Lots of Paper Love to Moms

Lebanon celebrates Mother's Day today. So if you are a mom, wherever you are, you are a remarkable being.

I was one of those kids who were fortunate to have had a supermom growing up. If you're like me, and if your mom was your comfort and solace, your teacher and friend, then don't forget to tell her so today. Remember that during those long hours in the delivery room, she was busy pushing your ungrateful fat head out of herself so that for many years to come she could cook for you, clean you, drive you around and spend every waking moment making you happy. So when she hugs you, don't pull away too soon.


If you're thinking of giving your mom a home-made card this year, why not go the extra mile! I've been into pop-up art lately (see this previous post), and I have received requests for more pop-up (actually, it was like, one request...recommendation...suggestion? ok, it was a comment made in passing.)

These are not exactly Mother's Day themed, but really, why wouldn't your mom want aliens and butterflies?

So it came out better than I expected, although the nice engineering is somewhat overshadowed by my childish artwork.

It takes a lot of patience to align everything perfectly so that it will
overlap where it should and... not where it shouldn't.

I used watercolors because I wanted it to have a kind of dreamy and serene quality.

 

 For the alien, I used the rotator technique. For more on pop-up techniques, visit the wonderful and ever helpful Howcast channel on YouTube.

Finally, I made a little collapsible base for the moon to make it stand a little higher than the card, creating a kind of relief effect.

This one is much simpler. It also gave me a chance to dabble some more with paints. I like working with messy materials. It makes it all the more tantalizing.

And this was going to be part of a card, but it remained unfinished. Ironically, it would have been the most appropriate for the occasion.

Happy Teacher's/ Women's Day!

Well, I have not posted in ages. It only seems fit that I should post about two events at once today!

First, Happy Teacher's Day to all the wonderful teachers I know. 



I think Teacher's Day is celebrated on the 9th in Lebanon, but today was an official day off to celebrate our wonderful teachers, so this is appropriate. Today I'm not just thinking of my school and university teachers, but anyone who may have taught me something or helped me become a better person, whether they meant to or not. I know I would not be who I am today if it wasn't for all the people I've met, good and bad.

This thing I made is not strictly origami. I've recently become fascinated by pop-up art after getting my hands on this beautiful book by Benjamin Lacombe called Il était une fois. It has made me want to dabble in pop-up. Hence, this card I made for my wonderful supervisor.

It's part origami, part glue and inky fingers. It's a little bit messy, but it was only my second try, so I'm not too upset.

Second, a very Happy Women's Day to all the lovely ladies out there! 

(And a very average day to all the not-so-lovely ladies.)


Unfortunately, I know a truck-full of disappointing ladies I try to keep out of my life, but I'm infinitely grateful for the handful of beautiful women I know who I can look up to and trust. You know who you are.

 I hope you remembered to celebrate the women in your life today. And I hope all you ladies had a beautiful day. 

And, okay, gentlemen teachers, you're great too...