Vintage Paper Wreath Tutorial

I borrowed this idea from The Martha Stewart Show.

Tools and Materials

• Leaf Template
  
• Cardstock
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Old book with at least 100 yellowed pages, pages removed
• Craft glue
• 24-gauge floral wire, cut to 5-inch lengths
• Pressed real leaves (optional)
• 20-gauge floral wire

• Brown floral tape
• 1/8-inch tan quilling paper
• Acorn caps
• Hot-glue gun and glue sticks
• Ribbon for bow

Wreath How-To
1. Print a leaf template on cardstock and cut out. Trace the leaf shape on a page from the book; roughly trim the paper around the leaf shape.

2. Apply craft glue to the back of the leaf shape. Place a 5-inch length of wire on a second page from the book, then place the leaf shape glue side down over it, sandwiching the wire between the papers. The wire should be centered on the stem of the leaf, with half of the wire within the leaf and half of the wire emerging from the stem. Allow glue to dry, then carefully cut out the leaf shape with scissors. Repeat to make 45 to 50 leaves for the wreath.

3. Bundle 3 to 5 leaves and twist the wires together.
Tip: You can add wires to real pressed leaves and incorporate them in the paper leaf bundles if desired.

4. To make a wreath form, cut a 47-inch length of 20-gauge wire; fold in half and twist. Shape twisted wire into a horseshoe, then wrap with brown floral tape.

5. Starting at one end of the wreath form and working toward middle, attach bundles of leaves with floral tape; repeat for other side.

6. To make the acorns, tightly roll 1/8-inch quilling paper into a flat disk. Use thumb to push the center of the disk outward, forming into a cup shape. Rub the inside of the cup with craft glue to secure the shape. Apply hot glue to the inside of the quilled cup and adhere to an acorn cap. Use hot glue to attach acorns to wreath.

7. Tie bow on the top center of wreath, if desired.