Paper Scrap Fish

Summer is here!  As the mom of a school-aged child, that means less time scrapbooking and more time doing kid-friendly projects together with my son.  Here's a fun project we made recently using 12" scraps.

From Flamingo Scraps: Fancy Pants patterned papers
Other: googly eyes

To make one fish, you will need 6 strips of 1x12-inch paper.  They can all be the same, or you can use two different colors.  I'd recommend using two different colors the first time you try this. Once you're confident in the technique, then you can switch to a single color. You'll also need scissors, craft glue, and a googly eye.

 

Fold all six strips of paper in half.  Interlock 2 strips (one of each color) as shown.

 

Add the next strip of paper by weaving it under the upper half of the folded strip and around the lower half of the folded strip. 

Weave the third strip the same way as the first.  You should have the beginning of a checkerboard pattern.

 

Do the opposite for the next strip.  

 

Weave the final strip the same way as the first strip.  Push all the strips tightly together. Because they are interlocked, they will hold together. Check front and back to be sure that there is a checkerboard pattern on both sides.

 

Cut off the middle strips flush to the edge of the checkerboard.

 

Glue down all the edges.

 

Make diagonal cuts on all four remaining strips.  They can be straight or gently curved. 

 

Add a googly eye and your fish is done!

  

Aren't they fun?!  You could add one to a sand bucket to make a cute tag for a summer birthday present.  You could also make a mini version of the fish as an embellishment for a swimming or beach page.  The possibilities are endless!