Origami n' Stuff 4 Kids

FEBRUARY 14: Valentine's Day

2012-02-03T01:00:00.000-08:00

Animated E-card: Some Bunny Loves You

Bee Mine Valentine Pop-up Card

Valentine Heart Envelope

Valentine Bunny Box

Some Bunny Loves You Valentine Box

Valentine Heart Ornament

©2010 Tammy Yee

Origami: Valentine Heart Envelope

2012-02-02T05:16:00.000-08:00

Fold a heart-shaped envelope for your Valentine.

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print and cut out Valentine Heart Origami along outer solid line.

2. With printed side facing up, crease your origami square horizontally, vertically, and diagonally as shown.

Your origami should be creased as shown.

3. Turn your origami over so that the printed side is facing up, with the "Happy Valentine's Day" greeting at top. Create a "water bomb base" by pulling in points "A" and "B."

4. With the open end of your origami at the top, fold down the Valentine's greeting flap as shown. Turn origami over and fold down back flap as shown.

5. Turn origami over. With front greeting facing up, fold back along envelope to shape the heart, as shown.

Happy Valentine's Day!

©2010 Tammy Yee.

Valentine Bunny Box

2012-02-01T20:22:00.000-08:00

Some Bunny Loves You....Print and fold a Valentine Bunny and fill it with treats.

Folding Directions:

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine Heart Ornament

2012-02-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

Assemble this geometric model using pre-printed equilateral triangles.

Difficulty: Easy

Materials:
20 Heart Equilateral Triangles
Tape or glue

Directions:

1. Print full page of Heart triangles.

2. Cut out pieces along solid, outer circle. You should have a total of 20 circles.

3. Prepare your triangles by folding the white "tabs" forward as shown. Repeat on all three sides of each triangle.
4. Use the white tabs to tape or glue 5 triangles together as shown. Repeat so that you have two "ball ends" of 5 triangles each.

(At this point, you may choose to tape the two ball ends together and decorate with a ribbon to make a Valentine ornament, or proceed to assemble a ball)

5. Tape or glue 5 triangles to each "ball end" as shown.

6. Tape or glue the two ends together to assemble your model as shown...
OR you can construct a star-shaped ornament by glueing the two ends back to back.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Some Bunny Loves You Box

2012-02-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print and cut out Bunny Loves You Box along solid lines, including tabs.

2. Fold along dashed lines.

3. Glue tabs, using sample illustration as a guide.

E-Card: Some Bunny Loves You

2012-02-01T12:33:00.000-08:00

Send an E-Card for Valentine's Day or Easter!

Bee Mine: Valentine Pop-Up Card

2012-02-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

Pop-up Valentine

Fold a Pop-up Valentine Card for someone special.

Difficult: Easy

Directions:

1. Print Valentine Card.

2a.Cut out Valentine along outer solid line.
2b. Fold back along vertical center line.

3a. Cut along large heart solid lines, from point A to point A. Repeat for line B.
3b. Cut along small heart solid lines, from point C to point C. Repeat for line D.
Make sure you don't cut the hearts out entirely!

4. Unfold. Fold back along horizontal line.

5a. Fold along vertical center crease.
5b. As you fold the card, pull the large pink heart forward along its center crease, while the inner heart (with the bee) remains folded backward along its center crease, as shown.

Happy Valentine's Day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2012 is the Year of the Dragon

2012-01-08T20:01:00.000-08:00

1928 January 23 to February 09 1929
1940 February 08 to January 26 1941
1952 January 27 to February 13 1953
1964 February 13 to February 01 1965
1976 January 31 to February 17 1977
1988 February 17 to February 05 1989
2000 February 05 to January 23 2001
2012 January 23 to February 09 2013

PERSONALITY

You are the most eccentric of the cycle. Born with a natural charisma, it is unlikely that you will escape unnoticed at a social gathering. You are lively company and interested in the world around you. You are full of energy and enthusiasm. You also have a brave and charitable side to your character. If a friend has a problem, you will offer help, and when others retreat, you will step forward to resolve the problem with diplomacy and authority.

At times you become frustrated with others because they do not have your stamina or skills. You border on being a perfectionist and will always try to maintain the high standards you set for yourself. Often you will work long hours in order to achieve what you want. However, if ever your trust has been abused or your dignity wounded, you can become very bitter and will take a long time to forgive and forget.

Be careful that you do not run the risk of being overly-confident because it may cause you to make errors of judgment. However if this occurs, you have the ability to recover and pick up the pieces again.
Your strong will-power and assertive personality will lead you to be successful in your chosen profession. Your leadership qualities are at its peak when you can put your own ideas and policies into action.

You have many friends and will often be the center of attention. You have so much confidence in yourself that you can often become a source of inspiration for others. In China, a Dragon person is always selected to be the head of a carnival and he is also blessed with luck.

MARRIAGE

Good for matrimony with rat, snake, monkey or rooster year people.
Avoid mating with ox, rabbit or dog year people. .

COLOR: YELLOW

The dragon is linked to the color yellow, the imperial color of China, that was once reserved for the emperor. Yellow symbolizes progress, fame and achievement. It also represents earth, since the fertile soils in parts of China has a yellow hue.

Learn about the other signs of the Chinese zodiac:
•Boar •Rat •Ox •Tiger •Rabbit •Dragon •Snake •Horse •Ram •Monkey •Rooster •Dog	You might enjoy:

Happy New Year! Origami Dragon Puppet

2012-01-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

Print and fold an Origami Dragon Puppet for Chinese New Year!

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Directions:

1a. Print Dragon Puppet.
1b. Cut out strips of dragon's body along outer solid line.
Cut out dragon's head and tail along outer solid line. Be sure to snip near head and tail "puppet handles" as indicated with arrows.

2. Use tape or glue to secure areas labeled "A" on dragon body strips as shown. Your strips should be perpendicular (at a right angle).

3a & b. Fold "tail" strip backward as shown.
3c. Fold "head" strip back and up as shown.
3d. Your dragon body should appear as shown.

5a. Fold dragon's head back along center line.
5b,c &d. Fold puppet handle as shown and secure with tape or glue.

6a. Fold dragon's tail back along center line.
6b,c &d. Fold puppet handle as shown and secure with tape or glue.

7. Glue or tape dragon's head and tail to body. Your dragon puppet is pau (finished)!

Dragon Fortune Teller

2012-01-02T09:49:00.000-08:00

What does the New Year have in store for you? Here's an Origami Dragon Fortune Teller to help you out.

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print your Dragon Fortune Teller. Cut out image along outer solid lines.

2. With printed side facing up, fold in half along vertical line.

3. Unfold, then fold in half along horizontal line.

4. Unfold, turn over so that printed side faces down. Fold each corner over to center, as illustrated.

5. Turn your folded origami over, with the "fortune" text side facing up. Fold each corner over to center, as illustrated.

6. Crease in half along horizontal, then vertical lines.

7. Turn over so that the dragon printed side is facing up. Carefully "open" each corner as illustrated. Your fingers should be able to fit into the pockets formed, so that you can manipulate your Dragon Fortuneteller like a puppet.

8. Turn your dragon over and you're pau (done)!

How to Play the Fortuneteller Game:

1. Place your fingers into the pockets (index and thumb of both hands) so that you can move the Dragon's mouth, like a puppet, in and out.

