Author: Sariah Tate

Create a Family Tree (Free printable)

Family Tree

 

Create a charming little family tree that can help you remember and visually see your family past and present. Makes a great wall hanging and a meaningful gift (what could moms, mom-in-laws and grandmas be more excited about??)

This began as a  church Young Women’s project. We were working on finding names of our ancestors, (check out familysearch.org or www.ancestry.com) and wanted the girls to display them in nice way.

create-a-family-tree-for-yw

I absolutely fell in love with this tree and had always wanted one for my home so I decided to mimic the basic concept and this is what came out of that. I made a template (which you can download for free  for personal use)

[Download not found]

create-a-family-tree-with-patterned-paper

 

The template is just an outline of the tree and a couple leaves, this way you can trace it onto whatever color/patterned pattern your heart desires.

Instructions For Creating A family tree 

Start by printing the download on a regular 8.5×11 piece of computer paper. You could also print the tree template right onto the patterned paper if is not too dark or busy.  If you don’t print right on to the paper you will use, follow the next few steps to transfer template outline onto paper.

create-family-tree-chalk

Use a piece of chalk in a color contrasting the color of tree you will use (black tree, white chalk) and cover entire backside of the paper (blankside).  You can also use carbon paper to achieve similar results.

trace

Lay the template on the opposite side of colored/patterned paper that will appear (if it is a solid color of paper, it won’t matter, if it has a patterned on one side and blank on the other, lay it on the BLANK side). Trace the tree template with a pen, pushing firmly.

outlined-tree

After you have traced around the whole tree you can lift up the paper and you should be able to see the outline of the tree. Cut out the tree. Paste tree on a 11×14 piece of heavier paper (we used Bistol paper)

tace-cut-leaf

To cutout many leaves at a time: trace one of the leaves near the edge of a pattern/colored paper (there are two different sizes of leaves on the template you can choose whatever you prefer or just draw your own) and cutout a long strip from it. Fold the strip around the leaf accordion style. Hold the accordion together and cut out the leaves, you should get 2-4 leaves depending on the amount of times you folded it.

The way you place the leaves around the tree is totally up to you. The placement will be more or less abstract, the tree branches don’t necessarily follow a pattern. Have fun, make it look awesome. Please link back if you want to post on your website or comment with link so we can all admire your work!

***UPDATE!**** JUNE 2014

If you like this little tree, you will LOVE this.  YOu can print this directly onto a 11×14 (go to a printing lab, pretty cheap since it is black and white) and fill in names of your family members PAST (roots) and continue to add growing PRESENT family members (grandchildren, etc) with patterned paper!! SO genius, right?? It is available as instant download in my ETSY shop for only $5! 

familiy tree printable

family tree made with cutout paper leaves.

Health Vision Board

Why Does the Lord Want me to be Healthy?

I am teaching my Church Young Women’s group about why it is important to keep our body’s healthy. I am really excited to teach this because I am a huge believer of keeping a healthy and balanced life to achieve a sense of happiness and wellbeing (See post about healthy body here). Practicing good health is vital to Keeping the ‘delicate, sensitive, spiritual of our nature on proper alert’ as Body K. Packer states.  It helps us feel the Spirit more clearly and fully in our lives. I have found that striving to maintain the spirit in my life by practicing good health, care and respect for my body has truly brought a flood of wisdom, inspiration, calmness, peace, happiness more than I could ever imagine. Being sensitive to the Spirit also provides the balance we need so we don’t go overboard on any aspect of our lives.  I have learned, it really is the ‘Word of Wisdom’.

visionboard-example-motherhoodtrade

I wanted something the girls could really ‘take home’ and practice.  I gathered some images from the internet of things that could represent areas of health: Physical, emotional, mental, spiritual even financial well being so they could create a Health Vision Board. I’m a believe of vision boards because they tie in the verbal and visual parts of our brains. The idea is to put the board on the wall next to their beds where they can see it as soon as they roll out of bed. Their job is to look at every part of the board every morning (and often as they like) and really take in. The idea is the more they internalize what is on the board, the sooner and easier their minds will make sure it gets done!  I’m about forming habits and disciple (see my 7 tips of success here), so this way, if they missed doing something for a couple days to NOT GIVE UP! You are DEVELOPING habits, so it is ok if you don’t do it all right away, but the board provides the VISION of what it is you really want to keep working on.

Here is the vision board handout they can cut and glue on a regular 8.5×11 piece of paper or cardstock. Hope it helps!

 

health-vision-board

you can copy and paste image above or download version here:

Download “Vision Board” visionboard.pdf – Downloaded 1021 times – 1 MB

 

Other “Come Follow Me” lessons in NOVEMBER.

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