So… with Weather Get Crafty “literally just around the corner” it was really time to bring you this beautiful How To Make A Kite post… it is fabulous guest post from Teri at The Journals of Giddy Giddy… and her blog makes me just that – giddy! It is BEAUTIFUL, I tell you… I could spend hours on there, absorbed in her wonderful crafts and posts. She also has her own Giddy Giddy products and designs, including the most adorable Tiger and Octopus pouchers for little girls. Please do visit Teri and be wowed and oohed and aahed… I can’t tear myself away!
And how perfect is it to make your kite and then go for a good run in the park? Fresh air and fun exercise… I found Teri via the wonderful Creative Jewish Mom’s blog. Over to Teri and her “How to Make a Beautiful Kite” post:
We didn’t know we could do it, until we did it! That’s right…this weekend, we designed, constructed and flew our own homemade kites.
Kids most definitely need some help and some patience. But the results are spectacular and give you a perfect reason to go outside and run like the wind. What’s a better reward than this? This project makes it on my top 3 favorite craft DIY ideas for sure!
By the way, on a difficulty scale from 1-10 it is “officially” a 7.33. (This number is comprised of 3 votes: mine (3 difficulty level) a 7 year old (9.5 difficulty level) and a 5 1/2 year old (9.5 difficulty level).
THE DIY TUTORIAL:
1. Supplies: a spool of basketweaving reed that measure 2-3.5 millimeter in diameter, large colored wax paper and/or colored tissue paper (wax paper is best as it is more durable), quilting thread or heavy duty thread, scissors, and glue stick
(Please scroll down below for suggested supply sources. )
2. Now devise your plan. Just think about the overall kite construction as a series of OVALS, CIRCLES, TEAR DROPS and HALF CIRCLES. These shapes can then be assembled and then tied together. By keeping this simple guideline in mind, we were able to create a flower, a fish/bug, and a butterfly kite.
3. Take a reed, cut it to size and securely tie ends together by looping quilting thread very tightly around and over a dozen times. Tie a good end knot that cannot easily come undone.
This picture illustrates how a butterfly shaped kite is merely a series of 4 tear drop shapes tied together:
Cut wax paper/tissue paper in the same shape as the frame except that it should be 1 inch bigger all around. Cut notches about 1/2 inch apart around the circumference of the wax paper shape.
Now you can apply glue stick on the edges and then fold over so as to cover the bamboo frame.
We tied an extra reed across the entire flower shape to keep this kite frame stable and straight. This extra support might be necessary for other complex shaped kites as well.
As far as the design, layers of shapes and colors can then be glued on the base layer. Here I debated on either a fish or a bug kite and ended up with a BUG FISH.
This butterfly kite is the result of layers and layers of tissue paper and wax paper on top of each other.
Now you can attach kite string onto the decorated face of the kite. We did this by using a sewing needle and looping it through the paper and the reed, which is underneath the paper. Placement depends on the kite design itself but rule of thumb is to find 2-3 areas to string and then those strings can then be joined together at a point about 12 inches from the kite. Think “pyramid”. Then a longer kite string can then be tied to the center point. Truly, this part requires experimentation and is based on the shape of the kite itself.
If you try this project, I would love to see pictures or links of your results!
Have fun.
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WHERE TO BUY:
lightweight reeds can be found at basketweaving.com
and colored wax kite paper can be found at: imaginechildhood.com
This was featured on:
Lian @ Mamas Bag of Tricks says
Wow, totally awesome. These kids were probably the envy of the other kids in the neighborhood. Such pretty, pretty kites. I’m not all that crafty. The only time I tried to make a kite, I did this:
http://mamasbagoftricks.blogspot.com/2008/09/simple-kite-craft.html
And the ones I made were not made to fly. Hehehe.
Red Ted Art says
Yes, I know what you mean, I just can’t wait to have a go with my kids! Don’t knock simple crafts! They are fab too!
Michelle Willow says
WOW! I know my girl would love to have any one of those kites! Wow!
