Crafts Using Tissue Paper

Crafts that Reuse Tissue Paper

I dislike seeing things thrown away without ever being ever. We have thrown away large handfuls of gift tissue that comes in those gift bags and this is such a waste. I am thinking that we could put gifts in those cloth bags and use pretty towels or hand towels in it instead of the tissue. If you do have gift tissue, this can be recycled into beautiful crafts and things like stained glass windows, collages, and flowers to put into little pots and bottles or to wear in your hair. Here's some ideas I came up with when checking about.com and brainstorming with the three Rs, which are reduce, reuse, and recycle

• Faux Stained Glass Window: Paint a window with liquid starch, stick on tissue paper, and paint over that. As long as the window doesn't get wet, it stays there. This wouldn't work in the winter months, but I can see myself making faux stained glass out of two sheets of plastic and hanging it on a pressure rod in the window to let light in during the winter when the window gets wet from the weather.

• Tissue Paper and Pipe Cleaner Flowers: I am going to keep a box of pipe cleaners, I love the number one, and number two. They can be used to make flowers instead of the gift tissue going into the landfill. To make the flowers, cut out a circular shape with scissors or pinking shears. Make a "J" at the top of the pipe cleaner to hold the flower circle shape on. Put the flower on at the bottom of the pipe cleaner by pushing it through. Bring it on up to the top and kind of squish it around the top of the pipe cleaner.

• Pipe Cleaner and Tissue Paper Butterflies: Take a couple of squares of different colors and and secure with a pipe cleaner, making the two ends look like antennae. Then put on a clothespin for the body and hang up with a thread.

• Decorative Jars: I am going to make some stained glass jars by putting tape around the jar with the tissue paper arranged under the tape. I won't overlap the tape. I could use decoupage stuff, but I probably won't.

• Paste Flowers on Construction Paper: We did this at the library and it was great fun! We took a flower picture that was not colored in or we drew one, then we cut out little pieces of the tissue and wadded them up and pasted them on. I've included a picture of one we did for Christmas, it is still on our wall from years back. There are actually some beans on this decoration, but I probably won't do that on mine.

Blessings and have fun reusing things and recycling

By Robyn Fed from Hampton, TN

Craft Project: Tissue Paper Flower

This flower gives a lifelike impression and with thin paper, you can make a very elegant flower. You can arrange them on a flat plate or use as an accent to your project.

Approximate Time: 10 minutes

Supplies:

• Tissue paper
• 2 inch Scallop circle punch
• Hole punch
• Brad

Instructions:

Make a pile of 6 small sheets of tissue paper with light pink first and then dark, one after the other.

Note: You can make the entire flower with the same colored paper and with any size of paper.

Punch out scallop circle shapes, and then punch a hole through the middle of it.

Insert a brad into the hole through all the scallops and secure it on the back.

Scrunch each piece of paper up toward the center. Take care not to tear them.

When all scallops are scrunched, gently open out the petals.

By Maricel from Fairfax, VA

Tissue Rose

This was purely by accident. I had no wrapping paper, so I used several pieces of tissue paper and twisted it up and it formed what looked like, to me, a rose. So I stuck some silk leaves I had on both sides and it looked like I did it on purpose.

By Diana from Highland, Michigan

Tissue Paper Pot

When you want to make those dull, red clay pots into something for display, all you need is some tissue paper, glue and water mixture and clear varnish.

Needed:

• Clay pot
• Tissue paper
• Glue and water mixture - it can be pretty thin
• Plastic cup
• Paint brush
• Clear varnish

Instructions:

Step 1: Lay newspaper out on a flat surface.

Step 2: Put clay pot upside down in the center of the newspaper.

Step 3: Make a glue/water mixture in the plastic cup. (About 2 parts glue, 1 part water.)

Step 4: Use the paint brush to spread the glue mixture all over the clay pot.

Step 5: Stick tissue paper to the pot in any design you wish. Completely cover the clay surface.

Step 6: Cover the tissue paper with additional glue.

Step 7: Allow the pot to dry totally.

Step 8: Once dry, cover the entire pot with a clear varnish.

Step 9: Allow the pot to dry totally again.

Step 10: Fill with potting soil, your favorite plant or some seeds, and enjoy.

This project is quite easy, and can be done by the youngest child.

By Rebecca Lanham

Craft: Mini Papier-Mache Piñatas for Birthday Parties

Mini Papier-Mache Pinatas are great for birthday parties. Thrifty parents and children will both love this craft idea. They are fun to create and can save a ton, as the store purchased Pinatas can be expensive. As an added bonus, is you can choose the theme and the loot. Think Nemo, Thomas the Train, Barbie, My Little Pony etc.

Materials

• Balloons (small in size)
• Craft paint brush
• Latex gloves
• Glue
• Tissue Paper, newsprint, origami paper, it's your choice
• Flour/water paste or glue/water
• Ribbon and other items to decorate with
• String and label for pull string (to break open Pinatas)
• Loot to stuff the Pinatas with

Instructions

Blow up balloons to desired size and tear paper into strips. Prepare flour/water paste (I didn't measure, just went by looking at the thickened texture). Paint paste on balloon/paper and apply strips of paper to build layers. Cover balloon in 4 layers of paper to build strength. Leave top of Pinata, around lip of balloon open, this allows room to add loot.

Once the Pinatas are dry, decorate with balloon in place. Use ribbon, stickers, etc. Deflate balloon when dry by cutting small hole using scissors. Stuff pinatas with loot. Place pull string in place and seal hole with more paper/paste.

You are done!

Hints:

• Wear latex gloves the dyes in the tissue paper will stain your hands.
• Use hair dryer sparingly, to help dry between layers, too much heat will expand balloon

Source: This great idea was borrowed from the following wonderful website:

• http://kiddley.com/2006/12/15/christmas-pinatas/

By Lisa from Halifax, NS