This wreath had been 90% finished for about a week, but on Saturday I stuck in a few more flowers around the side and hung it on the front door. It looks very cheerful.
I had been admiring Haru's beautiful wreaths after seeing one over at kloth & bolt, and wanted to make something similar to use up scraps of pretty paper I've been hoarding. It was very quick to make, and is the perfect project to do while talking or watching TV.
If you would like to make one too, you'll need:
- a foam wreath base (I bought mine from Spotlight
- a flower shaped paper punch - or you could try other shapes. Mine is a Martha Stewart / Michaels brand one from SL
- fabric or ribbon to cover the wreath
- red ribbon for a bow
- scraps of pretty paper
- about 200 glass headed pins (exact number will vary depending on the size of your wreath and the size of your flower punch)
And here's how you do it:
- If you are using fabric to wrap your wreath, cut it into strips about 4cm wide. I used a natural-coloured hemp, and needed about 6m of 4cm wide strips, but the exact amount will vary depending on the size of your wreath and how tightly you wrap. Pin the end of a fabric strip or your ribbon at the back of the wreath, and start wrapping it around, just overlapping the edges, like a bandage. When you get to the end of a strip, pin it to the back and start the next one. Keep going until the wreath is covered.
- Mark a space at the top about 10cm wide with pins, so you remember not to put any flowers there (this is where the ribbon will go).
- Now the fun part - start punching flower shapes out of your different papers. When you have a good handful or so, pin them on with the pearl-headed pins. Experiment with how closely you like them spaced, it doesn't matter if a bit of the backing fabric shows through. Repeat until the wreath is covered as densely as you like, except for the space for the ribbons.
- Wrap the ribbon around the top, and tie in a bow.
- Thread a piece of string under the ribbon and tie in a loop, for hanging.
- Choose an ornament for the centre of the wreath - either homemade or bought will do. I initially made a felt bird from this pattern, but it looked too chunky against the delicate paper flowers. So then I made a paper dove, with paper glued to an old cereal box and stitched around the edges.
- Once you've chosen your ornament, pin it to the back of the wreath so it hangs in the middle under the ornament. Then hang your wreath on your door or some other place where it is sheltered from the weather and enjoy.
Some other wreath links:
Look at this amazing felt ball wreath! Via whipup.
And I love these gumdrop wreaths too. I was very tempted to make one, but think it would lead to an invasion of ants (if the toddler didn't get there first)
