4th graders make me happy . . .

Every year I fold origami cranes with the 4th graders at the school where I work.

Every year I enjoy it a little bit more.  I think 4th graders are wonderful!

You can see more of their paper cranes here.  I started my paper crane project a few years ago . . . not intending for it to take me so long - but I am still at it. I am pretty sure I have folded over 1000 cranes outside of the ones I have folded for my project . . . and usually after I do this with the 4th graders - some of the kids go "crane crazy" for awhile . . . so I will probably be sitting with some of them at lunch recess folding more.  

more paper cranes . . . .

So I fold them . . . then fold more of them. . . and then I have to do something with them. 

So I give them to kids and use them for my 1000 paper crane project . . . and for right now I seem to be obsessed with making these ornaments.  

I am really going to like my Christmas tree this year!

It all starts with one little bead . . .

 Jake and Kasey wanted a dream catcher to hang in Avery's nursery.  (No Avery yet, but very soon.)

I don't  think I would have ever made a dream catcher otherwise . . . and I'm not sure if I will ever make another one . . . although I do have some ideas.  

 All the beads on the table inspired Lily to make a necklace.  She spent the night this weekend . . . so we painted . . . and beaded . . . and read . . . and stayed up late eating popcorn and drinking root beer.

Fun Night!

I've been folding these cranes from old book pages . . . hoping to get enough to fill up a tree this coming Christmas.  I have over 200 so far . . . I think I will have enough by December.  

origami obsessed . . .

I just keep folding . . . when maybe I should be doing other things, but sometimes this is exactly what I need to do.  I have probably made about 400 paper cranes the last couple of weeks - most of them for the kids at the school where I work.  I am not sure how they caught on . . . but for right now these kids like paper cranes and I enjoy all the kids . . . so I will keep folding.  I also have plans to make some ornaments and have enough cranes made out of old book pages to decorate a Christmas tree this coming year.  I seem to be a little origami obsessed. 

origami . . . charlotte . . . and ramen

 Charlotte saw me folding paper cranes and wanted to make some herself.  She told the that she liked origami and she wanted to do it all by herself.  

She asked for a little help at first . . . then decided that she was able to do it . . . 

. . . so well in fact, that she folded this "origami bubble gum."

I love ramen . . . I have a weakness for ramen.  I think I could eat it nearly everyday.

So finally decided to find a recipe and make some.  It turned out pretty good . . . and I can't wait to make it again and try something a little different. 

. . . .and - if you haven't seen the movie - Ramen Girl - find it and watch it! 

A bowl of ramen is a self-contained universe with life from the sea, the mountains, and the earth. All existing in perfect harmony. Harmony is essential. What holds it all together is the broth. The broth gives life to the ramen.

~ Maezumi, Ramen Girl

more paper cranes . . . .

 Charlotte wanted to color with me  - so we worked on coloring some origami paper. 

 She had to leave before her sheet was finished . . . so that paper crane is yet to come.

  I can't wait to see what her crane looks like once she is done and I get it folded.

 I used some watercolor pencils on my sheet .  I colored it rather quickly and 

dabbed it here and there with a wet paint brush . . . then had to wait

for it to dry before folding a crane.  I like how it turned out . . . but then,

I always like how paper cranes turn out.  

I have been a little obsessed with paper cranes this week!

paper cranes . . .

It was a cold and rainy weekend . . . perfect for being inside and getting online to list my Shabby Charlotte dolls.  Instead . . . I folded paper cranes.  I will get the dolls listed soon.
 I seemed to have had origami paper all over the place . . . so decided to get it all back in order.
After looking at all the beautiful paper I just felt the need to make some cranes.
Happy Monday!

keeping the winter blahs away . . .

Winter days call for some color - don't you think? 

 I am not a big fan of winter . . .  and January seems to want to get the better of me sometimes. 

 I tend to put up a fight when things want to get the better of me.  So I am fighting back with paint, and origami paper, and monkey button rings.  

"They say a person needs just three things

to be truly happy in this world:

someone to love, something to do, 

and something to hope for."

~ Todd Bodett

paper cranes and paint . . .

Faith is not about everything turning out okay.

Faith is about being okay 

no matter how things turn out.

I am back to work this week after two weeks off - which I suppose is a good thing.  Being back on a schedule seems to help me in some ways . . . but I am missing my late nights and days filled with doing exactly what I want to do.  

I am finding a little time each day to play and create something.  

That is good for me . . . good for who I am.  

a priceless gift . . .

I received this wonderful origami dress today.  It was a gift from one of our students.

She has been stopping by my desk for a few years . . .  for a hug or a piece of candy.   She has no idea how much she touched my heart today. 

origami star pendant

"Clean out a corner of you mind 

and creativity will instantly fill it."

~ Dee Hock

A young girl I know makes and sells these origami star pendants.  

I think they are so cute!

 After folding the star and adding the small bow she coats both the star and ribbon with clear fingernail polish . . . 

 I am thinking that I may have to try this with a small origami crane.

room 12 and paper cranes . . . .

"I will write peace on your wings

and you will fly all over the world."

~ Sadaku Sasaki

Once again this year I folded cranes with one of the 4th grade classes at the school where I work.  These kids were on it this year . . . they did a great job and what a pleasant (although somewhat noisy) group of 4th graders.  I so wish I could post pictures of their faces.   

 She managed to get this folded with those pretty long fingernails . . . 

 One little mishap . . . 

 This young man made my day!  If you could see his smile,

he would make your day also.  

Thank you Mrs. Crow for letting me fold origami cranes with your students.