Introducing cereal box umbrellas to use in garlands, as gift tags, place cards, or art journaling fodder, just for starters! There is something so very cute about these umbrellas that the more the better, plus they are so much fun to make, not to mention great to have on hand for any party or decor needs come the rainy season, whenever that is for you! For us, here in Northern Israel, the rainy season is right now, and we've just had a three day period of non-stop rain, so these little cereal box umbrellas looked great as part of a winter themed garland this shabbat. While I created these in a size that would work with some adorable cereal box striped winter sweaters that I already had on hand, you can of course make them in any size. We have a family birthday coming up, and I'm thinking the theme will be rain, so some giant cardboard umbrellas will likely come to fruition, can't wait! Ah yes and maybe some clouds with colorful raindrops, which our 8 year old unicorn loving cutie will just swoon over? Okay, but first, let me explain how to make these simply adorable cardboard umbrellas......
You'll Need:
- cereal box or any food box cardboard, or heavy weight paper if you prefer, really anything you can cut small shapes from (meaning corrugated cardboard is too difficult for that umbrella handle)
- acrylic craft paint and brushes, sponges, fingers, I used pink, aqua, dark blue and white
- a fine black marker that you can use to write over the paint, mine is a uniball Air, a great pen for this kind of project
How To:
- Paint the non-printed side of your cardboard a light pink (pink plus white). If you'd like to make an umbrella mobile you can paint both sides of the cardboard, just the printed side might require a bit more paint. Once base layer is dry, layer on blotches of aqua, plus aqua mixed with white, and let dry. Add some dark blotches of navy blue here and there. Then do a layer of dark pink plus light pink plus white. Set aside to dry. (see photo below)
- Draw an umbrella in your desired size from a paint of blank cardboard, and cut out. Trace around your umbrella onto the painted cardboard to make identically sized umbrellas. (There is something very nice about a set in all the same size, and that would be preferable for place card holders for example, but of course do what appeals to you!)
- Cut out umbrellas, and go over the umbrella handle and tips with a solid color, I did it with white, another color might work better for yours
- Add line work with a black pen and admire your fun umbrellas.
- I hung mine on a string with mini clothes pins, and you can also tape mini clothes pins to the backs of the umbrellas.
Above: The fun abstract layer of blotchy color is fun to make, and you can do this with every age child.
Above: These umbrellas look so very cute with cereal box cardboard sweaters, or any winter accessories, so have fun with it!
