Gotta Make It: Paper Pinwheel

"The world would be so lonely, In sunny hours or gray, Without the gift of friendship, To help us every day."  - Hilda Brett Farr

This morning was one of those where you look out your window, the sun was shining, and you immediately begin your day on the right foot.  Then you step outside and the wind just about blows you over and slams the door on you...but we'll just try and forget that part!  Then the power goes out...but we'll forget about that too.  We'll just remember the bright sun.  The beautiful weather (minus the wind) we had today just reminded me of how much I am looking forward to Spring and the end of the cold season.   With Spring on my mind, I decided to try a bright and cheery project today.  On top of this being a project where we get to use some of our favorite papers, we also get to categorize it in our Dollar Diva section...and that's always bright and cheery on your wallet. 

A while back, I saw this idea for a paper pinwheel in a PaperCrafts Magazine and I've been meaning to try it to see if it was easy or a little more difficult.  Luckily it was quick and easy so I had to share.  Then I went a step further and made a little Paper Pinwheel Bouquet with most of the supplies from the DollarTree.  Let's get started...

MATERIALS:

Favorite papers (I used scrapbook paper that had patterns or colors on both sides)
Wooden Skewers
Brads/Beads
Glass Vase
Ribbon
Styrofoam square
Embellishments
Ink pad
Scissors, glue (strong and quick finishing like Krazy Glue)

HOW-TO:
Pinwheel-
1.  Cut patterned paper to 4.5" square
2.  Using a ruler measure to find the exact center of your paper square.
3.  From corner cut 2.5" towards middle point.  Repeat on all the corners (see figure diagram below)
4.  Ink all the edges with inkpad
5.  Fold corners one at a time to the middle and attach using fast drying glue (see diagram)
6.  Once all 4 corners are adhered add embellishments.  For center piece I used brad, glass marble, and jewelery bead.
7.  Attach the wooden skewer (DollarTree) to back of pinwheel with glue.  I used the glue gun for this one.
8.  Let Dry

Vase-
1. Cut patterned paper to size.  Insert on the inside of vase (DollarTree).
2.  Cut styrofoam (DollarTree) to size and insert into the vase.
3.  Decorate outside of vase with ribbon and embellishments if you desire.
4.  Insert pinwheels and arrange
5.  Add glass decorative marbles (DollarTree) to the top to hide styrofoam.
6.  Voila!  All done.

There are so many uses for this project I don't even know where to begin.  They are cute enough just to add some spring decor to your house, they would be cute at a baby shower or kid's party, a baby announcement, a party favor, and the ideas could just keep going.  So get creative with what you could use this project for!  Enjoy the sun...if you are lucky enough to have some right now!

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Comments

[MissChristina]

These are a beautiful! And such a wonderful craft for children. I have been looking for pinwheels that were child safe. Many use a tac or push pin. Thank you!