Thursday, 30 May 2013

Paper Based Projects


This spring we’ve been experimenting with a variety of crafting, construction and wrapping papers to facilitate projects that are simple to create and look stunning upon completion. See below for some of the projects we’ve been working on.

Paper Quilting


To prepare for this program, obtain a book with quilting patterns, which typically use an A,B,C format. For your first quilt, you may want to use a simple, repeat pattern so that each participant can make their own block and you can work with them to put the blocks together into a larger piece.  

Preparation
  • Photocopy or draw out the block pattern.
  • Label each section of the quilting block as A,B,C, etc. For the following quilt, we used an classic, pinwheel pattern.
A-B Quilting Pattern
  • Using a paper cutter, cut coordinating pieces of paper to fit the pattern. Make sure to use contrasting colours.


Facilitation
  • After explaining the project to your participants, invite them to select the papers they wish to use and show them to how piece and glue the craft paper onto their patterns. 
Putting the blocks together
  • Work together with your participants to put the blocks together and finish the quilt by "binding" it with paper on the sides. 
  • Frame and display.

Stained Glass Paper Projects
Stained Glass Spring Flowers
For this program, we use stained glass patterns to create seasonal images, such as fall leaves or spring flowers, out of paper. To prepare for the program, we source the appropriate images and design a pattern or process based on the abilities of our participants. Some will be able to cut out individual pieces and piece them together like a puzzle using several different papers and others will benefit from  a more simplified version with less steps. 

 For a simplified version, use the following directions:

 Preparation 
  • Copy patterns of spring flowers and divide them into two pieces: the flower and the stem/leaves. 
  • Trace the patterns onto cardboard paper and cut them out. These will be the patterns for clients to use.
  • Cut out background papers to desired size.
Facilitation
  • Invite participants to select papers for the background, stem/leaves and whole flowers. 
  • Trace the patterns onto the selected papers and cut them out.
  • Glue the flower and stem/leaf onto the background paper. 
  • If desired, the inside pattern of the stem/leaves and flower can be drawn in with a pencil and traced with a pencil crayon, as shown above.
  • Frame the pictures.

 Paper Flowers
Paper Iris
A quick search of the internet will reveal various paper based crafts that yield three dimensional paper flowers. Throughout the years, we’ve made crocuses, daffodils, tulips and cherry blossoms using two sided craft paper or tissue paper. Out of the many options available, this iris by Inna's Creations is a favourite. Click on the link for the details.
We hope this has given you some new ideas for simple paper crafts that you can facilitate with your family or people that you work with. 

Happy Crafting!
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