Paper pinwheels? Medallions? Rosettes?
Whatever you call them these colorful circles are a fun, easy way to add a pop of color to any room.
Tootsie’s bedroom makeover is the perfect place to try out this DIY wall art.
The Gallery Wall filled with grandmothers and aunties looks great. But there’s this blank space above the dresser’s mirror that is crying out for something.
Something colorful. Easy. And totally inexpensive! 
Ta-da! Splashes of bright color thanks to scrapbook paper and a simple DIY project. 
Inspiration came from Kat at Blessed Life Atop a Cake Stand. She used colorful pinwheels to create a Pinwheel Head Board for her daughter’s room.
Here comes the DIY part of the project.
Supplies you need:
- colorful 12″x12″ scrapbook paper
- paper cut or scissors
- “Fold” attachment on a scrapbook paper cutter *optional*
- 2″ flower shaped paper punch
- hot glue
- color buttons for embellishing
I first used paper pinwheels for Tootsie’s Sofia the First birthday party. Below are the pieces I used to make the Sofia the First wreath to welcome our party guest.
Simple accordion fold the entire piece of paper. You can easily fold the paper by hand. Each of my folds are 1/2″ wide.
But thanks to the handy-dandy “fold” attachment on my paper cutter this part was easy. If you are lucky enough to have one ~ use it!
Use hot glue to glue all the folded strips together to make a circle.
Smush the middle of the circle down until it lays flat. Yes, “smush” is a technical Southern term.
Most tutorials tell you to add a small amount of hot glue to the center to secure the pinwheel. I have found the easiest thing to do is to add a paper circle plus a ton of hot glue to the back.
A heavy object, like a stapler, is great for holding the pinwheel in place while it dries.
A variety of pinwheel sizes will create the best wall art.
4 pieces of 6″x12″ paper = 12″ pinwheel
3 pieces of 4″x12″ paper = 8″ pinwheel
2 pieces of 2″x12″ paper = 4″ pinwheel
Now… how are you going to attach all these pretties to the wall?
Cardboard and pushpins, of course!
Arrange the pinwheels on a large piece of cardboard. Trace around the edges to make a template. {Take a picture with your phone so you remember what circle goes where.}
Trim the excess cardboard.
Glue everything back down. Then add embellishments with patterned circles and colorful buttons. Layering the pinwheels will add more visual interest.
Pushpins placed under two of the pinwheels hold the entire piece to the wall.
“Daydream Doodle with glitter” by Paper Studio is the name of the 60 piece paper pack I purchased. All that pretty paper was only $10 from Hobby Lobby.
Wahoo! One wall in Tootsie’s Big Girl Room Makeover is finished!
Want to see where else I’ve used Paper Pinwheels?
Sofia the First Wreath ~ Party on a Budget
Simple DIY Sofia the First Party Tablescape
Sofia the First DIY Treat Table
Has anyone else used paper pinwheels in their room designs? I’d love to see your projects! Leave me a link in the comments so I can hop over and be inspired!
I link up with these fun parties!
Love these! They are simple, but make a huge impact!
Thanks Lindsay! Tootsie is sitting with me and *gasped* when she saw her room on the computer screen. 😉
Yes, these are simply adorable, and go so well with your frames! I’ve only made one pinwheel type of banner, back in the fall. But I definitely want to make more 😉 Thanks for visiting my blog!
Hey JoAnn!
Thank you for the sweet comment. The pinwheels and gallery wall look great in Tootsie’s bedroom. They always make me smile!
What a cute way to use these pinwheels. I’ve only even used them to decorate for a holiday, but I may have to rethink that now. Thanks for sharing!
Hey Sarah! Thanks for stopping by to leave a sweet comment! I love your sweet Valentine printable!
These are great! I am a sucker for adding prints and colors to a room and paper is such a great way to do that for not much money. Love how many things you could do with this! I’d love for you to come join in at The Makers Link Party going on right now at TinySidekick.com We will be doing features and featuring one blogger each week. Hope to see you there!
