I thought the ribbon would look neat as the pinwheel whirls around
Tuesday I introduced my new desktop wallpaper series. March’s wallpaper was a DIY project on how to make a pinwheel. Today, I’m showing you my pinwheels and I’m hoping to see some of yours too!
For this project, you can use newspapers, magazines, and most scrap paper. Check your recycling bin for ideas.
here I used up a takeout chopstick
I played around with several types of paper. I used thick scrapbooking paper on its own, magazine paper, old bookkeeping ledger paper and word rubber stamps that I make available also for my collage button making workshops (next one is Saturday March 12).
a circle attached to the top and held together with a rivet
These days I am doing lots of design work on the computer, so taking breaks to whip up a pinwheel is very satisfying. I get to play with colour and pattern by putting together different combinations of paper (I use a glue stick to attach two thin sheets together).
thick scrapbooking paper, edges cut with craft scissors
But getting a pinwheel to move freely is a little tricky. Sticking a pinwheel with a pin to a pencil (or a chop stick), as per the instructions, does not work really well. After all, the pinwheel is supposed to turn with the wind. The pin can make the attachment too tight, you have to leave room for the paper. While a fan will generate a strong ‘wind’, a gentle wind won’t probably generate the excitement you’re looking for. So, I’ve been playing and attaching eyelets and creating a modified version of a pinwheel.
a sheet of booking ledger and a sheet of magazine paper glued together
One book I saw suggested using a dowl and drilling a hole in the dowl or pushing the pin through and then using contact cement to secure the pin in place. I also used chopsticks but you have to be careful as they split easily.
rubber word stamps applied to the paper
If you make a pinwheel, I’d love to see it! Leave your link in the comments.
