How to Make a Baby Shower Stork Decoration

A stork figure is ideal for baby shower decor.

Choosing the theme for a baby shower can be a difficult task, especially when the gender of the new baby is unknown. The stork is ideal for a gender-neutral celebration, as a classic symbol for a new baby. A homemade stork figure, fashioned from wire and crepe paper, brings life to the gift table -- especially when paired with a box decorated like a chimney for an inventive gift holder. The bird can become the focus of the party decorations or act as a decorative addition to other classic themes.

Things You'll Need

• Large cardboard box
• Red wrapping paper
• Clear tape
• White crayon
• Ruler
• White wrapping paper
• Work gloves
• Number 10 wire
• Wire cutters
• Number 7 or 15 wire
• Gummed paper tape
• Orange crepe paper
• Stork outline
• 2 pieces of heavy cardboard
• Scissors
• White crepe paper
• Black pen
• Glue
• Small handkerchief
• Lightweight baby doll
• Large safety pin
• Hole punch
• White ribbon
• Orange ribbon

Instructions

1. Wrap a box without a top with red wrapping paper, in the same fashion as you would a gift box. Secure the ends with clear tape. Draw 4-inch wide bricks onto the paper, using the white crayon and a ruler, to make sure the lines are straight.

2. Measure the length of the four sides of the box with the ruler. Add the numbers together and cut a 2- to 3-inch strip of white wrapping paper to the same length. Tape the white paper underneath to the box, around the top edge.

3. Put on a pair of work gloves. Cut the number 10 wire into six, 3-inch pieces to create the feet. Bend the wire to mimic the shape of birds' claws. Be careful of the wire ends. Cut the number 7 or 15 wire into two, 10-inch pieces.

4. Attach each claw, one at a time, to the 10-inch wires with the gummed paper tape. Each leg should have three claws. Wrap the feet and legs with the orange crepe paper, until all the wire and tape is hidden. Secure with clear tape. Leave 2 inches at the top of the legs to attach them to the body. Remove the gloves.

5. Use the scissors to cut out the stork outline from the paper. Tape it to one of the pieces of cardboard and cut it out. Repeat the process with the other sheet of cardboard.

6. Tape both of the legs to one of the cardboard stork images with the gummed paper tape, making sure the feet are facing toward the front of the bird. Add more gummed paper tape, and attach the other cardboard stork outline. Wrap the bird in white crepe paper to hide the seams.

7. Create a strip of feathers out of white crepe paper. Do this by drawing a straight line at the bottom with a rounded, bumpy line on the other side. Cut out the feather strips. The image doesn't need to be perfect, as you will trim and fluff the feathers as needed once they are attached.

8. Wrap the strips of feathers around the neck and body of the stork, gluing underneath with the gummed paper tape as you go. Make sure to glue only near the straight edge of the feather strip. Begin each new row of feathers slightly after the previous row. Arrange the ends of the feathers to create depth.

9. Add glue to the beak area, and wrap the beak with orange crepe paper as a base. Cut out two small, triangular pieces to fit over the beak area, and glue in place. This will add depth to the beak. Draw an eye shape on either side of the stork's head with the black pen.

10. Fold a handkerchief into a square. Set the tiny baby doll in the center, so there are two corners directly on either side of the doll. Gather the corners at the center, and pin through both corners with the safety pin. Pierce the beak with the pin and secure.

11. Punch four holes into the chimney -- two side-by side near the top of the box and two identical holes near the bottom. The holes should be off-center to the left or right, depending on where you want the stork to stand.

12. String a small length of white ribbon through one of the upper holes and around the neck of the stork. Bring the string back to the other hole, and tie a bow on the inside of the box. Repeat the process with orange ribbon at the bottom to secure the stork to the box.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid the freshly cut wire ends or wear gloves.

References

• How to Make Paper Flowers And Party Decorations; Natalie Morgan