I’m sure you have seen these curly paper wreaths made out of designer paper all over the internet. I finally made one, but just in case it didn’t go well, I made this first one with some retired paper, Be of Good Cheer, from last year I believe. This paper, as I write this, is on the Stampin’ Up! Clearance Rack, so if you like it, you can get some!

I need not have worried because there is nothing to making this wreath! I used a 10″ styrofoam wreath. It would be a good idea to start with making a hanger out of some string or ribbon for the top of your wreath – I forgot! I didn’t keep track of how many sheets of paper I used since some were probably partly used so maybe I used parts of many sheets.  I’ve heard that it takes about 4 sheets of  12″ x 12″ designer paper cut into 1/2″ strips. Then all you do is curl the paper using your Bone Folder. You actually do not have to make it that curly with your bone folder.  Just get the paper slightly curled and then you can wind the strip up better and tighter with your fingers. Then just take a straight pin and insert into the center part of that strip and pin onto the wreath!  If you are putting on a decorative rosette or big bow or something, you might want to attach that first to the bare wreath. My bow is made from the Cherry Cobbler 1″ Grosgrain Stitched Edge Ribbon in the Holiday Catalog.

When you first start pinning on the curled strips of paper, it may seem like a daunting task and not really look that great. You might even think “this isn’t going to turn out to be anything good”, but don’t despair!  Just keep working, pinning on those curled strips.  Maybe you want some tighter and some looser. There’s no need for perfection on this wreath!  Just keep pinning on the strips all over the front and around the sides.  No need to put any on the back since that part is not going to show. Just keep going until you feel it is quite full enough and you don’t have any bare spots.  Be sure to look toward the inside of the wreath and make sure that is all filled in.  It’s a project you can do while watching TV.

Here is the backside of the wreath.  You can see the styrofoam wreath I used.

Look through your stash of designer paper and try one out.  And if you need more paper, there is the Clearance Rack on Stampin’ Up! for great deals or the current Stampin’ Up! catalogs for the newest papers!  The wreath looks quite lovely when you get it finished so I really encourage you to make at least one!  I can’t wait to get started on another!

Make this easy paper mache star Christmas ornament for your tree or for a package decoration that the recipient can keep as an extra gift! Look in your stash or go to the craft store and get some of those paper mache ornaments like this star. Cover with designer series paper and embellish and you’ve got yourself a lovely Christmas ornament!

I just traced around the star on a piece of Winter Frost Designer Series Paper.  This particular sheet has a shiny foil look to it so it is especially beautiful! If you pay attention to how you are tracing the paper and which direction you traced around the star you might get it to fit exactly right! Otherwise, place it so that it fits the best on your ornament and if there is any excess you can trim it off with your Paper Snips or retrace a little. Just get it as close as you can.  It doesn’t have to be perfect!  Adhere the paper to the ornament with some Tombow Multipurpose Glue making sure it sticks well along the edges.

Put the same or another pattern of paper on the backside. Also adhere a narrow strip of designer paper around the side of the ornament.  Mine was about 1/2″.

And then decorate to your heart’s content – or even leave it plain depending on your paper.  I made a rosette out of a 12″ strip of designer paper.  I think it was about 2″ wide and scored with my Simply Scored Tool every half inch. I glued the ends together and then scrunched it into the rosette shape and adhered with a blob of hot glue in the center. Then it was ready to go on the front of the ornament with another blob of hot glue. The finishing touch was the beautiful Frosted Finishes Embellishments.

Look in your stash and see what you have!  It’s cold and frosty across a big part of the country, including Houston – well, cold, not frosty (yet!) – so a good day to stay in and make Christmas ornaments, cards and crafts!  Enjoy!