Craft it yourself: wedding favours
With the cost of a wedding now averaging at more than £18,000, there’s even more reason to Craft It Yourself — with more brides than ever looking for handmade alternatives to...
If you can’t get to your usual wreath-making workshop this year, we have some genius tips on how to craft your very own without the need to leave your house. Trust us, after this post you’ll be left with a stunning centrepiece for your table or an inviting decoration for your door. Plus, keep them in good condition and you’ll be able to bring them out year after year!
Make a date
Why not plan an evening workshop with your pals over Zoom and order craft-at-home kits small enough to fit through your letterbox? Micheala Childs from May Contain Glitter offers the perfect solution for your creative home sessions with her gorgeous wreath-making kits, available at notonthehighstreet.com. Plus, be sure to take note of her top hacks before you get started! “Take your time, have everything ready and organised before you begin, and make all of the flowers and foliage before you start assembly. My final tip? Use a strong or hot glue for longevity.”
Pleased as punch
Don’t own a cutting machine? No problem! Lia Griffith’s Frosted Paper Fern and Eucalyptus kit is the perfect option for you. Including ready-to-punch leaves and foliage, this makes for a fast and fuss-free project without the need for specialist tools and machines. Plus, if you need a little helping hand along the way, there’s a video tutorial to accompany the kit. Head to feltpaperscissors.com for more details.
FREE SVGs
Craft stunning wreaths with ease using our free archive of SVG files, which you can find on our website at papercraftermagazine.co.uk. We’ve got lots of foliage designs for you to choose from and transform into doorstep showstoppers. Simply cut the free templates out on your digital die-cutting machine and layer together. Change up the colours to suit your décor and opt for different wreath bases depending on whether you’re after a classic look or modern twist.
All about the base
Find the right foundation for your festive wreath with our fail-proof options…
Go au naturel with Hobbycraft’s rattan grapevine wreath. Use a strong glue to fix embellishments or tie them using decorative ribbons. £3.50, hobbycraft.co.uk
Pair docrafts’ polystyrene ring with craft wire or pins and gently push your foliage elements in to secure. £2.50, craftyarts.co.uk
For a modern look, leave some of the hoop exposed by adhering your leaves to the bottom corner only. We recommend Berylune’s gold wreath hoop. £4.95, berylune.co.uk
Try this…
A savvy alternative to the real deal, pepper your home with these modern paper decs and bring them out year after year. Our resident crafter Corinne Bradd has put together these spectacular hoop wreaths which could be the necessary additions you need this Noel. Craft them for free at papercraftermagazine.co.uk by searching ‘die-cut floral wreaths’.
Book club
When it comes to making your own Christmas decorations, including front door-worthy wreaths, Emily Dawe’s Paper Christmas (£9.99, searchpress.com) is a bookshelf addition you really can’t miss! Packed with fun, simple and effective projects, this title helps you create Christmas magic using few materials, allowing you to really go to town and harness those festive feelings from home.
Words of wisdom from… Lia Griffith
1. Choose a wreath form that is sustainable and reusable. I love the vintage-style straw bases for fully-covered wreaths, and gold wire or wood embroidery hoops for an asymmetrical display
2. Whilst arranging a full wreath, rotate your foliage and floral pieces in one direction around the base. For asymmetrical wreaths, arrange in both ways from the focal point
3. Consider how you layer up your wreath. Start with greenery to cover the wreath base, then add in the flowers and smaller elements
4. For an asymmetrical floral wreath, pick a focal flower using an odd number of blooms. Add smaller blooms and foliage to support the focal
5. For a unique look, why not opt for non-traditional colours or a monochromatic colour palette for an elegant finish?
What next? Incorporate your wreath-making skills into your cardmaking with our Die-cut Wreath Christmas Cards!
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