I think we should do something extra delightful today, don’t you? I have so much fun cutting paper, and figuring out my own easier (to me) ways of doing things, that I decided to share.
So, I have 2 paper spider web techniques for you today…
I have been working on this post for a couple of days, and I hope you enjoy making these as much as I do….
To start, all you need is regular white printer paper, and scissors.
You can get fancy with spray paint and glitter a little later. But for now, grab a piece of printer paper, and some scissors.
I like printer paper because it makes it easy to cut through the layers. And, a coat of spray paint makes them a bit sturdy.
(I have moss and green metallic paint on my thumb in the spirit of swamp creatures, just for this spooky post)
I am going to share 2 techniques.
A simple and easy spider web technique…
And, a trickier way to use the “snowflake-paper-flower-urchin” method I showed you last year (see here), by spookifying it a bit.
Let’s begin with a simple paper spider web.
First, take a sheet of printer paper, and fold it in half, with the open side facing up.
Once you have folded it in half, fold it in half again, but only crease it at the bottom.
Next, fold the bottom right hand side up, so that you create a “V” point at your center mark.
Now, take your left side of paper, and fold it towards the back, lining up the edges.
Your paper should now make a “V” shape with a funny top.
We want to cut off the funny top.
So, make a horizontal line across your paper about here…
Now, cut the funny top of the paper off, to create a true “V”…
And now, you have a true “V” shape.
The next thing we will do is fold our “V” in half.
Doing this will create a folded side, and an open side…
Face the open side to the right, and the closed/folded side to the left.
Next, we shall begin defining where we will make our cuts.
Take a pen or pencil and draw a line that starts in the upper right hand corner, and swoops down to the left.
This is the cut that will create the outer spider web shape.
Cut that piece off…
The next thing you will do is draw 4 long rectangles from the right side, to the left. However, you must not cut into the left folded side, as it holds everything together. So, make sure your rectangle ends a little before the left hand fold.
See below…
Now, you will cut out your rectangles.
Again, make sure you do not cut through the left hand side.
Tip: The thickness of your cut rectangles determines how delicate your final spider web shall be. Remember, thicker cuts equal less paper, and therefore more delicate spider webs. You’ll see.
Let’s keep going…
So, after you have cut out all four rectangles, as I have below…
Make a tiny snip at the bottom, like so…
The final bottom snip creates the center of your spider web. The larger the snip, the larger the center opening of your finished spider web.
Next, open up your spider web…
It’s okay if it isn’t perfect because the paint and glitter will fix it all 🙂
YAY! A spider web. Woo hoo! Are you dancing in your chair?
You better be, or elssssssse…
Oops, that’s my witchie self peeking out there 😉
You can use any paper you’d like. I used printer paper for ease of cutting, but feel free to try this with any paper. Scrapbook paper works beautifully too. Especially a dark-distressed vintagey scrapbook paper.
Before we try painting these, let’s try the trickier cutting technique, okay?
The trickier cutting technique creates all sorts of wild paper-cuts.
Here’s an example.
See what I mean?
So…
Below we will try the “spookified snowflake” technique.
Again, I am using a piece of white printer paper.
To begin, fold the right bottom corner upwards to create a triangle…
Now, cut off the long rectangular strip at the top, to form a true triangle.
Then, take your triangle, and fold it in half again. To form a smaller triangle.
Holding your smaller triangle upside down, fold the right side into the center.
Then, fold the left side to the back, so that all edges line up…
Coming together, to form a “V” shape.
Your folded paper should look like this.
The next step is to cut off the paper tops, and create a true “V” shape.
Snip, and there you have it…
The first thing we must do is draw our cutting guide lines.
First draw a line with a peek, like I have done below…
Then, go ahead and make your first cut, like so…
The next thing we will do is draw a line in the center, with down swooping lines on either side.
The most important thing to remember with this type of snowflake/spider web is that your center line marks your cutting stop point.
You must not cut through your center line.
Below is an example of how I cut up to the center line, but not through it.