Janis from ReallyKidFriendly.com says
Superb! Absolutely love them, and you make it look so easy!
I’d love to use this on my website, maybe on the run up to Father’s Day – let me know what you think!
x
KooKooCraft says
I wish I had a kite like this when I was a kid 🙂
cassie says
these are beautiful! certainly much better than any kite i made when i was a kid!
maryanne @ mama smiles says
Those are truly beautiful kites!
Red Ted Art says
I am telling you ladies.. Now I have had this guest post my children will INSIST I make one with them!! 🙂
Mama Pea Pod says
These are just gorgeous! How fun!
Would love for you to come over and link this post to the Outdoor Play linky!
Red Ted Art says
Janis – have emailed you – would love for Teri’s guest post to be featured 😉
Mama Pea Pod – Done!
@mummiafelice says
Woweeeeee!!!! I love this!
Red Ted Art says
I think we need a kite making workshop!!!
Mañana Mama says
How wonderful! We’ve got plenty of wind around here lately, so perhaps I’ll get brave and try my hand at a kite this week…
Kate from An Amazing Child says
Maggy, these don’t even nearly look home-made. They are amazing. Just wondering what is wax paper? What would you ordinarily use it for so I can go on the hunt for it.
Thanks xx
PS – thanks for sharing this with us 🙂
Red Ted Art says
Hi Kate,
This is a Guest Post from Teri.. Will forward on your question and hopefully get back to you!
Maggy
Rachel says
This is AMAZING! Thanks so much for sharing this at For the Kids Fridays at Sun Scholars! I am off to share this with my Facebook friends. Awesome!!!
jfb57 says
Well, you know what I think of these!
Red Ted Art says
Teri sent me an answer re the Wax Paper:
Thank you! Currently camping so short answer: wax paper is found in restaurant supply stores- but more luck with waldorf inspired supply
store: atoygarden.com! And best thing to do is google : kite paper! I hope that helps! Thank you!!! Will check out your link when we get home Sunday!!
Teri
JDaniel4's Mom says
These really are beautiful!
Aimee says
My kids keep begging me to make a kite. I just might after this post 😉 Thanks for linking up with The Sunday Showcase!
Aimee @ http://www.classifiedmom.com
Mama Pea Pod says
I know I already commented, but I just wanted to pop back to say thanks for linking it up! It’s really just lovely, and as Kate already said, they look so professional! Hope we’ll see you again at our Outdoor Play linky!
Red Ted Art says
You are lovely! 🙂 and yes will come again. If I don’t – PROD me! I can be forgetful!!!
xxx
Liz Burton says
Wow at you attempting that! The results look amazing an the pictures are stunning x
Red Ted Art says
hehehe we haven’t had a go yet!! This is “just” the guest post.. but we will next summer.. when Pip Squeak and try too! xx
Jollyjilly says
How beautiful I love them
Rachel says
SURPRISE!!!! This amazing post has been featured at this week’s For the Kids Link Party at Sun Scholars. Thanks so much for sharing, and be sure to stop by and grab an A++ button for your blog! I can’t wait to see what you have for us this week! Party is now posted… so hop on by!
http://sunscholars.blogspot.com/2011/06/for-kids-friday-13.html
Red Ted Art says
Oh you are lovely! THANK YOU!
Debbie Clement says
Love the colors. Love the effort. Love the sharing.
Elaine says
Wow they are beautiful kites – I’m not quite sure that any I created would look that good!
Michelloui | The American Resident says
These are beautiful! I remember making kites with my dad when I was little, I had forgotten all about that until now…
The Outlaw Mom says
Oooh! Beautiful! It’s just starting to warm up and we’ll have to try this. I promised my daughter we would go kite flying and now I can really make good on that promise – thanks for sharing 🙂
Wilburn Arre says
kite flying has been my hobby and past time ever since last year, it is really a great past time.,
My very own blog
http://www.beautyfashiondigest.com/cross-necklaces-for-women/
Becky says
Love these! Share on fb and pinterest:).
Red Ted Art says
Fabulous thank you! Much appreciate the shares!