Tuesday, January 20, 2009

how to: grow hope


I've been trying to include my children in my excitement and anticipation about this Inauguration Day. We've had lots of discussions about hope and new opportunities. We decided to do a little project in honor of this significant day in U.S. history. This is a symbolic reminder of the power of planting seeds, caring for them, and watching them grow. It's also an easy activity for any age.
-For instructions on how to grow paper whites in recycled soup cans, please review this December post.
-Choose a word you would like to grow and plant a bulb for each letter.
-Stamp, embroider, or glue your letters to the front of each can.
-Nurture your word and watch it grow! Pin It
Posted by mayaluna at 12:00 AM Labels: ,

42 comments:

  1. mrs boo radleyJanuary 20, 2009 at 12:02 AM

    Brilliant! I love this.

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  2. JennJanuary 20, 2009 at 12:18 AM

    such a beautiful and inspiring concepts!! what lucky children to grow up in such an enriching environment!!

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  3. theveryflowersJanuary 20, 2009 at 12:31 AM

    What a neat concept...I love the idea behind this! This would also be a sweet valentine, spelling out LOVE, and growing something sweet inside...So many possibillities!

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  4. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2009 at 1:01 AM

    I love this idea. So sweet and simple. Thanks!

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  5. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2009 at 1:07 AM

    Maya, your creations are always so inspiring! What a beautiful way to inspire hope in even the smallest, yet most important, elements in life.

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  6. MariJanuary 20, 2009 at 1:12 AM

    cool activity! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Sonia / COZY MEMORIESJanuary 20, 2009 at 3:05 AM

    Brilliant idea, Maya. It's simple & meaningful, you're so good at find such neat ideas !
    I agree, lucky children you have, to have such a mama !
    Much love oxoxo

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  8. Carol in SwedenJanuary 20, 2009 at 3:43 AM

    HAPPY INAUGURATION DAY!

    HOPE and CHANGE are vibrating through the air all over the world!

    Enjoy this special once in a life time day!

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  9. Hollypop'sJanuary 20, 2009 at 3:44 AM

    What a great idea!
    Enjoy today.
    Nickyx

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  10. Margie OomenJanuary 20, 2009 at 6:02 AM

    We here in Canada are filled with hope and the spirit of celebration of this most beautiful day in January.

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  11. mandaJanuary 20, 2009 at 6:51 AM

    I'm really really hoping that Obama lives up to Americas expectations. I'd hate to see you all let down. :)

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  12. Astrid in Bristling AcresJanuary 20, 2009 at 6:52 AM

    A very sweet idea.

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  13. Crescent MoonJanuary 20, 2009 at 7:20 AM

    That is a very cute idea!
    I love the idea that "hope" is growing.

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  14. HollyJanuary 20, 2009 at 8:33 AM

    fantastic idea!

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  15. CindyJanuary 20, 2009 at 8:46 AM

    this is a wonderful idea!

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  16. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2009 at 8:56 AM

    Thank you for this beautiful and touching creation. Happy Inauguration Day!

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2009 at 9:11 AM

    That is so excited that you are sharing with your kids. Good for you!

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  18. C.E.R.January 20, 2009 at 9:37 AM

    What a wonderful idea! LOVE it! Happy Inauguration Day!

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  19. ZenCrafterJanuary 20, 2009 at 10:18 AM

    What a beautiful project! We all need the hope that is sowing in those containers to get us through the next few years. I'm so happy that we as a nation are returning to a "we generation" after so many decades of selfishness and greed and overconsumption. I think it's no coincidence that this is happening at the same time as the resurgence of the craft movement, and I'm proud that you and creators like you are sowing these seeds of hope in our children.

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  20. Snippety GibbetJanuary 20, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    That's lovely, Maya.

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  21. mayalunaJanuary 20, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    Thanks for your wonderful responses! A special note for anonymous abusive comments: This blog is a bit like my home. I am happy to open the doors and invite EVERYONE in, but if you don't have something nice to say, please refrain from the urge to leave negativity here. If you do, it will only be deleted. I will be sending you some extra HOPE for kindness.

