Do you believe in fairies?
As the mother of two small boys the closest I usually get to fairies is baking fairy cakes. However, even for little boys, there’s still a bit of magic and mystery to the idea of fairies. The tooth fairy has visited us on a few occasions now, and there’s definitely room for a little fairy dust in everyone’s life.
When Ocean Finance invited me to take part in their Fairy Homes Challenge to provide a warm, cosy home for the fairies of the UK during the colder months, I leapt at the chance. On a school trip earlier this year, my son and I had spotted some mysterious little fairy doors on the trees in the Botanic Gardens. All the children were captivated by them, and I couldn’t wait to get started on a little fairy garden of our own.
I was given £40 to create my fairy garden. I found most of the things I needed at a garden centre – a shallow terracotta planter, compost and some lovely plants – thyme, pansies and a miniature conifer. I also found some adorable faux toadstools.
My mum gave me a wonderful hollowed out piece of an old apple tree, which is the perfect little house for a fairy. I planted up my plants around the little stump and my husband sawed up an old branch to make some little stepping stones. A little moss from our lawn helped fill in any gaps.
A little gravel path leads the way to the fairy house, and a few twigs and some string serve as a washing line. I thought they might find a doll’s house size basket and some wooden pegs useful too. The fairies have clearly already been catching up with their washing, much to the fascination of two little boys!
You can keep this planter either indoors or out. Fairies are rather shy, but just remember to keep your eyes peeled for a tell-tale sparkle of fairy dust!
Grubby Little faces says
This is beautiful. My children would love to do a project like this. Magical.
marmaladepie says
Thank you! It’s really captured my boys’ imaginations x
Rachel @ The Ordinary Lovely says
That is beyond cute!!! You are so, so clever. My kiddos would love that but I fear they’d be standing over it all day waiting for the fairies to appear.
marmaladepie says
Thanks Rachel! My eldest really enjoyed re-arranging all the washing – there’s just something so appealing about things in miniature! x
Lins @Boo & Maddie says
What an adorable project to work on!! I definitely believe in fairies and think they’d be very happy with this splendid home X
marmaladepie says
Thank you! Have you ever read about the Cottingley Fairies? I just love those photos and the story behind them x
mummyofboygirltwins says
This is the nicest thing I have seen all day! How gorgeous 🙂 I am sure they will be happy in this superb home 🙂 Jess xx
marmaladepie says
Thanks Jess! I love how cute it is. I think it would be lovely with a bit of Christmas twist too in a couple of months!
Catherine @pushingthemoon says
This made me squeal a little when I saw it! It’s just too cute for words!
G is just starting to show an interest in fairies so I might have to make something similar. Of course if I was doing this for Me I would need to include a mini Darth Vader and a couple of stormtroopers for good measure! xxx
marmaladepie says
Ha, ha… mine were tempted but knew they weren’t allowed!!
Sammy at Seize each day says
I ADORE this – as a firm believer in fairies they definitely need gorgeous little homes like this dotted around. It really is the cutest thing ever and I’m so glad your little ones love it. How lovely that they’ve done their washing too.
Really sweet post.
Sammy x #HomeEtc linky
marmaladepie says
Thanks Sammy! x
Stephanie says
What fun. That’s truly magical 🙂 #homeetc
Caro | The Twinkles Mama says
Awww I LOVE it 🙂 Especially the darling little washing line — that’s a lovely touch Lizzie! I still believe in fairies… after all, there’s no smoke without fire. And fairy dust 😉 Thanks so much for linking up with Jess and me for #HomeEtc, we really appreciate it 🙂 xx
Sabrina says
I love it! So pretty and I love the little tree trunks and the washing line. Sooo cute! Sabrina xx #HomeEtc
mummyofboygirltwins says
Thanks so much for linking up with us! Jess xx
#HomeEtc