caterpillar and mushroom gifts
The little ladies came in the other day with gifts for me. They left the last few flowers blooming in the yard to reseed and found different sorts of gifts. Fauna found an Eastern Black Swallowtail caterpillar and Araina had a perfectly formed white mushroom.
I especially love the longevity of these beautiful gifts. Araina immediately ran to the table and set up the mushroom to make a spore print and Fauna put our 7th EBS caterpillar in the winter habitat with the other 6 caterpillars.
I just can’t resist mentioning that the top photo reminds me of a certain famous caterpillar (minus a hookah) that sits atop a mushroom offering Alice “advice”-
“This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, `I–I hardly know, sir, just at present– at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.’
`What do you mean by that?’ said the Caterpillar sternly. `Explain yourself!’
`I can’t explain MYSELF, I’m afraid, sir’ said Alice, `because I’m not myself, you see.’
`I don’t see,’ said the Caterpillar.
`I’m afraid I can’t put it more clearly,’ Alice replied very politely, `for I can’t understand it myself to begin with; and being so many different sizes in a day is very confusing.’
`It isn’t,’ said the Caterpillar.
`Well, perhaps you haven’t found it so yet,’ said Alice; `but when you have to turn into a chrysalis–you will some day, you know–and then after that into a butterfly, I should think you’ll feel it a little queer, won’t you?’
`Not a bit,’ said the Caterpillar.
`Well, perhaps your feelings may be different,’ said Alice; `all I know is, it would feel very queer to ME.’”
-Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Illustrator- Gordon Robinson (1916) (found at zorger.com)
*I too have often wondered this myself. Do caterpillars feel a little odd after their amazing change?!
What sweet gifts! That caterpillar is cute! We haven’t tried spore prints yet, I know, I know, bad mama! I think you have inspired us!
Lisa
The mushroom spore print is on construction paper. Love the idea of doing it munlin and trying felt. I will do that the next time.
Tara, it depends on the color of mushroom spores. Some leave a brown print. We usually have the best results with manila or brown paper.
Ya know, I’ve been through many transformations in my time and I’ve only ever felt queer whenever I was not being who God intended for me to be. Whenever I was being true and authentic and pure, I’ve felt right at home and perfectly at ease. Perhaps this is what the caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland is referring to.
That spore print is amazing! Is that fabric? Amazing
I love spore prints! Alice in Wonderland always creeps me out a bit though…
I love mushrooms! And that one that the little ladies brought you really does remind me of Alice in Wonderland.
Did you do the sporeprint on a piece of felt? I did a black on with the girls on muslin and it turned out wonderfully. I hadn’t thought about felt.
I love to know if that is actually what it is.
Sweet post as always. Sweet girls as always!
I love the photo
It does make you think of Alice and her caterpillar encounter.
How enchanting! I agree with your musing about how a catepillar must feel after they change. By their delightful fluttering, I should think they are quite happy with the change
I love that spore print! Now I want to pull my Alice and Wonderland off the bookshelf. I hope you are having a nice Friday!
Sara
What beautiful gifts from nature. Owen and I are going to try spore prints ~ looks like using darker paper works better?
Lovely photos Lisa!!
We’re still thinking ink berries… maybe we’ll add mushrooms to the day if we can find any still!
Hi Lisa
Your mushrooms stamps, I certainly try.
The white stamp is beautifully!
I love Alice.
I’m full of inspiration again.
Thanks
Patricia…. enjoy your weekend
One of my favorite books is called “Hope for the Flowers”. It is such a wonderful book of the butterfly transformation. I bet you have read it… probably own it actually. But I read it to my kids all the time and just love that version of the difference of self.
Beautiful picture. Just breath taking.
Val
i love the print. and i just came from renee’s FIMBY where she quoted charlotte’s web. i think i am in classic literature heaven at the moment!
nicola
http://whichname.blogspot.com
I love the subtle-ness of the spore print.
Also, Alice is my all time favourite character/book. I have a beautifully illustrated version that includes Through the Looking Glass that I am just dying to read to Wednesday. For now, I am collecting different age level readers. Right now it is all about Beginner books but soon…soon!
Yes please tell us more about the spore print, its so pretty! I also wanted to add (and I might be a bit tired, or melodramatic here) that your excerpt from Alice in Wonderland makes me want to run on over to Amazon and buy it RIGHT NOW. I want to have it in my hands very badly. I wonder what age I can read it to my daughter? Is a sensitive 5 too young? hmmm. Off to research.
Don’t you love those special gifts from our kiddos?!
Beth, visit this post: http://www.5orangepotatoes.com/blog/2009/06/02/mushroom-spore-printing/
Now to go and list it under nature activities.
Hi! Can you teach me how to make a spore print?