Saturday, October 25

Been a while, sorry!

I've been swamped lately at school, and it doesn't look like it will let up for a week or two, at least. Please accept my apologies. In the meantime, please enjoy a website I've recently discovered (thanks to Mel at Mel Stampz) called Paper Garden.

I think I could blow my entire salary at this website. So you go enjoy while I work away like a busy bee!

Sunday, October 12

Sharing the love


As a teacher, I don't have a lot of time to craft. So it's a really cool perk that I can get my fix by having my students do some projects from time to time. A couple of years ago, I got my paper groove on while teaching 7th grade math. I used Paper Square Geometry to teach geometric concepts while the kids and I made some cool models to take home when we were done. I've also used popcorn snacks as an excuse to make a simple box from paper. I know, it's pretty pathetic...but a girl does what she must to survive paper withdrawals.

Just last week, however, we did something really cool. One of the classes I teach is a World Cultures & Geography class. To hold some memories and information from our "travels" we created a "passport". Here's one student's creation.

It's simple really: we took a card blank (about 4"x5"), and inside we glued a white paper book we made ourselves. I'll try to post complete directions in a tutorial later.

So, now the kids have a place to put some information about countries we "visit". We made this book after I showed them my passport and talked with them about entering and exiting a country, the visa stamps you receive at customs & immigration, and health concerns to be aware of before traveling. The kids will keep basic information in their passport and get an entry "visa" once they've finshed entering it in the passport. Once "in the country" they'll do a project to explore, then get an exit "visa" once they successfully complete their project. I hope it turns out to be as cool for them as it is for me!

Friday, October 10

Say, "Yeah, Baby!"

I found a super cool website today! If you haven't visited origami.com, you should. They have a diagram database with .pdf instructions for lots and lots of models. I have several origami books I reference, but sometimes I want something new, or I'm looking for directions that I can provide for my students. This site is awesome!

Wednesday, October 8

My first paper experience

Today, I want to share with you my first experience crafting with paper. I don't count the times I was just "foolin' around" with paper, because I tend to think of crafting as deliberate. There will always be times when I might try a random new technique that results in an accidental epiphany, but by and large I have a plan before I begin.

My first paper craft was a card I made for my mom. I had actually forgotten all about it until a few months ago when she whipped it out after my sister-in-law's baby shower. I was in charge of keeping track of the gifts and the givers, so to kill time between entries, I started doodling on the paper to "dress it up" since it was going into the baby book for posterity. The end product reminded mom of the first handmade card I gave her, so she brought it out to show me.

It was very simple, really. I was in college, poor as dirt, but wanted to give Mom something hand-crafted and heart-felt. All I had was construction paper, so I created a sunset scene with blues, pinks and yellows. I decided to tear the paper instead of cutting to create ragged edges that sort of remind me of how everything seems to just blurr together at dusk and twilight. I used a marker to write a sentiment and note to Mom.

When she brought it out, I immediately remembered making it for her. I couldn't believe that she had saved it all these years, though. When I asked her why she kept such a cheap card she said it was because I made it from what I had, and obviously put time and love into it. That meant more to her that the materials it was made from.

I think that probably sums up why I continue paper crafting. I can make very elaborate creations with paper, but I don't have to have the most cutting edge products to do so. A few simple tools is all it takes to make something wonderful.

Saturday, October 4

Welcome to my debut

Welcome to my insane world of paper! I love papercrafting: origami, cardmaking, teabag folding, scrapbooking...if it involves paper, I'm there.

It's an interesting contrast, however, to my equally insane love of digital gadgety-things. I can lose myself for HOURS playing with an electronic device, but the same is true for paper crafts.

I hope on this blog to share with you some of my creations, or links to interesting sites or super cool tools to make crafting with paper more fun.

Thanks for coming, and please come again soon!
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