Make a snip at the bottom, to create your center opening. Then, open up your cutting, to see what you made.
That’s the funnest part 😉
Try another one…
Invent your own cuts, but follow the rule of not cutting through the center.
Oooo, spooky star-web….
Okay, I am ready to paint and glitter!
I tested two kinds of spray paints. A matte Master craft spray paint, and an everyday multi-use gold spray paint that we had in the workshop. They both work great.
Make sure you do the spray painting outside, in a super well ventilated area.
I took a few glitter choices outside with me, because I simply sprinkle my glitter on the wet paint…
I tried a gold spray paint first. I was super pleased. Then I sprinkled a funky gold-multi fairy sparkle on it…
Even the design it left behind when I lifted it was fun. Don’t you think?
I then painted a few traditional black spider webs, and sprinkled some black fairy dust on them while the paint was still wet.
Then I stepped outside of the proverbial box…
I painted one of my star-snowflake-webs in black, and then sprayed some olive green in the center. I sprinkled gold glitter on the green, and I really liked it.
Now I have a whole collection of spookylicious hanging treats.
And all virtually free, and fun to make.
How can you go wrong?
I am going to try the same spray paint technique with snowflakes during the holidays.
I am hooked.
(The photos don’t show how sparkly these are in person)
Off I go to make more…..
Do let me know if you make any. I would loooove to see your creations.
Soooo, I best be on my way… I have chores up to my eyeballs 😉
See you soooooon!
(Lots of scrumptious Halloween Treats and all sorts of goodies in my shop)
♥,V
Randoms for today.
1) This makes me giddy with delightment.
Fave line: Your retched little lives have all been cursed,
cuz of all the witches working,
I’m the worst!
tee heeee…
2) My new favorite movie is – “My Dog: An Unconditional Love Story“
I laughed and was touched, and just loved it!
3) Mama’s helper and all around heart throb. (still hates strangers)
(Mister laughs, as Matty tackles me with love, when he first sees me in the morning)
4) Dreamy.
5) Autumnal Equinox.
I love fall.
I have a good-bye summer post, that I forgot to post. Oopsie 🙂
Wow! You take the most simple things and make them beautiful!! Your talent always delights me.
I have my pumpkins out :{) Happy Fall!
FUNTASTIC. Thanks for sharing with your sisterly witcherly types here… but you know, it’s that shot of Matty Boy that makes MY pointy hat fly off my head. What a hunka hunka burning love you’ve got there. You have GOT to bottle that soulful expression.
Happy Equinox.
Candace, Still in Athens.
All across America, there are spiders taking a second look at their webs (well, the ones with PCs anyway-you know, the ones with BYTE bwahahaha) and they’re looking at their old webs and saying ya know, i like my design but…GLITTER!! and COLOR!!!!
I say, give it a few weeks, and Nat~Geo will be reporting on a fanciful new phenomenon in nature.
Oh yes.
XOXOVIIXOXO ROO
PS Also, awesome and brilliant. 🙂
Okay, I am going to LOVE doing this when I get home oct 17th. How relaxing and pretty and fun! I will have webs all over my house.
Thanks for the links!
Oh, such boo-tiful spider webs! Very nice! What great ideas you have, Miss V.
We knew that with all the wonderful things you have grown that you must have a green thumb, but who would have guessed that it would be mossy as well? ; )
Lovely webs! Funnily enough I got the urge to cut paper tonight-and just did one bit-wanting to make plants but not doing so. But one of the pieces I cut out made perfect deer antlers!
Seriously, I love your blog. I just sat here and step by step made a spider web. My daughters going to love it. Just wish I had some spray paint and glitter handy….
I love fall! And I love the cozy fall feeling your images bring!
You, Miss Vanessa, are an incredible woman. 🙂
How fun – I created one while reading your post! And I think Matty’s toes would be adorable painted all sparkly for Halloween! He is so adorable!
Miss Vanessa, these are fabulous and oh so cool. I love all their glittery shiny goodness. Thank you so much for sharing the tutorials. I shall have to try them soon. 🙂 xoxo Theresa
PS Lovely photo of Mr Matty – he’s such a handsome boy!
