Torn Paper Easter Bunny

 If you're making decorations to celebrate Easter and the coming of spring, here's an easy way to make an Easter Bunny. This project is most like collage, an art form in which the artist selects, assembles and glues materials to a background. Making a collage is a perfect way to recycle materials. Collect scraps of white paper or watch your mailbox for envelopes such as the type in which junk mail and bills are sent.

You Will Need:

• Used white envelopes or paper
• Wallpaper samples
• Scrap construction paper
• Cotton ball
• Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
• Pencil, eraser, ruler, and scissors
• Glue stick

How To:

Measure and draw the shapes described, and then cut them out. To make the various parts of the paper bunny, you will need:

• One- 2.5"x2.5" square for the head
• One-3.75"x4.75" rectangle for the body
• Two-1.75"x2" rectangles for the feet
• Two-1.5"x4.5" rectangles for the ears

Starting with the square for the head, draw a large circle so that it touches the sides of the paper. For the body, draw a large oval shape on the rectangle, and repeat this step with the two smaller rectangles to make the feet. On the remaining rectangles, make a mark in the center at the top of each. From this mark, draw the ears, ending in the corner on either side.

After you've finished drawing, you're ready to make the shapes that you'll use to create the bunny. Sometimes artists tear paper instead of cutting it, because they like the ragged edge that results. Rather than cutting the shapes, try tearing them to get a softer look.

Before you start, practice on a scrap of paper. Draw another circle on a square so that the circle touches all four sides of the paper. Now hold the paper in one hand, and with your favored hand, tear the paper by pulling it toward you. Try to stay on or near the line you drew, but don't be concerned if the shape you make is not perfect. Part of the charm of making the bunny this way is the ragged, fluffy edge that results.

After practicing, tear out all the shapes. When you're finished, gently erase any pencil marks that show. If you're unhappy with the size or shape of any part, just redraw it and try again. Now you're ready to assemble the bunny. Choose a wallpaper sample that has bright, spring like colors for your background. Glue the body near the center of the paper. Attach the ears behind the head, and glue this shape to the body. Finally, glue the feet in place, and add the cotton for its tail.

Now it's up to you to make your bunny special. You can make it a different color or add spots here and there with crayons. Draw the rabbit's hindquarters and face. Don't forget the whiskers! Add interest to your picture by cutting blades of grass from scraps of construction paper. Cut easter eggsfrom scraps of wallpaper or construction paper, and "hide" them in the grass. Glue everything in place and have a Happy Easter!