Easy Butterfly Origami

My new book, Easy Butterfly Origami features 30 bold full-color patterns designed to accurately portray the dorsal and ventral sides of some of the most beautiful butterflies from around the world!

Origami Folding Tips

Origami, from the Japanese ori (to fold) and kami (paper), began in the 6th century when Buddhist monks introduced paper to Japan. The print-and-fold crafts and easy diagrams are designed to help children with fine motor skills, directions and hand eye coordination. Some basic origami folding tips:
  • Print and cut out patterns carefully.
  • Fold with clean, dry hands.
  • Follow the instructions. Study the diagrams and be patient.
  • Be precise: fold each crease well, flattening the creases by running your fingertip over the fold.
  • Folding the paper away from you is easier than folding towards you.
  • Be creative...use your origami on greeting cards, holiday decorations, table place cards and bookmarks.
Showing posts with label memorial day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label memorial day. Show all posts

Coloring: The U.S. Flag

Print and color the U.S. flag for Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday in May), Memorial Day (last Monday in May),  Flag Day (June 14), Independence Day (July 4), Constitution Day (September 17), Navy Day (October 27) or Veterans Day (November 11):

Betsy Ross

You can print and color the official state flags at travel-n-stuff4kids.blogspot.com, and learn about the official state symbols.

©2010 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved.

Paper Planes: Independence Eagle

Print and fold an easy Origami Paper Plane Eagle for Independence Day, Memorial Day or Veterans Day!



The Bald Eagle, with majestic wings spread in flight, stars and stripes across his breast, an olive branch in his right talon and a bundle of thirteen arrows in his left,graces the Great Seal of the United States of America. E pluribus unum, Latin for "Out of Many, One," is inscribed on a scroll carried within his beak.



Chosen as our National Emblem on June 20, 1782, the bald eagle's grace, strength, majesty and freedom as it soars above mountains and sweeping valleys has come to symbolize the ideals of our founding fathers.



Difficulty: Easy


Directions:

1. Print and cut out origami Independence Day Eagle. Fold back along A.




2. With printed side down, fold along C and D.




3. Fold tip along E.




4. Fold in half along B.




5. Note that there are two vertical lines along the body, to either side of the center fold. Fold these down to open up the eagle's wings, as shown in the final sample.




6. Tape or staple body as shown. Fold wing flaps up as shown...these can be adjusted as you test your paper airplane Independence Day Eagle.







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

Clothespin Candle Holder

Recycle tuna cans and clothespins to create candle holders and centerpiece planters for your summer barbeque! A great summer project for the kids.

Materials:
Empty tuna cans, washed and dried
Clothespins
Paint




Arrange and clip clothespins around edge of tuna can.


Paint red, white and blue...and you're done!

Memorial Day: USS Arizona Memorial

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:

Learn more about the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

©2010 Tammy Yee



Copyright ©2009 Tammy Yee
All rights reserved. No portion of this web site may be reproduced without prior written consent.