DIY with Paper
Paper Mache
Materials Needed:
Newspaper
Flour
Water
Bowl
Balloon or other base (optional)
Paint (optional)
Instructions:
Tear the newspaper into strips.
Mix equal parts of flour and water in a bowl to create a paste.
Dip the newspaper strips into the paste, ensuring they are fully coated.
Apply the strips to your base (like a balloon) in layers, smoothing out any wrinkles and overlapping the strips.
Continue layering until you achieve your desired thickness.
Let it dry completely (this may take a day or two).
Once dry, you can paint and decorate your paper mache creation as desired.
Enjoy your paper mache project!
Origami Frog
Materials Needed:
Square sheet of paper
Instructions:
Start with a square sheet of paper, colored side facing down.
Fold the paper in half diagonally to form a triangle.
Fold the bottom corners up to the top point to create a smaller triangle.
Fold the two side corners of the triangle to the center crease.
Fold the tip of the triangle down to create the frog's head.
Flip the paper over and fold the two bottom corners up to form the frog's back legs.
Fold the frog in half along the center crease.
Gently pull out the frog's front legs by folding the flaps down.
You've now created an origami frog! Enjoy hopping around with your new creation.
Paper Collage
Materials Needed:
Variety of colored or patterned paper
Scissors
Glue
Cardstock or canvas as a base
Instructions:
Gather a selection of colored or patterned paper.
Cut or tear the paper into different shapes and sizes.
Arrange the cut paper pieces on the cardstock or canvas to create a design or scene.
Once you are satisfied with the arrangement, glue the paper pieces onto the base.
Allow the glue to dry completely.
You can add additional elements like drawings, stickers, or other embellishments to enhance your collage.
Have fun creating your paper collage masterpiece!
Paper Bead Jewelry
Materials Needed:
Paper (magazines, scrapbook paper, etc.)
Scissors
Glue
Bamboo skewer or toothpick
Clear nail polish or Mod Podge
String or jewelry wire
Clasps and jump rings (for jewelry)
Instructions:
Cut the paper into long, narrow triangles. The width of the triangle will determine the width of your bead.
Place a dab of glue at the wide end of the paper triangle.
Starting from the wide end, tightly roll the paper around a bamboo skewer or toothpick.
Apply a thin layer of clear nail polish or Mod Podge to the rolled paper to seal it and let it dry.
Once dry, carefully slide the paper bead off the skewer.
Repeat the process to make more beads in different colors and sizes.
String the beads onto a piece of string or jewelry wire to create your desired jewelry piece.
Add clasps and jump rings to complete your paper bead jewelry.
Enjoy wearing your unique paper bead jewelry creations!
Paper Lanterns
Materials Needed:
Colored or patterned paper
Scissors
Glue or tape
Ruler
Pencil
String or wire for hanging (optional)
LED tea light (for safety)
Instructions:
Take a piece of colored or patterned paper and fold it in half lengthwise.
Measure and mark lines along the folded edge, leaving about 1 inch uncut at each end.
Carefully cut along the marked lines, ensuring not to cut all the way through.
Unfold the paper and bring the short edges together to form a cylinder.
Secure the edges with glue or tape to hold the lantern shape.
If desired, add a handle by attaching a piece of string or wire to the top of the lantern.
Place an LED tea light inside the lantern for a safe and cozy glow.
Your paper lantern is ready to illuminate any space with a warm and decorative touch!
Paper Flowers
Materials Needed:
Colored paper
Scissors
Glue
Green pipe cleaners (optional, for stems)
Marker (optional, for decoration)
Instructions:
Take a square piece of colored paper. The size of the paper will determine the size of your flower.
Fold the paper accordion-style, making about 1-inch wide folds.
Once you have folded the entire paper, secure the middle with a piece of string or glue.
Round the edges of the folded paper to create a petal shape.
Gently separate each layer of the accordion fold and fluff them out to create the flower.
If desired, color the edges of the petals with a marker for a decorative touch.
To create a stem, attach a green pipe cleaner to the base of the flower.
Repeat the process to make more flowers and arrange them in a vase for a beautiful paper flower bouquet.
Enjoy crafting your colorful paper flowers!
Paper Weaving
Materials Needed:
Colored paper or cardstock
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Glue or tape
Instructions:
Take two pieces of colored paper or cardstock. One will be the base and the other will be cut into strips for weaving.
On the base paper, use a ruler and pencil to mark evenly spaced vertical lines where you want the strips to go.
Cut the second piece of paper into strips, making sure they are all the same width.
Weave the strips over and under the vertical lines on the base paper, alternating the pattern for each strip.
Secure the ends of the strips on the back of the base paper with glue or tape.
Continue weaving until the entire base paper is covered in a woven pattern.
Trim any excess strip length if needed.
Let the glue dry completely before displaying your paper weaving craft.
Have fun creating your intricate paper weaving design!
Paper Eye Mask
Materials Needed:
Colored or patterned paper
Scissors
Elastic string or ribbon
Glue or tape
Marker or decorations (optional)
Instructions:
Take a piece of colored or patterned paper and place it horizontally in front of you.
Measure and mark the width of the eye mask you desire and cut out the shape.
Cut out eye holes in the mask where you want them to be.
Decorate the mask with markers, stickers, or any other embellishments if desired.
Attach elastic string or ribbon to each side of the mask using glue or tape to secure it in place.
Adjust the length of the elastic string or ribbon to fit comfortably around your head.
Allow the glue to dry completely before using your paper eye mask for relaxation or play.
Enjoy creating and using your custom paper eye mask for a touch of fun and relaxation!
Paper Mobiles
Materials Needed:
Colored paper
Scissors
String or yarn
Wooden dowel or stick
Hole punch
Glue
Decorative items (optional)
Instructions:
Cut out shapes from colored paper. Common shapes for a mobile are animals, stars, hearts, or geometric shapes.
Decorate the shapes as desired with markers, stickers, or glitter.
Punch a hole at the top of each shape.
Cut a piece of string or yarn to the desired length for hanging the mobile.
Tie each shape to the string at different lengths, spacing them out evenly.
Tie the other end of the strings to the wooden dowel or stick, ensuring they are balanced.
Add additional decorations or items to the dowel for extra flair.
Hang the paper mobile from the ceiling using an additional piece of string or hook.
Enjoy watching your handmade paper mobile gently spin and sway in the breeze!