How To: Rice Paper Flags

In a few days, I will be holding my first Gelli printmaking workshop. I'm calling it Gelicious because, as most of you know, Gelli printing is truly a delicious activity! One of our activities will be to make a fun little flag banner using rice paper. I've already sewn a little packet of flags for each student.

Here's the how-to if you'd like to give it a try at home. (Of course, I'd much rather show you in person!)

Supplies you'll need:

• Rice paper (you can buy it in rolls at Hobby Lobby)
• Sewing machine
• Gelli printing plate 
• Acrylic paints
• Stamps
• Ink
• Glue Stick
• Scissors
• Twine or other stiff ribbon

Step 1:  Cut a sheet of rice paper about a yard long (you can adjust this depending upon how many flags you'd like to make.)

Step 2:  Cut the long sheet in half lengthwise. Don't worry if it is not perfect. (As you can see from my cut, I'm an eye-baller, no ruler necessary!)

Step 3: Fold over about one inch along the long edge of the sheet.

Step 4:  Sew the flap down staying close to raw edge. You want to create a pocket about 1/2 inch deep.

Step 5:  Cut the long sheet into rectangles. Don't worry about cutting through the seams.

Step 6: Use your Gelli plate to create some beautiful prints. Then choose a phrase and stamp it out onto small strips of rice paper.

Step 7: Glue the message onto each flag with a glue stick.

Step 8: String it up!

Once I finished the flag banner, I decided to go back and trim the bottom edges to create fun accents.

My message to my students and to you, my bloggy friends:

How thankful I am we are here together!