In today's post we're pleased to show you how to make a simple last minute Chinese Spin Drum using everyday objects for you kids to celebrate Year of the Rooster!




Optionally you can use our free printable paper and round ornaments available HERE ;)


Our materials are:


For our drums we use cheese boxes but you can use two small paper plates too, we didn't have them in stock but our fridge is always full of the smelly cheeses ;)


Step 1.

Paint the edges of the Camembert box.
I found that paper top and bottom part doesn't take the paint very well so we cover it with paper.



 Step 2.
Draw and cut out two circle to cover the bottom and top of the box.




Ela tried her best, i then corrected eventually.




Step 3.

Measure the length of your string which will hit the bottom and top of the box when spin.


 Tie the beads to both ends.


Step 4.

Insert a drinking straw in one of the gaps in the box bottom lid.


Fit the string under...

then stick both to the box using piece of card and hot glue.
 The string on the photo is longer then before as it come out to short before and didn't hit the box properly so I had to fix a new longer piece of string.


Add dash of the glue where the string meet the edge, both sides and cover it with the lid.


This is how they looked when circles of paper and foam pages was glued on, both sides.

Step 5.
Decorate the drums, the fun part :)





There we have it!





I love how Ela drew the flowers, very Chinese :)












Simple and fun upcycling of a cheese box :)

Here a little Instagram demo how it works.





Why not to match the Chinese theme and make some easy rosettes to decorate your home!

Full tutorial available HERE.

Or maybe get inspired by our last year's Dragon Toy!
 HERE is how we did it.

The year of the Rooster is about to start on 28th of January.
If you're celebrating  here's a simple decoration idea to quickly change any wall, window etc.




HERE you can print out our patterned paper and little ornaments for FREE!
No printer, just use your own decorative paper instead ;)


To make paper rosette you will need:




Instructions:

                For the large rosette you will need 3 x A4 pages, for the small one only 1( cut in half).

                      Connect them with the stapler.

                       To hang rosette you will need to attach a piece of paper strip with a hole.



It looks well made at the first look but if you bend it you will notice it needs an extra support to hold it all together.
I use double sided tape for this step.



                    Then just glue on our printable ornament, attach the string and you're done!



                                       Here's the full step by step.



Love them!




                            I use some decorative paper too.






You can also attach some tassels and beads to make more decorative.















If you have kids why not to make a simple Chinese Spin Drums by upcycling a Camembert cheese box!


                     You will find full tutorial HERE.


                            Happy Chinese New Year!


Are you planning to celebrate Chinese New Year?
Here some good old Wikipedia info about the celebration ;) 

The year of the Rooster is about to start on 28th of January and as every year it's a big thing here in London.
Chinatown is packed and it looks beautiful, dressed in red.
Last year Ela was off to Poland with daddy and I had the pleasure to celebrate Year of the Monkey with couple of friends.



This year Ela is staying in UK and Year of the Rooster will occur at the weekend so it's perfect opportunity to visit Chinatown again.

Here's whats planned in London for the event - TimeOut.




For this occasion I made some bits and pieces you can print out for FREE!

Click the links below images to print.

There's Rooster poster
rooster


Many tags/toppers 
tags
tags1

tags2


And some patterns
pattern
pattern1


pattern2

pattern3
pattern4

You can use them in many ways, here's couple of ideas to inspire you a bit ;)


I'm showing you HERE how to make this easy rosettes...


The Rooster poster you can just simply frame it.



You can make a bookmark...















or add some attachments to rosettes using string and beads.

We also did Chinese Spin Drums HERE!