Place the oldest relatives across the middle, and then you can represent generations and families outward on alternating sides of that line. This loose design works well for blended families.

Tools and Materials

• Photographs
• Photo paper (15 sheets, by Hahnemuhle, from New York Central Art Supply, 212-473-7705)
• Diamond template
• Craft knife and cutting mat
• Watercolor paper, 30 by 40 inches, from aceartsupplies.com
• Paintbrush (for glue), size 20, by Blick Academic
• Paste

Precious Diamonds Family Tree How-To

1. Scan photos of several generations. Convert them to black-and-white, and print onto photo paper. Print diamond template. Trace template onto photos, playing with cropping and scale; make some close-ups and others whole figures. Using craft knife, cut out photos on mat.

2. Position photos on watercolor paper, with oldest generation lined up by couple across the middle. Lay out the families on alternating sides of that center line, with the first couple's children above, the second couple's children below, and so on. Paste in place, and let dry.

3. When you're finished, frame and display on the wall. We used a custom 22-by-30-inch frame by Larson Juhl.