Easy Kids’ Fingerprint Tree

Happy Friday!  So, did you catch the copper tree I posted on Wednesday?  I have been thinking on all the ways I can’t wait to use that tree trunk die, so yesterday when my daughter asked if we could make a project for her babysitter, I had a great, super easy idea.  She loves to use my Sizzix Big Shot as it is (something about being allowed to crank it, haha) and she enjoys gluing shapes.  So we made one of those finger-painted trees you’ve probably seen floating around on Pinterest, and it was an activity that BOTH my kids enjoyed.

My kids are going to the sitter tonight for an overnight while my husband and I get a date night (YAY!) so that’s what sparked my daughter’s sudden interest in making a gift, and it’s also why I don’t have a “real” tutorial today, because this little piece kind of speaks for itself.

Frankly, I think I’m going to have them make another because it just turned out so darn cute, and my daughter (who’s 4) did great showing my son (21 months) how to add fingerprints.  The only work involved was making sure his prints ONLY went on the paper, haha.

So if you’re thinking this project looks pretty familiar – it probably does.  This copper tree art is what I shared earlier this week when I opened up my brand new Sizzix Bigz Tree die:

The tree is perfect in a 5×7 frame, but as you can see – the mediums you use give it a totally different effect.  I’ll leave links below to the products I used, in case you’ve got your eye on them now that I can’t stop posting trees (haha).  They are affiliate links, which means that if you do decide to make a purchase, it supports my blog at no extra cost to you (and thank you, by the way).  If you do decide that you have to have this Sizzix die (or you’re taking the plunge and ordering a die-cutting machine) then be sure to use coupon code SZB2015 when you check out on the Sizzix site!  That will save you 15% off your order just for being a reader here at Happy Hour Projects.

For today’s project, I used:

• Sizzix Big Shot and extended platform, and standard cutting pads 
• Sizzix doodlebug designs Bigz Tree die
• 5×7 “Floating” Photo Frame
• Glue Dots
• Scrap card stock
• Acrylic paints

I don’t have any adorable photos of my kids adding their prints because I was mostly focused on making sure the paint stayed on the paper, but I’m sure you get the idea of how we accomplished this artwork.  Miss Raya of course had to have PINK (after initally wanting silver – go figure) and so we let Roman add in some green prints, giving the look of a flowering tree.  I just really liked being able to crank out a quick die-cut rather than attempting to freehand paint, draw, or otherwise create a tree that wouldn’t look half as cute as this one.

We’re going out to see some stand up comedy tonight, which is something my husband and I both really love, and my kids get to catch up with some of their favorite people and get a chance to do something different tonight, too.  This will be a nice change of pace from all the spring cleaning I’ve been doing lately!  What about you, do you have anything fun going on this weekend?