Today is a special day: it’s my birthday and we’re celebrating America’s birthday with over 90 bloggers. Even though I feel older, America is older still—she’s 211 years my senior. This celebration is about more than me; it’s about red, white, and blue food, decor, and crafts.
I’ve been obsessed with pinwheels since I made Dr. Seuss–inspired pinwheels. For this July 4th, let’s make patriotic pinwheels you can use at parties, on your desk, or as accents on a mantel or table. These pinwheels are quick and simple—about five minutes each. I once made them while a friend visited and she was surprised when I said the whole process, including photographing them, took only about 15 minutes.
What you’ll need
- Scissors
- Scrapbook paper (double-sided or with color that shows on both sides)
- Paper straws
- Push pins or tacks
- Small holder (found in dollar/discount sections)
- Hot glue gun (optional)
When choosing paper, pick scrapbook paper that is double-sided or where the color shows through. These pinwheels are three-dimensional, so both sides will be visible.
Cut the paper into a 5 inch by 5 inch square. Use scissors or a paper cutter.
From each corner of the square, cut toward the center about halfway.
Fold every other corner toward the center of the square. You can secure the corners with a hot glue gun, or for a simpler method, overlap each corner and push a pin through the overlapping layers at the center to hold them together.
Place the back of the pinwheel against a paper straw and push the tack through the straw so the pinwheel spins freely.
That’s it—simple, fast, and effective. These pinwheels are an inexpensive way to decorate and a cheerful alternative to floral centerpieces.
Looking for more red, white, and blue ideas? Check out the many patriotic projects shared by fellow bloggers in this celebration.