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Paper, scissors, rock

There’s something about turning a few flat sheets of paper into something with structure and purpose that is very satisfying. Best of all, it’s easy, and it doesn’t take long. Paper craft is as easy as cut, fold, stick … creative stylist Susan Elijas shares some easy ideas for making things with paper.

Windmills

Windmills

This is such a simple thing to make, yet so much fun!

Materials to use:

  • Scrapbooking paper
  • Craft knife and ruler, or scissors
  • Drawing pin
  • Split pins
  • Straws

1. Cut a square of paper.

2. Put a dot in the centre and make four cuts diagonally towards the centre, stopping 2cm before the dot.

3. Push a drawing pin through the centre point from the back.

4. Fold one corner edge towards the centre and pin.

5. Repeat for all corners.

6. Replace pin with a split pin.

7. Make a hole in the straw, and attach the windmill.

8. Blow like crazy! 

Mini Paper Bunting

Scour markets and junk shops for old books that can find new life in a crafty creation. Bring all the fun of the fair to your place with vintage-inspired bunting made from paper scraps.

Mini Paper Bunting 

1. Simply cut a pile of triangles – I used a mixture of wrapping paper, scrapbooking paper off-cuts, and pages from an old children’s book and atlas.

2. Hand-stitch, or use a sewing machine if you have one, to sew them together one after the other.

Accordion Memory Book

The beauty of this book is that it folds up into a neat little package – but when you remove the spine, the accordion extends to make a fantastic display.

The book is made in three parts, starting with the front and back covers which are pieces of heavy card wrapped in contrasting scrapbook papers. Next is an accordion section, which slips inside the covers at each end. The final part is the removable spine which holds the book together.

Once you’ve had a go at the basic structure, play around with other variations on this theme. The one above includes a fold-up pocket which is great for popping in little cards, notes, pictures, special messages or gift vouchers. But you can also make it without the pocket, and add in more (or fewer) pages to suit.  

To make the covers:

1. Cut a piece of firm cardboard 12cm x 12cm in size.

 
Accordion Memory Book 

2. Cut a piece of scrapbooking paper the same height as the card, but with a 4cm flap on each side (12cm x 20cm). This will form the front of your cover.

3. Fold around one side of the cardboard and secure flaps with tape.

4. Cut a second piece of scrapbooking paper the same size as the front cover (12cm x 20cm). This will form the back of your cover.

5. Turn the cardboard over and wrap the second piece of paper around it, tucking the flaps into the slots made by the first piece of paper. If it helps, score the flaps and trim the corners to make them easier to fold and tuck in.

6. Repeat steps 1-5 to make the back cover.

7. Slide a piece of ribbon through the back cover, and add a title or decoration to the front cover if you wish.

To make the accordion:

1. Cut a piece of scrapbooking paper 28cm x 28cm. Score along the lower edge, 4cm from the bottom. Fold this flap up. This will be your pocket. Score vertically 4cm from the left edge, then 16cm from the left edge. This creates two 12cm squares.

2. Cut a second piece of scrapbooking paper 24cm x 28cm. Score along the lower edge 4cm from the bottom. Score vertically 12cm from the left edge to create two 12cm squares.

3. Cut a third piece of scrapbooking paper 28cm x 28cm. Score along the lower edge 4cm from the bottom. Score vertically 12cm from the left edge, then 24cm from the left edge to create two 12cm squares and a 4cm flap on the right. 

4. Cut two strips of scrapbooking paper 2cm x 16cm. Score vertically down the centre to create a fold. Glue and affix to the edges of the larger scrapbooking pieces to join them together, over the top of the folded pockets. Fold the extra paper over to the back.

5. Slide the flaps on each end of the accordion into the cover.

To make the spine:

1. Cut a piece of stiff paper 12cm x 5cm.

2. Score vertically 2cm and 3cm from the left edge to form a U-shape.

3. Slide into the slots in the covers.

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