Good-luck Goldfish

Total Time Needed:Afternoon Or Evening

Welcome the Chinese New Year with these colorful, sun-catching goldfish, a traditional Chinese symbol of good fortune.

Materials

Tissue paper
Goldfish template
Plastic wrap
Glue
Scissors

Instructions

1. To make one, first draw a large goldfish outline with a 1/2-inch-thick border on an 8 1/2- by 11-inch sheet of colored card stock and cut it out. (You can also print a template.)

2. For the scales, fold a 1- by 6-inch strip of colored tissue paper in half 3 times. Leaving the folded sides uncut, trim the paper into a crescent shape, then unfold the paper for a chain of colorful, wavelike shapes. Repeat with as many colors as you like.

3. Next, tape a large piece of plastic wrap to your work surface and slip the fish outline underneath it. Use a paintbrush to spread white glue onto the wrap. Lay the tissue paper strips vertically over the fish, trimming them as needed, overlapping them and alternating colors for a vibrant mix of scales. Gently brush more glue over the tissue paper strips once they're in place.

4. When you've covered the fish, remove the outline from beneath the plastic and set it in place atop the scales. Add more glue for a stronger hold, if necessary. Let the glue dry overnight, then trim the excess tissue paper and plastic wrap from around the fish and hang it in a window.