How to make a rainbow owl piñata

First, download the SVG/PDF files to make your own rainbow owl piñata here:

SVG Files*: How to make a rainbow owl piñata, SVG files

PDF files: How to make a rainbow owl piñata, PDF files

*For the SVG files, the image will open in a new window – this is not a mistake, this is how it is supposed to be.

If you are using a PC, right-click and “save as”. Choose a location on your PC to save, and click “save”. The image will save to your PC as an SVG file, which you can import into Brother Canvas.

If you are using a Mac, press “control” on your keyboard + click the mousepad at the same time (this is the same as right-clicking on a PC). Choose a location on your Mac to save, and click “save”. The image will save to your Mac as an SVG file, which you can import into Brother Canvas.

Next, burnish your coloured paper onto the Brother adhesive mat, using a brayer if you have one.

Load your Brother adhesive mat into your machine if you haven’t done so already, and instruct it to cut out the shapes that make up your rainbow owl piñata! We’re cutting the feet here.

Switch out the paper, and instruct the machine to cut the remaining pieces. These will be the eyes!

Peel off all the pieces for your rainbow owl piñata and put them to one side.

To make the paper mache paste, sieve some flour and add to a mixing bowl with some water. Use one part flour to two parts water. Add in a dollop of  PVA glue to the bowl and mix well using a fork or a whisk (I used a fork). Keep mixing until you do not have any lumps left.

Rip some newspaper into small strips.

Inflate a round balloon and start laying strips of paper mache on top.

Cover the balloon with two to three layers and leave to dry. This one took two days to dry completely.

Before we add the feathers, cut a three-sided flap in the top half of the balloon, (the upper back of the owl). Pop the balloon (if it hasn’t popped already) and remove it from the now-dry paper mache. This will form the opening where we fill the rainbow owl piñata up with sweets!

This step is optional – but I decided to paint it white! Painting it white helps the colours of the crepe paper to “pop” as crepe paper is slightly translucent, and the grey from the newspaper tends to dull the colours.

Pierce two holes in the top of your balloon. Use the flap to get your hand in and thread some string through the holes so that your owl can hang up. You can do this at a later stage, but I find it easier to do before it’s decorated.

Next – cut some strips of crepe paper into fringes – these are the rainbow owl’s base feathers. I’m using a pair of fringe scissors to do this – but regular scissors work just as well!

Turn the balloon upside down (it’s easier to work on when turned upside down) and glue the frills onto the balloon using the adhesive of your choice (I’m using PVA but Pritt Stick works well too). Keep going until the balloon is covered in frills.

Turn the balloon the right way up, and start adding the details to your rainbow owl. Cut two slits in the top of the piñata, and slot the ears in as shown. Attach the face to the front.

Continue adding the features to your rainbow owl, until you’re happy with how he looks. For the feet, pierce two holes in the bottom of the piñata and attach the feet using a pair of brads (split pins). Reach inside the pinata and open the brads to secure. You can also use glue if you prefer!

Fill the rainbow owl piñata up with sweets and streamers! If you’re putting sweets inside, make sure you select individually sealed sweets.

Finally, find somewhere to hang up your DIY pinata, and have fun!