Altered Art Fan

For centuries, proper ladies of many nations have carried fancy fans. Some used their fans as a form of modesty while others used their fans to cool themselves on hot days.

Here are some basic instructions to complete two fans...one to keep for yourself and one to send to your partner! Of course, feel free to use your own design, however...this is NOT for an accordian pleated Chinese fan like we made in kindergarten.

You will need a larger piece of card stock or construction paper. The oversized 11" by 17" sheets work well. You will also need about two dozen flat wooden sticks. Long popsicle sticks are super!

Fold the paper in half across its length. Fold it in half again across its length, to make a small square. Hold the folded center point in one hand. Use scissors to round out the other edges.

Cut a rounded hole at the folded center point.

Open out the paper. Cut it in half across the center to produce two long and thin arches.

Fold each of these back-and-forth.

Open out the folds, and glue a stick to the back of each folded pleat. Glue all of the sticks together at the bottom to form the fan handle. (If you want your fan to open and close, you can drill or punch a hole through the sticks and fasten them together with a metal brad tack instead of glue.

FUN STUFF: Sender's choice to one partner in any theme.

NOT SO FUN STUFF: Send your best work on time and rate fairly and promptly.