Terrific Terrariums!!

I ♥ terrariums.

Seriously.

I'm SO happy with how my miniature ecosystems turned out.

And, of course, I went picture crazy.

I'm TOTALLY excited to show this project to my MOPS group today. (Mothers Of PreSchoolers.) I was bummed to not get real moss, so I resorted to ground cover. I found a great deal at Home Depot for most of the greenery. There were about 4 or 5 varieties to choose from. I also purchased pea gravel & regular potting soil. I didn't use the activated charcoal in these little terrariums as I was trying to cut costs for our group of 30. The charcoal helps with drainage (but so do the rocks) & controls any odor that might occur.

In fact, click HERE for a really great tutorial on how to make terrariums, including tips on caring for your miniature world of green.


For containers we'll mostly be using wide-mouthed quart canning jars, but I also recycled food jars. I tried thrifting for some more unique containers but didn't have much luck. You can also see the tiny little terrariums my girls made from artichoke heart jars.

Dinner was delayed due to the mess on the dining table.

I rolled large paper bags down really short & inserted plastic shopping bags. I filled 4 bags with pea gravel & 4 bags with potting soil for each table. Each table will also be supplied with an assortment of plants & jars to choose from.
Taking notes from the previously mentioned terrarium tutorial, I printed out a "how to water & care for your terrarium" cheat sheet for each person.

The little mushrooms I've been working on will finally receive little happy homes! Each person gets to pick a favorite for their terrarium.

I was thinking how much fun kids would have making these (I know my girls did!)--& for decorations they could use a matchbox car or tiny Barbie accessories or any little toys really.

Jennifer gave me a great idea too: stamp words on little pebbles for terrarium decorations. She also reminded me of another idea in my "tutorial file": paint little rocks & add them to your terrarium. Remember my rock painting tute? Click HERE for a recap. Oh!-Tiny painted rock creatures would be an adorable addition to these adorable terrariums!

I know some of your were creeped out by the little gnome dude. But he really is my favorite part of it all!

The car is loaded with jars & gravel & plants & soil & all the necessary terrarium decor, awaiting some morning crafty fun. I'll let you know how it goes!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Clay.

With my no-clay-knowledge know-how I sat down & had some fun pretending like I knew what I was doing with this slightly squishy stuff. The fact is, I had no idea what I was doing. But here's another fact: I had TONS of fun! I'm working on an upcoming project for my MOPS group (Mothers Of PreSchoolers). Guess what we'll be making? Terrariums!! I was immensely inspired by Made by Mavis & those oh-so-cute ceramic mushrooms by mudpuppy. I have temporarily stepped into the world of miniature gardens & wee clay creations.

As you can see, I've thumbed my way through making some mushrooms, a faceless gnome (I was too afraid to add a face & make it look all scary) & other whimsy-like clay creations. I'm quite pleased & terribly excited about sharing this project with all the other moms at the meeting! They'll each get to choose a clay figure to add to their tiny enclosed handmade green world. (The gnome is mine. Hands off.)
Unfortunately the baking time takes too long for the moms to make their own little clay creatures at our meeting.

As I gather supplies & make a sample terrarium, I'll be sure & share pics with you.

Oh, & speaking of clay...I was asked to be a part of the Big Button Challenge by Lisa of Polka Dot Cottage! Lisa is quite the clay mistress. Her work is AMAZING! Her buttons are like candy. I've never been a part of any crafty challenge so I'm very happy to do this! I received my button in the mail yesterday. I love the pinks & greens & stripes & that's why I chose it. (I think my old vintage buttons are jealous of this new shiny handmade button.) Now, I have to come up with a clever creation for my button. I will reveal all in due time...