PAPER BALL ORNAMENTS

Are all your holiday decorations out? If you're still wanting to add a little more decor, this simple ornament made from cut out circles is something you might want to try. I went for bright colors, mixed with a little bit of black, gold, and silver, and it's just festive enough. I think these paper ball ornaments are so pretty that I might find a little spot in our house to keep some up all year long! 

 Supplies:
-cardstock in various colors
-3" circle punch
-ruler
-pencil
-scissors
-glue
-paintbrush
-string/twine

 Step One: Cut out twenty circles for each ball. I used a 3" circle punch because I wanted to make bigger paper balls, and they end up being about 6" across. If you want to make smaller ones, just use a smaller circle punch. 

 Step Two: From one circle cutout, draw an equilateral triangle and cut that out. That will be the guide for folding each circular piece. 

 Step Three: Use the triangle cut out as a guide to fold each circular piece. Fold each side in towards the front of the paper. 

 Step Four: To start, paint glue on one flap of two circles and join together. The triangles should point in the same direction. Continue painting glue onto the flaps to attach three more circles to the two; these five circles joined together create the top of the ball.

To create the center of the ball, glue ten circles together, but alternate the tip of the triangles pointing up and down. This then connects to the five previous circles that form the top of the ball.

 Step Five: Cutout a 16" strand of string (or whatever length you need), not it a few times so that the knot is large enough that it won't slip through the ball. Insert the loop through the top center of the ball.

 Step Six: Continue on with the remaining five circles and add those onto the ball making sure that the points all face the same direction. This is the bottom of the ball. 

I think these paper balls could be used for other celebrations throughout the year. It would also be a great alternate for a bow on top of a present. If you want to make a special one for a sweetheart, just write a little message on each circle for them. This would also be cute as a hanging mobile. I could probably go on and on about the different ways this paper ornament ball could be used. I want to plan to make a larger version of my dowel Christmas tree, and hang these paper balls on them! -Ruby Ellen