2. Have a person choose one of the four colors, Red, Blue, Green or Purple. Moving the fortuneteller in and out, spell out the chosen color.

3. Have the person choose one of the numbers showing. Count out the chosen number while moving the fortuneteller in and out.

4. Again, have the person choose on of the numbers showing. Lift the flap and read the fortune under the chosen number.

5. If you need help with the directions, ask mom or dad...they will probably remember how to play the game!

Chinese Lion Paper Bag Puppet

2012-01-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

Kung Hee Fat Choy is the Chinese greeting for the New Year. Cut and past a festive Chinese Lion paper bag puppet to celebrate the new year!

Find objects in this illustration beginning with the letter "C." From the children's book, Island Style Alphabet, written and illustrated by Tammy Yee.

Materials:

Printed Chinese Lion Puppet
Paper Lunch Bag(s)
Crayons
Scissors
Glue

Instructions:

1. Print and cut Chinese Lion puppet along solid lines. Color.

2. Lift "flap" of paper bag and glue mouth as shown.

3. Glue Chinese Lion head onto top of closed flap as shown. If you slip your hand into the paper bag, you should be able to open and close your puppet's mouth.

Happy New Year!

Origami Mrs. Claus Gift Tag or Christmas Card

2011-12-23T08:10:00.000-08:00

Print and fold an Origami Mrs. Claus to use as a gift tag or a Christmas card.

Difficulty: Easy

Directions: Follow the same instructions used for Santa Claus Gift Tag:

1. Print and cut out Origami Mrs. Claus along outer solid lines.

2a. With printed side facing down, fold up on line A.

2b. Fold diagonally on line B.

2c. Repeat diagonal fold on line C.

2d. Fold Mrs. Claus's body up as shown.

3a. Turn Origami Mrs. Santa Claus over, with printed side facing up.
3b. Fold Mrs. Claus's arm down as shown.
3c. Repeat on other side, and your Origami Mrs. Claus is finished!

Merry Christmas!

Origami Poinsettia

2011-12-17T00:25:00.000-08:00

Print and fold an Origami Poinsettia for Christmas! Great for home-made crafts, cards, gift tags and Christmas tree decorations.

Directions:

1. Print and cut out Christmas Origami Poinsettia pattern.

2. With printed side facing down, fold diagonally as shown.

3. Repeat diagonal fold on opposite side, as shown.

4. Fold upper corner of Origami Poinsettia down, as shown.

5. Fold corner up, as shown, to create poinsettia petal.

6. Repeat on right corner...

7. And repeat on left corner...

8. Turn over...your Origami Poinsettia is finished! Merry Christmas!

Christmas: Origami Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

2011-12-13T22:55:00.000-08:00

Print and fold Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer for Christmas.

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

Print and cut out reindeer origami along outer solid line.

1. Fold origami in half along red horizontal line, as shown. Unfold.

2. Fold origami back along diagonal line as shown. Unfold. Repeat on other side. Unfold.

3. Your origami should be creased as illustrated by red lines. Carefully fold origami along these creases to form an upside-down "tent."

4. Turn your origami over, with Rudolph's face facing down. Fold each corner down, along diagonal lines, as shown.

5. Fold corner toward center, along vertical line, as shown. Repeat on other side.

6. Note diagonal lines marked in red. Fan fold antlers and ears in on both sides, as shown.

Merry Christmas!

DECEMBER 25: Christmas Crafts and Origami

2011-12-10T01:47:00.000-08:00

Fun Christmas projects for the entire family:

Mrs. Santa Claus Christmas Gift Tag or Card	Origami Poinsettia
Origami Santa Gift Tag or Christmas Card	Origami Santa
Christmas Snowflake Ornament	Christmas Star Ornament
Origami Angel	Origami Christmas Tree
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Origami	Hawaiian Christmas Graphics

CHRISTMAS HUMOR:

The Digital Story of the Nativity

Merry Christmas!
©2010 Tammy Yee

THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY

2011-12-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas, all.

Christmas: Origami Christmas Tree

2011-12-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

Print and Fold an Origami Christmas Tree for the Holidays!

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Directions:

Print Christmas Tree Origami.

1a. Cut out image along outer solid lines.
1b. Turn over so that printed side is facing down.

2a. Fold corners down along diagonal lines labeled "A".
2b. Fold down on diagonal lines labeled "B" as shown.
2c. Fold tree trunk up along line "C",
2d. Then down along "D".

3a. Fold along vertical line "E".
3b. Unfold and carefully form a "tent" along the diagonal lines as shown.
3c. Repeat on the other side, folding along vertical line "F",
3d. And folding a "tent" to form the tree trunk.

Your Christmas Tree is pau (finished)! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas: Origami Angel

2011-12-03T17:21:00.000-08:00

Print and Fold an Origami Angel for Christmas!

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

Print Origami Angel.

1a. Cut out angel faces along outer solid line (you have two to choose from).
1b. Cut out angel body along outer solid line.
1c. Turn angel body over so that printed side is facing down.

2a. Crease along diagonal line "A". Unfold.
2b. Crease along diagonal line "B" as shown. Unfold.
2c. Turn paper over so that printed side faces up.
2d. Crease down along horizontal line "C". Unfold.

3a. Carefully fold back along creased lines to form a "tent" as shown.
3b. Fold angel's robe back along line "D".
3c. Fold angel's robe back along line "E". Your angel's wings should be visible behind robes, as shown.

4a. Trim bottom of angel's robes along line "F".
4b. Dab a spot of glue on angel's neck (or you may use tape).
4c. Attach angel's face and your Christmas Angel is pau (finished)! Mele Kalikimaka!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas: Origami Santa

2011-12-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

Print and Fold and Origami Santa for Christmas!

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

Print Santa Origami.

1a. Cut out image along outer solid lines.
1b. Turn over so that printed side is facing down. Fold diagonally along line A.
1c. Repeat diagonal fold along line B.

2a. Turn Santa over so that the printed side is facing up. Take careful note of the lines as labeled.

2b. Fold forward on horizontal line "C" as shown.

2c. Fold back along horizontal line "D" as shown.

3a. Fold back along horizontal line "E".
3b. Fold forward along horizontal line "F".
3c. Fold back along vertical line "G",
3d. Then fold back along vertical line "H". Your Santa origami is pau (finished)! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas: Snowflake Ornament

2011-12-03T02:44:00.000-08:00

Assemble this geometric Christmas Ornament using pre-printed pentagons and hexagons.

Difficulty: Moderate

Materials:

20 (2 copies) Snowflake Hexagons
12 (1 copy) Star Pentagons
Tape or glue

Directions:

1. Print 2 copies of Snowflake Hexagons, for a total of 20 hexagons.

2. Print 1 copy of Star Pentagons, for a total of 12 pentagons.

3. Cut out hexagons and pentagons along solid, outer circle.

4a. Prepare your pentagons by folding the white "tabs" forward as shown. Repeat on all five sides of the pentagon.
4b. Prepare your hexagons in the same manner, creating tabs by folding the white edges forward along all six sides (not shown).

5. Assemble your Christmas ornament by gluing the white tabs together, or taping the shapes together on the underside. Each pentagon should be surrounded by five hexagons. Refer to illustration of completed ornament at the top of page as needed.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas: Origami Santa Gift Tag or Christmas Card

2011-12-03T01:18:00.000-08:00

Print and fold an Origami Santa to use as a gift tag or a Christmas card.

