Fingerprint Tree Art

I knew when I saw this that I wanted to do one with my boys!

And since they hate to get messy it was a real struggle to convince them to dip their fingers in paint.

Right…

First I sketched out a tree.

I just did a google search for tree sketches to be inspired in the design, you could copy one or even find a coloring page to use.

I tried to not put too much work into this sketch since I knew that the boys might decided to ruin it and smear the whole thing with paint.

I used acrylic paint for the “leaves” but you could use an ink pad.

I used one color of  green acrylic and then just added a little bit of white, yellow and “gasp” black(my art teacher would not be happy with me) to get the different shades.

I had the boys each do a side of the tree so as to keep the process peaceful.

Not that my boys would ever fight over something like painting…

They are practically perfect in every way.

I love works of fiction, don’t you?

I then had them use toothpicks to add grass, I thought it needed something on the bottom but you would not have to do this.

I like toothpicks because it is hard to go crazy with them, you only can do a little bit of paint at a time.

My oldest loved mixing the colors the most.

Done!

I can’t wait to hang it in my livingroom!

Keystone State Park Mountain Bike & Hiking Trail

The Keystone State Park Mountain Bike & Hiking Trail is a mouthful…and it is located between the Keystone State Park and the Keystone Dam on 161 in NE Oklahoma.

It is a beautiful somewhat secluded feeling Trail with different levels of difficulty.

Green Trail- Novice

Blue Trail-Intermediate

Red Trail- Advanced

Black Trail- Expert

Although the Park office located in Keystone State Park does have a trail map I would suggest printing off a color version (here) before going since theirs is black and white and you cannot see the colors of the trails.

The trail difficulty seems to be more for bikes then hikers so if you plan on hiking the trail you will find the “expert” to not be as difficult to hike as most trails with that difficulty rating.

The trails are pretty rough on your feet as there are a lot of rock’s so wear sturdy footwear.

My youngest got a ride this time since he was “helping” his Dad train for a harder hike he and I are going on in the summer.

The picture on the right gives you an idea of what the trail looks like. Lots of rocks.

It was my favorite hiking weather, cloudy and misty. It made everything damp and beautiful!

I am so glad we went!

Everything was blooming and beautiful.

I love it when there is just a hint of spring everywhere.