Small Hands Creating Hope: Butterfly Sun Catcher

Welcome to the Small Hands Creating Hope project! I am so excited to be a part of this exciting fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, together with an incredibly talented group of bloggers who focus on fun, creative, and education activities for kids!
Each of us has worked with our children or students to create a craft that could be made by or for someone facing cancer. The projects in this book are stunning, and several include tutorials so that you can recreate the crafts at home with your own children or students!

Recently cancer struck our family.  My 33 year old sister-in-law, Erin, found a lump in her breast last year.  After tests, it was determined that she had breast cancer and the only real course of treatment was a double mastectomy.  They told her that she was “lucky” and that the cancer had not spread.  Lucky….what a word. 

Christmastime that same year my cousin lost her dear friend, Karen, to breast cancer.  Karen was in her 30’s as well.  She left behind a loving husband and young daughter.  It was heart wrenching for all.

I always thought that cancer was a old person’s disease and that young people have little to worry about…boy was I wrong.  Cancer was rough on my family last year.  So, when MaryAnne from Mama Smiles mentioned starting this project, I jumped at the chance to contribute.

For the book, J and I made a sweet butterfly sun catcher. We used tissue paper, torn and cut into flower shapes, construction paper for the outline and body of the butterfly, and clear contact paper to hold it all together.  I think it turned out beautiful and I hope that it will bring sunshine to those who could use some.

Everyone’s projects have been compiled into an ebook, which we are sending out to anyone who donates at least $15 to the American Cancer society. An email with the download link, as well as a second link that allows you to purchase a hard copy of the book at production cost will be sent once we receive your donation. This button will take you directly to the American Cancer Society’s donation page:

If you donate but do not receive this email for any reason, or if you have trouble with the download, email smallhandsproject at gmail dot com.

MaryAnne at Mama Smiles compiled this book as a way of celebrating thirty years of cancer survivorship! We are hoping to raise $3000 by July 4th, and we are running a blog hop from May 14th until July 4th to celebrate and raise funds so that, in the future, thirty years of cancer survivorship will be the norm, not the exception! Learn about each of the bloggers who participated in the book by visiting each blog on their assigned dates – a few bloggers will be running celebratory giveaways, too!

14 May Mama Smiles
15 May Artsy Craftsy Mom
            Rainbows Within Reach
16 May B. Inspired, Mama!
17 May Rainy Day Mum
            Imagination Soup
18 May Inspiration Laboratories
19 May Experimenting Mom
20 May Mama Mia’s Heart2Heart
21 May NurtureStore
            Mama Smiles
22 May Living Montessori Now
23 May Mess for Less
24 May Having Fun at Home and CraftoArt
25 May Outlaw Mom
26 May Angelique Felix and Sense of Wonder
27 May Sun Hats and Wellie Boots
28 May Duck Duck Octopus
29 May Smiling like Sunshine
30 May Mommy with Selective Memory
31 May One Perfect Day
1 June The Educators’ Spin On It
2 June Kids Stuff World
3 June Rainy Day Mum
4 June Teach Preschool
5 June Dirt and Boogers
6 June Creative Connections for Kids and The Golden Gleam
7 June Montessori Tidbits
8 June Mom to 2 Posh Lil Divas
9 June The Iowa Farmer’s Wife
10 June Scribble Doodle and Draw
11 June Learn with Play
12 June Kitchen Counter Chronicles
13 June CRAYON Freckles
14 June Glittering Muffins
15 June Wise Owl Factory
16 June Crafty Maa
18 June Lessons Learnt Journal
20 June Growing a Jeweled Rose
21 June Growing Play
23 June JDaniel4′s Mom

Thank you for your support!