Wreath Instructions

In my last blog entry I showed a wreath I had made for the current BASB challenge. I also posted this on the BASB blog and the Studio Calico message board. I received a couple requests to show how I made this. First, I think I need to admit that this isn't an original idea I came up with. I had seen a wreath similar to this a couple of years ago at a local shopping center. That one was the size of my house. Seriously. Since I don't have access to paper that large or a place to hang one that large I mini-ed it.

Here we go.

You will need:

4 or more pieces of 12 x 12 pattern paper (depending on how many paper patterns you want)
2 - approx. 4" circles of cardboard
Scrap pieces of paper to cover cardboard circles
Adhesive
Glue, like Zip Dry
Stapler
Ribbon


1. Cut each sheet of 12 x 12 paper into quarters. Each quarter will measure 6"x6". Each of these quarters will be be cut down to resemble the photo below - basically a triangle with a curved bottom. After you cut one use that one as a template for the others. The wreath I made is made up of 15 cones, so you will need to cut at least fifteen of these. Your wreath may differ depending on how tight or loose you roll your cones and the size of the disk you are adhering it to.

2. This is the tricky part and no matter how much I explain it will not be enough. Just practice and I think it will eventually come to you. Nice cop out from me, right? LOL! I will try my best. Working with one of the "triangles" use a stylus and score a small line (1/2" long) from the tip. This will help a bit with keeping the cone end pointed when rolling. Run a line of adhesive along one edge. You will begin rolling from the edge that does not have the adhesive. Just experiment with rolling it. You can roll it as tight or loose as you like. This will effect the number of cones you will need for the wreath. Once rolled press edges to firmly adhere. I then staple it once on the edge to ensure it will not "pop" apart.

3. The cone will eventually look similar to the photo below. If it doesn't, either re-try or realize you may have created you own type of item to make a wreath. No one said it had to look remotely like the one I did. :o)

4. Cover both sides of one of the 4" cardboard circles with scrap pieces of pattern paper. Punch a hole 1/2" from the edge. This will be used for hanging the wreath.

5. Lay out the cones on the covered circle points meeting in the middle staple adhered sides down. Once you find the pattern layout you like start picking one cone up one at a time and squeezing a line of glue on the covered circle. Adhere cone to circle. Repeat for all. I went crazy with the glue and when all cones were glued to circle I squirted a bunch of glue on top of all the tips. More is better, don't you think? ;o)

6. Once completely dry turn wreath over you will now string ribbon through the hole. It will be a little tight. I used thin ribbon and a sewing needle with a large eye and eventually wiggled it through.

7. Finally, you will use your imagination and make a medallion for the front of the wreath. I used the other cardboard circle and cover it with patterned paper. Your creative, so I won't go into details. Just do what you wish, but remember when you adhere it to the wreath to hold the wreath by the ribbon to find the right angle to attached the medallion. Yeah...I failed at that the first time. I used Zip Dry to attach it and I weighted it down with a pile of punches.

8. When done it should look something like the photo below. If it doesn't, share with me. I would love to see what you "invented".

I hope I explained this well enough for you to read between the lines and figure it out. I just happen to stink at trying to explain things. You probably figured that out five steps ago. LOL! Good luck!