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  22. Rachel@oneprettything.comJanuary 20, 2009 at 1:07 PM

    This is so fantastic Maya! I'm watching the inauguration right now as I work on the site. So exciting. I'm adding this to my Roundup right now.

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  23. Allison the MeepJanuary 20, 2009 at 1:34 PM

    Cool idea! What kind of plant did you use? We recently had a failed experiment with rooting a rosemary clipping. Seeds are a much better way to go. Plus, tracking the progress is really fun for kids (and grown ups too!)

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  24. mayalunaJanuary 20, 2009 at 1:59 PM

    Post speech: Feeling so happy! Shedding many tears!Thinking about shared responsibility.



    Rachel- looking forward to the round-up!
    allison the meep- we planted paper whites the link is in the post. :)

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  25. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2009 at 3:56 PM

    I'm new to your blog and love your style. Very inspiring.

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  26. MollyJanuary 20, 2009 at 5:51 PM

    love it maya! (as seen on whip up :)

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  27. JillJanuary 20, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    So sweet! Keep those burlap ideas coming! :)

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  28. Allison the MeepJanuary 20, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    Oh man, I'm retarded. I totally see it right there - paper whites. I must have overlooked it the first time.

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  29. sarahJanuary 20, 2009 at 9:46 PM

    Lovely! Perfect for today. I watched the inauguration today with my little one, but she is too young to understand. However, I thought it was important non the less.

    I thought his speech was fantastic - I got all teary eyed and goose bumpy.

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  30. Shaun and HollyJanuary 20, 2009 at 10:22 PM

    So wonderful!

    I posted this on my blog, I hope that is OK? Please let me know if you wish me to remove it.

    Holly

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  31. Shaun and HollyJanuary 20, 2009 at 10:24 PM

    Oh dear...at closer glance, I see that I must get your permission 1st. So I have taken your image off my blog until I hear from you! Sorry about that!! :)

    Holly

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  32. mayalunaJanuary 20, 2009 at 10:39 PM

    Holly,
    Please feel free to post this (with proper credits)... who wouldn't want to spread HOPE!! :)
    Thanks so much!

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  33. StephanieJanuary 20, 2009 at 11:35 PM

    I love this idea. Plus the extra awesomeness of flowers in the dead of winter.

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  34. Dim Sum, Bagels, and CrawfishJanuary 21, 2009 at 12:20 AM

    Maya, what a simple, yet meaningful way to mark such a historic day. And it goes so beautifully with the final lines of Elizabeth Alexander's poem:

    "In today's sharp sparkle, this winter air, anything can be made, any sentence begun.

    On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp -- praise song for walking forward in that light."

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  35. julieJanuary 21, 2009 at 8:21 AM

    what a great idea - and there couldn't be a better word for the day.

    Love it, thanks for sharing such a great idea xx

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  36. costumegalJanuary 21, 2009 at 11:46 AM

    Beautiful! Love that stenciling!

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  37. ColleenJanuary 21, 2009 at 1:08 PM

    love to you for the flowers, for the idea, but most of all for the hope and the love.

    i haven't been this happy in years. oh, how lucky i feel to be in this country at this time.

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  38. Sonia / COZY MEMORIESJanuary 21, 2009 at 4:09 PM

    Hi Maya,
    it's totally unrelated to your blog's entry, but I have a little something for you at my blog today (21st), if you have some time to look at it. :)
    Hope everything is OK & that you're doing fine. Thinking about you. oxox

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  39. Ana CastilloJanuary 21, 2009 at 4:10 PM

    this is sooo awesome!!i love it

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  40. Jan HoltJanuary 21, 2009 at 5:37 PM

    I am so glad you are part of my world now! You give ME hope that maybe I can try something new and have fun with my daughter!

    Thanks so much!

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  41. Boutique By BonnieJanuary 21, 2009 at 8:25 PM

    This is wonderful! I just love it - and it matches your banner!

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  42. Mrs.FrenchJanuary 21, 2009 at 10:49 PM

    Yay maya! I adore this project and the symbolism is perfect! xo t

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