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print and cut out Origami Santa along outer solid lines.

2a. With printed side facing down, fold up on line A.

2b. Fold diagonally on line B.

2c. Repeat diagonal fold on line C.

2d. Fold Santa's body up as shown.

3a. Turn Origami Santa over, with printed side facing up.
3b. Fold Santa's arm down as shown.
3c. Repeat on other side, and your Origami Santa is finished!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas: Holiday Graphics for Websites

2011-12-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

Here are some Hawaiian Christmas greetings to post on websites or email to friends.

Mele Kalikimaka! (Merry Christmas)

Christmas: Star Ornament Ball

2011-12-02T11:22:00.000-08:00

Assemble this geometric Christmas Ornament using pre-printed pentagons.

Difficulty: Moderate

Materials:

12 (1 copy) Star Pentagons
Tape or glue

Directions:

1. Print 1 copy of Star Pentagons, for a total of 12 pentagons.

2. Cut out pentagons along solid, outer circle.

3. Prepare your pentagons by folding the white "tabs" forward as shown. Repeat on all five sides of the pentagon.

4a. Assemble your Christmas ornament by gluing the white tabs together, or taping the shapes together on the underside, so that you have half an ornament with a pentagon in the center, surrounded by five pentagons.

4b. Repeat, to make the second half of the ornament, with a pentagon in the center surrounded by five pentagons.

4c. Glue or tape the two halves together to create your Christmas Star Ornament. Refer to photo of completed ornament at the top of the page as needed.

Merry Christmas!

Fall Cut Out Patterns and Clip Art

2011-11-17T10:44:00.000-08:00

Print and cut out to decorate cards, posters and crafts.

Cornucopia Favor Pattern

2011-11-17T10:42:00.000-08:00

Print and make a cornucopia for Thanksgiving by cutting along outer margin, then rolling into a cone. Secure with tape. Fill with treats as favors or add a label to create table place cards. Decorate with Fall Cut Out Patterns.

Happy Thanksgiving!

©2011 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Holiday Book Signings at Barnes & Noble!

2011-11-14T16:19:00.000-08:00

Drop by to say hello, or have your books autographed in time for the holidays.

Saturday, November 19, 3-4pm
Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall

Book Signing, Illustrating and Original Artwork in support of ASSETS School Book Fair

Lynne Wikoff

Tammy Yee

Saturday, November 26, 11am-noon
Barnes & Noble, Kahala Mall

Meet and Greet Mutual Publishing's Authors and Illustrators:

Michael Koyama
Deb McGuire
Matthew Kaopio
Marsha Gibson
Lynne Wikoff
Tammy Yee

NOVEMBER: Thanksgiving Crafts and Origami

2011-11-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

Save on Thanksgiving decorations with these fun, printable origami and crafts projects for the entire family.

Thanksgiving Turkey Projects Napkin ring, place card or greeting card	Fall Cut Outs and Clip Art to decorate your Thanksgiving cards and crafts
Cornucopia Pattern
"Giving Thanks" Paper Bag Turkey Craft	Happy Thanksgiving Origami Card
Pilgrim Boy and Girl Origami	Pilgrim Hat Origami
Thanksgiving Clip Art	Turkey Origami
Dollar Bill Turkey Origami	Thanksgiving projects on the web

Thanksgiving Turkey Projects

2011-11-07T23:52:00.000-08:00

Here's a Thanksgiving Turkey to print for place cards, napkin rings and greeting cards. For place cards, use a 3"x5" blank index card, folded in half. For napkin rings, use a cardboard paper towel roll cut into 1" lengths, OR use the printed pattern. For Thanksgiving greeting cards, fold a blank letter-sized paper in half and decorate.

Thanksgiving: "Giving Thanks" Paper Bag Turkey Craft

2011-11-07T15:41:00.000-08:00

A fun and easy centerpiece children can make with a few supplies and these printable designs. Parental guidance needed.

Supplies:

1 small paper bag
scissors
glue or tape
marker
printed turkey template

Directions:

1. Stuff small paper bag with tissue paper or paper towels. Twist and seal end.

2. Print and cut out "Giving Thanks" Paper Bag Turkey Craft sheets (2 pages).

3. Assemble head by taping or gluing tabs, then cover sealed end of paper bag with paper turkey head and secure with tape or glue. (I cut a slit in the back of the head so that it fits more snugly against the paper bag body.)

4. Glue or tape turkey wings and tail to body.

5. Write down things that your children are thankful for--friends, family, health, etc.--on each feather and glue or tape onto turkey tail.

Happy Thanksgiving!

©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Thanksgiving Origami Turkey Card

2011-11-07T15:13:00.000-08:00

Fold an Origami Thanksgiving Turkey and make a card to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to a loved one.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Directions:

1a. Print Turkey Origami.

1b. Print Happy Thanksgiving Card, preferably on card stock or heavy paper.

2a. Cut out Turkey Origami.
2b. Cut along bold red lines, as shown by red arrows.
2c. Fold turkey tail feather back, as shown by blue arrow.

3. Accordion fold tail feathers, back and forth, as shown.

4. Repeat accordion folds on other side.

5. Fold body up as shown.

6a. Fold turkey body forward to center, as shown.

6b. Repeat on other side.

7. Fold turkey's head down, as shown.

8a. Fold corners of turkey body back, as shown.
8b. Fold top of tail back, as shown.

9a. Grasping tip of tail, pull down to open accordion pleats, as shown.
9b. Repeat on other side.

10. Fold bottom of body back, as shown, then glue onto Happy Thanksgiving Day card.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Pilgrim Hat Origami

2011-11-03T12:14:00.000-07:00

Print and fold an Origami Pilgrim's Hat for Thanksgiving. Craft idea: cut out a photo of your child, decorate it with the pilgrim's hat, and make a personalized card for a loved one living far away.

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1a. Cut out image along outer solid lines.
1b. Turn your origami over, with the printed side facing down. Fold toward center along line A.
1c. Repeat fold along line B.

2a. Cut out red triangles marked C and D.
2b. Your origami, with the triangles cut out, should appear as shown.
2c. Fold along line E as shown.
2d. Fold along line F as shown.

3a. Fold up along G.
3b. Fold diagonally on H.
3c. Fold diagonally on I.
3d. Unfold H and I. Your origami should appear as shown, with diagonal creases marked in blue.

4a. "Pull out" corner of hat brim and fold along line H as shown.
4b. Repeat on other side, pulling out and folding along line I as shown.
4c. Turn your origami over. It should appear as shown.

5a. Fold up along line J.
5b. Fold back along L.
5c. Fold back along K.
5d. Fold back along M.

You can paste your hat onto a smiling face, make a Thanksgiving card, or paste it onto a paper ring to make napkin rings for your dinner table. Happy Thanksgiving!

©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Thanksgiving Turkey Origami

2011-11-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

Print and fold an Origami Turkey for Thanksgiving.

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1a. Cut out image along outer solid lines.
1b. Fold up on diagonal line A. Unfold.
1c. Fold down on diagonal line B. Unfold.

2a. With printed side facing up, fold up on center line c. Unfold.
2b. With printed side facing down, repeat fold on center line c. Unfold.

