Thursday Tutorial ~ Paper Mugs

 

Since it's the new year and I'm trying to really get this blog cranking, I'm going to TRY to post a tutorial on each Thursday.  If I don't get a chance every Thursday, I will for sure do it every other...but the goal is every week. 

Thursday Tutorial~Paper Mugs (didn't get a chance to post the pics.  Chemo today and now I'm exhausted.  I'll try to remember to do it tomorrow, if not I will definitely do it as soon as I can)  Enjoy!

What you'll need:

12 x 12 heavy cardstock cut to 4 1/2" x 12"
2- 3 1/4" circles cut from same cardstock
1" x 7" strip from same cardstock for handle
3 3/4" x 12" cardstock or heavy paper for decorating the mug (cut this into 10~ 3 3/4" x 3/4" strips.  HINT:  when cutting these strips ...if you're using patterned paper...place each strip (one on top of another) in a stack, as you are cutting each one, take care not to mix them up or your pattern won't work out when you put it on the mug)

Scoring tool
Bone Folder
Scissors
Pencil
A really good strong adhesive: Aleene's Tacky Glue, Tombow or Redline Tape are all good choices

After you cut  your cardstock to 4 1/2" x 12"  you're going to score on the short side at 1/2 an inch.  Then turn your paper a quarter turn, and on the long side, score at every inch.

Then use your bone folder to fold and crease each line that you've scored.  The half inch score line is the bottom of the mug.

On the side where you have scored at 1/2"... at every inch, cut up to the 1/2" score line from the bottom of the paper.  You will have 12 small squares when done.  This will make it easier to fold and glue later on.

Cut a notch, at an angle from the bottom of the paper to the corner of each square that you've cut.  This will make it lay better when you glue the circles in.

Now glue down one side and attach to the other to form the mug.

Flip the mug upside down and put glue on each of the tabs and then place one of the circles over all of the tabs, I'm a perfectionist so I try to keep it even all around and keep the mug from losing it's shape.  :)  Hold it down for a minute or so till the glue somewhat adheres and then flip it over and using your pencil go around the inside bottom edge to push the glue down then add glue to the other circle and put that one on the bottom inside of the mug, again run your pencil around the edge of the mug this will help the glue to adhere better.  This will reinforce your mug and make it much stronger.  Now you can add your handle.  Glue it on the same place where you glued the ends together to create the mug shape.

 Take the 1" x 7" strip of cardstock and using your pencil roll one side under around the pencil till most of the paper is rolled leaving about 2" unrolled.  Then roll the other end up just a couple of times.  Unroll and manipulate the cardstock till you get what should look like a large "question mark".  This will be the handle of your mug.  Add the handle to the panel where the two ends come together to form the mug.

Now you can add your decorative strips.  Starting on the right side of your mug handle use the strip on the top of the stack, add a very thin line of glue as close to all four edges as you can get and then down the center of the strip as well (remember less is more you really don't want to use a lot)...place it in the center of the 1" x 4" panel and work your way around to the other side of the mug centering each strip as you go.  Every so often (if you're using glue and not redline tape you need to go back and press them down again.  And you're done!! You can add any other embellishments you like if you like more...

Hope you've enjoyed this tutorial.  Leave a comment if you need further instructions.  I'm going to try to make a video of it and post that as well.  I like having the directions in writing along with the video.  I didn't get to the video today.  I'll try to post it soon.

I've also done Mini Mugs and will happily share the dimensions for those as well.  You can also do this with a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock.  I also have the dimensions for those if anyone would like them please just leave me a comment.

Hope you love making these as much as I do.  Thanks for stopping by

~Rebecca