What isn’t there to love about Sunflowers? What better motif for Fingerprint Thank You Cards! This year we decided to take part in Nurture Store’s Sunflower Challenge, which is also linked to raising funds and awareness for the Compton Hospice. And to celebrate the challenge coming to an end at the end of the month, Nurture Store has challenged us to a sunflower craft! Hooray!
I was a little “annoyed” with myself for missing the opportunity to make our Sunshine Flag into a Sunflower Flag… But I didn’t think of it that day. Hey ho. Instead… we made some lovely Sunflower Thank You Cards using our fingerprints (we seemed to be forever saying thank you to people – this time it is Granny and Grandpa again for all their babysitting at the weekend). They were quick. Easy and hopefully “lovely”.
The Book
Well.. one book springs to mind straight away Camille and the Sunflowers, Laurence Anholt... this is the story of Vincent van Gogh through the eyes of a young postman’s son Camille (himself a subject of van Gogh’s paintings) It is indeed a little sad, as van Gogh life itself was one of non-acceptance and only late recognition. But it is beautifully told – bringing to life van Gogh’s paintings, as well as teaching your children about “being different”.
The Craft
Like I said: quick and easy, as we were “late” with out inspirational craft. But I love the result and I know Granny will to: Fingerprint Sunflower Cards!! Materials: Card stock (or paper folded), yellow paint, black or brown paint, green pen. Fingers.
1. Mmh, oh, so you can’t see much on this photo.. but Red Ted is basically putting some yellow blobs on the card. Followed by black little blobs…
2. Then I let him do what he wanted… a big “messy” picture for Grandpa…
3. Add the stems and leaves. And FINISHED.
And here is our sunflower – I am pretty certain it isn’t the tallest, so will not win, however, it was the first to bloom! We have more in the backgarden, that are as tall as me – but they are from a different batch of seeds!
On the 27th June it is 125cm (49.5″) tall – including petals it is 130cm, but they are starting to wilt… Our “other one” is a whopping 170cm. I am impressed.
For more Kid’s Craft ideas, click here for a full list. If you have been crafty with your kid’s be it at home, in the kitchen or outdoors, I would love for you to link up:
Julia Skinner says
June 29, 2011 at 7:06 amI love sunflowers so would love to get one of these. Definitely going to tell the teachers about this one!
Ross Mannell says
June 29, 2011 at 7:13 amA simple yet effective idea. I think children would love this activity, especially if they’re allowed to do a messy picture afterwards. 🙂
Ross Mannell (teacher)
Australia
Red Ted Art says
June 29, 2011 at 7:22 amAaah thanks Julia, you always leave such nice comments! And yes, Ross, messy is always good!
cathy @ NurtureStore says
June 29, 2011 at 8:15 amSuch a pretty sunflower Maggy. Thanks for all your support with the Sunflower Challenge.
Red Ted Art says
June 29, 2011 at 8:21 amMy pleasure Cathy – it is great to see the kids get all excited about the beautiful flowers and how big they are getting!
se7en says
June 29, 2011 at 4:10 pmHehe I was waiting for your post to link up!!! We are dying to read that book and it is just not in the library!!! Love your sunny sunflowers!!! Have a good day!!!
artsy_momma says
June 29, 2011 at 4:28 pmHow perfect for grandparents! Can I feature the cards in an upcoming saturday’s spotlight all about sunflowers later this month? 🙂
Red Ted Art says
June 29, 2011 at 5:02 pmOooh how lovely! Would be fabulous to be featured by you again 🙂 thank you!
Zoe says
June 29, 2011 at 6:41 pmLovely looking cards Maggy! I’ve yet to measure ours… first thing tomorrow morning!
Red Ted Art says
June 29, 2011 at 6:53 pmI am pretty certain yours will be bigger!!
