6 Nature Craft Ideas for Grownups

Posted: 05 May 2011 04:00 AM PDT

Who says you have to be a child to enjoy a good nature craft? There are plenty of nature craft ideas out there that make affordable home décor projects. So if you are a fan of frugal decorating, and of bringing the outside in, here are some serious ideas to get started.

Rock painting.

I'm not talking about the toddler version, although that's a fun activity if you want to go there. I'm talking about the serious art work I see selling at craft markets for fifty bucks a pop. If you've got mad painting skills, and access to medium-sized rocks of interesting shapes, you can create interesting door stops, flower garden accents and more for nearly free. I've seen these most often done in northern climes with Alpine themes, but they would work in any woodsy cottage or lodge setting. If you're looking for inspiration, you might try some of the books by rock-painting artist Lin Wellford, who has been known for this type of artisan work for some time.

photo credit: Victoria_Hume

Twig wreaths.

You could use any twig really, but I'm particularly fond of the ones made out of red dogwood branches. They hold their color, make a great Christmas gift, and look fantastic on a front door from September until whenever spring arrives in your neck of the woods. (Talk about low maintenance and cheap.) Since they last for years, these are a great craft to make and sell if you need to save money on your overhead costs. They are also an extremely affordable gift you can feel proud about giving to others. Here are some directions for how to make a basic twig wreath, in case you want to get started early for the holidays.

Birch bark painting.

White birch bark makes a striking background for floral paintings and other subjects. We received a gift one year of a painting of a pet of ours that had passed away. The artist had based it on a photo and added in the background. Framed, these pieces make a statement for several reasons. The shape of the piece of bark is random, making them visually interesting. The natural element brings a certain something, and the color contrast is significant. So again, if you've got serious artistic skills and access to a supply of fallen birch bark, you've got inexpensive decorating supplies and a possible birch bark painting product line as well.

Willow furniture.

Who doesn't love free furniture? Willow trees grow fast, and the twigs and branches can be used to make a popular variety of rustic furniture items such as tables, garden arches, chairs and more. The style isn't for everyone. But if it appeals to you and you don't mind learning a new skill, then you can have virtually free furniture for your cabin or outdoor living space. I've seen some homes that use this style exclusively. Personally, that seems like overkill to me and takes away from the charm of some of the pieces. I might choose to use some of this furniture in a breezeway, lakeside bench or outdoor garden area. I might also work in one bed frame at a cottage and decorate the room around that. More than that though, and the concept starts to lose its appeal to me. Feeling brave? Try starting out with this simple willow nightstand. If you feel like this is the craft for you, then there are numerous instructional books on the subject.

Hanging bird cakes.

This is one of those nature craft ideas that you can bring the kids in on and still have a pretty cool finished product. Using shortening, peanut butter and an affordable birdseed mix, you can create wildlife cakes for the birds to enjoy during the winter months, or at any time of year. Mix the ingredient and shape them in whatever small container you have before putting them in the freezer to set up. Yogurt containers, small milk cartons, anything goes really. It just needs to be large enough to provide a reasonable amount of food and small enough to be able to hang well. Put them in a netting to hang off a tree branch, or put a metal hook into the cake and hang with a ribbon if you are hanging them off a decorative pole near your deck. This is something that bird watchers and photographers will particularly enjoy, as it will attract colorful birds close to where you can easily watch and take pictures of them.

Pressed flowers.

Pressed flowers make great framed art, stationary and other items. So if you're looking for free art material, take a stroll when local flowers are in bloom and press them ahead for later use. The cool thing about this particular nature craft is that you can choose the colors of blooms that work for your home's color scheme. Making your own invitations to that big back yard gathering? Consider using pressed flowers from your property or somewhere nearby. This works well for rustic locations and outdoor gatherings as it helps build the theme of the event ahead of time. A fun place to start would be this pressed flower stationery project, courtesy of Martha Stewart.

Nature crafts aren't just for children. If you have an artistic eye and the right skill set, you can have a great-looking home using free and inexpensive materials to create artwork and furniture inspired by Mother Nature herself.

Dollar Matters: Better Money Decisions

Posted: 04 May 2011 09:00 AM PDT

Every day, we make money decisions, big and small. It is, of course, important to make the best money decisions that you can. Luckily, there are plenty of smart people around the personal finance blogosphere that can help you out:

Home Protection Plans – Why I’m Canceling Mine for Good

Neal at Wealth Pilgrim looks at home protection plans, and asks whether or not they are really a good idea. You can just as well with a home emergency fund, he contends.

Paying Down Credit Card Debt: High Interest First

Trying to decide which debt to pay down first? Janet at Credit, Eh suggests that you start with the highest interest debt. That way, you’ll save more money over the long run.

The Pros and Cons of Investing in Canada

A great post on the MintLife Blog shares thoughts about investing in Canada. Is it a good choice for your money? Maybe.

Emergencies for Your Emergency Fund

Briana at StupidCents shares some thoughts on your emergency fund. Here are some real emergencies. Try not to raid your emergency fund for anything short of an actual emergency.

Balance Your Savings and Investments While Raising a Family

Robb at CanadianFinance knows it can be tough to invest and save while raising a family. You can improve your financial situation if you follow the practical advice in this post.

Should You Manage Your Money Like the Government?

Benjamin at Quizzle takes a look at the way the government manages its money, and considers something the government does well. He’s not talking about running up debts, though. He’s talking about creating dedicated purposes for your money.

3 Ways Our Business Improved By Doing Nothing

Steve at My Wife Quit Her Job offers a look at how doing nothing can be a great money move. Sometimes you just go with the flow, and stick out the tough times.

Double Income No Kids Yet (DINKY) – How to Manage Your Finances

Everything Finance offers some great ideas on managing your money the smart way when you both make money and you don’t have kids.

Life Insurance Blog