a year of birds
There are a handful of these still needing to be gifted, but I think they're all non-blog readers so I'm safe in sharing this now. This was our little gift for the holidays - a calendar of birds!
This project began in the spring, with the arrival of our first robins of the year. The pile of bird drawings starting growing...and the boys started dreaming up what they wanted to make with all of their bird love. Publish a book, make a movie - oh, the list went on and on. And they set to work - creating bird drawings, learning about birds, writing the names, and mostly - thinking, dreaming and watching the birds. Oh yeah, and there was a lot of screaming for me and my camera whenever a new one came by that we didn't yet have a photograph of.
By September, I had gently talked them into chanelling the book ideas (for now ...I'm fully anticipating the "bird book" idea being resurrected in the spring by these ambitious little ones) into a calendar, which thankfully, they loved the idea of as well. Each month's page features a photograph by Steve or I, drawings of the birds, lettering of the birds, and little commentary by the babes.
The piles of stuff floating around here for this were plentiful - hundreds of drawings, folders everywhere. At one point, Calvin was using an Excel spreadsheet to keep it all organized. Love that.
I created the images for each month in Photoshop, and then uploaded it all to Lulu.com for publishing. That end of the process was smooth and easy. I am so thrilled with the quality of the calendars - it was even better than I expected. We printed these on the over-sized (13 X 19") premium calendars - the size is perfect for this kind of project.
I seriously don't think any project has caused me so much frustration (okay...boredom is really the word - I scanned no less than 58 images), nor nail biting (as we waited for UPS to deliver it ... on the 21st!). But I can also say that few projects have been such a joy to be a part of. The kids worked SO hard on dreaming this up, putting it all together, and sharing it with those they love - watching them see it through to fruition was pretty awesome. It felt like a wonderful way to share something 'handmade' with those we love, as well as serve as a little record of how very much of our year was spent with the birds.
What a great example you are of homeschooling at its finest. The calendar is truly awesome.
Posted by: julie | January 03, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Your calendar is just the BEST!!! I put together a quickie photo calendar for the grandparents this year and that was a big hit but your idea is just terrific. I'll have to enlist the kids to come up with something for next year.
Posted by: melody | January 03, 2008 at 10:50 AM
This is great! One of the most inspiring things I've seen around blogland in quite a while! It's really awesome.
Posted by: Grace | January 03, 2008 at 10:55 AM
That is absolutely fantastic, brilliant gift. Well done everyone!
Posted by: Katherine | January 03, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Everything about this is fantastic - the concept, the artwork, the collaborative process, the end product. Thank you for sharing all of this with us!
Posted by: Marcy | January 03, 2008 at 11:03 AM
Oh, what a wonderful idea and perfect gift!
Posted by: Leslie | January 03, 2008 at 11:05 AM
This is SUCH a great idea! And the end result is awesome too - nice job to all involved!
Posted by: Kelly | January 03, 2008 at 11:08 AM
what a beautiful project.
Posted by: shari | January 03, 2008 at 11:22 AM
What a super great idea. I absolutely love it. You and your children did a fabulous job and I'm sure your recipients were thrilled.
Posted by: Sabrina | January 03, 2008 at 11:22 AM
love.love.love.LOVE this. really, i do! wow!
Posted by: jessamyn | January 03, 2008 at 11:22 AM
What a great idea - lovely!
Posted by: Jenni | January 03, 2008 at 11:29 AM
amazing!
(got any left?) xx
Posted by: hazeljoy | January 03, 2008 at 11:29 AM
gosh amanda, you are truly giving your kids the best tools to take with them to adulthood. a project like this is so much heart and soul and thought and planning, it's really the big picture here (and a wonderful calendar) but the big picture of growing them into well-rounded adults with projects like this teaching them so many layers of life lessons (while them having fun) this is really heartwarming.
Posted by: camerashymomma | January 03, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Wow. What a great idea and a beautiful finished treasure.
Posted by: Haley | January 03, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Those are so wonderful! How proud your kids must be...
Posted by: Amber | January 03, 2008 at 11:45 AM
How totally and unbelievably incredible! I am in awe-how wonderful! My husband and I are total bird geeks,I love it!
Posted by: Carrie | January 03, 2008 at 12:25 PM
what a fabulous gift idea!! Absolutly super creative!!!
Posted by: Euphoria | January 03, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Those are fabulous! What a treasure. Bravo Calvin, and helpers!
Posted by: Krystal | January 03, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Will any be for sale in your shop (:
Posted by: Nichole | January 03, 2008 at 12:31 PM
*love* this idea! We are avid bird watchers and I think this is a great way to channel that energy.
Posted by: Julie | January 03, 2008 at 12:31 PM
this is the sweetest idea ever. your kids must be so proud!
Posted by: Karen S | January 03, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Wow. What a beautiful idea that incorporates the talents of your whole family. An awesome gift idea which is sure to become a keepsake as well. Bravo, Calvin, Ezra, Adelaide, Amanda and Steve!
