Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Pinwheels {+ Make Your Own}


Do you recall playing with these as kids? The fun of seeing their vibrant colours spin around? 
Just perfect for J's Vintage Picnic Party.


This is what I started with. A paper pad of Amy Tangerine paper in all sorts of deliciously fruity colours. Now perhaps it was the implication of citrus (I am a total sucker for all things citrus - particularly citrus scents, or pretty much any other fruity thing), but when I saw this book of scrap-booking papers, I KNEW what I would use them for!

{MAKE IT!}
I measured in ***** from each corner diagonally and made a slit. I also punctured a hole in the centre of each one (all of which is a whole heap easier if you have a template on hand! I would advise making one if you are going to do this yourself and are making a few). Then in the corner of each triangular part of the corner, make another hole. All of mine I initially did with the tip of the craft knife blade, or on some of them a dressmakers pin.

At this point I knew I was already low on time, so I enlisted the help of  Mr. Kelp. It was his job to work on attaching them to bamboo rods painted in the signature blue for the party - Dulux Mineral Shower - and cut them into appropriate lengths. Once done, he drilled the holes for me too (I think it's good for dad's to take part in prepping for a party - they feel involved, and the kids love that their dad was part of it all). All the others I had seen on the internet said to just use a push pin to attach the pinwheel to the stick - but we found that it didn't spin freely, so my gorgeous man cut lengths of wire the right size for the drilled holes, and affixed them in place.

He also cut lengths of straw to use as spacers. A small one between the stick and the centre of the pinwheel, a long one between that and the triangles you fold over, and another small one at the front. Then onto the wire was threaded a bead and the wire was folded over to anchor it all together.


There you have it! Some fun for the whole family ('cos you know that they adults played with them just as much as the kids did!!!).

Happy creating, and come back later this week for more on the party.

Sharing...


 SundayI Heart Nap Time
 TuesdayChef In Training
 WednesdayThe 36th AVENUE
 ThursdayI share my creative space on Village VoicesWhat's cooking, love?
 Fridayfive days five ways  feature friday free for all
 SaturdayPoofy Cheeks

9 comments :

  1. I used to love these when I was a kid!!! We used to get one every year at the Easter Show. They weren't as cute as these, though!!! I'm pinning this for future reference.

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  2. like alot! so simple, yet timeless, ta for piccies, b and i enjoyed them immensely!

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  3. These are lovely! i just came back from the GeekFest here in Jeddah a little while ago and there were a bunch of geeks making origami flowers! I love paper crafts! And yes, geeks are great!

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  4. They're lovely and the paper is beautiful. I'm sure they were lots of fun! :)

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  5. These are exquisite !
    My Mom used to make these.....
    I love the colors

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  6. Awesome Blossom! An orange blossom, of course!!! So much fun seeing these bright little things! You did a fab job... xoxo jules

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  7. Well, these are just beyond cute. Love the colors you chose as well!

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  8. Aaaaah, these are just gorgeous! I love them! We have a very plasticky pinweel in our garden for the children to watch - but yours are much cuter!

    Sarahx

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  9. These are so cute! The color combo are endless! Thanks for sharing
    Steph
    swtboutique.blogspot.com

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