Learn how to make a paper (or money lei) that is a perfect gift for graduation. This tutorial will teach you how to to use your Cricut machine to cut and score your paper to make the lei faster.  But you can also cut the rectangles out by hand, or use only dollar bills for your lei. 

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If you’ve read my “About Me” section on my blog then you know I was born on Guam and that’s where my mom’s side of the family still lives. We used to visit during the summers, but I haven’t been back in a long time (too long 🙁 ). My favorite flower is a plumeria and one summer when we visited I really wanted a plumeria lei.

A typhoon had hit the island a few months earlier, so there weren’t a lot of plumeria flowers left on the trees. But my Auntie Frances drove me all around the island picking a few plumerias here and there just so I would have enough to make my lei. See the picture below of my beautiful lei.

If I had plumerias here in Utah I’d probably make myself one from them. But making a paper lei is fun because unlike fresh flowers, it can last forever! 

A paper lei makes a fun graduation gift and if you want to give cash it makes it a lot more fun than just getting money in an envelope. You can choose to make the entire lei out of paper, out of dollar bills (or whatever amount of bill) or alternate it with paper and bills. 

You’ll need 60 bills, or 60 bill sized papers (6″X2.5″); twine that’s 50 inches long and something to string it. I used a flattened paper clip because that’s what I had 🙂 

I also jazzed up my lei with some mod podge and glitter from shopauntietay.com. She has such a fun selection of the coolest glitters.  If you’re not a member, you can use my code “everydayjenny” at checkout to receive 10% off your entire order! 

You can, of course, hand cut all the paper, but if you have a Cricut machine, then open my Design Space file below to have your machine do the work for you!

Supplies for DIY Paper Lei:

Cricut Machine
Cricut LightGrip Mat
Cricut Scoring Wheel or Scoring Stylus 
10 sheets cardstock
Baker’s Twine (50 inches long)
Glue Dots

Optional:
Mod Podge
Glitter from HERE

Instructions: 

Open the Design Space link HERE. You will need 60 flowers. I fit 6 rectangles per page by moving them around. 

You’ll need to load your scoring wheel if you using a Cricut Maker or your scoring stylus if you are using a Cricut Explore series machine. After your paper is scored, you will cut it out with the fine tip blade. 

**Optional (but awesome) step: Before folding your rosettes. Put mod podge on the top and bottom of your paper. Then apply glitter. Shake to remove excess. Let dry and then proceed. I chose to alternate a few glitter rosettes throughout my lei. 

Fold your paper rectangles (or your dollar bills) into a fan first and then fold in half. Secure with glue dots, one on each side. Make sure you put the glue dots toward the outer edge. You’ll need a gap near the center of your rosette where you will string your lei. 

Use your paperclip that is flattened out or large needle and thread your twine through one side of the rosette. 

You can also you the Cricut “Print then Cut” feature to add some fun designs to your lei. I used the Graduation Bundle from AuntieTay.com. (Remember you can use the code “everydayjenny” to save 10% if you aren’t a member.)

You download the bundle, then open it in Design Space. I flattened the designs on to a 2″ circle and then cut them out. I can do a post on print then cut if you have questions 🙂

To insert the design, I left a space between my rosettes then used a glue dot to apply the design to a rosette and another glue dot to adhere it to the lei.

If you have any questions about how to make a paper lei, please let me know in the comments!