PPS Happy Autumn! 🙂
Oh, those are making me crave fall weather again (it’s 85 here) and want to pull out the Halloween decor! I can’t wait to get it all up and see what I can come up with for you Halloween party V. Love your spider webs, they are gorgeous. Will let you know if we make some and post about them 😉 Thanks for the tutorial.
Jamie 🙂
Did your crystal spider spin those glittery webs?!
I’m totally going to have the kids make these in a few weeks for our Halloween craft day!
Hun, I swear…you have the patience of a Saint! Your photos give hope to even I, who it would probably be best to maybe not own a pair of scissors for the safety of us all, think that I can do this! 😉
I am so ready for Fall, for pumpkins, Halloween, Thanksgiving! And all things Miss V. I love how especially creative you get this time of year! <3
You are a sweet witch! What wondrous webs do you spin for us to make! I love your paper spider webs…you must have spent a few hours putting the tutorial together and cutting out the lovely webs and photographing and posting them. You are the best!
And you have a green thumb for making things! Ha! Clever you!
=^..^=
from the black cat
tscat
Miss Teresa
absolutely brill, so clever. I love it when you share your brilliance, can never have enough bling:) Ciao
Thanks for the tutorial on spider webs. I know more now than I did before.
Vanessa what wonderful tutorials on how to make spider webs! Those are just too cute by far.
Thank you 🙂
Vania
I made one last night!! I am thinking of pasting it on a mirror!!! I will do a post later on it (:
Would you believe that it took me THREE tries just to fold the paper correctly for the SIMPLE one!?!?!? Oh what a delight you are, my Magical Muse! That was exactly what I needed this afternoon and I didn’t even know it. Now I am off to play with dolls. **blows kisses** Deb
Those are wicked awesome. I am a new follower and just adore your blog. Thanks for the tut, my girls will have a blast making these 🙂
Ok, before I go and try to make my own spooky paper spider webs, I just thought that I would let you know how much I love your website. Last June I had the most marvelous time creating my own Mad Tea Party (http://greenandwhitegarden.blogspot.com/2010/06/mad-tea-party.html)
and visiting many of the other Mad Teas in the Land of Blog, via your kind invitation. I was very saddened by the news that you had suffered a loss during that time. No doubt there are many memories that now bring smiles and warmth to your hearts.(and still more tears) My little siamese ‘Jenna’ of 17yrs, left me over eight years ago, and I still miss her.
I thought about participating in your upcoming Halloween theme…but am afraid that it will not be possible this year 🙁 But perhaps next time.
Thanks for all the whimsy that you are.
And thanks for sharing it with us.
Ahh how lovely! And this gives me (glittery) some ideas for the paper snowflake swap I am hosting. Matty is so cute!! Hee-hee! <3
I just made one of each and really enjoyed it! I used origami paper for the second as it’s already black. Now I’m off to the fun part of decorating; of course no spray paint for me as I have to do it indoors!
I think I’ll hang some from the lamp in the bathroom on top of the mirror and surprise my husband. 🙂 Thank you!
I really love this! thanks for sharing!
The fairy danced into the garden when unknown to her the Ruby ants were crossing the morning dew and were biting through.
Holes were hidden snuggly in the ground,
Where screaming cactus thorns sound.
Twisting and turning in the morn,
Hearts bursting yet never forlorn.
Waking and dreaming was it a forest or 2,
Weaving moonlight in bathing shoes.
Casting her into an autumn ship,
Of pirates and 31 parties moon cake’s nip.
Oh goodness the 3 witches plus 2 gather round,
Sewing and stitching, weaving threads surround.
Blessings and goodness to you my dear
Full moon harvest tear.
Ooh, yay! 🙂 I am going to craft some of these bad boys with my little boy. Thanks for sharing Vanessa 🙂 Its almost October!!!
