Well, here's the first DIY...a Christmas paper wreath.
Bare with me, there are lots of pictures so...here we go.
You will need: 1x styrofoam round thing (hobby&craft store)--> $6
1x old dictionary (Salvation Army)--> $3
1x glue (hobby&craft store) --> $2
2x watercolour (2 colours, Omer de Serres, $1each) --> $2
1x scissors with swirly blade (Omer de Serres) --> $2
TOTAL SPENT: $15
Materials I had around the house already:
1x paintbrush
1x painter masking tape (you can use any round thing to cut the shape)
1x scissors (plain)
1x marker or pen
1x paintbrush
I chose an old dictionary because of the pattern the pages will create. You can use pretty much anything you want. Old papers are cool because they already have this old antique yellow discolouring. Plus they used thicker and stiffer papers back then. This makes it easier to mold the paper into shape. AND they don't rip easily. Originally, I was looking for old anatomy, chemistry or calculus book with lots of equations and pictures. I'll keep searching for those for future projects. Be always on the look-out!
Step 1: Cut strips of pages. Glue strips around styrofoam form until completely covered. Let it dry completely...overnight. In the meantime...
Step 2: Use round shapes to draw circles. I used two diameters, about 3.5inches (outer ring of tape) and 2.75inchses (inner ring of tape) approximately. I don't know how many large and small circles I cut but I went through words A to G. A lot!
Step 3: Fold the circle in half...
...then in a third...
...and another third, folded back like an accordion.
Step 4: With the swirly scissors, cut close to the rim. This will be the edge of the petals.
Step 5: With plain scissors, cut the sides starting a bit from the centre to make the petals.
This is what you should aim for...more or less.
Open it up and this is what you get. Repeat steps 3-4-5 ...many more times. To give you an idea how many to cut, I used 3 layers of large and 2 layers of small per flower.
Step 6: Time to paint the layers. I used watercolour paint because it is more transparent and it will show the prints of the old pages more, which is the cool part, really.
So, I started with applying yellow keeping it quite liquidy but not dripping nor puddling. I started from the center and feathered out. I went back to some spots to make the colour deeper. Let that dry. Then the red paint. Started from the center and loosely fan out. Again, I went back to some to add more red. You can choose another colour(s).
Let them dry completely...or use a hair dryer.
Step 7: Time to assemble the flowers. Dab a bit of glue in the centre of each layer...except the very top layer, of course.
For each flower, I used 3 layers of large and then top it off with 2 layers of small. It's really up to you how bulky you want your flowers. Experiment. Lay them flat and allow the glue dry completely.
Step 8: This is the fun part. Crumple the flower. If you use thin papers, don't crumple too hard. Since I am using a thicker paper, I was quite brutal in this step because the paper can take it.
I crumpled the petals randomly. You can't screw up this part. The more randomly crumpled the better. Then unravel them and see the effect. Crumple more to your liking.
Tada!
Step 9: Glue the flowers onto styrofoam form. Their placements is totally up to your own creativity.
A whole lotta cutting and folding and cutting!
And a whole lotta painting!
A whole lotta glueing.
But it's all worth it 'cause it's gorgeous...if I may say so!
That fireplace mantle is starting to look Christmas-y. Just need a few more ornaments...DIY, of course.
I still have lots of dictionary pages left that I will keep for later projects. Maybe a decoupage clock? A decoupage mannequin?
I hope this inspires you to go out to your local Salvation Army, buy & support your community by doing your own DIY project. Let your imagination go wild.
Stay tune for the next DIY...in the meantime, go create!!!
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