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7 Oct 2013

DIY PAPER LEAF WREATH

I hope you had a great weekend!  I'm glad to report that I didn't have anymore run-ins with skunks and our house is smelling much better. :)  Today I'm back with the DIY for the paper leaf wreath I made for our fall outdoor decor.  It was a really fun project and one that you can make from materials you may already have around your house/yard.  The form for the wreath was even made from tree branches.

I used an out-of-date text book that I picked up from the thrift store to cut out my leaves.  I chose this book because the pages were a bit thicker and I felt a little better cutting it up since it was out-of-date.  I also had to add a couple of the felted acorns since I used oak leaves in the wreath.  It will tie in well with the felted acorn garland I made f the fall fox party

Here's a view of our front door with the wreath.  I really like the white book page leaves against the dark stained door.  You can also get a sense of the wreath's size.

Book Page Paper Leaf Wreath

Here's what you'll need:

tree branches (should be thin and bendable)
wire
leaves
cardboard
old discarded book
hot glue and glue gun
scissors



How To:

Step 1:  Make a Wreath Form
Strip the leaves from the branches (the branches used in this project were birch).  Twist the branches together to form a ring.  Then wrap wire around the twisted branches at various locations securing the branches together in the ring shape.

Step 2:  Create a Leaf Template
Lay a leaf onto cardboard (any leftover cardboard packaging will do) and trace the outline.  Then cut your leaf shape out of the cardboard.  For this project an oak leaf was used as well as a standard leaf shape.

Step 3:  Cut Out the Book Page Leaves
Using the cardboard leaf template trace the leaves onto a book page and cut out.  Stacking several book pages together will enable you to cut out many leaves at once.  After, all the leaves are cut out, gently fold each leaf almost in half to give the leaves some dimension.

Step 4:  Attach Wire to the Leaves
Cut pieces of wire about 2-3" in length.  Attach the wire to the back of each leaf using hot glue.

Step 5:  Attach the Leaves to the Wreath
Attach the leaves to wreath form created in step 1.  Alternating the direction of the leaves as well as using a pattern will result in a full and balanced wreath.  The wreath pictured repeated a pattern of two oak leaves and one standard leaf.


Step 6:  You're done!  Now hang your wreath.  I used hemp twine to hang my wreath from the top of the door.

 Here's one last photo of the our simple fall outdoor decor:

Now go and make a wreath!  :)

22 comments:

  1. LOVE this wreath. WOW. Love that you made your own leaf template and the whole wreath just looks so exquisite and delicate and at the same time super awesome!!!

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    1. Thanks Katja, The leaves are so pretty right now that I wanted to incorporate a real one into the craft. :)

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  2. Tama on niin mielettoman ihana! I just wish I would be able to do lots of fun stuff and decorate for fall...... well, you know why I cannot. Hoping one day!

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    1. You have your hands full right now. I can't wait to see all the great things you'll make once you're settled in. :)

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  3. So simple and so very pretty. Have to pin it!

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    1. Thanks so much for pinning!

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  4. Love it! So natural and pretty...and it looks great against your door.

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    1. I really liked the contrast of the white with the dark stain too. I seem to be into natural tones lately. :)

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  5. cute! This would look great inside as well. Utah weather is vicious, so I wouldn't trust it outside. I'd probably put it on the linen closet door.

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    1. I probably wouldn't be able to keep it on the front door either if I didn't have a storm door. The wreath would be perfect indoors as well.

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  6. love it! You even have a visual pun going with real leaves and book leaves :)

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  7. love this! i pinned it- so clever!

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  8. I love the simplicity!

    Rita
    www.ferrytaleshome.blogspot.com

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  9. I love your Fall Wreath!! So Pretty! Would love for you to share this project at Simple & Sweet Fridays this week. New Follower!

    Hugs,
    Jody

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  10. What a great wreath! So unique. I'd love to make this for my living room!

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  11. I love anything made with book pages and this is quite lovely... I may have to make one myself.. found you at Craftberry Bush.... Cathy

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  12. What a unique idea, love how it turned out. Happy Fall!

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  13. This is such a fun idea! Love the book look.

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  14. Beautiful fall wreath, I love it! And can be personalized in many ways!!!Just pinned it! I will try to make this project but i live in a windy place, so...better place it inside the house!!Thank you!

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    1. Thanks so much! I'd love to see pictures of your wreath when you're done. :)

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  15. Wow, this is so pretty and so "simply" clever! Thank you for sharing!

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  16. Saw this on creative ramblings, love it!

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