Monday, November 15, 2010

Thanksgiving Leaf Fan Book



Here's a simple fan book made from oak leaves (or at least my interpretation of them) cut from the back panel of a brown paper grocery bag.

I traced the leaf pattern onto the bag with brown marker, colored the leaves in with crayon, and then cut them out. Holding all of them together, I poked a hole at the bottom of the leaves with the point of a pair of scissors.

I threaded a clear twist tie through a bead and pulled the two ends until they were even. I threaded them through the leaves and put the two ends through a bead on the other side. I twisted the two ends together and trimmed off the excess. You could also use a hole punch and a paper fastener.

I did the writing after binding but you might find it easier to do it before. I wrote one word on the front of each leaf and then a little about each word on the back. I wrote some additional information with a red pen along the edges of the leaf, such as the names of some of my favorite books on the back of the book leaf.


Oak Leaf Leaf Patterns to print






A wonderful picture book about November by Cynthia Rylant. It describes the month for the plants, the animals, and for us. The language is beautiful, the observations are keen, and the oil on paper illustrations are filled with atmosphere and beauty.

It starts: "In November, the earth is growing quiet. It is making its bed..." and ends: "In November, at winter's gate, the stars are brittle. The sun is a sometimes friend. And the world has tucked her children in, with a kiss on their heads, until spring."

4 comments:

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Wow, I am SO happy to have found your blog...now the chore is to not LOSE it in this frenetic and crowded blog world.

I LOVE the idea of the leaf book and will use it with the children in my life.

I intend to go back through old posts. This is a gift to find you and all thanks to my friend Lesa Smith who owns my favorite toy shop-Whiz Kids in San Luis Obispo, California.

Let's keep in touch!

Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

Jeff McRitchie said...

The leaf fan book is a terrific idea. Both kids and adults could have a lot of fun making them.

Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord said...

Sharon
I'm happy you have found me too! I love your books. I spent a lot of time with them as I love the way you write and the warm and friendly design. They were a real inspiration. Let's definitely keep in touch.
in good spirit
Susan

Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord said...

Jeff
I love that you said both kids and adults. We ALL need to engage in creative acts. It's not just for the children.