Today’s upcycle project is the transformation of a basic piece of cardboard into a useful colourful ring folder. The project is very basic so school kids should be able to carry out alone, but if not the help of an adult can make it a fun joint project. Materials: piece of cardboard, colourful tissue paper, the round dark paper that hold the individual chocolates in large chocolate boxes, vinyl glue, water based varnish, strong hold glue, metal rings that open and close.

1. Cut the tissue paper and make a mix of vinyl glue and water (3 parts glue and 1 part water)

2. The cardboard we used had already the desired shape (which gave me the idea); if your cardboard is flat you need to fold it.

3. Apply the glue mix with a brush and start layering the tissue on both sides of the cardboard; you will need to do this in stages as one side needs to dry before you proceed with the other.

4. When the tissue is dry the cardboard will feel more solid; now you can move to stage two and apply with the same decoupage technique the chocolate papers.

5.  Let the whole thing dry before applying the water based varnish.

6. When the folder is ready you can attach the rings in the middle with strong hold glue.