Monday, May 18, 2009

Family Tree

I was browsing through BHG and found this adorable family tree. What a fun project to do with your kids and a great way to take an opportunity to tell them about their ancestors.


This isn't the best picture but I wanted you to get an idea of what it looks like.
Isn't it darling?

I've included instructions and a link to the templates. My kids are too little for this one but I'm definitely saving this idea for the future.

materials
  • Tree and ornament templates
  • One (1) 24-inch high cardboard box
  • Corrugated cardboard sheets
  • Thin shirting or packing cardboard sheets
  • Pencil
  • Craft knife and several blades (buy blades suitable for precision work)
  • Quick-setting gel glue
  • Acrylic craft paints in metallic or shimmer finish
  • Small paintbrush
  • 1/16-inch circle and 1/8-inch circle hole punches (optional)
  • Fine-tipped scissors
  • Ornament string or metallic embroidery thread
  • 2x3-inch copies of family photos
  • Double-sided scrapbook paper
tree
  • Download the Tree Template
  • Enlarge the tree template as needed and cut out.
  • Trace around the template onto the cardboard box and cut the panel out
    using the craft knife. Repeat two more times, to make three tree panels in total.
  • Trace around each cardboard tree panel (front and back of each panel) onto the
    smooth side of the corrugated cardboard and cut out with the craft knife.
  • Glue the corrugated cardboard to the front and back of each cardboard tree panel.
    Set aside to dry. When panels are fully dry (10-15 minutes), glue the edges of the
    panels together to create a tripod effect, so that the tree stands on its own.
  • Hold together with your hands for a few minutes until the glue begins to set.
    Let the tree dry while standing
ornaments
  • Print out the ornament templates and cut out.
  • Trace around templates onto the shirting cardboard and cut out with craft knife.
  • Use hole punches to make decorative dots, if desired.
  • Paint the individual templates with acrylic paints and set aside to dry for about 10-15 minutes.
  • Trim photos as needed for each frame and adhere the photo to the second layer of each ornament.
  • Glue the top layer of the ornament onto the second layer.
  • Cut lengths of ornament string or embroidery thread, fold over to make a loop, and adhere to the
    back of each ornament with a little dab of glue. Set aside to fully dry before hanging.
  • Hang ornaments on branches as desired
  • Lastly, cut leaf shapes of varying sizes out of patterned paper (fold paper in half and cut
    out half-circle shapes) and glue to the tree branches.
resources Corrugated cardboard available at some art supply stores or box stores; Most other
supplies available at craft stores: X-acto knives and blades; Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft
Glue; Folk Art acrylic paint by Plaid (Metallic Pearl White, Metallic Antique Gold, Metallic
Peridot - paints can be combined for custom shades); Making Memories scrapbook paper.

3 comments:

  1. Very cute! I love that it stands up and is a tree not a flat surface. I love all the pictures hanging for the limbs. REALLY cute idea for a sharing time or class project. (MY son is too big now) - but my Primary Class would love that.

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  2. Can't wait to make this adorable family tree! Thank you for sharing it.

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  3. This is a great idea! I use this family tree template from Lucidchart and this has given me some great ideas on how I can transfer my information and depict it with such a great craft.

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