The sparkle pocket

1. 1

   Cut the plastic

   Take a clear plastic sheet. Measure a long rectangle with a ruler and cut it out. Make it twice as wide as you want your ruler to be.

   

2. 2

   Fold it in half

   Fold the rectangle in half along the long side. Press the fold flat.

   

3. 3

   Tape the open edge

   Stick a strip of double-sided tape along the open long edge and peel off the backing.

   

   Press the two layers together over the tape. Now you have a long, clear pocket.

   

4. 4

   Fill it with sparkle

   Now the fun part. Pour sequins, glitter and confetti into the pocket.

   

   Leave some empty space at the top, so everything can move when you shake it.

   

5. 5

   Seal the ends

   Close the open end with a piece of clear tape.

   

   Fold the tape over to the back and press it well, so nothing can fall out.

   

6. 6

   Trim it neat

   Cut off any extra tape and plastic at the ends, so the edges are straight.

   

The ruler edge

1. 7

   Cut a paper strip

   Cut a long strip of white paper, as long as your sparkle pocket. A paper trimmer makes a straight edge, but scissors work too.

   

2. 8

   Add tape to the strip

   Cover the strip with double-sided tape and peel off the backing.

   

3. 9

   Stick it along one side

   Lay the sparkle pocket on the strip, so the paper sticks out along one long side. Fold the paper over and press it on the front and the back. Then cut off the extra paper at both ends, in line with the pocket.

   

4. 10

   Draw the marks

   Place a real ruler next to the paper edge. With a black pen, draw a long line at every centimetre and a short line halfway between them.

   

5. 11

   Add the numbers

   Write the numbers under the long lines: 0, 1, 2 and up to the end of your ruler.

   

Pipp on top

1. 12

   Add the wings

   Cut out Pipp’s head and the two wings from the template. Tape the wings to the back of the ruler, at the top, so they spread out on both sides.

   

2. 13

   Add Pipp’s head

   Put a few pieces of foam tape on the back of Pipp’s head.

   

   Press the head onto the front, at the top of the ruler, between the wings. The foam tape lifts it a little, so it looks 3D.

   

3. 14

   Shake and measure

   Give it a shake and watch the sequins dance.

   

   Pipp’s sparkly ruler is ready.

Make it easier.

• Don’t fill it to the top. The shaking is the best part, so leave room for the sequins to move.
• Press the tape hard. Run a finger along every taped edge, so no glitter can sneak out.
• Mark lightly first. Draw the marks in pencil, then go over them with the pen once they look even.