Animal Paper Crafts with Scraps

Many animals can be recreated with the simplest shapes using your Fiskars tools. This fish is the perfect example. While I've used the hexagon punch for the fish's scales, you can certainly use whatever punches you have on hand whether that be a circle, a scalloped circle, or even an oval.

First, trace the 5" circle from the Super Sized Circles Shapes Template and punch a XXXXLarge Circle both from light blue cardstock. Adhere a small portion of the small circle behind the larger one.

Punch several hexagons (you can substitute circles or ovals) from a variety of bright colored cardstocks. (Tip: I used aluminum foil to give my fish an extra metallic pop!) Start by adhering a row of hexagons, overlapping them slightly as you go, to section off the fish's face.

Continue adhering hexagons by staggering the placement of each row of scales from the row before. Trim any hexagons that overhang the edges on the largest circle to help keep the shape of a fish.

Build out the hexagon scales on the smaller circle so it resembles the shape of a fish's tale.

Lift half of each scale to give your fish some dimension.

Cut three long skinny rectangles from foiled tissue paper. Fold in half, then pinch and pleat one end of each piece and adhere one to the tail, one at the top center and one at the bottom center of the body. Snip 1" down into the ends of each fin approximately every ½" to add dimension to the fins. Repeat with one piece of light blue tissue paper for the middle fin.

Use a small circle or scalloped circle punch to create an eye. Layer the shape with a stack of buttons for dimension. Add lips using a heart shaped punch.

Although we chose to create a fish for our animal craft, you can create whichever animal your heart desires with simple shapes and Fiskars tools!