Hey Corey! I’m hopping over to your blog right now. I love a fun linky party!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
That is so simple, yet amazing! What a great way to decorate and I just love your use of technical southern terms 😉 I’m going right now to see if my paper cutter has a ‘fold’ setting! If you get a chance, I’d love to see this on my linkup: http://timeforseason.blogspot.com/2014/02/my-favorite-things-saturdays-21.html Hope to see you there! 😉
Hey! Love that you are a Southern Girl too! Thanks for the sweet comment. I just joined the party!
Amazing ! How cute can one get REALLY girl! you are too cute, what adorable- adorable- adorable pin-wheels, I’m truly in love with this DIY
thanks for the share Maria :)))
Hey Maria! Thanks so much! I’m so happy you like my paper pinwheel project! I hope you will follow along to see what my next project for Tootsie’s room will be!
Wow, love these pretty pinwheels! Such a great idea to brighten up any space. I’ve never tried making these but an so inspired to try for our lil one’s room:)
I love the color and pattern the pinwheels add to the room!
So pretty! They really do make that wall “pop”!
Stop by my blog and share this awesome wall art this Wednesday? In fact, I am cohosting a hop on Sunday too. Come for both????
Blessings,
Sinea
Ducks ‘n a Row
Thanks so much for the invites. I’m hopping over now! 😉
Oh, I love rosettes! What a fabulous tool! I bought some contraption that you make the grooves manually and it is the pits. Too hard to stay in the same groove. They really added a lot to that space! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
So happy you love Tootsie’s Paper Pinwheels!
I seriously LOVE these Ashley… they are absolutely adorable! I have to pin your tutorial because my pinwheel making skills up til now are sorely lacking. Thanks so much for sharing it with us at Work it Wednesday this week:) Hope to see you back tomorrow:)
~Krista from the happy housie
This is one of the best tutorials I’ve seen for this kind of craft. Thank you for sharing it. I’m pinning this for future use!
Marissa
Now that is an awesome compliment! Tutorials can be so very tricky.
Ashley, These are so cute. You can use this technique for so many things! Love it! Thanks for linking up at Tips and Tricks! Sharing and Pinning!
Gina @ Gina’s Craft Corner
Hey Gina! So happy you like my pinwheels! Thank you so much for sharing *everywhere*! You are the best!
{hugs} ~ Ashley
I LOVE it all…Living in a house of boys I never get to decorate like this. What an Awesome statement it makes on the wall! Thanks for linking up with Hit Me With Your Best Shot! So excited to see what you’ve been up to this week!
~Ariean
Hey Ariean! Thank you for all your hard work hosting Hit Me with Your Best Shot! I am always inspired by everyone’s projects.
Hope you and your boys have survived the snow. I loved seeing the pictures!
Hey Ashley, congrats on your feature at Get Your DIY On…these are so adorable and make such a bright and fun statement in your daughter’s bedroom 🙂
Hey Cindy! Thanks for your sweet thoughts! I loved your DIY Artwork for your husband’s office. I’m going to follow your tutorial and make one for mine. 🙂
Found the pinwheel tutorial for the Sofia wreath! I just painted a tree mural for my daughter’s bird room, so I have been wanting to add some extra to it! This would be PERFECT! I will be sure to share a picture when I am finished. Thanks so much for the tutorial! I am a southern girl too, and I absolutely LOVE your wedding ring (I can see it in the tutorial picture). I have an art deco engagement ring/wedding band too!
Thanks again for all of your help and craftiness! So glad us moms can share the wealth!
Ashley
I am so excited you found and love the pinwheels! They are so much fun to make and decorate with!
And thank you for the sweet comment about my wedding rings! There is a great story behind it! 😉
~ Ashley
Do you mind sharing the details about the paper cutter with fold attachment ? Like, what brand and where can I find it ?
Thanks so much for your great question about creasing scrapbook paper to make paper pinwheels. Here’s one tool I’ve used and really like –> http://amzn.to/2ju3jyU.
{BIG hugs}
~ Ashley