
• egg carton or recycled cardboard
• Aleene's tacky glue

First, she painted the carton with some paint dobbers and her chalk paint.  Then she selected the pieces she wanted to add and told me where she wanted to place them.  I applied some Aleene's Tacky Glue and adhered the pieces on to the egg carton.  The Aleene's holds pretty much anything on - even rocks and sticks!  Once her masterpiece was completed and dry, we hung it on our art wall.  She still enjoys looking at it and touching the special treasures she chose to include.

DIY Wall Hanging Project

Recently, we had acquired some pieces that were too large for the nature box and were taking up a lot of space on our kitchen table, where they had been put temporarily.  We've had several bad spring storms that came with high winds and tornados, so she's been picking up a lot of sticks and small branches from nearby trees.
I decided to create some DIY wall hanging decor pieces for her room using these branches and sticks.  I created both of these DIY home decor pieces in a total of 15 minutes.  You could also get your children involved in the creation and add paint or markers to the sticks as a fun alternative to the ribbon and fabric.


Supplies -

• Sticks
• Scrap ribbons, string, fabric
• Other nature items to attach to string or ribbon
• Optional : Paint and markers

I simply wrapped ribbon around the branches and used additional ribbon or string to attach some of her larger nature items to the sticks.  I used Aleene's Tacky Glue to help hold the ribbon onto the sticks, as well as some decorative duct tape.  I love how these turned out.  These DIY wall hanging are a really simply way to incorporate nature into our home.


I'm constantly trying to find new ways for Atty to interact with the natural world.  How do you add nature into your toddler's (or child's) environment?

Learning about Pebeo Mixed Media Paints

I love to experiment with new medias and toys just as much as any artist or crafter!  Recently on a trip to Michael's, I discovered a display of Pebeo Paint.  The sample on the display looked like glass, but it was textured and yummy, while also glossy and smooth and lovely.  I just couldn’t stop touching the sample piece that are part of the display.  I just couldn’t wait to get some and play.  I was fascinated by the effects.  I just couldn't resist buying a small mixed media discovery kit so I could check it out.  I did no initial research on how to use this new stuff and simply pulled out my art journal and started to play.

The Effects of Pebeo Mixed Media Paints

The different paints give you different effects. The Fantasy Prisme paints can be used to mimic stone, marble, or precious metal. Once dry, these paints have a shiny, hard finish with an enameled look. The Fantasy Moon paints can be used to create an opaque, marbled effect on almost any surface. The Fantasy Moon paints create a hammered, textured appearance with a pearlized, smooth finish with a glossy, hard finish. Pebeo's Vitrail is a solvent based, transparent paint for creating brilliant stained glass effects. The colors of the Vitrail paints are dense and very transparent.

In this video you can see what my experiments led to.  I did discover that I should not use this in my journal as it is oil paint (or oil based), and it seeped through my mixed media Canson paper within several minutes.  

Pebeo Mixed Media Paint Experiment

I’m still learning and experimenting with these cool products but there are some great resources that I highly recommend you check out if you, like me, think these products rock!  First - Pebeo makes an online free magazine that highlights artists that are using these products.  Plus there are a ton of great videos online on YouTube (you know you can learn almost anything on YouTube...).

• Pebeo Fantasy Prisme Paints - Time Lapse Demonstration 
• Pebeo Fantasy Moon Paints - Time Lapse Demonstration 
• Pebeo Vitrail Glass Paint - Time Lapse Demonstration

Pebeo Mixed Media Paints on Wooden Panels

Since my first round of play, I have done some minor research and gotten some tips from some lovely people on Instagram.  I’ve watched some YouTube videos to get some idea at what I’m actually trying to achieve.  Then I decided to create another series of pieces on wood panels. I first prepped the wood panels with gesso, and I applied some modeling paste with stencils.  Once everything was dry, I started to layer up the Pebeo paints. You can check out the video below to see how those wooden panels ended up coming together. My next step on experimenting with these products will be to use the Carne Relief.  I originally bought it when I bought my mixed media discovery kit, but for whatever reason it didn't work, it was like all dried up and wouldn’t even come out of the tube.

Pebeo Mixed Media Paint on Wood Panels

I'd love to hear from you if you have any experience with these lovely paints.  Please leave a comment below about any tips or tricks you have found with them!  Even if you've never used these Pebeo paints before, let me know what you are currently experimenting with.