It’s squishies so little

Hey squishy lovers! I recently got hooked on making these adorable paper squishies, and my latest project was a super fun Cheez-Its inspired one! You know those iconic little crackers? I just had to try making one into a squishy. It’s surprisingly simple and a fantastic way to unleash your creativity, especially if you're looking for a quick DIY craft. First off, why Cheez-Its? Well, besides being a delicious snack, their simple square shape and distinctive look make them perfect for a paper squishy design. Plus, who doesn't love a miniature version of their favorite food? I started by gathering my supplies. You’ll need some regular paper (printer paper works great!), clear packing tape, scissors, markers or colored pencils (yellow, orange, and red are key for that Cheez-Its vibe!), and some stuffing material. I usually use plastic bags or old poly-fill, but even cotton balls or crumpled paper can work in a pinch. My process usually goes like this: I draw the front and back of my Cheez-Its cracker on separate pieces of paper. Don't forget to draw the little holes they have! I tried to get the 'baked in' look with some brown shading. Then, I carefully cut out both shapes. Next comes the taping – this is crucial for durability and sealing. I completely cover both sides of each paper cut-out with clear packing tape. This makes them glossy and water-resistant, which is a big plus. After taping, I trim any excess tape around the edges. Now for the fun part: assembling and stuffing! I take one taped Cheez-Its shape and place another on top, matching the edges. I then tape three of the four sides together, leaving one side open for stuffing. This is where you decide how squishy it will be! I usually tear up a few plastic bags into small pieces. You want to fill it enough so it's puffy but not so much that it's rock hard. You want that satisfying give. If you're wondering, 'WHY WON'T IT SQUISH?' after sealing, it's usually because you either overstuffed it or didn't use soft enough material. Sometimes, if the tape isn't perfectly sealed, air can escape too quickly, making it less satisfying. Once it's stuffed to my liking, I tape up the final open side, making sure there are no gaps for air to escape. Press out any excess air before sealing the last bit. And voilà – a cute little Cheez-Its paper squishy! It's so satisfying to squeeze, and it looks just like the real thing. This project can be super addictive! After making my Cheez-Its, I started thinking about what other snack-inspired squishies I could create. Maybe some "RKBITES" or little "FRUIT PIECES" next? The possibilities are endless. It’s a great way to recycle materials and create something unique. Give it a try – I promise you'll have a blast making your own custom paper squishies!