3a. Fan-fold turkey's tail as shown.
3b. Fold up along center crease as shown.
3c. Fold head up along diagonal folds as shown. You may tape center of fanned tail and head if desired.

Your turkey is pau (finished)! Happy Thanksgiving!

©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Thanksgiving: Pilgrim Boy and Girl Origami

2011-11-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

Print and fold an Origami Pilgrim Boy or Girl. Craft idea: Glue onto folded card stock to create your own Thanksgiving cards.

Print Pilgrim Boy

Print Pilgrim Girl

Difficulty: Easy

Directions: Follow the same directions used for the Cinco De Mayo Boy Origami:

1a. Print and cut out doll face along outer solid line.
1b. Cut out Pilgrim doll body along outer solid line.
1c. Turn doll body over so that the printed side is facing down.

2a. Crease along diagonal line as shown. Unfold.
2b. Repeat crease along diagonal line on other side, as shown. Unfold.
2c. Turn origami over so that the printed side faces up.
2d. Crease down along horizontal line as shown. Unfold.

3a. With printed side facing down, carefully "tent" fold upper body forward, as shown.
3b. Fold doll's legs forward, as shown.
3c. Repeat on other side.

4a. Glue head onto body.
4b. Your Pilgrim Origami is finished!

Happy Thanksgiving!

©2009 Tammy Yee. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or altered without consent.

Thanksgiving Projects on the Web

2011-11-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some great turkey crafts on the web:

Paper Model Turkey from spacestation42.com

An easy print-and-fold project, in full color or black and white, with easy to follow instructions.

DLTK's Give Thanks Turkey Paper Craft

This one is absolutely adorable. Print-and-fold, color or black and white. From DLTK's Holiday Crafts for Kids:
"This is a fun craft to do with the entire extended family. The child can hand a slip of paper (tail piece) to each family member and ask them to write what they are thankful for. After everyone has made their contribution, the child can assemble the turkey."

EnchantedLearning.com's Thankful Wreath of Leaves

EnchantedLearning.com is chock full educational articles and fun crafts for kids. This is an easy activity, using a paper plate and a leaf template you can print on construction paper.

MakingFriends.com's Turkey "Friends" paper doll

Print, color and dress up some thanksgiving paper dolls, just for fun, or to decorate cards, doors and windows.

Turkey Napkin Centerpiece

Fold a turkey centerpiece from three linen napkins, as only Martha Stewart can. Great step by step photos.

Dollar Bill Thanksgiving Turkey Origami

2011-11-01T05:29:00.000-07:00

Impress your dinner guests by folding a Dollar Bill Turkey Origami for Thanksgiving.

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Begin by "fan-folding" the end of your dollar bill into pleats, to form the tail, as shown.

2. Fold tail in half, lengthwise, as shown.

3. Secure the tail closed by folding the ends together several times, as shown on left.

4. Fold corner of dollar diagonally, as shown. Repeat on the other side, to form the body.

5. Fold body up towards tail, as shown.

6. Fold tip of body down, as shown, to form head.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Monster Origami

2011-10-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Print and Fold a Monster Origami for Halloween!

Difficulty: Easy

Directions: (Follow the same directions as Cinco de Mayo doll)

1a. Print and cut out Halloween Monster's face and graveyard headstone along outer solid line.

1b. Cut out Halloween Monster body along outer solid line.
1c. Turn Halloween Monster body over so that the printed side is facing down.

2a. Crease along diagonal line as shown. Unfold.
2b. Repeat crease along diagonal line on other side, as shown. Unfold.
2c. Turn origami over so that the printed side faces up.
2d. Crease down along horizontal line as shown. Unfold.

3a. With printed side facing down, carefully "tent" fold upper body forward, as shown.
3b. Fold Halloween Monster's legs forward, as shown.
3c. Repeat on other side.

4a. Glue head onto body.
4b. Glue graveyard headstone as desired.
4c. Your Halloween Monster Origami doll is finished!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

©2011 Tammy Yee. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or altered without consent.

Halloween: Dracula Vampire Origami

2011-10-21T12:20:00.000-07:00

Print and fold a Dracula Vampire Origami for Halloween

1. Print and cut out Vampire Origami.

2. To create the collar of Dracula's cape, cut along YELLOW LINE A. Do not cut beyond point A.

3. Repeat on other side, cutting along YELLOW LINE B.

4. Fold back along BLUE LINE C.

5. TURN ORIGAMI OVER, with printed side facing down.
Fold up along YELLOW LINE D.

6. Fold diagonally along BLUE LINE E to reveal arms and cape.

7. Repeat on other side, folding along BLUE LINE F.

8. TURN ORIGAMI OVER. Dracula should appear as shown below.

9. Fold back along yellow horizontal line. Dracula is ready for Halloween!

Halloween Skeleton

2011-10-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

Make an articulated Dangling Skeleton for Halloween:

Difficulty: Easy

Materials:

Skeleton print out
Scissors
Hole puncher
Paper fasteners

Directions:

1. Print and cut out skeleton parts along outer lines.

2. Using a hole puncher, punch out red circles on joint tabs.

3. Assemble your skeleton using paper fasteners to secure the joints.

PRINT:

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Vampire Bat Origami

2011-10-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

Print and fold a Vampire Bat for Halloween!

1. Print and cut out Vampire Bat Origami.

2. With printed side facing down, fold in half along diagonal line, as shown.

3. Fold down along Line A as shown.

4. Fold up along Line B as shown.

5. Fold down along Line C as shown, to reveal bat's head.

6. Fold wing back along diagonal line as shown, to reveal bat's ear, as shown.

7. Fold wing forward along diagonal line. You should be able to see both the bat's ear and its arm.

8. Repeat on other side.

9. Crease back and forth along bat's fingers to create "accordion folds" as shown.

10. Your Vampire Bat Origami is ready to fly!

More Origami Coming Soon!

2011-10-18T16:33:00.000-07:00

Here are the latest origami projects that I am working on...


High resolution Vampire Bat origami, front and back views


High resolution, accurate butterflies. Painted Lady butterfly and Malachite butterfly, dorsal and ventral views.

Halloween Traditions Around the World

2011-10-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

Halloween festival in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Photo by Brian Morrison/Tourism Ireland

Ireland

On Halloween night in medieval Ireland and Britain the poor went door to door requesting food in return for prayers for the dead. This gave rise to "guising," a tradition in which Scottish and Irish children disguised themselves in costumes as they canvassed the neighborhood for food and coins.

At the center of Irish Halloween customs is Báirín Breac (barmbrack), a yeasted bread baked with sultanas and raisins:

Barmbrack, a Halloween tradition

The Halloween Brack traditionally contained various objects baked into the bread and was used as a sort of fortune-telling game. In the barmbrack were: a pea, a stick, a piece of cloth, a small coin (originally a silver sixpence) and a ring. Each item, when received in the slice, was supposed to carry a meaning to the person concerned: the pea, the person would not marry that year; the stick, "to beat one's wife with", would have an unhappy marriage or continually be in disputes; the cloth or rag, would have bad luck or be poor; the coin, would enjoy good fortune or be rich; and the ring, would be wed within the year. ¹

Other Irish Halloween traditions include na h-úlla ag bogadhál ar bharr an uisce (bobbing for apples) and Snap Apples, a game in which participants bite at apples dangling from strings while their hands are tied behind their backs. The first person to bite into a coin hidden inside the apple wins. It is even more challenging when a lit candle is tied to the hanging stick.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong. Photo by Dorothy Tang,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6096146.stm

In Hong Kong, with its long history of Western influence, you're sure to find westernized Halloween-themed costume parties and celebrations. But contrary to what you may have read on the internet, Halloween is not observed in mainland China.

