Hand Crafts

Make several of these pretty window hangers to display in the sun. They make a lovely display using fall’s splendid colors, mirroring the falling leaves.

What you'll need:

• 1 sheet black construction paper
• Tissue paper in fall colors
• 1 sheet heavy weight self-stick laminating film (recommended: Con-Tact paper)
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Toothpick
• Ribbon
• Suction cup hanger

How to make it:

1. Peel back half of the backing from the laminating film, leaving the other half still protected. Fold over the backing to keep out of the way.
2. Tear tissue paper into small squares and place onto sticky side of laminating film. Be sure to alternate colors and keep them close together, overlapping is fine too.
3. Carefully peel the backing off the other side of the laminating film, then fold that film over onto the exposed tissue paper pieces, sandwiching them between the film. Press out any air bubbles.
4. Trim any overlapping film off and throw away.
5. Fold construction paper in half and cut out a simple leaf shape. This should yield two identical leaves because the construction paper was folded.
6. Glue the very tip of the leaves together, just enough to tack it together. Using scissors or a craft knife, cut out the center of the leaf, leaving about a half-inch border, making a leaf-shaped frame for your stained glass creation. Be sure to ask an adult for help.
7. Using your leaf-shaped frame as a guide, trim the laminated tissue paper into the shape of the leaf. Your laminated tissue paper needs to be a little bit smaller than your frame so that it does not stick out the sides. (See photo.)
8. Glue the laminated tissue paper leaf inside the construction paper leaf frame.
9. At the tip of the leaf, poke a hole with a toothpick for your hanger.
10. Insert a piece of ribbon into the hole and tie in a knot. Then trim the ends.
11. Hang ribbon on a suction cup hanger on the window.

Tips:

• When receiving birthday gifts for your child, be sure to save the tissue papers from the gift bags to recycle in projects such as this!
• Instead of black construction paper, make several frames with fall colors such as orange, brown, green, and red.
• Suction cup hangers are available at your local craft supply store, usually in multi-packs.

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