The idea for this type of three dimensional wall art came from my mother and grandmother's method of creating rugs (see the photo!). They used to cut fabric into small squares, fold them together, and sew them in different patterns, colors, and sizes. It gave the rugs a unique look and feel that I knew would be cool if I tried it with paper.
The coolest part is that you literally won't find it anywhere else...cause I'm making it up as I go!

Here's what you'll need:
-3 x 3 inch sticky notes in all colors that you need (for this tutorial I used blue, yellow, orange, red, and green).
-Scissors
-Athletic tape (any tape that feels like material, it bends but still holds!)
-Cardboard base (I used a 9 x 12 inch piece of cardboard)

Step 1: Outline the Picture on the Cardboard

The first step is to create a simple outline of your final drawing using pencil on the cardboard. If you use a similar sized sticky note as I did, you will use 2 or 3 sticky note squares per inch. This will help you figure out how many you will need and what area they will occupy.
For my photo, I knew I wanted to create a flower, so using an old CD, I traced a circle on the center of my card board.

Step 2: Create the Sticky Note Squares

For this step, take a small stack (3 or 4 ) sticky notes and cut them into quarters.
It is okay if the four resulting squares are not identical or even, it helps to give the final picture some dimension if they vary slightly.
Also, if you first cut the sticky note through the center of the sticky strip, it will hold your layers together for the second cut so you won't have to struggle with holding the pieces together for the second cut.

Step 3: Create the Patterned Strip

First, I laid a thin, long piece of tape on a flat plastic surface (my chess board) with the sticky side facing up. If you fold the ends of the tape to the surface it will stay in place.
Then, take the squares that were cut in the previous step and fold them on the angle into triangles. Make sure you don't fold the entire diagonal down. Then, do one more triangle fold at the center to create a seam. (See the photos). Fold each piece one by one, and once folded, place on the piece of tape with the top point of the triangle pointing upward.
Repeat the folding on the next piece, then secure the second piece directly below the first on the strip of tape. Offset the pieces by 1 centimeter or so for this size of square. Smaller squares should be placed closer together.

If you are using multiple colors, this is the step where you decide what order you will put them in or if it will be random!

Step 4: Attach Patterned Strip to the Cardboard

The first step in attaching the patterned strip to the cardboard is to reinforce the seam of the strip by turning it over and creating a fold along the center line.

Then, since I was making a circular pattern, I created a circle at the end of the strip and taped it to itself. Since the paper is somewhat stiff, it will not stay without tape. Place the tape where it will not show on the final picture.
Attach the strip to the board using tape, then wind the remaining strip around it. For each circle, reinforce using a single piece of tape per round.
Readjust the paper as needed to fill in any holes. To do this, I used a plastic chop stick. Be careful if you do this with your hands, as you can accidentally bend the points.

Step 5: Create a Sticky Note Backdrop

After attaching the final circle of color for the flower, I added a background.
For this particular project I decided to use blue sticky notes as a background. I carefully slid them beneath the edges of the flower so that no cardboard can be seen.
Note that I applied them randomly to give a mosaic-like look for the background.

Step 6: Add Border and Details

Finally, it's time to complete the project.
First, I made a stem and leaf for the flower by folding a full size sticky note and triangle folding a smaller sticky note square to act as the leaf.
Then, I attached the blue sky and grass strips along the border.
Finally, I added a butterfly to emphasize the 3d effect and add some asymmetry.

Then I hung up my unique paper 3D wall art to enjoy.
That's all there is to it!
There are so many applications and pictures that you can create with this method. I can imagine this flower art in a nursery or toddler's room.
Next, I'm going to try to make a more detailed picture with smaller squares so that there can be more detail. I will let you all know how it goes.

UPDATE: See the wave photo...my second attempt at this style... 1x1 inch squares instead of 1.5 x 1.5 inch squares.
I also created a Cricut logo! I have entered this instructable into the paper contest to win a Cricut Explore! Please vote for me! I hope to use the cricut explore to make my own wedding invitations and decorations!

Thanks and enjoy your Sticky Note Pop Out Wall Art!