These DIY mini pinwheels are pretty much the cutest things I have ever seen. They’re fantastic cupcake or cake toppers, and they make great cocktails skewers (just don’t get them wet!). I plan to make several dozen in red, white and blue and plaster them over everything for our Fourth of July festivities. Living abroad makes you feel extra-patriotic on holidays like the Fourth!
I couldn’t resist the urge to make some summery cupcakes to top with these. They’re mixed berry cupcakes with a lemon and cream cheese frosting. Delicious AND cute.
What you’ll need:
Paper cut into 4 cm squares (use thinner paper, I found origami paper to be perfect)
scissors
miniature push pins, thumbtacks or short pins with a large head
small beads, about 3 or 4 mm in size
needle nose pliers with serrated jaws
bamboo skewers
What to do:
1. Soak the non-pointed end of the bamboo skewers in warm water for a few hours to soften the wood. This will allow you to put a pin through them.
2. Fold the squares of paper in half twice to create triangle sections. First fold one corner down onto the other, then repeat with the other side. These folds will be our guidelines for cutting.
3. Cut each corner toward the center, stopping about 1/2 of a cm from the center.
4. Use one of the pins to poke 5 holes in each square. You’ll need 1 in the very center and 1 in each corner on the same side of each triangle, like this picture:
5. Gently pull, each corner hole toward the center and secure with the pin, being careful not to crease the paper. Put the pin through the center hole. Put a bead on the back of the pinwheel. Use the pliers to get a firm grip on the pin.
6. Use the pliers to push the pin into the soaked end of the skewer. Make sure the wheel spins, curling in any parts that catch on the skewer.
One year ago: Who needs picture frames when you can make your own wooden photo blocks? And you can put a picture on each side to change it up!
