You will need
• templates for the ballerina and the horse
• white cardboard
• giftwrap or scrapbooking paper (optional; see step 1)
• paper brads
• thick double-sided tape (the sponge type)
• craft knife and cutting mat

To make
1 Copy the templates for the circus marionettes in the desired size onto cardboard and cut them out carefully. If you would like to dress the ballerina in other clothes, or change the horse’s saddle or any other section, you can cut these pieces from your pretty paper.

2 Arrange all the pieces in front of you and make the holes for the brads. You can use the tip of your craft knife for this.

3 Ballerina Use the brads and attach the sections of the arms and legs to each other. Attach the arms and legs to the back of the body. Fix the skirt in place and then stick the pleats onto it with small pieces of double- sided tape so that they stand out a little. Attach the head last.

4 Horse Use brads to join the sections for the front and back legs. Attach the front legs to the body and then join the back legs and the tail to the body. Attach the head last.

Text and image: Ideas magazine