Nature Study

Watercolor Basics – A Quick Supply Guide for Beginners
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Watercolor Basics – A Quick Supply Guide for Beginners

Are you thinking about trying your hand at Watercolor?  I’m excited for you!  Watercolor is one of my favorite mediums both for the ease of use and for the look of the finished product.  You may have noticed that there are thousands of products out there to use and buy.  It can be pretty overwhelming!…

How to Start a Nature Journal – A Beginners Guide
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How to Start a Nature Journal – A Beginners Guide

So you want to start a Nature Journal? I’m happy for you!  Keeping a nature journal is one of the best things you can do for yourself and those you love.  We all know that there are significant benefits in keeping any type of journal.  Benefits like better mental clarity, boosts in both confidence and…

Nature Journaling For Mom – Why It’s Awesome and How to Get Started
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Nature Journaling For Mom – Why It’s Awesome and How to Get Started

This is one of those subjects that makes me want to find a rooftop and a megaphone. 🙂  Nature journaling is something I fell into when researching the Charlotte Mason method for our homeschool.  We are at the end of our fourth year of homeschooling (phew!), and I can say in all honesty that nature journaling has…

Loose Parts – The Ultimate Learning Toys
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Loose Parts – The Ultimate Learning Toys

Am I the only one who spends hours reading toy reviews and guides at Christmas or birthday time – determined to find the ultimate toy for my kids and my pocketbook? I’m always sure I’ll find that perfect toy that will engage my kid’s minds and bodies and make them magically want to leave their ever…

How Time In Nature Helps Me Be A Better Mom
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How Time In Nature Helps Me Be A Better Mom

  We all want it.  That deep assurance that “today I truly connected with my child”.  That knowing smile between mother and child; the shared experience carved deep in our hearts and minds. It can be so elusive in our distraction-filled world.  But I have found a secret to making those moments happen more often…

The Art Habit for Moms – My New FREE Course
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The Art Habit for Moms – My New FREE Course

I hear myself saying to my daughter for what feels like the sixty-fourth time today, “You need to practice.  The more you practice, the better you’ll get”. I stop in my tracks and listen.  The voice in my head says, “Dear Hannah, YOU need to take your own advice”. Making Art a Priority As moms, we encourage…

Our Favorite Nature Study Tools
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Our Favorite Nature Study Tools

  You don’t really need much to enjoy nature, but sometimes it’s fun to invest in a few supplies that can make the experience more memorable and enjoyable.  Here is a list of our family’s favorite nature study tools.  I’ll add to it as we find new things (because we are always finding new things!). There…

Why Your Child Needs Unstructured PLAY
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Why Your Child Needs Unstructured PLAY

Here at Lily and Thistle, we talk a lot about art and nature. In all of my research, I’ve found that the foundation of creativity and happiness for kids is PLAY.  Do you remember what it felt like to play as a kid?  I’m talking about real play, the kind initiated and driven by kids.  Building tree…

Just a Day in March -Scavenger Hunt Idea
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Just a Day in March -Scavenger Hunt Idea

“It was on of those March days, when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold; when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” – Charles Dickens     Some drawing time… [mailerlite_form form_id=4]    Time for a scavenger hunt!   Ah, March! [mailerlite_form form_id=4]