COLOUR IN MOTION

I've always been captivated by the endless possibilities of paper and colour. My love for colour is an ever-evolving journey, with new shades and hues capturing my heart at every turn.

Today, I'm excited to share a project that combines my love of colour with a playful twist on a classic spinner. Discover the magic of creating your own custom spinner die, a versatile tool for endless crafting adventures. From adorning your Christmas tree to brightening your home, this spinner is a delightful addition to any space. Plus, it makes a fantastic gift!

But that's not all! I'll also guide you through a remarkably simple paper weaving technique that delivers flawless results in minutes. Let's dive into a world of colour and creativity together!

Cutting Mat 

Strips of colourful paper - Different shades of Red, Yellow, Orange and Green - Use either regular quilling strips or use card stock strips

Mount Board or Cardboard 

Masking tape 

Scale 

Paper Cutter 

Scissors 

Glue 

String 

Pen or Pencil 

Preparing Your Paper Strips

Gather Your Materials

• Various shades of red, orange, yellow, and green paper or use regular quilling strips
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Glue
• Scissors
• Cutting mat (optional)

Cutting the Strips - Optional - If you don’t have quilling strips

1. Measure and Cut: Using your ruler and pencil, mark 12-inch lengths on your chosen colors of paper.
2. Cut Strips: Carefully cut the marked lines to create 12-inch long strips. Aim for a width of approximately 3mm for each strip.

Reinforcing the Strips - Important if you use regular paper.

1. Fold in Half: Take one strip and fold it in half lengthwise.
2. Apply Glue: Apply a thin line of glue to one half of the folded strip.
3. Seal: Press the other half of the strip onto the glued portion to create a reinforced, 6-inch strip.
4. Repeat: Repeat this process for all the strips in your chosen colors.

Tip: If you prefer a sturdier base for your spinner, use cardstock instead of regular paper. This will eliminate the need to reinforce the strips.

Allow the glued strips to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

Materials:

• Mount board or cardboard sheet
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Paper Cutter
• Glue
• Masking tape
• Scale and scorer

• Steps:
• Prepare the cardboard sheets:
• Cut the mount board or cardboard sheet into three sections: two 4" x 8.5" rectangles and one 6" x 8.5" rectangle.
• Mark the divisions:
• On each of the three sections, mark divisions at every 2 inches along the 8.5-inch side.
• Create creases:
• Using a scale and scorer, create creases along the marked lines on each section to aid in folding.
• Fold into squares:
• Fold each section along the marked lines, creating three squares.
• Secure the squares:
• Apply glue or masking tape to the 0.5-inch overlap on each square to seal the sides and create a complete square.
• Assemble the die:
• Place the 6" square in the center.
• Attach the two 4" squares to the sides of the 6" square using glue or masking tape, ensuring they align properly as shown.
• Reinforce with masking tape:
• Apply masking tape along all the creases and edges of the assembled die to strengthen the structure and prevent it from coming apart.

Additional tips:

• If you don't have a scorer, you can use the blunt edge of a knife or a blunt tweezer or the blunt edge of a scale to fold the cardboard along the marked lines.
• Ensure the squares are aligned properly before securing them together.
• Use a generous amount of glue or masking tape to create a sturdy die.

Materials:

• Colored paper strips in various shades of red, orange, yellow, and green
• Scissors or cutter
• Glue
• Tweezers
• Steel scale

Steps:

• Prepare the paper strips:
• Cut the colored paper into 6-inch strips.
• For each color, create an equal number of slightly longer and slightly shorter strips.
• Attach strips to the scale:
• Apply glue to the edge of the steel scale (the side with inch markings).
• Stick the tips of the paper strips onto the glued edge of the scale, alternating between longer and shorter strips for each color.
• Start the weave:
• Lift all the longer strips using tweezers.
• Slide a new strip of a different color (widthwise) underneath the lifted strips.
• Lower the longer strips and lift the shorter strips.
• Slide another strip of a different color underneath the lifted strips.
• Continue the weave:
• Repeat the steps, alternating between lifting longer and shorter strips, until you reach the desired height and width of the weave (2 inches tall and 1 inch wide in this case).
• Secure the weave:
• Apply glue to the base of the strips and press down firmly to secure them in place.
• Repeat for other colors:
• Create similar weaves using shades of red and green.

Additional tips:

• Use a variety of colors and shades to create a visually interesting weave.
• Use some elevation to place your scale so it's easier to weave our strips.
• Make sure the strips are evenly spaced and the weave is tight. Keep adjusting your strips to create a tight weave.
• Allow the glue to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.

This technique allows you to create beautiful and colorful paper weaves that can be used for various projects.

Trimming the Weaves

1. Allow to Dry Completely: Ensure your paper weaves are fully dry before proceeding.
2. Prepare Scissors: Have a sharp pair of scissors ready for precise cutting.
3. Cut Excess Strips: Carefully trim away the excess paper strips around the woven area, leaving a clean 1 inch by 2 inch woven rectangle.
4. Repeat for All Colors: Follow the same process for the red and green weaves.

Folding the Weaves

1. Align Weave: Place the woven square face down on a flat surface.
2. Fold in Half: Carefully fold the woven square in half, aligning the edges as precisely as possible.
3. Create a Crisp Fold: Ensure the fold is sharp and defined by pressing it firmly with your fingers or a ruler.
4. Repeat for All Colors: Fold the red and green weaves in the same manner.

By following these steps, you'll have prepared your woven squares for the next stage of the spinner creation process.

Assembling the Spinner

1. Prepare the Spinner Die: Ensure your spinner die is ready and accessible - use it constantly for this entire process.
2. Place Weaves: Position the folded woven squares on the spinner die as shown in the image.
3. Secure with Masking Tape: Gently apply masking tape to secure the edges of the weaves to the spinner die. Avoid pressing too hard as the tape will be removed later.
4. Apply Glue: Invert the spinner and apply glue to the edges of the weaves.
5. Reinforce with Paper Strips: For added strength, stick thin strips of matching colored paper over the glued edges.
6. Secure Other Side: Carefully peel off the masking tape and apply glue to the edges on this side as well.
7. Allow to Dry: Let the glue dry completely.
8. String it on one corner and your spinner is ready to be taken for a spin!

Finishing Touches

Apply Protective Coating: For durability, apply a coat of varnish or clear nail polish to the entire spinner.

Your vibrant paper spinner is now complete! Enjoy the colorful and mesmerising effect it creates as it spins. Experiment with different colors, sizes, and weaving patterns to create your own unique designs.

I hope you enjoyed this colorful crafting journey as much as I did! Happy spinning!