Urban Crafter How To: First Day of Fall Decorative Paper Globes

By Kath on September 22, 2009 3:19 PM | 2 Comments |

Today is September 22, and if you live in the Northern Hemisphere (as I do) that means that autumn starts today. Fall is my favourite season. It's a season of sensory delights - all those marvelous harvest flavours, the brilliant yellow and russet tones of the earth, and the special quality that the low-angled sunlight gives makes this time of year feel magical to me.

So, to help celebrate the autumnal equinox, I thought I'd decorate my brilliantly yellow and green plum tree with these lovely decorative paper globes.

Here's what you'll need:

decorative paper in one, two or more coordinating patterns/colours (I used two of the patterned papers from Close To My Heart's "Enchanted" paper pack) - at least two 12X12 sheets
circle punch, any diameter (the larger the diameter, the easier to work with), or
circle cutter, circle template, scissors
adhesive (I always use Tombow Mono - simply my favourite for working with paper)
ribbon (optional)

To make decorative paper globes:

Using your circle punch, circle cutter or a printed circle template (such as the ones found in my inspiration for this project, Heather Bailey's Paper Globes), cut 20 circles for each globe (to make 2 globes, cut 40 circles; to make 5 globes cut 100 circles; etc.).
Mix and match patterns in coordinating colours for added effect.

Fold each circle into an equilateral triangle, with each corner of the triangle just touching the circumference of the circle (if you don't want to do this by hand, use a template, as in the downloadable Heather Bailey instructions above).

I found once I had one folded, I could use it as a template for folding all the remaining circles, and it worked perfectly.
Now, glue 5 circles together to create the top dome, and 5 more to create the bottom dome. Simply adhere two sides of each "triangle" until you get this shape:

Next, attach the remaining 10 "triangles" in a line, alternating between "point-up" and "point-down" triangles. Your line will look like this:

Now, attach the top and bottom! All you need to do is to apply adhesive to all the tabs on your top dome, then wrap the line of 10 circles around, carefully matching up the tabs (TIP: using a liquid adhesive or glue stick will give you some "wiggle room" to match up perfectly here, where a tape-based adhesive like Tombow Mono will not). Then do the same with the bottom dome (see below for a picture of me wrapping the line and adhering to the top dome):

And voila! A beautiful decorative paper globe!

I think these would look lovely tossed in a decorative bowl, hung as ornaments (as I did) or even made into topiaries, using small terracotta pots and a dowel or straw. This is also a great way to use up scrap paper. So let your imagination take hold, and go out and make some whimsical (and simple!) decorative paper globes!

I've uploaded some new projects to my photoblog, The Urban Crafter. Check them out!