Patriotic Pinwheels

So last week I was looking for a centerpiece I could make with my current craft stash so I wouldn't have to spend any money or go shopping. It just came to me: PINWHEELS. Then I thought Patriotic Pinwheels would be a great idea for the Fourth of July.

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Pinwheels are VERY easy to make and fun to do while you watch mindless TV (Like The Singing Bee). Here is a very detailed process:

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Cut your paper in to a square. Mine is 4 x 4

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Fold the square into a triangle like so


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Ta da!

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Open it back up. You now have a crease running from one corner to another.

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Now fold the opposite corners in to a triangle.

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 Open it up and you have created diagonal creases in your square.

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Using scissors, cut 2/3 of the way in, along each diagonal.

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Each of the creases are now cut. Hard to get a picture of that.


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Next, make a hole in the center of the square, about where the creases meet (I'm neither perfect at folding or sticking the the need in the right place, but it won't be an issue). I used a needle, but you can use a thumb tack or any type of scrapbook tool that punches holes.

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Next make holes in every other point you've cut like so.

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Grab a brad

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Thread one of the holes you made on a point

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 Repeat

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 Repeat

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Until you have all four points into the brad.

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Push the brad to the back and through the hole you made in the center.

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Then open the brad and secure it. 

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Admire your work!

I got to where I was cutting 3 at a time (layering them) and that made things go much faster!

I decided to put my pinwheels on some skewers I had in the kitchen, since have more than 100. These won't actually work in the wind, they're just for pretty. I just hot glued the skewers to the back.

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I used some old Coke bottles my husband gave me and then some pebbles I had to anchor the skewers.

I had some left over so I also made a garland by hot gluing them to some twine I had:

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(Good pictures are not taken at 10pm)


I'm ready for the Fourth! How would you decorate with Pinwheels?

ETA: Don't forget about Teresa's GIVEAWAY!! Today is the last day to enter!

34 comments :

Carla said...

Pinwheels look great, fabulous decoration!

Steph said...

These are great centerpieces!

Maranda said...

I love this! So simple yet so cute!! I think I'm going to do this this week to go with my printout. :)

idesign said...

very cute project :)

Love Sweet Love said...

SO SO SO cute Jaime! I wish I would have seen these sooner, I totally would have copied you!

Jill Sarginson said...

This is a great idea Jaime!!!!

Ashley said...

ah this is so cute:) i love pinwheels!

Mary Pat Siehl said...

way way tooo cute

Kirsten @ Mushki Loves said...

I am so super excited! They are so cute and I finally know how to make a pinwheel! I'm your newest follower! i would love it if you would follow me back! Super cute blog!

Tracy said...

These are so fun.

Jingle said...

These are super cute!

Mandy said...

pinwheels are just so darn cute! love your display! i made this wreath last year...
http://creativecents.blogspot.com/2010/07/creative-cornerpinwheel-wreath.html

Becky said...

Love that you put them in coke bottles! Adorable!

Hedgehog Reader said...

What a fun idea! I think I'll make these for our get-together this weekend - they are SO cute! Thanks for sharing the idea and the how-to!! :o)

Maggie Lamarre said...

pinwheels are so much fun and i luv the old coke bottle, it doesn't get any better than that..

Thank you so much for linking this amazing tutorial at
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/06/2011-4th-of-july-celebration-menu-from.html
Maggie
http://passionatelyartistic.com

FABBY'S LIVING said...

I love this cute and fun idea and quite easy!! Thank you for the tutorial! Love the old coke bottles! Wow! Hugs, FABBY

nicolette {momnivores dilemma} said...

Totally patriotic in those old americana coke bottles!

Thanks for linking up to Creative Juice! Have a happy 4th!

laxsupermom said...

Love your pinwheels! I think this smaller size would be perfect on a mantel, too. Thanks for sharing.

btanders said...

Cute! Fun idea to put in coke bottles!

KrissyClarkMcKee said...

Oh my goodness! I love this tutorial and how you have decorated your mantel with them! Keeping this one idea stored in my brain for sure!

Flannery @ Three Sisterz said...

love it!! you make it look so easy.

Terri @ A Creative Princess said...

How cute! We have tons of vintage coke bottles on a plate rack in Greg's office. How perfect are the pinwheels for all those empty bottles! Thank you so much for linking up to "It's a Party"!

Allison {A Glimpse Inside} said...

very cute! I've been wanting to make some pinwheels but just haven't gotten around to it yet! Soon, soon! Thanks for linking this up too.

Mallory said...

I've seen pinwheels all over but your post makes them look so easy! Thanks for sharing! I'm definitely making some soon.

I found you via TT&J Weekend Wrap Up. My post is one after yours. I'm your newest follower and would love if you would follow me back. (especially since I am a newer blogger!)


Mallory
purplestpecalin.blogspot.com

Rebecca @ My Girlish Whims said...

so cute and patriotic, loving them in the coke bottles as well!!

Thanks for linking up to Your Whims Wednesday :)

Deb Hickman said...

The look fab,love how you've put them in the coke bottles.x

Lindy@Itsy Bitsy Paper said...

What a great project! I love all things pinwheels

I am having a Red, White and Blue Linky Party that I'd love for you to join in on by adding your link!
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2011/07/red-white-and-blue-linky-party.html

Jami said...

Great pinwheel tutorial! Thanks so much for sharing at the Tuesday To Do Party!
Smiles!
Jami

Jill said...

Oh that is just fantastic! Simple, festive and fun!

Great work!

Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

mzzbev said...

I loved pinwheels growing up. Thanks again for posting this on my Patriotic linky party! :)

Anonymous said...

Love it! Simple and FREE! Thank you for the tutorial!

Katie said...

I've never made my own pinwheel before! I love it and can't wait to try! Thanks for linking up last week to Sew Woodsy! We hope you will join us again tomorrow! :)

Angie - Big Bears Wife said...

Love the pinwheels! We used coke bottles to decorate this year too!

Unknown said...

These look sooo cute! Lovin the pinwheel craze!
I have used them in several projects this year.. including a birthday banner and as handouts and decorations for the Memorial day parade with my GS troop! Thanks for sharing!

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