On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk.

Whether you live in the path of totality or not, join Helen on Friday, March 29th at noon MST to create your own Interactive Eclipse Card: Spin the wheel of the volvelle (one of the oldest forms of moveables); and illuminate the moon phases with your phone or flashlight!

Here’s the Replay of this workshop. Enjoy! 
You will need the following tools & materials:
  • Print two copies of this volvelle template on a piece of white, index weight card stock (we’ll cut during the workshop)
  • (2) 8-1/2 x 11″ white or colored card weight card stock (see paper suggestions below)
  • Bone folder
  • Ruler
  • Double-sided tape, white glue, or glue stick
  • Scissors
  • Craft knife
  • Bone folder
  • Awl
  • Cutting mat
  • Small brad (if you can’t find one, you can use a needle and a small piece of bookbinding thread)
  • Small (2″ x 3″) piece of fine grit sandpaper (optional – to sand your circular cuts)
  • Cell phone or standard flashlight
Paper suggestions:
  • The volvelle paper should be index card weight (not too thick, but not too thin). We’ll be cutting out small moon shapes in this paper, but it needs to have some weight because it is a spinning mechanism.
  • The card (the blue paper in the photos)should not be too dark – you need to draw a circle in pencil and be able to see the line in order to cut it out.
You will Learn:
  1. How to choose paper for a project: I will share specific paper recommendations with you, since this is one of the most common questions I get. It takes experience to develop a feel for paper, and we learn about paper qualities through the projects in The Paper Year.
  2. About paper and light, one of my favorite topics – this time we’re working with shadows.
  3. Some fun tidbits about volvelles and movable books.
Find out more about The Paper Year:

The Paper Year is an annual subscription club – a year-long online class – featuring a new paper technique every month. Get inspired with video and written project instructions designed to spark ideas that keep you creating for the rest of the month; explore creative paper techniques, including origami, pop-ups, paper weaving, book arts, paper cutting and more; and join our growing community of paper lovers online to learn and share in a warm, encouraging, supportive, creative community. Learn more about The Paper Year.

About the actual Solar Eclipse:

Click here to learn more and to see whether you live in the path of the eclipse. These don’t come around very often!