Wednesday, October 12, 2011

How to Make Pinwheels by Kathy

We are so excited to have Kathy Martin show us how she created this fun pinwheels (that actually spin). Kathy is best known for her mad "card" making skills, but we are thrilled to have her as part of our Design Team. If you have some time, take a look through her fun blog!


Pinwheel Directions
Who doesn't remember playing with a pinwheel when they were a child? Do you remember holding one in your hand while you twirled around and around watching the wheel go faster and faster? Today pinwheels are just as popular as ever and they make adorable accents for paper crafts like greeting cards, scrapbook pages and altered projects. There are many ways to make paper pinwheels and I thought I would show you my favorite.
 
 
For this project you will need some patterned paper. I like to use bright happy colors and find that Doodlebug papers are perfect! You will also need some craft glue, a pencil and straight pin for each pinwheel. I like to use a die cut by My Favorite Things that makes it easy to create beautiful pinwheels with nice curved lines. There are similar thin metal dies on the market that work similarly.
 
 
For my pinwheel I'm making today, I picked two different patterns of Doodlebug paper, Apron Strings and You Scream, Ice Cream. One pattern works just as well as you can see from the Sew Cute Bucket project photographed above. You will need two die cuts that are placed one on top of the other. Make sure you turn the top layer a little to allow room for all six blades on the pinwheel.
 
 
Now you will put your straight pin through the center hole with the head of the pin in the back. Later you will need to turn it around, but I find it's easier to gather all the flaps if you have the pin to place them on.
 
 
Now curl the flaps of each pinwheel blade around to the center and attach it to the straight pin. It doesn't matter if you go clockwise or counter clockwise as long as you attach each flap in order.
 
 
When you are done attaching all six flaps, you can choose one of the three center pieces to add to the pinwheel. You can also add an embellishment like this colorful Doodlebug Boutique Button. At this point you will carefully pull out your straight pin, turn it around, and place it back through all the layers.
 
 
Now it's time to add a dab of glue to the end of your straight pin and stick it into the pencil eraser being careful not to let it exit the other side. That's it! Are ready to give your pinwheel a try? Go ahead blow on it and watch it twirl!
 
Thanks - Kathy

9 comments:

  1. This are absolutely adorable!! I love all the colors, too! Thanks so much for the tutorial!

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  2. You guys have the cutest ideas ever!!
    HeatherBalzer

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  3. Super cute! I must give this a go x

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  4. Such a cute and fun project, Kathy! Love these!

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  5. Thanks for the tutorial from Kathy!! Must get this die! Gorgeous!!!!

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