How-to: Optical Illusion Yo-yo

I was hanging out on Pinterest and found this awesome rainbow illusion fan – the blades are painted primary colors, so when the fan’s on, you see a rainbow of color. Suffering a bout of instant inspiration for applying the idea to other surfaces, I realized my newly rekindled interest in yo-yoing was the perfect place to take the rainbow concept for a spin. (Sorry. Puns. They’re just so tempting to use when you write about crafts.)

Supplies

white, red, yellow & blue paper, all 8.5 by 11 inches
computer printer
Mod Podge Super Gloss
paint brush
rubbing alcohol
scissors
this template

Directions

Measure the diameter of your yo-yo. If it’s 2 inches, you can use this template as-is, but if it’s a different size, you’ll need to adjust the template accordingly. Print the template with a regular computer printer onto one each of each of your four sheets of paper. Cut two slices of the red, blue and yellow papers from the template, leaving whole the white circle templates.

Carefully cut out the two white circles from the template and set one aside. Grab one of each colored slice.

With the black lines facing away from you, hold your white circle up to a light source.

Paint a layer of Mod Podge onto three non-adjacent slices of the circle (leave a dry slice between each Mod-Podged slice).

With any visible template lines facing down, place a primary colored slice on each of the patches of Mod Podge.

Wipe down your yo-yo with rubbing alcohol. Paint a thick layer of Mod Podge onto one side of the yo-yo, and place the paper circle on the center of it. There’s a convenient ridge on the yo-yo I used for this project that made centering the paper easy.

Paint another layer of Mod Podge over the top of the placed paper circle. After letting the first side dry totally, repeat the process of creating and decoupaging a second paper circle onto the opposite side of the yo-yo.

I first posted this project at Mod Podge Rocks last month. I write a monthly tutorial for Mod Podge Rocks, which you should check out on Facebook, Pinterest & Twitter for tons of decoupage craft project instructions.