Victoria's Book of Projects with Everlasting Flowers

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Seven- to 12-year-old girls will especially enjoy these craft projects,
all of which use natural materials such as twigs and dried grass,
highlighted with a few everlasting flowers, ribbons, and so forth. The
projects include wreaths, wall and table decorations, Christmas tree
trims, Valentine mementos, a picture frame, baskets, and various
whimsies. The materials required are inexpensive and easily obtained.
Many can be gathered from garden, field, and hedgerow, while the accent
flowers, imitation birds, lace, and ribbons can be purchased at a
florist or craft shop. No special tools are needed. The projects have
all been child-tested by a 7-year-old.

The projects are definitely feminine, with bows, ribbons, and paper
lace setting the tone. In theme they tend to be Victorian—delicate,
dainty, even ephemeral. Their attractiveness often comes from an artful
simplicity. Natural materials are accented rather than overwhelmed by
ribbons and lace.

Although simple enough for young children to complete, some of the
projects will also appeal to adults; the booklet includes ideas for
easily produced place-setting decorations, party favors, gift parcel
trims, and a centrepiece suitable for a Thanksgiving table. For
children, the projects require manual dexterity and patience to produce
neat work. While they involve assembling materials into an object (as
opposed to creating from scratch, as would be the case with crafts such
as knitting or pottery), there is room for creative expression in the
selection and arrangement of materials, colors, and textures.
Recommended.