How to Make a Barbie Diorama From a Binder

Grab some binders at the next back-to-school sale for your dioramas.

Recycle your old three-ring binders and create a diorama for Barbie and her friends. Whether you are looking for a permanent backdrop for your Barbie doll display, or a convenient, portable play background for your child's favorite dolls, a three-ring binder is a sturdy, versatile option. Using the right techniques and a little creativity, you can design the world in which you think your Barbie would want to live. Decorated binder dioramas effectively set the scene for play or display.

Things You'll Need

• Fine grit sand paper
• Damp rag
• Newspaper
• Spray acrylic primer
• Acrylic paints
• Paint brushes
• Magazines and catalogs
• Scissors
• White craft glue

Instructions

1. Sand your binder if it's made out of plastic, vinyl or any shiny material. Use a fine grit sand paper to rough up the entire outside cover, including the spine. Wipe it clean with a damp rag. If you're using a denim binder, sanding and cleaning is not necessary.

2. Cover your work space with newspaper. Open the binder wide and lay it rings-down on the table. The rings will create a hill, but it's okay. Spray the outside of the binder with an acrylic primer and allow it to dry.

3. Close the binder and lay it open on the table again, rings-down. Pick up the covers and pull them up toward each other. Since the paint stiffens up the binder, this movement will help loosen the creases for easier folding.

4. Decide the design for your Barbie diorama. You might want to make the background look like a home, a store, a fancy restaurant for a date or outdoors. It's up to you. Paint the base color for the background, such as a blue sky or pink bedroom walls. Let it dry for 30 minutes.

5. Page through catalogs and magazines. Select images that feature what you want for your diorama and cut them out. For example, if decorating Barbie's bedroom, cut out an image of a big window with curtains, a kitty cat for the floor or a book case. If you want the diorama to feature Barbie out on the town, cut out buildings, a hydrant or street sign.

6. Arrange the pictures on top of the painted surface to decide how you want to lay them out. Brush white glue on the back of the image and glue it in place. Glue down all the images and brush over them with white craft glue to seal them. Craft glue turns transparent when dry. Paint on a few more details if desired and let it dry.

7. Use your diorama by standing it up with the painted sides of the cover folded in slightly toward each other. The rings will be invisible in the back. Set up your Barbie scene in front of the diorama backdrop.