Paper doilies can add a touch of elegance to any paper craft project, no matter how simple it is. Today’s project is a Victorian dove ornament that uses paper doilies for the wings and tail, complementing the white and silver paper of the body. Here’s how to make it.


You will need:
* Dove template (Use this or make your own)
* Stiff cardboard (a cereal box will do)
* Two round doilies, 8 inches in diameter
* White and silver paper (wedding gift wrapper works well)
* Silver ribbon
* Glitter glue (optional)
* Craft glue
* Stapler
* Scissors
* Pencil
* Craft knife
* Cutting mat

Accordion-fold both doilies such that each doily is folded into 16 sections. Fold the wads in half and set aside.

Using the template as a guide, trace the body of the dove onto stiff cardboard and cut it out with a pair of scissors. Glue the white and silver paper onto both sides of the cardboard, and trim the excess paper. Using a craft knife, cut the slots where the wings and tail will go. Make sure that the slots are just wide and long enough to accommodate the thickness of the folded doilies.

Carefully insert the folded doilies into the slots. For both the wings and the tail, glue the innermost folds to the body and to each other. Glue the ends of the ribbon to the innermost folds of the wings and staple in place for good measure. You can apply glitter to the body, wings and tail using glitter glue.

Variation:
If you don’t have paper doilies, use 8-inch paper squares. After accordion folding the paper, trim the ends so that they are rounded. Cut notches into the folds as well, and proceed as above.

For a more artful look, collage some interesting papers onto the cardboard body, then randomly stamp on it, doodle on it, or apply a thin wash of acrylic paint. Seal with a coat of gel medium.