My Grandson adores making Origami and is very good at it, so he will enjoy making these beautiful creations with me… and perhaps… with your tutorial and his private instruction, I might be able to create a few of my own?!?!?! *LOL*
Dawn… The Bohemian
Oh too lovely!! And I adore your mossy ‘green thumb’!! tee hee!! Thanks for sharing such a fun project!! 🙂
ohohohooho…
you
put a ~~*SpELL*~ on me!
and now i am
yours!
🙂
{{ i been gone on vacation
SO
LONG
i have missed
the party
plans
but
i will B
back!! }}
Oh how I love these, shall I count the ways? easy to make, I have all of the materials, they are spooky without being scary, and I love the glitter. I’m sad that I will be away on a retreat the weekend of the Halloween party, but I will be there in spirit.
{soul hugs}
Kathryn, Collage Diva
Miss Vanessa, thank you so much for the tutorials and always thank you for the free pdf files that you give us. You are the best! I love your blog.
Totally awesome! Fabulous! Brilliant! Can you tell I love them!
Hi Vanessa,
These spider webs are too cute. Thanks for sharing.
A-MAZ-ING – this is the best spiderweb tutorial EVER!
Love these. They are zooming on pinterest!
I’ve tried folding the paper 3 times now and must not be doing correctly. so disappointed as I wanted to make these.
Denise
These are wicked awesome! Wanted to let you know that we featured your tutorial at our blog, MPM School Supplies Blog!
You can find the feature here: http://blog.mpmschoolsupplies.com/3337/paper-spider-web-tutorial/
We were sure to give photo/idea credit, as well as a link back to your site, but we’d love for you to take a look at it. If there are any problems, we’ll take it down immediately!
I love this! I just might try this for the 6th grade Halloween party. They can handle this don’t you think? This is exciting. If I use this, I will send pictures (if I remember to take pictures during the party!)
I really enjoyed making these! Thanks for giving me an outlet for creating while my son napped!
ok sorry for my dumb moment, but on the first one you showed us, my brain is not getting the part where you fold it in half again but only crease the bottom?? Do you open the paper up once you’ve folded it the first time with the open side at the top? I did the second web no problem. Tx!
Vanessa, I absolutely love these! I can’t wait to go to the store and get some spray paint and glitter. I have two boys (6 & 14) and I think they will have a lot of making these too! (ahem, also love the moss & green paint on your thumb – might have to do something like that for Halloween!)
I hope you don’t mind, but I featured your post on my scraplifting blog:
http://www.scraplifters.com/halloween-paper-spiderwebs-tutorial.html
Thanks for sharing your talent!!
complimenti vivissimi !!!
ti ringrazio per aver pubblicato i tuoi suggerimenti. sono stati (per me) molto preziosi !!!!
un grande abbraccio Ely
I have to try this technique. Thanks so much for sharing.
This may be the best,clearest tutorial I have ever read! Masterful job…thank you for sharing!
Thank so much!! 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 8/26/2012 3:17:10 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
I’m going to put up this paper spiderweb’s on my roof for the little Halloween munchkin’s to see.
These are so lovely! I discovered this tutorial yesterday when I was searching fo something exciting to do with my preschoolers! They had so much fun cutting and “unwrapping”. (unfolding…definitely their favorite part!)…we finished them off by painting them black and gluing on a pipe cleaner spider! A huge hit! Thank you!
Marion, wonderful news!! YAY!! I am so glad it worked for you
all. I am imagining all the little faces now 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 10/25/2012 6:53:21 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Thank you so much!!! Mine have turned out lovely thought i had it wrong first time. This technique will come in very handy for my art A level tomorrow thanks again!!!
Love this project, just like when we were little cutting snowflakes! I pinned this.
Hugs, antonella 🙂
WHY DOES MINE KEEP COMING INTO TWO HALVES OF THE WEB?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! I DID THE EASIEST ONE BUT NOPE IT DID NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well I tried to do both and both times I ended up getting 1 quarter of 1. How did I end up doing that, help me.
Thank you for this tutorial! I made a bunch of small ones then decoupaged them on a pumpkin. You can see the results here. http://www.kalimorganphoto.com/potd-92914/