Origami-mommy

I don't know how she does it because I've sat down a few times and tried it myself:  that Japanese art of paper folding called origami.  Seems like the directions always lead me from a lovely swan to what looks more like a wadded up ball of paper ready for the waste basket.  But she is meticulous, organized, methodical and most of all patient.  And I admire her.

Last year she made small paper boxes for an Easter dinner we hosted.  Instead of using place markers we filled each little box with chocolates and put guests names on them.  I say we but what I really mean is she.  At the end of the dinner guests took home their party favors.

For Valentine's day this year she made me an origami flower instead of buying me a bouquet.

I don't have to speculate, when I got my flower my knees folded and my heart blossomed.  I think that makes me an origami-mommy.

O Christmas Tree

We regularly do projects together sure to sign and date each one.  Definitely sentimental!  The idea is that one day we will rummage through our things and remember the fun we had together.  That was the idea behind these Christmas tree pieces.  We'd seen a few versions on pinterest with wee little handprints.  The idea is a good one but my wee tots are grown up now.  Still I hope they will want these in their own homes one day.

To get started I rustled up some old 16 x 20 frames and painted them antique gold.  I had some 16 x 20 art canvases on hand and forest green, chocolate brown and metallic gold acrylic paint.  We used foam brushes to paint directly onto the hands and control the amount on each rather than dipping hands directly into the paint and "stamping" the canvas.  The girls had the idea of combining both their hand prints onto each canvas rather than each having their own set of prints.  *Snap*  Great idea!

Once their hand print canvas dried each girl set about topping off their tree with a hand painted gold star.

After the star dried we slid the canvas into the frame and set atop the mantle.  For now two trees rest on either side of my mantle.  One day they'll each have one of these in their own homes.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Your beauty green will teach me
That hope and love will ever be
The way to joy and peace for me.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Your beauty green will teach me.

Not so much speculation about this project.  I know we'll be making this a tradition with grandchildren some day.  And I'll see the twinkling of their little eyes all excited to get their hands painted and a gold star on their hand print tree.