Designer Series Paper Wreath

This is the perfect time of year to make a door (or window) wreath using Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Paper.  (This is especially true right now since most patterns are available for 15% off until October 31st.)  Click here for details.

It took me about an hour to make my first wreath and then 45 minutes to make the second, once I knew what I was doing.

My first attempt:

You will need:

• • One styrofoam wreath from a craft store, 8″ or 10″ in the center open space.
  • 1 partial package 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper of your choice.  I used Magic in This Night Designer Series Paper
  • Paper Trimmer
  • Stampin’ Seal + Adhesive
  • Paper Snips
  • Straight Pins

For the Embellishments: 

If you’re using a 12″ diameter styrofoam wreath, start with thirty-two (32)  1-1/4″ wide strips of the 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP).  I alternated the sheets of each DSP pack so that I had a stack of one side and then the other side of each pattern and cut three sets of 12″ strips.  Try to keep them in the order that you cut them for both sides of patterns.   For the remaining eight strips, choose the patterns that you think fit best with the original patterns.   Lay these strips out side by side or stacked on top of each other in the order you’ll be attaching them to the wreath.

Apply Stampin’ Seal + adhesive to one end of the strip (one 4″ strip of adhesive on each edge of the 1-1/4″ strip), wrap the strip around the wreath and pinch the top and bottom layers together, pinching the ends of the strip with your fingers as you creep up toward the wreath.  Move to the next strip placing it as close as you can to the first strip.  Proceed in this manner all the way around the wreath.

Now–assess the positioning of the strips, scooting them closer to each, over lapping each strip just a wee bit.  Push a straight pin into the back side of the wreath, securing each strip.  You may need to cut one or two more strips as you get to the end of the ‘scooching tour’ of the wreath.

Using the color of your choice (Basic Black, Granny Apple Green or ??) cut out three filagree rectangle shapes from the Ornate Layers Dies using the awesome new Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine.  I used the 3-3/8″ x 2-1/16″ rectangle shaped die that’s inside the larger rectangle grouping.  I used the Basic Black card stock but think the Granny Apple Green might offer more of a ‘pop’.

I used my very old Sizzix Bigz Alphabet Dies for the B-O-O.  They’re about 2″ x 2″.  Also the Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Paper from Stampin’ Up! is retired (sorry) but I’m sure you can find something similar in the store where you find your styrofoam wreath.

Back to creating your wreath:  once you have your strips secured, using Paper Snips (or a square punch), cut a “flag” in the end of each strip.  From the blunt end of the DSP strip I made a 1″ cut in the center of the strip, toward the wreath.  Then cut from each corner, left and right of that center cut, diagonally to the end of that center cut.  Voila!  A flag at the end of the strip.

So far I’ve made four wreaths, the one for Halloween and the other three being more Christmas-y.

Product List

Product List

Product List

One warning related to these wreaths:  they’re addictive.  Please ask if you have any questions.

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