Posted by: Katherine | January 03, 2008 at 12:45 PM
As a lucky and surprised recipient I can attest that this is truly a keepsake work-of-art. I cannot bring myself to write in it, so it will be a reference calendar only! The size is great too. Thank you, thank you all again! Thank you too, for sharing the how-to's, as we were a-wonderin' how it all got put together. Now I just need some help with Photoshop...
Posted by: annette | January 03, 2008 at 01:00 PM
i'm in awe! what an amazing idea + they look fantastic. i love how your whole family contributed...a truly special gift.
Posted by: kelly | January 03, 2008 at 01:06 PM
this just rocks. i love how you ran with their idea.
Posted by: erin | January 03, 2008 at 01:21 PM
You have inspired me to do something similar with my boys this year - thank you.
Posted by: Claudia~L | January 03, 2008 at 01:22 PM
These are so beautiful. I love to use my childrens' art, too. Now I have another idea of what to do with some of it, thank you. I have always felt what my kids do creatively is so beautiful, and it hangs on my walls, gets sent to grandparents, graces my shelves and in general is so loved. I'm glad to see you feel the same about your children's art, Amanda. Lisa in MN
Posted by: Lisa Z | January 03, 2008 at 01:22 PM
What a fantastic idea! A great way to teach your children how to take their art and apply it to something cohesive as well as functional. They are now exprienced illustrators, designers and art directors!
Posted by: kendra | January 03, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Fantastic! Gryphon LOVED your idea and he wanted me to show Calvin and Ezra his bird pictures done last year for our backyard bird unit!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/totallycrunchy/115449571/
Posted by: sarah | January 03, 2008 at 02:11 PM
What a wonderful idea that will surely be treasured by anyone who receives it! I know I would treasure it for the rest of my life! I looooove the drawing of the red-tailed hawk up there. So cool. Your boys are very talented.
Posted by: Liz | January 03, 2008 at 02:14 PM
How fabulous! I love Calvin's commentary on the above two months of birds.
Posted by: Deardeedle | January 03, 2008 at 02:36 PM
What great gifts! So creative :)
Posted by: Clare | January 03, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Fab-u-lous. You have the most amazing children.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 03, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Beautiful! The work was worth it.
Posted by: kimberly/tippytoes | January 03, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Amanda how beautiful. And what patience you must have to make it through such a "many step" project with 3 little ones! Congrats! I hope you are all proud of your achievement. I looks absolutely beautiful. I have been a fan of this blog for a long time and your projects never fail to inspire us... Thanks. Wishing you the best 2008.
Posted by: tony(a) lemos | January 03, 2008 at 03:03 PM
Great idea. It is beautiful.
Posted by: Sherah | January 03, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Simple and perfect...what more can you ask? Thanks for sharing, I think I will use your idea for my bird loving grandfather...
Posted by: Myshell | January 03, 2008 at 03:16 PM
This looks like something that could go into Martha Stewart Kids (if it were still being published, I really loved that mag). Simply fabulous!!!!
Posted by: lori | January 03, 2008 at 03:37 PM
beautifully wonderful! :)
happy new year!!
Posted by: joleen | January 03, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Thank you for sharing - this is a great idea for project development and will adopt into our making - love how the gathering of resource material is from your own backyard. Simple and delightful
Posted by: tjoyy | January 03, 2008 at 03:45 PM
That is beautiful, what a wonderful gift and a great twist on the regular handmade calendar.LOVE it!
Posted by: Nicki | January 03, 2008 at 04:07 PM
you guys are my heroes!!! well done!
Posted by: Veronica TM | January 03, 2008 at 04:25 PM
oh soulemama - you are my most 'favoritist' blog. amazing calandar - 'high five' to the creators. amazing. What glee! cheerio suz
Posted by: Suz | January 03, 2008 at 04:30 PM
What an awesome idea. This might be one of the coolest homemade gifts ever. I LOVE it!!!!
Posted by: Amy | January 03, 2008 at 04:33 PM
What a brilliant idea!
Posted by: Dee | January 03, 2008 at 05:59 PM
So great. I love this.
Posted by: abbyjane | January 03, 2008 at 06:16 PM
I am in awe. This brought tears to my eyes. Absolutely stunning!! In the past I have put together calendars of our family doing different activities for family members- but to include their artwork and pictures- just amazing!! I too am so stealing this idea. I think my boys would really enjoy this project.
You and your family are such an inspiration.
After seeing your ideas on your blog- we started nature journaling with our children. we live in beautiful Colorado so it has been so fun for us...
Thanks for all you do and keep blogging!!!
Posted by: Susie O'Keefe | January 03, 2008 at 06:22 PM
*want one*
Beth
Posted by: Beth | January 03, 2008 at 06:27 PM
Seriously ... I think one of your kids will end up president someday. Maybe not of the u.s. but leaders for sure. God LOVE YOU for seeing this thru. So impressed I am. Really ... figure out a way to give you a special momma treat for this one (and poppa too!). What a team you two are with those kids. An inspiration you are to me every. single day.
Posted by: Diane Arias | January 03, 2008 at 06:42 PM
What an incredible work of awesomeness!! I want one!!
Posted by: Christine in Maine | January 03, 2008 at 07:21 PM