Pinwheel Tree

It's the time of year around here in Texas where the trees are blooming like crazy.  So many beautiful blossoms to usher in the new season.  I've been busy working on my Spring mantel and wanted to incorporate the blossom effect in a crafty way.  Therefore, constructing a very simple pinwheel tree.  (You have one growing in your backyard, right?)

I started off with a heavily corroded silverlike urn picked up from the Goodwill.  I sprayed it first with Kilz primer and then finished it off with Rustoleum Heirloom White.

Already the paint made such a difference.  I then found some loose tree branches from my backyard and trimmed them to fit into the urn.

On to the pinwheels.  I took a few different sheets of scrapbook paper in various colors and cut 4X4 inch squares. 

I placed two squares together back to back with the pattern sides facing out.  I then cut from each of the four corners towards the middle of the square and stopping about 1/2 an inch away from the opposite cut.  Essentially making four connected triangles.

I pulled every other corner into the center and attached with a pin.  (Normally I would use a tiny brad at this point but I didn't have any on hand.)  I then just wrapped a small piece of tape around the back of the pin to keep the pinwheel in place.

My pinwheel collection.  (They're breeding like rabbits!)

I hot glued a few of the pinwheels to the branches.  I called it good after burning two of my fingers to the point of blistering.  (You would think I would know how to manage a glue gun by now.  I mean, what is the secret other than the obvious point of NOT touching the molten hot glue?  I just can't seem to figure it out!)

I love how it turned out.  Especially since it was so simple to make.  I placed my pinwheel tree on the mantel as part of the Spring vignette.  There are a few other elements that will need to be finished before I can show the whole Springy thing in a dramatic reveal.

What Spring projects do you have in the works?  (And are you able to handle a glue gun without burning your fingers every single time?)

I'm linking up to these fine parties:
The Lettered Cottage
Home Stories A 2 Z
Not Just a Housewife
Addicted 2 Decorating
The Frugal Girls
The French Country Cottage
Tatertots & Jello
Romantic Home