Teng Chieh, The Lantern Festival (also Yuán Xiāo Jié 元宵), is the holiday most often mistakenly identified as the Chinese Halloween.

Held on the 15th day of the Lunar New year to mark the first full moon and the lengthening of days, Teng Chieh is observed near the end of February. Lanterns of many shapes and sizes are paraded through the streets and kerosene-fueled hot-air lanterns are released into the sky to "convey messages to the gods to bestow luck on the people below." In her superb article on the Lantern Festival, Qui Gui Su describes the festival's origin nearly 2,000 years ago during the Han dynasty (206 BCE—221 CE):

"Yuan Xiao (a maiden in the emperor's palace) had a luxurious life, but she missed her family and wanted to see them during the New Year celebrations. This was not allowed.

So Yuan Xiao devised a clever plan to sneak out of the palace. She told the emperor that the God of Fire had visited her and told her of his plans to burn down the entire city. She offered this advice to the emperor – 'Make the city look like it is already on fire, then the God of Fire will go away.'

So the emperor ordered lanterns to be lit throughout the city and firecrackers to be set off. During the confusion, Yuan Xiao was able to get away unnoticed and had a joyous reunion with her family."

As can be seen, the Lantern Festival has nothing to do with Halloween.

More likely candidates for a Chinese-style Halloween are Qīng Míng Jié 清明節 (Clear and Bright Festival or more commonly, Tomb-Sweeping Day) and Zhōng Yuán Jié 中元節 / 中元节 (Hungry Ghost Festival).

Qīng Míng (Tomb-sweeping Day)
Qīng Míng, held in April, is when families honor deceased kin by visiting and tending to ancestral graves. I remember Qīng Míng as a time when relatives gathered at the cemetery to pull weeds, trim shrubs and sweep my grandparent's grave. Once the tomb was cleaned a feast of rice, roast pork, chicken, eggs, tea and whiskey was laid before the headstone. "Bai san," Mom would say, prompting my brothers and me to take turns greeting Grandmother and Grandfather, offer food, and bow three times. Paper spirit money, houses and clothes were burned to insure their comfort in the next world, and fireworks were lit to scare off lingering evil spirits. Later, the entire extended family would gather for a feast of remembrance.

Zhōng Yuán Jié (Hungry Ghost Festival)
Zhōng Yuán Jié, observed in August, is when the gates of heaven and hell swing open, allowing the dead to pass into this world and walk among us. Disgruntled souls of those who died of unnatural causes or who were not properly buried hunger to unleash their acrimony on the living. According to Qiu Gui Su,

"This makes ghost month a bad time to do activities such as evening strolls, traveling, moving house, or starting a new business. Many people avoid swimming during ghost month, since there are many spirits in the water which can try to drown you."

Sumptuous feasts and elaborate spirit items are offered at shrines and altars to placate the hungry ghosts, and paper boats and lanterns are released on water to guide them home.

Mexico

Day of the Dead observance.

Although Halloween is celebrated on October 31st much as it is here in the States, with costumes and parties among friends and family, the holiday holds a much more serious tradition as a time when the souls of the deceased return to earth to be among family and friends.

November 1st is Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels), dedicated to the remembrance of infants and children who have died, and November 2nd is Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), when friends and family honor adults they have lost.

Catrina figure

Sugar skulls

Dia de los Muertos observances vary from region to region. Oftentimes elaborate shrines are built, and families visit graves and altars to share remembrances and favorite foods and beverages with the deceased. Two areas best known for their Day of the Dead celebrations are Oaxaca and Michoacan. You're sure to see plenty of calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls) and Catrina figures!

©2011 Tammy Yee

OCTOBER 31: Halloween Crafts, Origami and Fun Facts

2011-10-08T02:19:00.000-07:00

What is it about this spooky holiday that inspires us to dress up as witches, ghouls and zombies? Americans love Halloween so much, we spend 2 billion dollars a year on costumes, candy and decorations, making it the second highest grossing holiday (after Christmas, of course).

And what about those crazy giant pumpkins, like the 1,500 pound monster grown by Jake van Kooten of British Columbia, who won $9,000 at California's Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Harvest and Festival? Did he really ship his pumpkin all the way from Canada to California?

If Mr. Kooten's prize money doesn't cover shipping his gourd back to British Columbia, then perhaps he can paddle his pumpkin home, like the good folks at the world's largest pumpkin boat race at the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival in Germany. Every year enthusiasts don their pumpkin hats and paddle across the moat of a 17th Century castle in 200lb hollowed-out gourds. Between races, visitors can check out the 450 varieties of pumpkins, admire the pumpkin sculptures, and partake in pumpkin pies, stews and curries. Yum. A boat you can eat.

History of Halloween

Unnaturally large squashes aside, Halloween dates back some 2,000 years and in its current form is a mishmash of ancient Celtic practices, Catholic and Roman religious rituals, and of course, modern commercialism. Long before Walmart, October 31 marked the Celtic holiday of Samhain, a harvest festival observing the end of summer, when ancient Celts disguised themselves in costumes and masks and lit bonfires to ward off evil spirits. The harvest holiday was especially important because it marked the seasonal transition between the warm "lighter half" of the year, or the growing season, and the cold, dreary "darker half". This transition from a time of bounty to impending austerity extended into the spiritual world; it was believed that the boundaries between the living and the "otherworld" became especially thin, allowing the dead to pass over into this world.

Samhain and its pagan rituals, and some elements of the Roman festival of Feralia, which honored the dead, became integrated into All Saint's Day and all Soul's Day. In medieval Ireland and Britain, the poor would go from door to door asking for food in return for prayers for the dead, giving rise to "guising", a tradition in which Scottish and Irish children disguised themselves in costumes and went door to door requesting food and coins.

Save on Halloween decorations with these fun, printable Halloween origami and crafts.

Vampire Bat Origami	Bat Origami
Black Cat Origami	Haunted House Origami
Halloween Monster Origami
Monster Mask	Owl Mask
Owl Origami	Owl Paper Bag Puppet
Pinwheel Spider	Pumpkin Mask
Pumpkin Box	Skeleton
Skull Mask	Vampire (Dracula) Origami

Halloween Pinwheel Spider

2011-10-07T00:29:00.000-07:00

Classic Pinwheel for your pencil eraser.
Not suitable for young children.

Difficulty: Easy

Materials:

Paper
Scissors
Sewing pin
Pencil with eraser head

Directions:

1. Print and cut out web and spider.

2. Cut pinwheel web along diagonal red lines.

3. Using the photo as a guide, push the sewing pin first through the red dot on spider, then through the dots on the paper pinwheel. Insert pin into eraser head. (Not suitable for young children.)

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Halloween: Owl Mask

2011-10-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

Great Horned Owl Mask

Difficulty: Easy

Materials:

Heavyweight paper
Scissors
Clear paper tape

Directions:

1. Print and cut out Owl Mask:

2. Cut out holes for eyes.

3a. Overlap tab as shown and secure with tape.

