Easy Paper Strip Ornaments

Craft with the kids today. This is an easy papercraft you can do with the kids. Create a great ornament using card stock. This can be created in only 9 steps.

Materials:

• STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam:
  • Ball, 3"
• Flower craft punch, 1"
• Solid cardstock: color of choice (A); metallic silver (B); tan (C)
• Fine-line black permanent marker
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Straight pins
• Scissors and/or paper trimmer
• Thick, white craft glue
• Optional: Rubber bands, four

Instructions:

1. Use marker to divide foam ball into eight equal vertical sections. As an alternative, wrap rubber bands around ball from top to bottom, dividing it into vertical eighths; mark lines with marker and remove rubber bands. Mark center top and bottom of ball.
    
2. Cut 9-1/2"-long strips from papers as follows: two each 1/8", 1/4" and 1/2" from color A; same from color B; two 1/8" and four 1/2" from color C. Divide paper strips into piles by width for ease of assembly.
    
3. Beginning and ending at top of ball, wrap two 1/2"-wide A strips around ball along quarter lines; be sure they cross at exact center bottom of ball. Glue and pin paper ends at top.
    
4. Repeat Step 3 with two 1/2"-wide B strips, dividing ball into eighths. Repeat again with four 1/2"-wide C strips, wrapping strips between A and B strips. Glue and pin all paper ends at top of ball.
    
5. Repeat Step 3 with 1/4"-wide paper strips to cover any exposed foam between 1/2"-wide strips; alternate colors as desired. If paper layers become too thick at top of ball, trim excess from ends of 1/4"-wide strips and glue ends near, but not on top of, center top of ball.
    
6. Repeat Step 3 with 1/8"-wide paper strips, layering strips to provide contrast.
    
7. Punch two flowers from tan paper (color C). Glue flowers to center top and bottom of ball.
    
8. If desired, cut two more 1/2" x 9-1/2" strips from color A. Glue ends of one strip together to make loop; pinch loop to create bow and glue to top of ornament. Fold second strip in half, trim ends and glue to ornament under bow.
    
9. For hanging loop, cut one more 1/8" x 9-1/2" strip from color A. Glue ends together to make loop; glue and pin to center of bow.
    

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