Simple Paper Boat

A paper boat is symbolic to everyone's childhood memories. The first paper craft that anyone learnt, was to make this simple play object. Come monsoons, and the newspapers were converted into these tiny and huge boats. There were competitions and experiments with the sizes. Whose boat sails longer and whose sinks?

Let's learn to make this simple joyful origami object.

For this we need
1. Craft paper

Thing to note is that the paper should be a rectangle and not a square.
Fold it in the middle.

Mark the centre and fold from both sides, like this

The open end should be at the bottom. Now fold one layer of the open end towards this triangle.

 Flip over and fold the second layer similarly.

We should close the edges to make a finished triangle by folding the open ends inside in alignment with the sides of the triangle.

Puff the cone and flatten it on the alternate sides.

Fold the open edge upwards - front and back both.

Puff the cone from inside once more and flatten it on the alternate sides.

Pull the open edges getnly to give it a boat shape.

 Enjoy!

Aakash Deep - Deepawali lamp (paper)

One more traditional Diwali decoration - Paper lamps or Aakash deep when lit up with a bulb.

To make this simple yet beautiful paper lamp, we need just a few things.

Things required :-

1. Craft paper (varied colours)
2. A pair of scissors
3. Glue
4. Craft thread
6. Sellotape/ sticking tape

Let's start by taking a square sheet approx 5" by 5" (inches).

Fold the sheet diagonally to form a triangle.

Fold it into a triangle again.

Now we've got four folds. From the open end cut straight lines through to the other end, leaving only a little space at the edge.

Open all the folds carefully and spread out the paper.

Fold the innermost (smallest) cut inwards and paste the tips together, like this -

Fold and paste together alternate strips. For example, leave the next strip and glue together the third one.

Repeat until all the alternate strips are joined to give a lovely shape.

We need 5 such pieces

Take two pieces and join the tips of the largest strip. It's like joining two diamond shapes.

Glue together the rest of the three pieces to form a single layer.

Cut out 2 one inch paper strips about 10 inches in length.

Now glue the upper and lower end of the daimonds on these strips, like this,

After that, I have taken two similar strips of a different colour and half an inch in width.

Stick this on the broader strip.

To give it the shape of a lantern, paste together the ends of the top and bottom strips as in a ring.

Also don't forget to paste the edge of the two diamonds when they meet on folding the two upper and lower strips.

And the last bit is to attach the string for hanging. Cut out approx 10 inches of craft thread and secure it on the inner side of one of the rings with a sellotape/adhesive tape.

On the bottom strip, we will glue some zig-zag strips to complete the look.

Admire the creation.

 Also view DIY Deepawali lamp.

DIY Deepawali Lamp

Enhance your home's Diwali look by making this beautiful candle holder. It is very simple to make and gives an aesthetic vibe to your wonderful abode.

Craft materials required:

1. 7 bangles (same size)
2. Crepe paper
3. Craft thread
4. Sequins
5. Some trinklets (optional)
6. Small cardboard piece
7. Synthetic rubber based adhesive
8. Regular white glue
9. Small candle
10. Pencil
11. A pair of scissors

Gather all this on your desk and we are ready to go.

First, we will stick 3 bangles together with the synthetic rubber glue. The reason we are using this glue is that it helps stick the glass bangles faster and is sturdier. Alternately, a hot glue gun can be used as well.

We will leave it to dry for a few minutes. In the meanwhile, draw an outline on the cardboard sheet with one bangle. Draw the line on the outer side and not the inner side. Cut the circle and keep it for use later.

 

 Cut four equal pieces from the crafts thread about 4-5 inches in length to make the danglers. Add a few trinklets and some sequins.

Paste the danglers at equal distance on the inner side of the glued bangles base.

Apply glue on the edge of the bangle on the top. Paste the cardboard circle on it.

Also cut four more pieces from the crafts thread about 15 inches each in length.

Tie one end of the thread to a bangle. Apply some glue on the knots to make them secure and avoid getting untied. Make four of these for the sides of the lamp.

Take the crepe paper and measure with the bangle and cut four pieces.

 

Make some oval shaped designs on the paper and cut them out.

While cutting the design, it helps to fold the paper and cut. It will give the cutout a symmetrical shape.

 

I have taken four different colours here. Use the regular white glue to stick the crepe paper on the bangles like this.

Wrap the edges of the paper around the bangle gently.

 Let it dry for a few minutes. Once the four sides are ready, glue them to the bangle base one by one.

You should use the sythetic rubber glue for attaching the sides. Also make sure that the danglers on the base are facing down.

The 15 inch threads on the side bangles shlould be facing in the opposite direction so that we can tie it up for hanging. Hold the sides in place and give it a couple of minutes to dry.

After this we can put a candle inside and enjoy by lightening this aesthetic lantern on Diwali eve.

(I have glued the candle on the base so that it doesn't move even if the lantern swings)

Happy and safe Diwali !