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

42 comments:

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

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

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  4. 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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  5. cool activity! Thanks for sharing!

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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. What a great idea!
    Enjoy today.
    Nickyx

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

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

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

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

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

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  15. 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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  16. 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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  17. 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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  18. 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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  19. 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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  20. I'm new to your blog and love your style. Very inspiring.

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

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  22. So sweet! Keep those burlap ideas coming! :)

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  23. 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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  24. 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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  25. 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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  26. 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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  27. Holly,
    Please feel free to post this (with proper credits)... who wouldn't want to spread HOPE!! :)
    Thanks so much!

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

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  29. 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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  30. 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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  31. 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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  32. 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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  33. 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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  34. This is wonderful! I just love it - and it matches your banner!

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

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