Free tutorial - little paper bird

 Hi to all my blogging friends...  Hope you all have had a good time over the Christmas holidays... 

I've decided to hit the new year running and get off to a good start by showing you all how to make a cute recycled paper bird like this one.

As some of you already know I love to recycle anything that would be otherwise be thrown away, I love to make it into something useful and beautiful.. And FREE!!! 
If you don't know, or haven't realised it yet.....I am a cheapskate...!

You will need: - 
Graph paper- Not essential.
Cereal box
Paper
Water based glue
Masking tape /sellotape
Paint,beads, lace, fabric, glitter etc to decorate.. 
*Just click on photo's to enlarge, copy and paste.

So you start with the pattern. Looks a little strange at them moment bear with me it works....

I am hoping that you will be able to print this off, if not just follow the pattern using graph paper.. You can in large it to any size as you can see mine are quite small about 3cm or so when finished..

 

Transfer the shape onto... You've guessed it .. A cereal box. 

Cut out the shape x 2,

So... Here we go. The fiddly bit.

First of all to give the little bird shape you tuck the short beak piece under the longer piece and tape into place, do this on both halves. This gives the little fella a bit of an eye.. 

Then you tape both halves of the bird together. He should now have a bit of shape.

Tweak the two halves until they fit together and tape.

 

Then using any water based glue that you have to hand stick small papier mache strips all over the bird. I used an old hymn book that had seen better days... A 10p charity shop another bargain.

To finish make the little bird your own........I made them into robins as it was Christmas... I painted eyes and added a little flourish of colour and a sprinkle of glitter and he was done.. I used jewellers wire to hang him on our Christmas tree.. 

The possibilities are endless.. Easter chicks come to mind... If you make one or two, post them on your blog and I will link up with you to show everyone your amazing creations...

I made a few for our tree and gave the others to special friends over the Christmas holidays. They make fantastic little gifts and haven't cost you a bean..

WISHING YOU ALL HAPPY NEW YEAR OUT THERE IN THIS FUNNY VIRTUAL WORLD..  Julie.x