Paper. Have you ever wondered how much of it we all use daily?

I don’t think anyone knows the exact answer to this question. Yet, the amount is certainly huge. Unfortunately, we all tend to sometimes use this multifunctional material quite inefficiently. For instance, we have all thrown away a perfectly reusable paper bag for no apparent reason.

I’d like to share some ideas of how to use paper—and, more particularly, paper strips—to make cute and easy crafts that you can use for seasonal or party decorations. So, if you consider yourself a bit of an artist, if you are keen to start various DIY projects and handy enough to successfully complete them, then read on for some craft ideas.

If you fancy those stylish decorations hanging from your ceiling and turning with each puff of air, consider making one yourself with some paper strips. You will only need sheets of vellum paper in different colors—you can use as many shades as you want; just make sure that they go well with your walls and furniture—a sewing machine, thread, fishing sinkers, a utility knife, and artist tape.

The first thing you have to do is to cut the vellum into one-inch strips. Then you need to determine the total length of the mobile. It should be long enough to be easily noticed, yet it should not block people’s eyesight.

The hardest part is the sewing of the paper strips. Leave approximately twelve inches of the thread at the beginning, for this is where the sinker will be tied, and start sewing the middle of the first strip. Add more strips, but be careful to leave relatively the same amount of space between each and every one. When your mobile has reached the desired length, make sure to leave another twelve inches at the end of the thread. Add the fishing sinker, and your decoration is ready to be hung.

Vellum mobiles are suitable for all kinds of parties. As you can see, they are extremely simple to make, and all the materials needed could be easily found at local stores for stationery supplies. What’s more, they are not costly at all.

Cute and Funny Paper Ornaments

Whether you want to decorate your home for the Valentine’s Day, Christmas, or St. Patty’s Day, or even without any special occasion, paper strips are perfect for the purpose. You will only need various multicolored sheets of paper or thin pasteboard, a utility knife, a ruler, a stapler, and thread for hanging.

To make little paper hearts, cut the sheets into strips about one inch wide. Place them on the table, or the floor, or whatever flat surface you work on. Line two longer strips in the middle. Then put one shorter on each side. Repeat the same by placing even shorter strips. The next thing to do is to neatly stack them one on top of the other, proceeding from left to right. Staple at the bottom. Pull the shortest strips over the staple and hold. Carefully pull the middle ones, too, and hold. Finally, pull the longest and staple them all together. Et voilà, your hearts are ready!

You can hang them over your dining table or anywhere in the house you want. And as mentioned above, you can make all kinds of paper strips ornaments—the options are not just limited to hearts. You can also craft clovers, tiny little Christmas trees, etc. You can look up the Internet for more original ideas.

Some final words: all do-it-yourself projects might be a bit messy. This is why you need to carefully clean your workspace once you are finished. Make sure to use proper cleaning products in order to effectively remove any leftover residue. When working with paper, you also need to carefully sweep or vacuum the floor. After all, the overall good look of a room or a home is determined not only by the various stylish ornaments it is decorated with, but also by its being regularly and carefully cleaned.