Family Tree

I was browsing through BHG and found this adorable family tree. What a fun project to do with your kids and a great way to take an opportunity to tell them about their ancestors.

This isn't the best picture but I wanted you to get an idea of what it looks like.

Isn't it darling?

I've included instructions and a link to the templates. My kids are too little for this one but I'm definitely saving this idea for the future.

• Tree and ornament templates
• One (1) 24-inch high cardboard box
• Corrugated cardboard sheets
• Thin shirting or packing cardboard sheets
• Pencil
• Craft knife and several blades (buy blades suitable for precision work)
• Quick-setting gel glue
• Acrylic craft paints in metallic or shimmer finish
• Small paintbrush
• 1/16-inch circle and 1/8-inch circle hole punches (optional)
• Fine-tipped scissors
• Ornament string or metallic embroidery thread
• 2x3-inch copies of family photos
• Double-sided scrapbook paper

• Download the Tree Template
• Enlarge the tree template as needed and cut out.
• Trace around the template onto the cardboard box and cut the panel out
  using the craft knife. Repeat two more times, to make three tree panels in total.
• Trace around each cardboard tree panel (front and back of each panel) onto the
  smooth side of the corrugated cardboard and cut out with the craft knife.
• Glue the corrugated cardboard to the front and back of each cardboard tree panel.
  Set aside to dry. When panels are fully dry (10-15 minutes), glue the edges of the
  panels together to create a tripod effect, so that the tree stands on its own.
• Hold together with your hands for a few minutes until the glue begins to set.
  Let the tree dry while standing

• Print out the ornament templates and cut out.
• Trace around templates onto the shirting cardboard and cut out with craft knife.
• Use hole punches to make decorative dots, if desired.
• Paint the individual templates with acrylic paints and set aside to dry for about 10-15 minutes.
• Trim photos as needed for each frame and adhere the photo to the second layer of each ornament.
• Glue the top layer of the ornament onto the second layer.
• Cut lengths of ornament string or embroidery thread, fold over to make a loop, and adhere to the
  back of each ornament with a little dab of glue. Set aside to fully dry before hanging.
• Hang ornaments on branches as desired
• Lastly, cut leaf shapes of varying sizes out of patterned paper (fold paper in half and cut
  out half-circle shapes) and glue to the tree branches.

Corrugated cardboard available at some art supply stores or box stores; Most other
supplies available at craft stores: X-acto knives and blades; Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft
Glue; Folk Art acrylic paint by Plaid (Metallic Pearl White, Metallic Antique Gold, Metallic
Peridot - paints can be combined for custom shades); Making Memories scrapbook paper.