Anna @ The Imagination Tree says
June 30, 2011 at 12:42 pmGorgeous! I want to see a CLOSE up of the cards, thanks 🙂
Red Ted Art says
June 30, 2011 at 1:36 pmAh thanks.. and uhm.. we have posted 3 of them already.. but you know, I am sure I took more photos… will have a dig in the photo file!
Thanks for all the other lovely comments..
Rashi says
June 30, 2011 at 4:08 pmVery cute cards Maggy, Thanks for sharing such a wonderful activity for kids.
Amy @ Hope Is the Word says
June 30, 2011 at 8:23 pmI love it!
mummiafelice says
June 30, 2011 at 8:37 pmThose are just amazing. So simple, but so beautiful. I’ve been really bad with crafts for the kids lately. Must change that!
Thanks for linking up!
Ann says
July 1, 2011 at 9:42 amCute idea!
Fun Frugal Mommy says
July 1, 2011 at 12:58 pmFun idea and I love the messy pictures. : ) I’m now following. Please come visit me at http://www.funfrugalmommy.blogspot.com
Chris at Thinly Spread says
July 1, 2011 at 3:19 pmIs there anything jollier than a sunflower?! These are lovely, thanks for sharing. x
JDaniel4's Mom says
July 1, 2011 at 6:22 pmThe people that receive these will love them. What a wonderful craft.
Red Ted Art says
July 1, 2011 at 6:29 pmI hope so!!!
Candace @ NaturallyEducational says
July 1, 2011 at 7:08 pmThese are so lovely. I’ve been afraid to plant sunflowers because we don’t get much light. Maybe next year…
Emma says
July 1, 2011 at 7:50 pmLovely, so simple, but so sweet. x
Roopa @putti prapancha says
July 2, 2011 at 4:19 amLove how you made them into cards! We made handprint sunflowers:)
Red Ted Art says
July 2, 2011 at 6:35 amOooh handprint flowers are lovely too!
Lindsay says
July 2, 2011 at 12:03 pmI absolutely adore sunflowers. With 6-7 year olds this week we re-told the story of Camille and the Sunflowers and created artworks using paint and pastels. Lovely fun. :))
Kristy says
July 2, 2011 at 12:51 pmVery cute! I like how you let him make whatever he wanted afterward, which was a messy picture. We have some fabulous messy creations at our house, too. 🙂 Visiting you from the Read. Explore. Learn Summer Reading Challenge.
Delaney says
July 3, 2011 at 12:11 amWhat a cute idea!
http://sweetteaserendipity.blogspot.com
Fran says
July 4, 2011 at 11:04 pmMy girls will love doing these! We did thumbprint chicks at Easter but never thought of Sunflowers, is there a happier flower?
Found the link on BritMums btw
Fran x
maryanne @ mama smiles says
July 5, 2011 at 5:06 pmSimple and pretty. Perfect =)
Callie Feyen says
July 5, 2011 at 8:45 pmI LOVE this! They turned out great, and I love the book you used to go along with it. Such a lovely story. (stopping by from weteach)
Isil says
July 6, 2011 at 8:31 pmthanks for linking up to Book Sharing Monday,what a beautiful book!
Twiggy says
July 8, 2011 at 4:15 pmBrilliant, think I’ll make some of these with my boy for his teachers
Twiggy x
Michelle Breum says
July 9, 2011 at 6:24 pmBeautiful! We’ll have to plant sunflowers next year. We usually do. Love the paintings, book, and pictures of your sunflowers!
Carolyn says
July 11, 2011 at 11:25 amThey look fantastic. I love home crafted cards.
dorria says
August 6, 2011 at 1:48 amSunflowers are Captivating …. great Idea make it in thankfulness cards …I love it
Red Ted Art says
August 7, 2011 at 3:18 pmAaah thank you! We were really pleased with them… and they were so easy for our little ones to make!
artsy_momma says
August 27, 2011 at 4:21 pmThe Sunflower Post is up- thanks for letting me feature your craft!
Red Ted Art says
September 22, 2011 at 7:35 pmTHANK YOU for featuring it!! 🙂