Tag Archives: holiday paper crafts

Jan4

Our Imaginations! Paper Cut-outs: Summer/The Four Seasons Mural

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Our Imaginations! Paper Cut-outs: Summer/The Four Seasons Mural
Summer/Four Seasons Paper Mural

Summer/Four Seasons Paper Mural

MATERIALS:

Paper

Scissors

Pencil/eraser

Tracing paper

Glue Stick

  1. Research the paper cutouts of Henri Matisse which are a mix of symbolic and abstract shapes. “I have attained a form, filtered to the essentials,” Matisse once said and this sums up his philosophy as an artist. Study the paper cutouts for color and form; www.henri-matisse.net/cut_outs.html.
  2. There will be four panels or sections for the Four Seasons Mural. The third section will be summer. Plan the design for the season. The sample shown features the sun. There are other symbols for summer: the beach, the ocean, sailboats, swimmers, bathing suits, sunglasses, sand castles, etc. Sketch your design on tracing paper.
  3. The sample features three like colors: orange, yellow, dark red, and a patterned paper of orange leaves on a white background. Bright colors evoke summer like yellow, white, blue, green, red, orange, etc. Limit the palette to three to five colors as in the sample. Use patterned paper if it compliments the design.
  4. Decide the size of the paper cutout. The sample shown is 4” x 6.” Cut the background paper to the size you want for the paper cutout. The sample shows the patterned paper as the background color. Orange, yellow and dark red are the color choices for the sun and the sun’s rays.
  5. Sketch the design on tracing paper. Decide the colors for each part of the design. Blacken the back of the design and flip it over on to the papers you will use. Trace the outline of the shapes.
  6. Use embroidery scissors to cut out the shapes. Embroidery scissors enable you to cut inside larger shapes.
  7. Glue the shapes down and you have the third section of the Four Seasons Mural: Summer!

 

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Dec14

Fence Weaving for the Holidays: Paper Garland

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Fence Weaving for the Holidays: Paper Garland

Materials:

Paper in 4 holiday colors or colors of choice

Scissors

Pencil/eraser

Ruler or yard stick

Beads, glitter or similar craft items (optional)

Glue stick

Ribbon, paper twist, strips of fabric or similar material

One chain link fence

 

  1. Use three or four different colored papers. The sample in the photograph uses red, green, silver and brown. Measure and cut one of the colored papers into six ½” x 8” strips.
  2. Measure and cut the next colored paper into seven strips measuring ½” x 6.”
  3. Glue one strip of paper measuring ½” x 6.” Then glue a strip of measuring ½” x 8” through the first loop. Alternate the colors of the paper strips until you have 13 paper loops in two different colors forming a garland. (For example, the pattern would be red, green, red, green, etc.) Use the photograph for reference.
  4. Next, measure and cut the paper of the third color into 16 strips of 1/2” x 5.”
  5. Glue one strip of that paper through one of the loops measuring ½” x8”. Glue another strip through that same loop so that the loops hang down from the first loop. Use as many strips to form loops of the third color as you wish. The sample in the photograph used four strips of that color. Continue to glue strips of the third color into loops hanging down from the larger loops. The sample shows four smaller loops of paper flowing vertically from four larger loops for a total of 16 loops of the third color.
  6. Proceed in the same way with the fourth colored paper. Cut strips measuring ½” x 5.” Loop the strips vertically from the second colored paper. See the photograph of the sample for reference.
  7. Optional: glue glitter or sequins or small beads on any or all the loops. Use small beads and be aware that heavy or large beads can drag down the paper loops.
  8. Loop the ribbon through one of the paper loops at one end, then weave the ribbon in and out of the chain link fence. Tie a bow at the top. Repeat this step at the other end and in the middle.
  9. Or use your imagination and use other decorative objects!
  10. Hang from the fence during the holiday season.
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