Tuesday, September 28, 2010

newspaper chains

paper doll and house chains
What do you do when your child is sick in bed for the second day in a row?  Climb right in with her for a little crafting and storytelling. Using the old fashioned method of cutting accordion folded paper, we created an instant village among the snowy white mountains blankets.  We took turns making up silly tales. When my daughter was ready to return to the stack of books at her bedside, I couldn't resist snipping some little acorns. I had been dreaming of a mixed fall leaf chain, but frankly my sleepy brain (lots of middle of the night waking going on these last couple of days) and uncoordinated fingers needed something easy.
acorn chain sketch
Later on, when we both felt a bit more energized, we went downstairs and applied some watercolors.
paper doll painting
Both of us are happy with how they turned out.Quite. I get a crazy amount of satisfaction out of cut and painted newspaper, as you well know! We'll be returning to these kinds of chains even after her sore throat disappears.
acorn chani
acorns and chain
With all of the big box stores out there, it's easy to forget about simple materials and traditional crafts. But you and I won't, will we? Please keep spreading the word: you've already got everything on hand... or maybe out back in those recycling bins! Now, onto those leaf chains...
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32 comments:

  1. making do...
    the acorn chain is very beautiful!

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  2. Beautiful! I love the watercolored acorn chains the best :-)

    Lovely!

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  3. i love that acorn chain. so cool.
    You are so right about using things at home to craft with. We don't always have to have the latest toy for our kids to play with. There is so much fun to be had with things we already have. Thanks for the reminder.

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  4. oh thank you for the reminder to use what we have - these are just the perfect fall craft!

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  5. oh i love paper/newspaper chains! and this acorn one is right on time for fall....
    and i find that kids really have some much more fun when its about creating and crafting their own toys!
    as always you always remind us how to get back to those simple little things ...

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  6. These are so great Maya! I'm tempted to dig in the neighbor's trash to find some newspaper now. None in our house, I miss it for crafting!

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  7. I just love this idea. Unfortunately, my kiddos would trash them before I could take paint to them...I'll put this in the "to do in 3-4 more year file." ;)

    Very resourceful you are, and I love it!

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  8. The acorn chain is fabulous; thank you for sharing!!!

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  9. I just adore all the projects you make with your kids! I can't wait until my baby gets big enough so that we can tell stories together and make fun crafts :)

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  10. you had me a leaves....and the acorn chain is over the top good....well done you!

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  11. So sweet. Hope she is on the mend. xox Corrine

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  12. That acorn chain is so lovely! We don't get the newspaper so I'll have to beg some off the neighbors! It's just too cute not to make!

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  13. Such a cool idea! I love the happy little acorns. I don't have any little ones around to craft with, but maybe I'll make some paper acorns of my very own to (please? hopefully?) usher in fall.

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  14. We love paper chains!!! We love watercolors!!! We should definitely connect the two, they look lovely!!! Hope your little one is feeling totally well soon!!!

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  15. I love the newpaper city. I have so many bulletin boards and showcases to do at school and I am envisioning something based on that. Hmmm.... jan

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  16. What a fabulous idea for a sick little girl. All of the paper chains are so charming! I love them all, and will remember this idea if my own little girl needs a sick-craft!

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  17. I love, love, love working with newspaper. There's something so simple about it, I feel good re-purposing and the possibilities are endless. This idea is fantastic!

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  18. Those acorn chain turned out beautifully!! Love that idea! Will give it a try with my 3year old, hope we don't snip any fingers! LOL

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  19. Lovely!!!I am going to make something with the opened up envelopes.

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  20. I love the acorn chain! So simple and pretty that I have to postpone my sewing, have a cup of coffee instead and read the newspapers (with scissors and pencils waiting for their big mission ;-)

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  21. What a lovely idea! One more thing to do at the weekend! Thanks!

    Eva

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  22. LOVE THIS! Thanks for sharing - quick question .. did you find the newspaper and water color combo to work well? I envision the newspaper buckling a bit, but perhaps it's a little more absorbent then I am imagining :)
    Love the results here. Thanks for the fabulous inspiration!

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  23. These are so beautiful! I want to give this a try sometime...

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  24. Your paper chains are one of the most delightful and original craft projects I have seen in years. I linked to this page and the original paper chain page from my blog Don't Blame the Kitchen because once I saw them, everything else I thought of putting up seemed pretty lame. My daughter and I are daily visitors. Thank you.

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