Let's Celebrate With Patriotic Pencil Pinwheels

Looking for something to bring the family together this Fourth of July?

Why not try Patriotic Pinwheels.

Kids young and old love these classic toys. They are fun to make and can keep the kids amused for hours. Create an arrangement and combine them with an old-fashioned red, white and blue paper chain for a timeless set of decorations for our nation's birthday:

Patriotic Pencil Pinwheels

Tools & materials:
Colored patterned scrapbooking paper
3 decorative pencils – red, white and/or blue
3 pearl-headed pins *
Grosgrain white ribbon
Spray mount
Ruler
Needle-nosed pliers
Scotch tape
Regular scissors and a quarter or a 1-inch paper punch (something to cut a small circle with)
Decorative scissors
Retractable blade (X-Acto knife or box-cutter)*
Lo-temp glue gun *

* Parental assistance advised

Directions:

1. Using the low-temp glue gun, place a small dab of hot glue at the top of the pencil. Attach the white Grosgrain ribbon and wind it down the pencil until you reach the end. Glue the other end to the pencil, cut the ribbon, and set pencil aside. Repeat 2 times.
2. Select two sheets of patterned paper to use for the pinwheel vanes. Spray-mount the two pieces of paper together. Cut the paper into an 8” square. This be will for the large pinwheel. From each corner, cut a slit about half-way into the center.
3. Use the paper punch or scissors to cut a 1” circle out of the leftover paper.
4. Take a pearl-headed pin and push it through the center of the circle.
5. Take the paper square and fold each right-hand corner back into the center of the paper and form the pinwheel.
6. Push the pin through the center of the pinwheel and into the side of the pencil eraser.
7. Using the needle-nosed pliers, bend the end of the pin into a right angle. Secure the pin with scotch tape.
8. Trim the outer edge of the vanes with the decorative edge scissors and set aside.
9. Select two more paper patterns for the smaller pinwheels. Cut them into 6” squares.
10. Repeat the steps above.

To use the pinwheels as a centerpiece:

1. Place a floral block into a small decorative pail or can.
2. Cover the floral block with white tissue paper.
3. Arrange/push pinwheels into the floral block to secure.
4. (Optional) Tie decorative curling ribbon onto each of the pinwheels.