The following is a guest post from my sweet and oh-so-crafty sister-in-law, Angelina Pavone. Happy Memorial Day! You should know that I love paper. Paper crafting is my favorite kind of crafting. I love that it’s cheap, easy to find, and versatile. Win, win, win!
When Nicole told me that this post would go up on Memorial Day and suggested that I share a patriotic craft with you, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I made these paper pinwheels last Fourth of July, and I had been wanting to add a few more to my collection to use this year for Memorial Day.
This is a super simple project that can be done quickly and you probably have most of the supplies around the house.
Materials
Cardstock or double sided patterned paper paper cutter (optional) scissors bone folder (optional) glue gun ½”-1” paper punch wooden dowels (mine are 3/16”)
Make your pinwheels
Start by deciding how big you want your largest pinwheel. I’ve found it’s easiest to determine sizes if you start with the biggest one (I chose to start with a 5” square). Take your paper and cut it into a perfect square (with a paper cutter as shown above, or with scissors).
Fold the sqare in half on the diagonal. If you have one, use a bone folder to crease your paper. Fold again on the opposite diagonal and crease. Cut your paper on each crease starting at a corner and continue about halfway up the crease. Repeat on all four creased lines.
Take one of the points and bring it towards the center. Try to use your finger to gently bend the paper towards the center while being careful not to make an actual crease. You’re getting your paper ready to bend how you want it to before you glue it.
Using your glue gun, glue one tip to the center of the square. Repeat with every other corner. Look at the picture above to see what I mean.
When all the appropriate corners are glued, use your circle punch (or trace a small circle and cut with scissors) to cut a circle out of a contrasting color. Glue the small circle that you just cut to the center of your pinwheel.
Then, all that’s left is to glue your dowel onto the back of your pinwheel . Depending on the size of the jar you’re putting it into, you may need to cut the dowel down. I used regular scissors to cut mine, and it was not a problem at all.
Once you finish one, you could make more, or put a single pinwheel into a narrow vase. The possibilities are endless! I like mine in a bouquet in a mason jar wrapped with twine. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the same patriotic paper that I used the first time I made them, but I actually like the way the solid paper balances the patterned paper.
I have used this basic pinwheel for centerpieces at a large church event, as decor for a baby shower, and around my home for various holidays. The possibilities are endless with all of the beautiful paper out there. I hope you enjoy your pinwheels!
What's your favorite paper craft?