Easter is coming soon and Spring is upon us, so make way for a simple DIY Paper Bunny! They are interactive Bunnies for your Easter or Spring Mantle or hang just about anywhere for the little ones to touch and spin for fun and not have to worry about breaking them!
Sometimes simple is best!
These bunnies can be made with a cutting machine such as a Cricut (See below for FREE Files) or Silhouette machine. These could also be cut out with scissors or even have your children cut them out!
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I recently got these cute pink scissors for Granddaughter Maggie. In fact it was Maggie that sparked my idea for these bunnies. Little ones have such awesome energy…ya know the kind of Energizer Bunny Energy we wish we had again? HaHa!
I figured if I attached them to our mantle with fishing lines and swivels they could then be spun or twirled around to see both sides. Kind of an interactive bunny at least in a 4 -year old’s mind! Right?!? The only thing better than a still bunny is one that she can make move!
Spring or Easter Mantle
This year I decided to completely change my Spring decor. Yup! It was time. Besides, it’s such an exciting time of year when the air slightly warms, and to take in all the fresh brand new growth on plants and trees all around. It truly is refreshing after a cold winter!
Easy Cricut project or cut freehand!
The bunny part. Of course, I’ll add my Cricut DS file (Bunny & Face) and my FREE additional file formats for just the Bunny Body shape. In the Cricut Design Space file, I even included a bunny face with eyes, whiskers and cute little mouth if you need that as well. I was in luck and found all the pieces I needed in my craft room, uh stash, uh store, uh out of hand room?!? Whatever… it’s MY favorite room to be in ♥ It’s where I create with love! The bunny love was for Maggie in mind.
I’ll link to the rest of the Mantle Project…
- Bird Cage and Moss with Glitter Eggs
- Hand Painted and Mod Podge Bird Houses
- Spring Banner with free Cricut Design Space link
- Distressed Spring Mantle and Candle Holders
- Greenery Wreath with Lavender Flowers
Another project that could be used for Spring Art
Ombre Bird Heart Cricut Project Wall Art – (This project could be replaced with Spring Flowers instead of birds) in case you missed it!
Supplies
- Burlap and Cotton Fabric
- Cricut Brayer
- Assorted printed and solid paper
- Pom Pom Maker (optional)
- Bakers twine
- Yarn for bunny tails
- Scissors
- Spray adhesive
- Art Glitter Glue or any glue that drys clear
- Mini Binder Clips
- Fishing Swivels
- Fishing line
- Buttons or assortment of embellishments for bunny eyes, nose, mouth
- Link to free Files(svg,dxf,jpeg,png,eps,pdf) plus my Cricut DS link
Let’s Begin!
Add your material or fabric and/or paper to your Cricut mats seen below:
Cut and Assemble the bunnies
I made one burlap and cotton bunny and two paper bunnies. All three bunnies show both sides which include facial features and bunny tails made from yarn. I wanted the burlap to fray for effect so I did not treat the burlap with spray glue until I cut and then frayed to my desire. Once frayed I sprayed 2 coats of Elmers Spray Adhesive and let dry. I used Glitter (White glue that turns clear when dry) glue to put the paper bunnies together.
Cutting Burlap with your Cricut
I used my standard green mat that had only been used about 6 times with card stock.
I wanted to Fray the Burlap so I did not use any stiffening prior. I cut it with my Maker on Burlap setting with more pressure using the rotary blade.
I believe it cut really well since the green mat was still really sticky, but will note when I removed it after cutting, my green mat no longer is sticky until I clean it.
Prior to adding the fabric to the Burlap, I frayed it then sprayed it with Mod Podge Clear Acrylic Sealer – 3 coats. Pleased with the outcome, I hope this helps if this is your first time cutting burlap!
Update on cutting Burlap I have since found it to be MUCH better to place a piece of transfer tape sticky side facing you onto your Cricut mat. Then place the burlap fabric on the transfer tape. 🙌 This saves your Cricut mat from a fuzzy burlap mess LOL!
Once you remove your burlap then just remove the transfer tape and toss. I’ve done the same process with Leather as well!
Make the bunny tails…
I made the pom-poms with the maker above found on amazon. If you do not have a pom pom maker simply wrap yarn around a fork or similar width and tie off around the center and then trim the sides to form a complete circle pom-pom fluff and glue on your bunny with a hot glue gun.
Make the bunny whiskers…
That cute mint tin is a gift from my Mom years ago. Well, guess what? It just makes the perfect width for whiskers! I simply wrapped the baker’s twine around and around and then tied a piece around the middle then snipped the looped ends to finish off the whiskers. Hot glued them onto the Bunny along with the embellishments I had for the eyes and nose. I drew a mouth on one of them. One has no mouth…What?! Hey, it’s my silly wabbit!!!
Time for a snack you say ?!? Here ya go!
Close up of the front and back of Bunnies
Hang the Bunnies
I used mini binder clips to attach to the bunnies, then tied the fishing line to the binder clip. Measure the length I wanted then tied the other end of fishing line to the fishing swivels I had. The swivels I had have clips on the end which I slipped over twine hanging horizontally under my Mantle. These can be found in a fisherman or woman’s tackle box or at amazon or any bait shop etc. It is these swivels that allow them to spin freely. If we just walk by all the bunnies move!
The fun spinning bunnies hanging!
Can’t wait till Maggie sees them and twirls them. An afterthought as I always have many…..You could easily add pockets to the bunny and make paper carrots, candy, flowers, etc so the bunnies would be even more interactive! If your bunnies are made of fabric you could use Velcro to attach fun objects. So many possibilities with these bunnies, from all the different paper colors/prints and fabric choices. You could even do some Shabby Farm House Bunnies!
Happy Spring and Easter everyone!!!
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I look forward to all your comments!♥!