I've been enjoying a few slow paced walks in the last few weeks as I approach the last few weeks of my pregnancy. My favourite time is in the morning when the sun is shining, the air is crisp and there is not a cloud in the sky. Perfection.

Walking helps me stay sane and I have enjoyed doing it for most of my married life. I hope to continue it once bub is born - but we will see how that goes! The track that I walk is on the outskirts of town where I live and I just enjoy the quietness and peacefulness of this area. Lots of trees, birds singing and the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. On my most recent walk I came across these little fuzzy nut things hanging off a maple tree (I think)

My first thought was how great these would look bunched together in a vase. Nature's decoration hanging on a tree for me to pick for free. Just so you know this tree was located in a parkland area so I wasn't stealing off some body's tree in their yard! :-) I gathered a good bunch and continued on with my walk. I was only half way through my walk when I collected these so I had to hold onto them for the rest of the way. I am sure people driving past must of wondered what on earth I was doing with these things.

I collected a few supplies that I had around the house to create the rustic decoration that I had first visualised. I had a clear vase stored at the back of my cupboard that I wasn't using so this was the perfect vessel for the nuts. If you were stuck for finding a clear vase to use why not use a large empty pasta sauce bottle or cookie jar. Other things I collected were cooking twine or jute string as it sometimes called, scissors and one my clay tags that I had left over.

The first step was to cut off the little stalks off a few of the nuts to create a base for the rest to sit on top of. I just adore the texture of these little fuzzy nuts. They are truly unique.

I then continued to fill the vase up with the rest of the nuts leaving the stalks on them and winding them through the display so they didn't stick out the top of the vase. I then pulled a few of the "husks" off one of the older nuts and sprinkled it through out the display as I went to creat a bit more texture.

To finish it off I cut a length of twine and wrapped it around a few times at the top of the vase and attached the clay tag that I had stamped "home" onto the front of the vase. Voila you have a gorgeous rustic decorative piece to brighten up you home with - FOR NOTHING!

If you didn't have clay tags available to attach to the vase a cute vintage tag cut out of some nice rustic brown paper or cardboard would also look great attached to the front with some words inscribed onto it. You could attach anything really to the front depending on you decor and style. Something like the Pinterest inspiration below would look great.

Source: from-the-ground.com via Chansin on Pinterest

The key to any decorative arrangement is about texture and colour. Interior design lesson 101! By keeping similiar colours together and using different textural elements such as the maple nuts, the stalks, the husks of the nuts and the jute string this helps create something that is harmonious but also creates interest with the different textural elements. The clay tag is the centerpiece of the design which adds a point of difference to the textural elements and colours that are already there. Don't be afraid to experiment with different textures, colours and designs when arranging things in vases and there is no right or wrong way of doing it. The main thing is to have FUN!

So on your next jaunt in the park or morning walk keep your eyes open to your surroundings. You will be surprised at what lovely things nature has to offer you to decorate with. The best thing of all is they're free. Oh and try and not steal things from strangers or neighbours yards without getting permission first! :-)