When my friend Marcie Chambers Cuff, author of This Book Was a Tree (Perigree, 2014) asked us if we’d like to join her virtual book tour we jumped at the chance. I’ve had her inspiring book for a few weeks now, and every time I flip through it I’m struck with a new slice of inspiration.
The book is packed with ideas on how to reconnect our digital, nature-deprived selves with the earth through hands-on making, journalling, adventuring, and playing outdoors.
“Marcie Cuff makes nature even more fun than the way you find it. This is a book about imagination and creativity — and getting dirty.”
– David Yarnold, President and CEO of the National Audubon Society
One of the first projects that caught my attention involved upcycling wool sweaters into felted flowers. Felting old sweaters has long been on my to-do list, so when my friend Danielle recently gifted me the most gorgeous handmade felted cuff and belt I knew this would be the project to dive into first and learn how to do this myself.
I’ll share all the details on how to felt a wool sweater tomorrow, but for now I’ll share a little preview…
Somewhere, in a book of advice on aging, I read a fine adage: Do something real every day. That’s good advice for people of every age. From the title of the book, through all of its pages of ideas and adventures, Marcie Chambers Cuff helps us remember what’s real and what makes kids and their families feel fully alive in a virtual age.”
-Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods
What’s Inside?
The book is packed with so many ideas that I know will keep my family busy for a long, long time. Here are just a few of the thoughtful and novel projects inside this humble book:
- Make a junk journal
- DIY Pinhole Camera (including the science behind the art)
- Upcycled Terrarium
- Tree Stump Sundial
- A list full of ideas for decompressing and slowing down
- Make an Ecological Calendar
- Make all-natural bug lotion
This Book Was a Tree Blog Tour
This book tour started on April 1, so if you’re on the fence about purchasing a copy today, scoot around and see what these amazing bloggers have to say about it.
Giveaway!!
You didn’t really think we’d share this book without giving one away, did you? Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and we’ll announce the giveaway in the next couple days.
See Marcie Cuff in Real Life
If you’re in NY, CT, TX, or PA, Marcie has some cool in-person events where you can learn how to felt wool, make seed bombs, and more.
How do I win a copy?
I want to load this book