Wednesday, January 8, 2014

PEICD (PROJECTS EVEN I CAN DO): A FESTIVE PAPER CHAIN

Paper chains are easy to make.  In fact, I'm sure a lot of us have been making them since the 3rd grade when we had to make a flag out of strips of paper.  So this isn't so much a tutorial on how to do it as it is an attempt to show how fun they can be to use in our grown up houses.

Since I was little, my brother and I would make paper chains to hang up for Christmas.  We tended to stick to the typical red and green combination, hoping that with such a Christmassy feel my mom would let us put it up around the house instead of being restricted to just the basement.  As we got older, our love of the paper chain never faltered.  One of my best memories is of us as teenagers (nerd alert) who  turned the basement into a small factory, churning out the biggest chain we had ever created.  That year we waited to hang it around the house until our parents went to bed so they would wake up to some Christmas magic:)

This year I got the urge to make a paper chain to decorate for Wade's birthday party, but I wanted to break out of my two color rut.  I got a pack of double sided scrapbook paper for my birthday and instantly fell in love with all the colors and patterns.  Elsie and Emma from A Beautiful Mess designed the paper for Project Life, and I can't tell you how much I LOVE it!  It's like they reached into my imagination and made all those daydreams a reality. 
Usually when I find something I like, I'm too afraid to use it all up so I end up not using it at all.  Does anyone else do this?  I decided it's high time to change that, though, and created this awesome chain.  I added a link of gold every so often to tie add a little sparkle.  I tried to paint my own staples to make it extra fancy, but that was a project fail.

Step 1:  Cut pages in 2" strips

Step 2:  Staple the strip together and then continue stapling the other links on until you reach your desired length.  Pretty self explanatory, I know, but I just wanted an excuse to show tons of pictures of this awesome paper!

Now string it up for all to see!

All this color makes these cold days seem less dreary.  Hope you're having a wonderful day!

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13 comments:

  1. CJJanuary 8, 2014 at 8:16 AM

    I'm exactly the same with things I like, I "save" them for a special occasion. I noticed your beautiful paper chains in the party photos, and thought how lovely they were. Such a great idea to use double-sided scrapbook paper, they are so striking. We used to have them when I was little too, but nothing like this, they're great.

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    1. KariJanuary 9, 2014 at 4:48 PM

      Thanks so much, CJ! It's good to know that the techniques I learned when I was 6 can still be applied today:) I really want to find a place to hang the chain year round. We'll see where I can sneak it in without Wade wanting to take it down:) Hope you're having a great day!

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  2. UnknownJanuary 8, 2014 at 1:19 PM

    The paper is fantastic! :) Very party worthy!

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  3. RachelJanuary 8, 2014 at 9:04 PM

    I remember making paper chains as a kid!! :) The papers you used make it look a lot prettier than the plain old construction paper we used to use, though!

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    1. KariJanuary 9, 2014 at 4:50 PM

      I agree! This paper is so beautiful! I had a hard time taking the plunge and actually cutting it since it was so pretty, and I didn't want to ruin it.

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  4. Kate McMahanJanuary 8, 2014 at 9:13 PM

    That is the most adorable paper chain I've ever seen. It's a grown-up version. I love that the paper is double-sided. Where did you get it? Michaels?

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    1. KariJanuary 9, 2014 at 4:51 PM

      Thanks, Kate! Since it's a grown-up version, I'm sure Wade will let me keep it up year round, right? :) I ordered it from Amazon. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/12x12-Project-Life-Designer-Paper/dp/B00EAB15K4/ref=sr_1_sc_2?s=arts-crafts&ie=UTF8&qid=1389126828&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=project+life+sunshinne+edition+scrapbook

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  5. Noor UnnaharJanuary 9, 2014 at 9:50 AM

    Girl , it's SO adorable and neat . I suck at making paper chains . Haha I always keep things for later use though I can't remember afterwards what I actually saved . Like stickers or wrapping paper.

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    1. KariJanuary 9, 2014 at 4:52 PM

      Thanks, Noor! Good to know I'm not the only one who likes to save things:)

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  6. Ruby January 9, 2014 at 4:34 PM

    beautiful photographs x

    rubys-eyes.blogspot.com

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  7. UnknownJanuary 10, 2014 at 12:50 PM

    I love this idea! I used to make these when I was little, but never thought of using scrapbook paper. This would be perfect to decorate a dorm room with!

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I truly appreciate each comment! I love hearing from you guys and treasure every one. I respond to comments via e-mail if you have yours enabled. This is going to be a great day!

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