3b. Repeat on other side.

3c. From the backside, you can see how the tabs overlap, and how this creates a rounded look.

4a. Crease owl beak along center fold, and secure with tape as shown.

4b. From the underside, you can see how this creates a three dimensional beak.

5. Fold in beak tabs as shown. Turn beak over.

6a. Apply tape to beak as shown...

6b. And secure to Owl Mask as shown, using the white areas on the mask as a guide.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Halloween: Haunted House Origami

2011-10-05T02:22:00.000-07:00

Print and fold a Haunted House Origami!

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print and cut out Haunted House Origami.

2. With printed side facing down, fold up along line A.

3. Fold down along line B.

4. Flip origami over, so that haunted house image is facing down. Fold left side toward center, along line C.

5. Fold right side toward center along line D.

6. Pull open the top left corner of the roof and press down on line E to make a triangle as shown.

7. Pull open the top right corner of the roof and press down on line F to make a triangle.

8. Flip the origami over and you have a Haunted House for Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved

Halloween: Skull Mask

2011-10-04T23:48:00.000-07:00

Print, cut and add ties...Happy Halloween!

Halloween: Origami Bat

2011-10-04T02:41:00.000-07:00

Print and fold an Origami Bat for Halloween! Create your own Halloween cards and window decorations.

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print and cut out Bat Origami.

2. Fold back on diagonal line A. Unfold.
3. Repeat fold on diagonal line B. Unfold.

4. Fold up on line C. Unfold.

5. Your Bat Origami should be creased as shown:

6a. Using the creases as guidelines, create a "tent" form as shown.
6b. Cut bat ears along red lines, as shown.

7. Fold bat head down.

8. Fold along D, and E, to form your Origami Bat's body.

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

©2009 Tammy Yee
www.tammyyee.com

All rights reserved.

Halloween Crafts and Origami: Pumpkin Box

2011-10-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

Print and fold a Pumpkin Treat Box for Halloween!

Print Pumpkin Box

Print Directions

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1a. Print and cut out box along outer solid line.

1b. Make cuts on the "pumpkin halves" as shown, along the black lines only. Do not cut beyond the points indicated by the red dots.

2a - d. With printed side facing down, fold and unfold along the solid black lines as indicated, to form the sides of the box.


2e. Your box should be creased as shown.

3a - c. Repeat the process along the outer lines to form the lid of the box.

3d. Your box should now be creased as shown.

4a. Note the diagonal lines marked in red.
4b. Fold the sides of the box up as shown, creasing along these diagonal lines to form the corners of the box. 4c. Secure the box by interlocking the pumpkin halves along the cuts you made in step 1b.

Halloween: Pumpkin Mask

2011-10-02T23:50:00.000-07:00

Print, cut and add ties...Happy Halloween!

Battty for Bats: 10 Essential Bat Facts, Plus Photo Gallery!

2011-10-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

How much do you know about these misunderstood mammals? Check out Bats: 10 Essential Bat Facts, Plus Photo Gallery! by Rhishja Larson:

"Bats may be considered a spooky Halloween mascot, but they are actually one of the most beneficial animals on the planet: 70% of the world’s bat species feed on insects - and one bat can consume up to 1,000 insect pests in an hour. Bats also play a critical role in pollination and seed dispersal.

Despite the fact that bats occur nearly everywhere on earth (except for arctic and desert extremes), 60 species of bats are listed as endangered. And in the U.S., an estimated million or more hibernating bats of six species have been killed by White-nose Syndrome (WNS) in nine states since 2006."

Click on the photo of the white-shouldered bat to read Rhishja's full article, view her slideshow, and learn 10 fascinating facts about bats!

Halloween Crafts and Origami: Black Cats

2011-10-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

Print and Fold a pair of Origami Black Cats for Halloween!


Happy?	Scary!

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print and cut out origami along outer solid lines.

2. Fold back diagonally as shown.

3. Turn your origami over, so that the printed side faces down.

4. Fold ear down diagonally, as shown. Repeat on other side.

5. Fold ear up as shown. Repeat on other side.

6a. Turn origami over with printed side up. Fold back white "tip" on top of cat's head.
6b. Repeat with the white corner on cat's chin.
6c. Now your cat is pau! (done)!

©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Halloween: Monster Mask

2011-10-01T23:49:00.000-07:00

Print, cut and add ties...Happy Halloween!

Origami: Humpback Whale

2011-08-10T19:38:00.000-07:00

Difficulty: Easy

Directions (use same directions as for dolphin):

1a. Print and cut out origami and dorsal fin.
1b. Snip end of tale, as illustrated, to red dot.

2a. Turn origami over. With printed side down, fold along A as illustrated.
2b. Repeat fold along B.
2c. Fold along C.
2d. Fold along D.

3a. Fold in half, diagonally along F, as illustrated.
3b. Your origami should look like this, with a "tail" flap and a "head" flap.

4a. Unfold "tail" flap. Take note of the diagonal line, highlighted here in red, on the dolphin/whale's flipper.

4b. Folding "tail" flap first, crease dolphin's flipper along the highlighted line as you fold "head" flap over.

4c. Your origami should now look like this, with the flipper folded as shown.

5a. "Valley" fold origami tip inward along E as illustrated.
5b. Fold dorsal fin in half, along solid line, as illustrated.

6. Fold tail fluke down. Tape/glue dorsal fin into place. Your marine mammal is done!

©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.
No portion of this website may be reproduced without the prior written consent of the author.

Lady Bug-a-rama...Ladybug Origami and More...

2011-08-10T11:57:00.000-07:00

Ladybug feeding on aphids. Photo by Greyson Orlando

The ladybug is the state insect of Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio and Tennessee. In Massachusetts, it was a group of second graders from Kennedy School in Franklin who petitioned to make the ladybug their state's official insect.

Why ladybugs so popular?

Farmers and gardeners know how aphids, mites and scales can damage plants by sucking the sap from them. Ladybugs are beneficial because both adults and larvae prey on these pests.

The most common species is the convergent ladybug, which can be recognized by the 13 spots on its red to orange wings. Convergent ladybug larva eat their weight in aphids every day, and adults eat up to 50 aphids a day. Its larger European cousin, the seven-spot ladybug, has an even bigger appetite, devouring up to 300 aphids every day.

Bug or Beetle?

[Photo: Pudding4brains - Public Domain]

Ladybugs, or ladybirds, are not bugs at all. They are actually beetles.

Bugs have needle-like mouths that they use like straws to puncture their food so they can suck out nectar, sap or animal fluids. Bugs may or may not have wings. If they do, their wings are thin, like membranes. Baby bugs look like mini adult bugs...without the wings.

Beetles have chewing mouth parts, and feed on a wide range of plants and animals. Adult bugs have hard forewings that cover and protect the thin, membranous hindwings. And beetles, unlike bugs, undergo a complete metamorphosis. Beetle larvae, which look very different from adults, must enter a pupal stage before it transforms itself into an adult with hard outer wings.

Ladybugs gather in Mill Valley, California.

Photo by Kristopher Anderson.

Fun Facts:

There are over 450 species of ladybugs in North America alone. Of these, two, the Mexican bean beetle and the squash beetle, feed on plants and are considered pests.

