making a fairy garden (tutorial)

For my daughter's fourth birthday earlier this month, I found the loveliest (and pinkest!) book of fairies with pictures illustrated by our favourite fairy expert, Cicely Mary Barker.

In addition to all the familiar and delightful fairies we have come to know through her other books, there are wonderful poems, activities and a lengthy chapter story as well.  I think it appeals to any of us who love fairies!

In the (gold-edged!) pages, we saw a lovely little fairy garden that we created ourselves, changing things a bit here and there to make it our own.

First, Papa made a 3' x 18" cedar box to plant the flowers.

The children collected several rocks to line the bottom for drainage.

We added some of our home-made soil mixture, leftover from our garden starts.

We planted some flowers, little ones are best, though we used what we had.  Sprinkling a little sand for a pathway to wind through the garden, lined with glass beads.  A little dish of water surrounded by some moss makes a lovely place for the fairies to cool themselves on hot, summer days.

One afternoon, we made salt dough toadstools and snails to decorate the garden.  A few pink and purple lanterns add a festive atmosphere.  Now, we wait for the fairies to appear...

This book is a real gem for anyone charmed by the wee folk...particularly if you are between the ages of 4 and 12, I think.  We are having such fun creating this fairy garden right outside our front door...and it continues to evolve and expand with magic, every day. 

Shhhh, if you build it, they will come.

Comments

[Mama Ash Grove]

Jules, it's wonderful~! I'll have to show my oldest and third one down, the fairy lovers. :) So that book is a good one, huh. . . I'll have to look that one up!
<3

[renee ~ heirloom seasons]

So sweet Jules. I have always loved those flower fairies!
Love to you! XOXOX

[angie]

Oh I love it! Can't wait to show my girl she will be thrilled with the idea!

[~ joey ~]

We love CMB's Flower Fairies too! My Mom made A a duvet cover from one of the Flower Fairy panels. HThe illustrations are so magical.
Will you be entering your garden in Magic Onions' contest?! There are some fantastic prizes!
Did you make the fairies? From the book Felt Wee Folk? They are beautiful!
xoxo
~ joey ~

[Sven]

Very nice tutorial!
I love it.
Please write more of this stuff :)
I love fairy gardens

[Stefan]

Wow this looks amazing and the book is really pink :P
Very good job with your fairy garden!