DIY Scrapbook Paper Wreath

Hello readers, hope you're enjoying what's left of your weekend?!! Huge thanks to everyone who so kindly commented on my very first attempt at cross stitching post, I haven't stopped grinning since reading your wonderful feedback x x   

I've been busy you know? I thought it high time I put some of the paper I've accumulated over recent years to good use. I'm not a scrap booker, but I have a bit of a penchant for pretty card stock, much in the same way as my obsession for gift wrap, as discussed a few weeks back. 

I sourced a lovely selection from etsy some time ago, which included 12"x12" sheets from Amy Butler, Carolyn Gavin Greenhouse & Fashion District. So I thought I'd try my hand at creating my very own wreath. Granted I didn't plump for festive colours, but I don't necessarily think it matters, as at least this way it can be displayed all year round.

I gathered up my supplies and set straight to it.  

- large plate 

- small bowl 

- pencil

- empty cereal packet

- assorted papers

- mod podge

- small paint brush

- paper cutter

- stapler

- ribbon

all things you may have available to hand, right now?!?!

You can choose whatever papers visually excite you, there's no rule. It's about what makes you happy!! I decided to choose some pinks and greens. It really is very simple to do. This isn't intended as a detailed tutorial, but if anyone's interested I'll just give a very brief outline of how I created this wreath, and if anyone has any questions, feel free to comment and I'll answer as soon as I can.  

Here goes.... 

I just utilised an empty 750g cereal carton to make the wreath form. Draw around a dinner plate with a pencil, cutting out 2 identical circles from the card board box. Then find the centre of each, place a smaller plate, bowl, cup or glass (or anything circular) and draw around that. You can then cut out the smaller circle to create the gap in the middle of the wreath. Then just glue the two together, with whatever medium you have (I used Mod Podge), et voila, you have a very simple yet effective template to work on. Let's face it, you're not going to see it once it's covered in pretty paper, so don't worry about the crudeness of it. After all, I didn't have anything else, so I improvised.  Isn't that the first rule of crafting??!! ;)

I then set to the task of cutting a whole batch of paper strips, measuring 1" x 5" using my paper trimmer. Stapling each one end to end, as I went. Thus creating the little individual ribbons of paper for gluing onto the cardboard template. Now you're ready to get really creative. Just place a little glue on the back of each paper ribbon, at the stapled end and off you go. Stick, stick, stick away to your hearts content.....

Ribbon Detail

Again, there's no uniform way to do this. It's really up to you what shape your wreath takes. You can stick in rows, or just randomly.  It's one of those 'make it up as you go along' projects. You'll probably get into a steady rhythm, once you've stuck the first 10 or so. So trust yourself and you'll be fine.

Once you're nearly all the way round you need to remember to feed your piece of ribbon in through the cardboard template, so that you can hang it. You can then stick the remaining few ribbons of paper on until  completely covered.

To finish off, you may want to paper the reverse of the cardboard template, so that if you hang it on a mirror it will look just as pretty from the back. 

Well, there you have it.  A very simple DIY wreath, that anyone can try.  I decided to hang mine on the front door for all to see. Proud, much...... x x x