Hey there, nature lovers! Today, I’m thrilled to share a little story about a humble, often overlooked plant that’s been a quiet hero in my life—plantain weed. Not to be confused with the banana-like fruit, this little green gem is a common backyard “weed” with a surprising amount of charm and usefulness. So, grab a cozy cup of tea, and let’s wander into the world of plantain together.
Wildcrafting
Wildcrafting connects the garden and wild spaces through responsible harvesting and plant-based projects. This section shows how to gather berries, nuts, flowers, and herbs safely and turn them into seasonal creations.
You’ll find foraged food recipes like jams and jellies, herbal salves, bath products, natural dyes, and inks made from plants such as elderberry and black walnut. You’ll also discover simple botanical projects like flower pressing. Each post focuses on proper plant identification, careful harvesting, and respect for local ecosystems.
Whether you work in your backyard garden or gather from nearby fields and forests, wildcrafting blends observation, creativity, and practical skills into one meaningful process.
Black Walnut Ink: Craft Rich, Natural Ink From Foraged Nuts
Junk Journal / Scrapbooking > Foraging, Recipes & Art
Creating black walnut ink for drawing or journaling is a fun and eco-friendly way to explore artistic expression.
Elderberry Ink: Turn Nature’s Berries Into Stunning Art Supplies
Making elderberry ink can be a do-it-yourself project. The process involves collecting ripe elderberries, extracting their juice, and combining it with a binder and other ingredients. The ink is then strained and bottled for use.
Wild Violet Lavender Bath Salts: Blossom-Infused Bliss
There’s something magical about sinking into a warm bath, surrounded by the gentle scent of lavender and the delicate charm of wild violets. These wild violet lavender bath salts are a breeze to make, fill your bathroom with a calming aroma, and make heartfelt, homemade gifts for friends and family. Join me in this simple DIY project celebrating nature’s beauty and the joy of creating something special.
DIY Flower Press: Preserve Nature’s Beauty
Over the summer I created an Adobe project, where I shared pictures detailing my newfound hobby of pressing flowers with the public. I had a link that went to the DIY flower press instructions on my Smugmug account. Someone recently reached out and mentioned the link was set to private. Yep, it is. Sorry about … Read more
What Are Mulberries: Your Guide To Identifying, Harvesting, and Enjoying Black, Red, and White Varieties
Fruits, Herbs & Veggies> Foraging / Recipes / Art
I just grabbed a basket of juicy mulberries from my friend’s white mulberry bush, its oak-like leaves make it a standout! Mulberries grow in the wild, but can also be planted in your yard for both your enjoyment and the birds.
If you’re excited to explore mulberries, this guide will help you identify the three main types—black, red, and white—know when to pick them, and savor their flavors.
How To Dry Herbs and Flowers
How To Dry Herbs and Flowers
Step-by-step guide of the 5 methods of how to dry herbs and flowers. I have preserved flowers and herbs for many different projects over the years. There are several different ways to preserve flowers and herbs, but what it boils down to is what kind of project you will do with the end dried herb or flower that matters.
Dyeing Cotton Using Raspberries: From Fruit To Fabric
Dyeing Cotton Using Raspberries My daughter and I have been experimenting with making natural dyes from berries and plants for the past few days to dye clothing. We decided to do a few color samples by dyeing cotton using raspberries. Although we have concentrated on dyeing cotton fibers, you can dye a variety of materials. … Read more