Operation DoveCraft! Paper ornaments with our best wishes for the troops

Let's spend the next couple of weeks letting our troops know how much we care about them by making and sending handmade paper dove ornaments with our messages tucked into the wings.

Any ideas on who best to approach to get them there? Since they're paper, they shouldn't be so complicated to send.

We can color them with sparkly crayons or decorate any way we choose - then, we can tuck our personal messages of support, peace and hope into the accordian folded wings for soldiers to open and read during the holidays.


I found this craft a long time ago when I taught a computer and craft class for kids. They make a nice ornament because they are sturdy {for paper) and because of the message tucked into the wings. The artwork and idea are by Carol Sabbeth and I'm delighted to find it is still out here in the Internets!

If you like this idea give it a kick and help get the word out so we can get to work on making these for our troops.





Peace Dove Ornament

http://members.aol.com/sabetour/Dovecraft.html

Make an ornament in the symbol of peace - a dove. Color him in shades of blue, green, and purple. These cool colors make people feel peaceful. Or, color him in shades of yellow, orange, and red. These warm colors make people feel happy.

Hang your dove at your front door to welcome friends. Add it on your Christmas tree. Or, write a special message on your dove and give it to someone you love.

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# Draw a 6" by 4" rectangle. This is the wing. Decorate it with patterns, or write a message about Peace. Print one copy and cut out.
# Color the dove's body and wings using warm or cool colors. Turn the dove body piece over, write a message on this blank side. Cut the slot in the body for the wing.
# Accordion-fold the wing piece into 1/2" pleats, starting from the narrow side. Pinch the folded wing in half, open slightly and insert through the wing slot in the body of the dove. Pull the wings together at the top and glue. (If you've written a message you'd like someone to read - secure it with a paper clip instead of glue - they'll be able to unfold the wing to read their letter)
# Make a small hole at the top of the wing and thread with a piece of yarn to hang.

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It's a good idea to make a flyer to hand out at peace events with instructions.

My graphics software isn't flipping the image and I will have to wait to make my flyer, but it's a good idea to make a flyer where the birds are flipped to face one another (so that they can be cut and glued together). Include some space for instructions then use the remainder of the paper as a rectangle for the wings.

It reminds me of the wooden dove ornaments my mother painted from a kit when I was little...I hadn't thought of those in years.

I don't know how you'd coordinate getting them all to one place, but maybe Cindy Sheehan would be interested in the project?

Maybe other people are out doing things what with it being Friday night. :)