Life and Whim by Heather Harrington

11/06/2026

💗 It Takes a Village 💗

As we reflect on another wonderful opening weekend of the Traverse City Fairy Trails at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park my heart is full of gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who helped bring this year's event to life, from the fairy house makers who spent countless hours dreaming, building, and creating, to the families and visitors who came out to explore the trails and share in the magic.

A special thank you to our incredible event partner, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, whose grounds and beautiful setting provides the perfect home for these tiny worlds of wonder.

We are also so grateful to our volunteers, who helped with everything from planning and setup to welcoming guests, helping with crafts and making sure the day ran smoothly.

And thank you to our generous prize and event supporters:
• Cherry Republic
• Grand Traverse Pie Company
• American Spoon
• Oryana
• Handz On Art

And to Power Book Bags for hosting story hour during the event!

Events like this are only possible because of a community that values creativity, connection, and a little bit of imagination.

Thank you for helping us create something special together. 🧚‍♀️💕

11/06/2026

MAKE SURE TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE FAIRY HOUSES!!

Thank you for for visiting the Fairy Trails and voting in the 2026 Fun Fairy House Competition: Celebrating the Arts & Cultures of America at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park! Voting will conclude by July 3rd. Winners will be announced at A Very Fairy Cherry JamBerry on July 7th at The Bota...

11/06/2026

THANK YOU FAIRY HOUSE MAKERS!
What an incredible opening weekend for the Traverse City Fairy Trails at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park!

Thank you to all of the amazing makers, artists, families, scout troops, organizations, and community members who poured their creativity, imagination, and hard work into this year's fairy houses.

From tiny cottages and magical gardens to entire fairy villages, the creativity on display is truly inspiring.

If you haven't had a chance to visit yet, the fairy houses will remain on trails – be sure to VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE! The People's Choice voting is open through July 3rd!

Thank you for helping bring a little extra wonder to our community 💖💖💖

07/06/2026

🧚✨ TODAY'S THE DAY! ✨🧚

Join us for the Traverse City Fairy Trails Fun Fairy House Competition today from Noon–4 PM at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park!

Come explore dozens of imaginative fairy houses created by families, scout troops, artists, organizations, and community members. From tiny villages and magical gardens to whimsical fairy homes, there’s so much creativity and wonder to discover.

ENJOY:
• Walking the Fairy Trails to see the new fairy houses
• Fairy wand making
• Cookies & lemonade
• A fairy photo booth
• People's Choice voting
• Story Book Ready by Power! Book Bags
• Make sure to stop by the other beautiful gardens
• Lots of fairy magic!

Whether you're participating or simply coming to explore, we'd love to see you there!

A special thank you to our event partner, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, along with our generous prize and event supporters:

Cherry Republic
Grand Traverse Pie Company
American Spoon
Oryana Community Co-op
Handz On Art

05/06/2026

I'm excited to be participating in tonight's TC Art Walk put on by Downtown TC (Official) from 5 to 7 pm at Dharamsala TC! Stop by to see new artwork, watch me paint, and say hello. 🎨✨

02/06/2026

🧚 There’s still time to sign up and make a house for this year’s Fun Fairy House Competition!

SUNDAY, JUNE 7TH
Noon–4 PM
The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park

One of my favorite things about the Traverse City Fairy Trails is seeing the incredible creativity our community brings to life each year.

Families, friends, scout troops, organizations, and individuals all come together to create tiny fairy worlds filled with imagination, whimsy, and wonder.

Whether you're an experienced maker or have never built a fairy house before, we'd love to have you join us!

✨ Registration is free
✨ All makers receive this year's collectible Fairy Trails sticker
✨ People's Choice Award + prizes

Create a fairy house, fairy garden, fairy village, or tiny magical scene and be part of this special community tradition.

Learn more and register here:
https://www.lifeandwhim.com/a-fun-fairy-house-competition-2026

28/05/2026

DON'T MISS THIS FUN FAIRY WORKSHOP TOMORROW!
Friday, May 29th, 2026: 5:00pm-7:00pm
Fairy Home Workshop

Foraged Fairy Home Workshop

The Fairy Forest at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park has captivated our community for years. Have you ever wanted to add to the magic by building your own fairy house, dwarf domicile, or gnome home? In this interactive workshop, Matthew Ross the Executive Director of The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park will lead participants in the development of these magical structures with materials foraged from the grounds of The Botanic Garden and a few additional whimsical elements.

Participants will go home with their very own structure and are encouraged to bring them back to The Botanic Garden on June 7th as we celebrate the Fairy Festival! Houses worked on during the workshop do not have to fit this year’s theme, but are encouraged to do so for the Fairy Fest!

This year’s Fun Fairy House Competition invites you to imagine Crafted by Hand: Celebrating the Arts and Cultures of America!

All materials will be provided. Workshop cost of $10 for supplies.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fairy-home-workshop-tickets-1988187779168

***And there is still time to sign-up for the Fun Fairy House Competition on June 7th at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park!

https://www.lifeandwhim.com/a-fun-fairy-house-competition-2026

24/05/2026

✨ REVEALING THIS YEAR’S FAIRY TRAILS STICKER! ✨

One of my favorite little traditions each year is designing a special sticker for our Fairy House makers for the Fun Fairy House Competition at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park 🌸

Every person who creates a fairy house for the event receives one, and I always have so much fun dreaming up a new design inspired by this year’s theme, creativity, and a little bit of fairy magic.

This year’s design was especially fun to create, inspired by the beautiful quilters, and Life and Whim Studio is happy to once again donate the stickers for all of our wonderful makers.

I can’t wait to see all the imaginative fairy houses and tiny worlds everyone creates this year!

***There is still time to register for the June 7th event!
https://www.lifeandwhim.com/a-fun-fairy-house-competition-2026