Ladybugs spend the winter gathering in large groups beneath rocks, in leafy litter, or in hollowed trunks. In the spring they emerge to feed and find a place to lay their eggs.

Print and fold an Origami Ladybug:

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print and cut out Ladybug Origami along outer solid line.

2. With printed side facing down, fold in half diagonally as shown.

3a. Turn origami over.
3b. Fold wing down, as shown.
3c. Repeat on other side.

4. Turn origami over. Fold ladybug's head forward, as shown, then up, as shown.

5. Turn origami over. Fold corner of wing back, as shown.

6. Repeat on other side, folding corner of wing back. Finally, fold corner of abdomen back as shown.

More Ladybug Crafts:

The National Wildlife Federation's Ladybug Garden Rock:

Natural Suburbia's Knitted Ladybug Pattern:

Origami: Sea Otter

2011-08-10T01:25:00.000-07:00

Sea otters are one of the few mammals, aside from primates (monkeys and apes), to use tools. Floating on the surface of the water, they sometimes place a rock on their chest, using it as a hard surface to smash open shelled food like clams and abalone. Have you ever wondered how otters carry all that stuff to the surface? In their armpits! Try that with an urchin--better yet, don't try it. Learn more about otters...

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print and cut out Origami Otter along outer solid lines.

2. With printed side facing down, fold up along red diagonal line 1.

3. Turn origami over. Fold down along diagonal line 2.

4. Turn over. Your Origami Otter should look like this:

5. Fold otter head up along line 3.

6. Fold otter hind legs and tail up along line 4.

Your otter is ready for a swim!

©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.
May not be reproduced without permission.

Coloring: Green Sea Turtle

2011-08-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

Diana Fritillary Butterfly Origami

2011-08-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

Print and Fold the Arkansas State Butterfly:

Tiger Lily Origami

2011-08-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

These brightly colored flowers can be found in open woods and forest openings throughout western North America, from British Columbia to California, and Idaho to Nevada. Tiger lilies are edible, and can be used as cake decorations. Native Americans boiled or steamed the bulbs, and Chinese planted lilies in rows for food. And who can forget the character Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, the Piccaninny princess of Neverland, who was kidnapped by Captain Hook?

Print and fold a Tiger Lily

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Directions: Follow the same instructions as the Camellia.

1. Print and cut out Tiger Lily origami along outer solid lines.

2a. With printed side facing down, fold half along horizontal line as shown. Unfold.
2b. Fold in half along vertical line as shown. Unfold.

3. With printed side facing up, fold in half along diagonal line as shown. Unfold.

4. Your Tiger Lily origami should be creased as shown:

5. Fold along blue lines, pulling in on red lines to create a "tent" fold as shown. Your Tiger Lily should now be shaped like a diamond.

6a. Fold back right white corner as shown.
6b. Repeat on other side, folding left white corner back as shown.

7. Turn your origami over.

8. Repeat process, folding back right and left white corners.

9."Open" your Tiger Lily by pulling out right petal, then pulling out left petal.

10. Complete your Tiger Lily by folding back down, as shown.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-15T21:15:00.001-07:00

This guy wins my vote for best dad, ever. From the Telegraph:

"It can be embarrassing when your parents wave you off to school, but you have to feel especially sorry for 15-year-old Rain Price, whose father insists on dressing in a different comical outfit every day. Dale Price has adopted 170 wacky costumes to see off the school bus as it passes the family home in American Fork, Utah."

View full slideshow here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/8559331/Father-waves-at-his-sons-school-bus-wearing-a-different-costume-every-day.html

Father's Day: Build-A-Dad Page 1

2011-06-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Build-A-Dad to paste on a half-sheet card for Father's Day:

Choose a dad, then print, cut and paste:

Father's Day: Build-A-Dad Pilot or Businessman Accessories

2011-06-14T14:36:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day: USS Arizona Memorial

2011-05-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

In the aftermath of the Civil War, the United States was a nation in need of healing. A day of remembrance was set aside to honor Civil War soldiers, brethren from North and South, who made the ultimate sacrifice. On May 5, 1868 General John A. Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic proclaimed May 30, 1868 as the first official Decoration Day:

General John A. Logan
"The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."

On that first Decoration Day people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to hear General James Garfield honor the fallen. After his speech, 5,000 participants decorated the graves of more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers. Thus began a long tradition of healing and quiet contemplation.

Over the years Decoration Day came to be known as Memorial Day, commemorating those who gave their lives serving the nation in war. As the true meaning of Memorial Day dwindled, giving way to commercialism, there rose a need to restore the observance to its original intent. In December 2000, a resolution was passed to remind Americans of our soldiers' sacrifice. The "National Moment of Remembrance" calls for all Americans to "voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps" at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day.

USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

"The USS Arizona is the final resting place for many of the ship's 1,177 crewmen who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The 184-foot-long Memorial structure spanning the mid-portion of the sunken battleship consists of three main sections: the entry and assembly rooms; a central area designed for ceremonies and general observation; and the shrine room, where the names of those killed on the Arizona are engraved on the marble wall."
~National Park Service

Color the USS Arizona Memorial:

Mother's Day Card: Owl Always Love You

2011-05-10T21:23:00.000-07:00

Print and fold a Mother's Day Card:

Origami: Mother's Day Card

2011-05-10T20:50:00.000-07:00

Fold a Mother's Day card and adorn it with a bunny to show Mom how hoppy she makes you!

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1a. Print Mother's Day Card.
1b. Fold in half, vertically.
1c. Fold in half again, horizontally.

Print Bunny Origami.
Cut out image along outer solid lines.	Fold in half along diagonal line A.

2a. Fold bunny's head back along line B.

2b. Turn your bunny over so that the printed side is facing up.

A. Fold back along line C.
B. Fold back along line D.
C. Fold back along line E.

Glue your Origami onto your Mother's Day Card.

Happy Mother's Day!

©2009 Tammy Yee. All rights reserved.

Celebrations Around the World: Cinco De Mayo Activities

2011-05-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

Cinco De Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") celebrates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the United States and in other parts of the world, Cinco De Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Hispanic heritage and pride.

Print and Fold these Cinco De Mayo Crafts and Origami

Print and Fold Paper Maracas

Celebrations Around the World: Boy's Day (Tango-no-sekku), May 5

2011-05-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

Boy's Day Celebration in Hawaii

On May 5th, Japanese families throughout Hawaii display beautiful carp banners outside their homes. Called koi-nobori, each streamer traditionally symbolizes a male in the household. The largest carp at the top represents the father, followed by the eldest son, while the littlest carp at the bottom represents the youngest boy.

Watching these colorful windsocks flapping in the wind reminds one of the vigor, strength and perseverance of the koi (carp) as they swim upstream against powerful currents. Koi are also known for their longevity. They can live for as long as 50 years in the wild and have been reported to live even longer in captivity. Thus the carp is a fitting symbol for the traits desired in sons.

Inside the house, families may display heirlooms such as swords, bows, arrows and special musha-ningyo, or Boy's Day dolls, mirroring the dolls displayed during the Girl's Day Festival. Common are elaborate dolls of warriors and legendary heroes of strength and valor, some posed on beautiful horses. The earliest samurai dolls date back to the Edo period, during the18th century, when displays were commissioned by those in the samurai class. Originally, only men could fashion these samurai dolls, and their doll-making secrets were passed down from generation to generation.

