First Paper Quilling

Skinny paper strips roll into tight coils that become flowers and hearts — patient, meditative, beautiful.

Ages 5-65 min prep

What you'll need

Pastel quilling paper strips (or thin strips cut from cardstock, about 5 mm wide)
A slotted quilling tool, or a wooden skewer and a slit cut into the end
White craft glue in a small dish
A toothpick for spreading tiny glue dots
A blank greeting card or cardstock as the background
A pencil for sketching the design

1
Lightly sketch a simple flower or heart shape on the card.
2
Slide the end of a paper strip into the slot on the tool.
3
Slowly twirl the tool between your fingertips, letting the paper wrap around itself into a tight coil.
4
Slide the coil off the tool. It will spring open a little — that's perfect.
5
Pinch one edge of the coil between two fingers to make a teardrop (a petal!) or leave it round (a flower center).
6
Dip the edge of each coil into the glue and press it onto the sketch. Hold for a slow count of five.
7
Fill the design with coils in different colors until the whole shape is bright and dimensional.

Little hands tire quickly — aim for 5-8 coils per session and continue the next morning.