cheiro urgia: March 2026

22 March, 2026

Spring to go

Just a quick little post today, an impulsive crafting project I made recently during my rehabilitation stay. We had a bit of a snowstorm shortly after I arrived, which left many trees in the area damaged. Some have fallen, others have lost branches. I decided to pick a small piece from a chestnut tree and place it into one of those paper coffee cups.

I didn't know what to expect, and in fact, nothing happened for a while, but suddenly, the bulbs became bigger. After a while, they opened up to show soft green foliage.

To make the sight more acceptable, I decided to upcycle the paper cup in one of my crafting sessions.

I covered it in multiple layers of white acrylic paint, and once that was dry, I added different shades of brown using a sponge. I let that dry, too, only to realize the upper part had white patches when I was done. I covered that up using dark brown and a pencil, which makes for that difference in colour. I liked the contrast, however, and decided to leave it that way.

I then created a small tag saying "Spring to go". I didn't use my best handwriting, but I added two tiny hearts and a pink button. It was the best thing I could find among the crafting supplies, and I used its holes to position it onto the cup: taking a raffia-covered wire, I pierced through the paper cup and the tag, adding a button, and finishing everything with a bow.

As for the papercup, I decided to leave it like this, just a plain paper cup covered in brown acrylic paint.

Once I was done, I placed the tiny branch back into the paper cup. I think it gives for a nice, even though modest, Easter/spring arrangement. The bulbs have opened up completely by now, and the leaves are growing from day to day. I wonder how much they'll continue growing? And what will I do with it once I'll be heading home? I guess I'll leave it on the exchange-counter for somebody else to enjoy and observe the development.

challenges:

- krafty chicks: CAS

- 613 avenue create: ATG

- a place to start: ATG

- allsorts challengeblog: ATG

- card free zone: ATG but a card

- crafty calendar: spring

- crafty catz: ATG

- crafty gals corner: ATG

- creative crafty uncles: spring/Easter

- do-all kreatives: ATG

- lil patch of crafty friends: ATG handmade

- little red wagon: signs of spring

- love to craft: ATG

- make my monday: all tied up - string, ribbon, twine

- morgans artworld: ATG

- nachteulen: spring/Easter

- sparklesmonthlychallenges: springtime

- try it on tuesday: spring

- wortartwednesday: ATG

06 March, 2026

Wildflowers

Hello and welcome to yet another challenge over at the Alphabet challenge blog. We've reached the letter W, and your task is to showcast "wildflowers" on your creations. With nature awakening, I'm sure you'll find plenty of ideas everywhere. And of course, the DT has been busy as well, preparing a variety of wildflower-inspired art for you.

As for my DT project, it goes way back to my rehabilitation last year. I found a wooden bunny during crafting therapy, and I knew immediately that I'd like to bring it to life somehow. As I focused on other projects, however, I only managed to cover the silhouette in white acrylic paint. I then took it home, but never really found the time to finish what I had in mind. Partly, because I couldn't pick the right napkin for decoupage, partly because renovations & moving, and mostly due to health issues.

When I packed for this years' rehabilitation, I decided to take the bunny with me. I also packed a couple of art supplies which I'd leave in the crafting room fto refill the stash. Amongst the things I wanted to keep for myself was a napkin with wildflowers - you see, I already had a faint idea on how to decorate that bunny, except I ran out of time before I left for rehabilitation.

Once I found myself in the art therapy room, I quickly picked my crafting supplies. I covered the bunny in another layer of white acrylic paint and proceeded to cut out a couple of wildflowers. Turns out the bunny silhouette was rather small in comparison to the blooms, but I tried to pick the ones that wouldn't look all too odd. I also decided to add a bee on each side.

When that was dome, I placed them onto the bunny, and added a bit of grass by using different shades of green acrylic paint. I then sealed everything with napkin glue.

And then, I started looking for a location for the photoshoot. I figured it would be fitting to include some wildflowers which came out out during the past warm and pleasant spring days. I sneaked my bunny into the local rose garden, where patches of primroses grow along the paths. The bunny seems to blend in with its flowers, and doesn't the bee look like it's alive?

Fun fact: this was only my second attempt to get decent pictures. In my first try along the road, I managed to incorporate some primroses as well, but the direct sunlight seemed to cast a strong contrast between the surfaces, which is why I figured the shady gardens would be more suitable.

However, as I was packing up, I noticed a movement in the grass... a tiny red button crawling onto the primrose blooms...

I can't help but the sight of a ladybug is like an instant shot of happiness to me, and you can imagine my surprise when I discovered a whole ladybug family! Apparently, they spent the night under an old leaf and were only waking up when I barged in with my bunny. If only I could know what they were thinking?