HAMMER THE FLOWERS

The cold weather is fast approaching here in New England and we decided to do our *creative hammering* before all the flowers and ferns are gone for the season. 


The children were delighted they had to bring a hammer to Earth School yet not really knowing exactly what they were going to do with it.


We collected ferns and flowers and arranged them on strips of 100% cotton which was washed, dried and ironed.

Even colorful autumn leaves work well! 

We learned from experience that it is better to take petals off the flowers and arrange them how we like. In the past, when we have done the entire flower it immediately turns brown, because as in painting, three or more colors mixed together turns brown. And most flowers have different colors in the center.

Once they are arranged to our liking, we tape over them completely, using masking tape or painters tape, to keep them in place.

Let the hammering begin!

We turned over sketch pads so the back cardboard faced upwards and laid the fabric on top of it. Under the sketchpad, a thick phone book was placed to help muffle the noise. (Eight to ten children banging with hammers at the same time at the kitchen table gets pretty loud!)

It was much better to hammer in the open air.

Some of the children liked to turn the fabric over and hammer the other side to watch the colors come through.

Once completed, we took the tape off and let it dry from any plant"juice". 
Next, we brushed off any plant residue left behind and ironed it on the wrong side to set in the colors.

In the meantime, someone found a good spot for a nap!

We made a casing at the top by ironing over 1/4 inch of the fabric

and then used Stitch Witchery ( a fusible bonding web) to hold permanently in place.

Some children sewed their casing with embroidery floss.

They put a stick through the casing and tied yarn to each end to hang and enJOY.

 The Gallery  ( so far)

This is a great nature craft for all ages. One can make curtains and tote bags and even writing paper!  See what the three-five year olds made here and here !

happy day!