There are crafts that I do with my kids that I deem post-worthy, and crafts that I really wouldn’t write about. But this one turned out pretty cute, so I thought I’d share.
Since I was going away for the weekend, without the kids, to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary, I decided to take my five year old daughter to the craft store and spend a few hours with her, creating something together for autumn. We picked out some fabric leaves and amber beads, and decided to make our own wind catcher.
And it’s true. There is something irresistible about autumn leaves blowing in the wind. Call me sentimental, but now I’m longing for cornfield mazes and pumpkin pie.
Here is our creation:
If you want to spend an afternoon with your kids or grandkids creating something together, then this is an inexpensive keepsake craft.
Supplies:
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36” dowel rod, width 3/16 of an inch
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Fabric leaves (approximately 50)
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Beads of choice
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Thin twine or hemp string
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Spray paint (optional)
First, carefully cut your dowel rod in half with a saw or very sharp serrated knife.
(Optional) Spray paint your dowel rod dark brown.
Knot your twine or hemp string at the bottom and anchor a bead. Then snip a tiny hole at the top of a fabric leaf and run your string through the hole, knotting it each time, and for every leaf.
Tie your dowels into a cross shape. I used a bit of hot glue to keep mine in a T shape, then secured with more twine.
Hang your wind catcher where you can watch your leaves blowing in the wind.
I confess, I am liking the amber beads sparkling in the sunlight. And the fall colors too.
Happy Labor Day everyone!
Tune in tomorrow for photos from our Napa Valley getaway.
Oh, that’s so cute!!
That’s so pretty!
How pretty!! Love that you posted the tutorial!
It’s always nice to do a project with your child that you don’t mind keeping around the house. I’m looking forward to fall decorating myself.
Hope your anniversary trip was fabulous. How could it not be, it’s Napa Valley.
That’s really pretty! I bet it looks gorgeous in the wind! I love this idea.
Adorable! I love the idea! Thanks for sharing! This will be a great project for my kids.
I love this! I am a preschool teacher and am going to definitely make this for our classroom!
We made a weather mobile last year incorporating the sun, rain clouds, snow and a tornado.
We woke up to a cool, cloudy, rainy Labor Day….this is just the thing to brighten it up. Thanks for the idea.
I Love this super sweat and admittedly easy idea. I think this is just the project for Gideon and me.
Thanks for all your great inspiration… I will be sure to blog and link back our finished project.
That windcatcher is adorable!!! I love it. We have beautiful fall leaves where I live in NC, but it is a bit early for them to be turning yet. It won’t be long, as there has been a coolness in the air already. Fall is just around the corner. Hope you enjoyed your anniversary trip. I have never been to California, but hope to get out there some day. Love & blessings from NC!
I’m going to make this RIGHT NOW!! It definitely will put me in the mood for fall!
Pretty Proyect
That is really pretty!!
What a great idea… it’s beautiful!!
I bought these exact same leaves at the dollar store on a whim and didn’t know what to do with them- thanks!
This is a REALLY LOVELY IDEA! The leaves actually look so real and at first I was wondering why one would go to all that work only to have them crinkle and die in a few days.
Thanks for sharing. I just love it!
Donna
Happy Labor Day, Kate! :) I love that you spent some extra special time with your kids before your trip. The fruits of your fun are so cute!!! I like the beads too, and that’s totally something I wouldn’t mind displaying. :)
Hi! i love this idea! Once again I am in awe! Hope you got my e-mail from the http://thewhisperingcreekhouse.blogspot.com/….Thanks for this great post I am gonna do this one with my kids! Its easy and inexpensive!
It’s beautiful! I love fall, I’m so excited! I’ll be linking.
Oh, how lovely! I am putting this on my list to do. Thanks!
Question: What paint color did you use on the wall behind the mobile. I’ve been looking for a color similar when we repaint our house.
Love the Windcatcher! My two little ones love to make beaded necklaces and bracelets so I bet they would love this project! Thanks for the idea!
I think my grandson and I will enjoy making this one! We are always looking for something to make together….
thanks
Pam
This actually turned out quite pretty, and I like the way it must float on the breeze. I’m sure your daughter had fun with her mom time.
Aw – what a fun project. I LOVE it! It’s beautiful! Great job!
I’m hosting a Fall Festival – I’d love for you to stop by and link your beautiful ideas. ;)
Have a super week!
This is just divine!
I love this and will plan to do it with my kids! Thanks!
That’s awesome, I will try that with my oldest!
So pretty! I just purchased some Fall leaves for another Fall project. Great job on this! Looks like it would be so pretty outside!
I love this!! Love the beads especially.
Seriously cute!They just don’t sell these things in the UK by the looks of it :( (the leaves I mean)
Happy anniversary! What a great craft.
That is very cute!
Great kids craft idea! I love it.
I love it! Such a great idea and it’s so pretty! Oh how I love fall!
I love this! It’s so pretty.
I love it. Thanks for sharing.
have a good day
Hi there! I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now and I just love it! I used this idea today and really like the way it turned out although I wish I would have made the strands a bit longer like yours. Ah well! I put pics up on my blog and linked to you. Thanks again!
I loved your idea so much, and I had previously purchased the leaves at the dollar store, so I decided to give it a try. Mine didn’t turn out perfect, but that’s ok for a first attempt.
Here’s some pics:
http://hdhaven.blogspot.com/2009/09/ready-for-fall.html
Thanks for all your great, inspiring ideas. Keep ’em coming, I need to beautify my home.
Would love to feature your wind catcher on our site; we would credit you and link back to your site. Our visitors would really enjoy this project. If interested, please contact us thru our Contact Us page on the site.
What a wonderful idea! There are so many beautiful leaves in the garden at the moment … I think Messmonster2 would adore to go jumping in them and pick out some of the more perfect ones for a mobile! I will put some of my ideas onto my blog soon so that you can share with your kids!
Ange
Què idea tan fantastica…..muy muy decorativa…..se ve espectacular…la voya hacer…
Gracias por aportar tanta belleza.
Okay Kate, I tried this last year and my wind catcher was so unbalanced, it was awful. How did you make yours stay balanced? Just the same amount of beads and leaves on each string?
I love your autumn windcatcher! I agree – falling leaves are magical, especially when they twirl and dance on their way to the ground.
I hope you don’t mind. I linked your windcatcher how-to post to my Porch and Garden Party at firstadream.blogspot.com.
ohhhh I think this would be SUCH a cute idea as a decorative INDOOR piece… Like above my dining room table! Wouldn’t it look fabulous with Thanksgiving dinner and centerpiece? I think so! :)
too cool. I sent my daughter outside today to collect leaves and twigs so she can do this (and keep occupied) this weekend while I work inside.