Boy's Day evolved from the Shinto iris festival, Shobu-no-sekku. Shobu is the Japanese word for the iris, and it also means "striving for success." The long narrow leaves of the plant resemble swords, which boys would sometimes use to stage mock sword battles. The iris is also thought to have healing powers, and families would hang iris leaves on their houses to ward off evil spirits. Today iris leaves are still used in making kashiwa-mochi, a traditional Boy's Day rice cake.

Print and Fold Boy's Day Crafts

Boy's Day Clip Art

Origami Koi-Nobori

Make a Koi Nobori, a Boy's Day carp kite on May 5th. Traditionally, a koi is flown for every male in the household, with the largest carp on the top representing the father.

©2009 Tammy Yee

Coloring: Humpback Whale

2011-05-09T13:01:00.000-07:00

Coloring: Puppy

2011-05-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Coloring: Hawaiian Honeycreeper ('I'iwi)

2011-05-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

Coloring: Dolphin

2011-05-09T12:27:00.000-07:00

Coloring: Hawaiian Monk Seal, Hawaii's State Mammal

2011-05-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

Color an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal pup:

Fun Facts: Hawaiian Monk Seal

2011-05-09T12:16:00.000-07:00

Illustration by Tammy Yee

Scientific name: Monachus schauinslandi

On July 6, 2000, the residents on the island of Kauai were treated to a very special event. A baby Hawaiian monk seal, or pup, was born on the shores of Poipu beach. Yellow tape was set up around the mother and pup to keep onlookers at a safe distance. Volunteers kept a watchful eye on the seals 24 hours a day, insuring that the pair was not disturbed.

Well, you might ask, why all the hoopla? After all, California sea lions gather in rookeries by the thousands. First of all, Hawaiian monk seals usually steer clear of the populated, major Hawaiian Islands. They are usually found in the French Frigate Shoals, Northwest of the Hawaiian Islands. Secondly and more importantly, Hawaiian monk seals are endangered. Today, there are less than 1,500 Hawaiian monk seals in the entire world.

Hawaiian monk seals are one of only two mammals that are endemic, or found only in Hawaii. Adult seals weigh 400 to 600 pounds (females are generally larger) and feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans. Pups are black at birth, and grow at a rapid rate as they feed on their mother's rich milk. Mother doesn't eat the entire time that is spent nursing her pup...that means no meals for six weeks! By this time, poor hungry mom has lost almost a third of her of her weight, and the chubby pup has put on more than a hundred pounds! Imagine if your baby brother or sister weighed 150 pounds when he or she was only six weeks old.

"Winged Feet"
Hawaiian monk seals are pinnipeds (PIN-uh-pedz). Pinniped means "winged feet", and with their flippers and sleek bodies, these mammals are well-adapted to life at sea.

Illustration by Tammy Yee

Seal or Sea Lion?
True seals have no external ears, and their hind flippers can't turn forwards. Seals, like the monk seal, harp seal, and harbor seal, are very awkward on land. They drag themselves about with floppy, undulating motions. But once these blubbery pinnipeds enter the water, look out! Their torpedo-shaped bodies cut through the water with ease, and they can dive to tremendous depths. The Antarctic Weddell seal can dive to 2,000 feet and stay underwater for up to 73 minutes!

Sea lions and fur seals belong to the Sea Lion family. These pinnipeds have external ears, and they can turn their hind flippers forwards, making it easier for them to move on land. The California sea lion is the most popular of all, and is commonly seen in marine shows and circuses.

Hawaiian name: ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua, quadruped that runs in the rough seas.

Recommended reading for children:
The Hawaiian Monk Seal, by Patrick Ching. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, 1994.
The Story of Hina, by Patrick Ching. Island Heritage, 1999.
Sources: Macmillan Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia, Dr. Philip Whitfield, Ed. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, 1984.

NOAA Monk Seal Recovery Plan
With Senator Dan Inouye at NOAA's Recovery Plan Ceremony. Painting by Tammy Yee. In the past few years, the Hawaiian monk seal population has plummeted to 1,200 individuals, making it the United States' most endangered marine mammal. The oldest living seal species, it is one of only two remaining tropical seals--the Mediterranean monk seal is also critically endangered. A third tropical seal, the Carribean monk seal, has been extinct since the 1950s.
NOAA's recovery plan, revised after intensive research, will focus on a captive care program to nutritionally supplement vulnerable juvenile female seals.

You can help the Hawaiian monk seal by:

Keeping distance from Hawaiian monk seals. Seals and pups are sometimes seen on popular beaches on the Main Hawaiian Islands--human interaction can disturb the mother-pup relationship and introduce disease.

Cutting loops from six-pack holders and other plastic items before throwing them away. Marine animals can swallow them or become entangled in the plastic holes, which may lead to death.

Disposing of unwanted fishing lines, nets and other garbage. Don't bury trash in the sand, as it will eventually be uncovered.

Educating yourself and others about the Hawaiian monk seal:
NOAA Monk Seal Recovery Plan
Star Bulletin: Saving Monk Seals

To learn more about Hawaiian monk seals and for a monk seal dot-to-dot, visit the Native Hawaiian Library Other online resources: The Waikiki Aquarium Hawaiian Monk Seal Research, The Seal Conservation Society or Earthtrust

School paper got you down? Need info on wildlife? Visit The Animal Diversity Web

©2011 Tammy Yee

Origami: Kamehameha Butterfly, Hawaii's State Insect

2011-05-09T11:39:00.000-07:00

Print and Fold Hawaii's State Butterfly, the Pulelehua

Difficulty: Easy

Directions:

1. Print and cut out origami butterfly.

2a. With printed side facing down,
2b. Fold in half along diagonal line.
2c. Unfold and repeat the diagonal fold on other side.

3a. With printed side facing up,
3b. Fold in half along horizontal line.
3c. Unfold. Your origami should be creased as illustrated.

4. Carefully fold along creases, forming a "tent" as illustrated.

5a. Fold the right "tent" corner up along line A, as illustrated.
5b. Fold the left "tent" corner up along line B, as illustrated.

6a. Turn butterfly origami over, printed side down.
6b. Fold down along line C.
6c. Pinch or crease in center as illustrated.

Your butterfly origami is ready to fly!

©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Coloring: Kamehameha Butterfly, State Insect of Hawaii

2011-05-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

Pulelehua (Kamehameha Butterfly)

Scientific name: Vanessa tameamea

The pulelehua, or Kamehameha butterfly, is one of only two butterflies that are native to Hawai'i. With its bright red wings, bold black borders, and 2 1/2 inch wingspan, pulelehua are often seen fluttering near koa trees, where adults feed on the sweet sap oozing from broken branches.

The Kamehameha butterfly lays its eggs on the mamaki plant, a native shrub that was sometimes used by Hawaiians to make a coarse tapa (the leaves are also used to make an herbal tea). Young caterpillars protect themselves by cutting a flap of leaf, pulling it over themselves, and securing it with silk to make a shelter. As they grow older, the caterpillars sit motionless on the branches, waiting for nightfall. Once the sun has set and the forest birds have gone to sleep, it is safe for the caterpillars to venture onto the leaves to eat. Even their chrysalis is well-camouflaged, looking like a withered leaf. In a little over two weeks, the chrysalis splits open, and out pops a beautiful pulelehua!

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