Week 3: Natural Projects

This week the contestants were given the challenge to create a project using naturally found supplies, meaning things not man-made.


#1 Funky Starburst Mirror

Starburst mirrors are everywhere these days, but it seems they're always either very shiny or very "rustic." I wanted to take some natural materials and turn them into a funkier starburst.

Starting with long bamboo sticks, I cut them to size and attached them to the back of a round mirror with glue, taping the mirror in sections on the back so the bamboo was evenly spaced. Then use paper and more tape to cover the mirror for painting.

A few coats of raspberry pink paint later and this is one funky starburst!

#2 Table and Stool

 For my naturals week I have made a table and a stool - perfect for early mornings in the garden. This project was almost like icing on the cake for me - I got to cut down all the little trees growing on the mountain behind my house - cleaning up my garden, while getting material to use for this project. I cut the trees into same length sticks - tied them HARD together and there you have it - a table and a stool.

 I used a zinc tray as the top to my table - it just looks so nice and vintage.

I wanted my stool to be comfortable and was thinking of sewing a circled pillow for it, but then, since the theme is naturals - I used wool and felted it - it's supposed to be an apple tree - but the pattern is a little hard to spot. At least it is now soft to sit on. I love how this turned out - hope you like it also.

#3 Sticks and Stones Chess Set

From king to pawn, every aspect of this full-size chess set was inspired by nature.

Would you have guessed that all 32 chess pieces were hand-crafted from items off the forest floor?  They are not just decorative, they are sturdy and functional.  Each has a look that remains true to its natural origins yet is easily distinguishable and ready for play!

Look closely at the game board and you will see nature's beauty once again.  The light and dark squares are created from my own photographs of clouds and tree bark, cut to size and repeated in the checkerboard pattern.  

This is a conversation piece that no cabin or nature lover should be without!

#4 Bronze Starburst Mirror
Yay!!! I'm so happy to be here for Week 3 of One Month To Win It!
I have to admit...this week's challenge was especially challenging for me. I threw around a few ideas and decided on something that I have wanted to make for a while...a starburst mirror. Here's my version...

I started with just a few basic (and very inexpensive items)...a styrofoam circle, some spray paint, some wood craft sticks, some wood dowel caps, a small circular mirror, 2 long pieces of dried grass and some dried flowers...
I broke the tips of the craft sticks off because I wanted my mirror to look a little rougher...not as perfect as perfectly round tips would have looked. Then I used my hot glue gun and glued 2 layers of craft sticks all the way around the styrofoam circle...I spray painted the sticks and then added the mirror on top.


I took out all of the dowel caps and spray painted them the same color (Rust-Oleum's Hammered Bronze) as the sticks and then glued them around the mirror.

Finally, I twisted the grass into a circle, wired it into place and glued the dried flowers along the side of the mirror. A super-easy & super-fast project...and I love it.

Thank you so much for letting me share my project this week!




#5  Nature Luncheon Tablescape

When: Anytime a soft breeze is blowing

Where: in the garden

Who: Good friends

Why: Because we can!

We'll serve summer salads, homemade bread, fresh fruit, chocolate cake, tea

and good conversation.

 I hope you'll join us!

#6  Shell Sifting Boxes

Here's a great box for display or to use to sift shells at the beach...

Shims, weathered wood, and square wire mesh 

were used to create these boxes...

I stained the boxes a weathered grey color and added 

a sand dollar and a starfish for embellishment.

An old, rusty, metal barrel strap made great handles!

Use them for display or take them to the beach to sift your shells!

Enjoy!