We usually just hang leaves from the light fixture for our thanksgiving day table but this year we decided to make a mobile with materials gathered from a few walks in the woods this past week. It was very easy to make and looked magical above the table on the porch, gently swaying with the warm breeze.
We had already gathered bittersweet vines and hung them around the edge of the porch.
.
The materials you will need for this project are an embroidery hoop, strong thread or crochet cotton, a needle and a variety of gathered natural materials. I thought I might need a glue gun but ended up not needing it.
Step 1 : Go for a walk in the forest or around your neighborhood to gather up some materials.
You can see what I gathered : ginkgo leaves, acorns, feathers, other nuts, pine cones, bittersweet berries, cranberries , quince, bits of birch bark and wood.
Step 2: Thread a long piece of thread on your needle and then start threading items onto it. To separate the items I just tied knots or fastened the string around the article. Make as many string of different lengths as you want on your mobile. I used 5. and then attach them by tying a knot to the embroidery hoop. The placement doesn't matter because you can move them around to balance the hoop later. 
Step 3: Tie four strings about 12 inches long to the embroidery hoop and gather them in the center of the hoop and tie a knot. Make sure they are approximately equidistant from each other so that the hoop with hang level. Now you can secure the mobile to the ceiling with a hook or suitable fixture. 


We hung it around the crocheted orb that I made . It created a magical setting when dusk fell and the orb was lit. I hope you enjoy gathering materials and making a mobile of your own.
I seen that divided plate on
your table earlier.. did you
make this today? I love your
creativity! I wonder how long
it will last, I would guess
that it will dry and still look
lovely! I think that the kids
and I will make this this
weekend! The great thing about
this is you can make it even if
you live in the city! It is
just a walk in the park! My
kids find most of these when
we go out for a walk. Thanks
for the instructions!
B.T.W...tonight I am free!
The baby cut her bottom teeth
today and the first night in 2
weeks she was in bed by 8:00!!
Woohoo!!!!And she is still asleep!
~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Posted by: Rane | October 14, 2008 at 12:46 AM
I made something similar few days ago :)
Posted by: meninheira | October 14, 2008 at 03:58 AM
This brings back memories of making similar items with my children and with the Spark and Brownie groups I was a leader with. I've also make winter ones where you put all your items in a foil dish, cover with water and then freeze. When frozen you can prop it in between a couple of tree branches (preferably seen from a window) and watch the sun sparkle on your creation. Of course you have to have freezing cold Ontario winters to make it. :)
Posted by: Crafty Gardener | October 14, 2008 at 06:48 AM
That is SUCH a great idea! My husband and I pick up treasures on the beach and river all the time-now I know what to do with them! Linking.
Posted by: Rachel | October 14, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Absolutely beautiful Margie!
The last picture with the light on is just magical.
And as always, I am in love with your porch.
When I look at the pictures of your porch I feel relaxed, it has such a beautiful energy.
Thank you so much for the tutorial!
Elsita :)
Posted by: Elsita :) | October 14, 2008 at 03:53 PM
how pretty!
Posted by: jessicajane | October 14, 2008 at 04:48 PM
This is very beautiful! Love the look of the porch.
Posted by: sigrid | October 15, 2008 at 04:33 PM
My daughter constantly collects things from nature and they just collect in little piles everywhere. This is a fantastic idea for her to get stuff off the horizontal surfaces in our house.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Wendy | October 17, 2008 at 10:39 AM
What did you learn from the SAW movies? Human nature?Treasures the life?
Posted by: cheap viagra | February 17, 2010 at 05:19 PM
loved the presentation on using natures colors for a mobile. Very inspiring on so many levels.
Veronica, GJ, Co
Posted by: Veronica Herrera | August 05, 2010 at 03:53 AM
i like those design, how beautiful they are!
Posted by: Nike Dunks | November 08, 2010 at 04:25 AM
absolutely beautiful ..........
how nice kapag meron ka ni2 sa bahay di ba??????????????
Posted by: jenny | September 05, 2011 at 01:55 AM