June Printable Challenge

Let's make a bouquet of pinwheels! We're excited to share that we have another full project for you this month. The printable includes all the elements to create four pinwheels and a vase to hold them. This is a fun little project that is great for Independence Day, Memorial Day, or any occasion for the red, white and blue. If you own the Stars & Stripes collection by Country Craft Creations, you can use it to further embellish your project. Have fun!

CHALLENGE INFORMATION

The monthly printable challenge is an opportunity to craft and enter to win. To participate, use the printable from this month's Country Corner Newsletter and then post a picture to Scrapbookers of Country Craft Creations Facebook group. There is a specific post announcing the challenge. Comment with a picture to that post and be entered to win the corresponding paper collection. Deadline to participate is June 30, 2024.

INSPIRATION

The printable consists of two pages of hexagons and one page of flowers and vase shapes. Here is a supply list of things I used.

• (3) Lightweight cardstock for printing the printable
• (2) Brads
• (2) Head pins
• (6) Small beads (about 1/8" tall and wide)
• (4) Straws
• Wet Adhesive
• Bone folder (pencil and regular)

Now, let's start with the hexagons and create pinwheels.

When looking at the hexagon printable, you'll notice that each hexagon has dashed lines corresponding with each point on the hexagon. These lines are approximately 1 7/8" long - they do not go all the way to the center. There are also circles (~1/8") on each hexagon to denote where holes should be punched. You'll find these holes near each point and one in the center of the hexagon.

Steps to Create Pinwheels

1. Print out the printable on lightweight cardstock rather than copy paper.
2. Cut out all 4 hexagons. You can cut out less than this but the vase does hold all 4. In fact, I put 5 in mine.
3. Punch out the circles printed on the hexagons using a 1/8" punch, an awl or other pokey tool. As previously noted, there are 6 holes near each point and one in the center of the hexagon.
4. Cut on the dashed lines - there are 6 in total. Do not cut all the way to the center. It will be about 3/4" to an inch out from the center.
5. Curl each of the hexagon segments (optional). I used my pencil bone folder to train the segments to curl. When curling the paper, place the bone folder on the backside (non-printed side) and curl out. If you don't have this specific bone folder, any will do or use a pencil.
6. Decide on your pinwheel handle. You can use straws or small dowels. If using straws, flatten one end about 3/4" to one inch and punch a 1/16" hole in the center of the flattened end about 1/4" from the edge. Repeat for all 4 straws. If using a dowel, use an awl or push pin to make a hole into the side of the dowel on one end.
   
7. Turn the hexagon over to where the white side is showing and the printed side is on the back. Starting with a flat side of the hexagon across the top, take the corner with the hole of this top segment and fold it to the center. Do not bend or crease; just fold it over dimensionally. Place it over the hole in the center. Hold this piece down with one hand and move counterclockwise. Fold the next segment's corner with the hole to the center on top of the previous piece. Line up all the holes and repeat for all 6 segments, holding them down as you go. 
   
8. Choose your fastening method: brad, eye pin or floral wire. 

• For my first pinwheel, I used a brad. When using a brad, keep in mind that they do not always spin. Push the brad through all the segments, the center, and then the straw. Open the prongs of the brad to secure everything and my pinwheel was finished.
• The second time I created my pinwheel the same way but this time I used a head pin instead of a brad. Because the head pin is actually smaller than my 1/8" hole, I added a small bead onto the head pin first and then I put the pin through all the segments and the center. On the backside, add two more small beads to ensure the pinwheel spins, then add the straw. I used needle nose pliers to curl and flatten the remaining wire against the straw.

I actually created one more with the brad method and two more with the head pin. While it was fun to see them spin, I'm using mine as a decor piece, so they don't necessarily need to spin.

Steps to Create the Vase

Once I had my pinwheels made, I came up with a paper vase idea. You will only need the vase printable and wet adhesive for this part of the project.

1. Cut out the 3 vase pieces.
2. Glue the vase pieces together. Turn one of the vase pieces over to where the white is showing. Add a thin line of wet adhesive down one side of the vase. Take a second vase piece and adhere it to the glue. Ensure the tops and bottoms are unglued. Allow the glue to dry. Open the vases and repeat the gluing process to add the third vase piece, creating an open-center (and open-bottom) vase.
3. Decorate the vase. Cut out the flowers and adhere them to the vase. I placed mine at the top of the vase.
4. Arrange your pinwheels in the vase. Try cutting them at different heights to add dimension. That's what I did and I love the look. If the vase doesn't stand up, rearrange the pinwheels or add a weighted piece inside the vase. I just rearranged mine until it stood on its own. Just make sure you have it where you want it when arranging.

OTHER OPTIONS

Here are a few additional ways you can use this printable:

• Create the pinwheel as instructed above using a brad. Instead of keeping the pinwheel dimensional, flatten the segments and straw and insert it into mini albums and journals.
• Add your dimensional pinwheel to stuffed envelope projects.
• Insert the pinwheel into gift bags as a nice surprise.

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Stars & Stripes full collection and supplies I used - available at Country Craft Creations. Click the image to be taken to the website.

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