Project Overview:
An Easter basket would not be complete without a paper pinwheel. Such a cute item to add to a basket, for decoration and to have the kids play with. No need to worry if you are new to using the LOKLiK IdeaStudio software, this tutorial will show you how to design this pinwheel from scratch!
Materials:
- Cutting machine: LOKLiK iCraft
- Sticky mat: LOKLiK standard grip
- Cardstock: 60 lb or equivalent
- Templates: from LOKLiK Library
** Free Black Circle and Lace SVG*
** Bunny Cartoon* - Craft glue and hot glue
- Paper straw
- Coordinating ribbon
Design and Cutting Process:
- Begin by adding a square shape to the canvas and adjusting the sizing to a rectangle. For this project, I used a rectangle measuring 2 in. by 8in.
Make sure you “unlock” the sizing to ensure you can resize it as needed.
- Change the “fill” to “contour” in order to see the inside of the rectangle and allow us to continue with the design.
- Click on “pattern” to add a line, creating a vertical line measuring .01in by 2in.
- Select the line you have just created and click on the “array” option.
- Update the grid copies options to rows: 1, columns: 10. The spacing (inch) will be rows: 0 and columns: .5.
- Click on confirm and the new lines will automatically be created and evenly spaced.
- Repeat again by selecting the last vertical line and updating the columns to 6. This will fill in the entire rectangular strip.
- Carefully select and move the rectangle out of the way.
- Select all of the vertical lines and group them together.
- Then select the vertical line group and the rectangle, center horizontally and vertically.
- Select the rectangle and the vertical lines, right click, select copy and paste. You will need a total of 4 rectangular strips for 1 pinwheel.
Creating Pinwheel Decorations
- Using the LOKLik IdeaStudio Library, search for the templates and select the + to add the template to the canvas.
- Ungroup both designs to allow us to pick and choice the components we will be using. For the lace svg, you will also need to “split” split the design to be able to click the scalloped circle design.
- Add a 4in circle shape to your canvas, this will be the guide for your pinwheel to size your decorations.
- Delete the extra pieces from the canvas.
I only kept the inside of the bunny ears, the nose and mouth as well as the curviest scalloped circle
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Change your color setting to “fill” and select the colors of your choice. This will help you visualize the end project.
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Resize the bunny ears as pictured below.
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Resize the curviest scalloped circle to 1.64in by 1.64in
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Create an offset of 7mm of the bunny ears.
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Resize the bunny nose and mouth as pictured below. You can adjust the sizing to your preference.
- Select the inner pink part of the ears and the white scalloped circle and create a copy of them. This will be the “back” side of your pinwheel.
Great job! Now you have the designs ready to cut.
- Send all of the pieces to cut, except for the 4in circles you created as the sample of your pinwheel. You will be creating your pinwheel using the rectangular strips.
IMPORTANT TIP: Send your vertical lines to score prior to sending the rectangles to cut. These are the score settings I used as I do not have scoring pen yet, this allows you to score using the standard blade included with your iCraft.
** Score Settings**
** Material Type: Cardstock Paper (180g/97lb)
**Force: 5.5
**Speed: 5
**Passes: 2
** Cut Settings**
** Material Type: Cardstock Paper (180g/97lb)
**Force: 7.5
**Speed: 5
**Passes: 2
Assembling the Pinwheel
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Begin by using the score marks as a guide to fold all 4 rectangles like an accordion.
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Glue 2 of the accordion rectangles together to follow the accordion pattern.
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Take the new longer rectangle and glue the ends together to create a full circle.
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Gently press down in the center to flatten the circle and create your pinwheel.
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Use the hot glue gun to place a lot of hot glue in the center part to hold it together.
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Add one of the white scalloped circle and hold in place until the glue dries.
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Repeat for both of the long rectangular accordions.
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Once the glue is dried, flip the pinwheel over and add more glue to the back to secure the pinwheel further.
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Prepare the bunny ears by gluing the pink inner ears to the white outer ears. You will have 2 pink inner ears per white ear (1 for each side)
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Tie 2 pieces of ribbon around the paper straw with a knot.
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Glue the straw/ribbon to the bottom pinwheel.
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Secure the ribbon with more hot glue so they land to the sides of the paper straw.
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Add a lot of hot glue to the center and place the top pinwheel.
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You want to press firmly (to flatten the paper straw slightly) to ensure it all adheres correctly.
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Glue the bunny ears to the front of the pinwheel.
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Add the mouth and nose to the front of the pinwheel
WONDERFUL!!! You have a paper pinwheel to add to your Easter Basket. Isn’t she so pretty! You are able to use this design as a base to create pinwheels for a variety of themes and holidays.
it helps in guiding Crafters create marvelous projects 
