5 days of favorite projects {day 4}
Little known fact about me:
I DON’T OWN A HOT GLUE GUN.
I know. Crazy. How I’ve made it through my life as a project-doer without one is beyond me.
But for today’s installment of
I needed one. So I took the kids on a little walk a couple of streets over to my fellow crafty friend’s house and borrowed hers {thanks Dee}.
I originally did this project without a hot glue gun, but I will say that it sure makes things easier. I should really go buy my own. The Nester {one of my faves} uses hers all the time {window mistreatments, adhering a beadboard backsplash} and I’m pretty convinced that it is a worthwhile tool. I’m sure you’re all agreeing …
And so, let me introduce today’s project.
I have to say that this one is not an original project. Last year I was searching for something unique to make for my sister for her birthday and came across this tutorial. Since we’ve already established that I love book pages, this one was right up my alley. I loved it so much, I kept it for myself and bought my sister a shirt instead. Sorry, sissy.
I have mine hanging in my kitchen window so that I can enjoy it often:
It is the project I received the most requests for instructions on, so here I am to deliver.
Let me start by saying two things:
1. This is a very photo heavy tutorial. Hope you don’t mind.
2. This takes a LONG time to make {well, not as long as the painted wallpaper, but about 2 hours or so, which is long when you’ve got little boys wandering around the house bored out of their minds and you are doing everything you can to just finish the project already.
You are warned.
Shall we get started?
Here is what you’ll need:
:: styrofoam wreath form {mine is 10”}
:: book {I’ve found that thin pages {as used in my first wreath} work better than thicker pages {as used here} – think text weight paper vs. cardstock}
:: glue gun & glue sticks
STEP ONE: tear out the pages
STEP TWO: bend the page
Bend & roll into a shape similar to shown above.
I like the ripped out edge to show {it gives it that pretty ruffly look}.
STEP THREE: attach the back layer to the wreath form
STEP FOUR: glue down the layers
Or you could go this route and add glue to the middle of the folds before you attach to the wreath.
Keep going all the way around the wreath until you get this:
Flip it over to continue.
STEP FIVE: attach the next layer
bend
crease
figure out how long you want the paper to be {so that it is about equal with the layer behind}
crease
glue & attach.
Add a line of glue and glue down the extra paper.
Here’s what you’ll have:
STEP SIX: fold up and attach bottom layer
STEP SEVEN: attach the next layer
bend
figure out length
glue & attach
and you’ll have this:
STEP EIGHT: attach the next layer
and you’ll have this:
STEP NINE: attach the next layer
This time, the page will be attached to the inside perimeter of the wreath and the extra end of the page will be folded & glued under.
almost there!
STEP TEN: fill in the holes
Where there are spaces, add in another page. Use the same folding/bending technique, cut off the end
give it a little fold, add some glue
and press into hole.
Keep adding more until your wreath is full & fluffy.
STEP ELEVEN: add a ribbon to hang
You’ll need:
:: scissors
:: ribbon
:: pins
bend the ribbon into a loop & cut
attach to the back of the wreath using the straight pins
And it is done!
I . love . it
Here are some other gorgeous options:
{via}
{via}
{via}
I have a feeling there will be a lot of books destroyed to create these beauties …
………………………………….
Come back tomorrow for our final project of the week.
Chrissy Johns
Just finished mine. Looks perfect hanging above my mantle!
Ruthie Therkelsen
I just bought the wreath and an old book from the “DI” I will be making it tomorrow. Im really excited to see how it turns out! thank you so much for your ideas..you are so amazing!
Laura Chapman
These are so awesome!
Mary Edwards
I have two sets of encyclopedias from “back in the day” that would be perfect for this craft. I LOVE it!
Amanda Porter
I was planning on hanging my wreath on my front door. Do you think the weather would be too unkind? Is there some sort of spray coating I could add to protect it?
Mitzi Blackstone
I made mine today!! I absolutely love it. Even my husband thinks it is pretty cool. My biggest problem is deciding where to hang it.
Sarah
I love this wreath! I’m getting ready to make mine and was just thinking through some logistics. What size book did you use and approximately how many pages did you use?
sarah
I’m getting ready to make mine and am thinking through some logistics. About what size book did you use (like page size) and approximately how many pages did it take?
The Front Door Series Pt. 2 « One thing at a Time
[...] And she’s super cute. I can’t get enough of her. Click here to see her entry way and here to see her wreath [...]
Marcia
Just what I was looking for (but didn’t know it) for a dear friend’s upcoming birthday gift. She’s a bibliophile who will both LOVE the ide and CRINGE at it. Perfect!
Rye
How could you destroy so MANY BOOKS
Book Wreath » Des Moines Iowa Wedding Photographer | Allison Marie Photography
[...] red wreath and replace it with something non-Valentines day. I found this great tutorial from Jones Design Company (yes, the same place I found the tutorial for the painted wallpaper!), and I couldn’t resist [...]
Janelle
love it! it’s only 6:15, i’m gonna run to the gym, and try to conquer this one before i zonk out tonite…. my sis and i are gonna make your spring wreath next weekend…. thanks for the tutorials, couldn’t do it without them!!
Terri
Just finished the wreath and I LOVE IT!! Thank you so much for posting–it looks so pretty! Can’t wait to try your other tutorials!
Morgan Johnson
I found your amazing website, then asked a friend for the tutorial she used to make her page wreath, and…BAM! She used the very tutorial I was looking at-YOURS!
I love everything I see, and am your newest fan! THANKS!
(Oh, fellow mother of almost 4 =)
Momoftwingirls
I love this project! It’s beautiful! Just to be clear, are there five layers total? (One on back and four on front?
Cristy Hough
This was so much fun! I made the wreath for my book loving sis with a snarky note “I hated this book so I gave it to you” … she thought it was hysterical and loved the wreath. Love all your tutorials – I am using the nonna wreaths as decorations at my wedding, and my daughters (the junior bridesmaids will be wearing the satin flower pins in their hair – ADORABLE!!! Thank you!!!!!
Allison Hoxie
I just have to say whenever I get the crafting urge I come to your site for ideas! I made this wreath this last Christmas and have gotten tons of compliments! It took me about two hours, but was SO much fun and looks beautiful. It currently resides at the top center of two large windows in our living room, thank you for this tutorial!
Nadya
Those are some awesome book wreath!!!! Beautiful!!! What an inspiration!!! I made a couple of book wreath as well. Love making them. They are so much fun!!! You can see it at my web site… http://www.fitzhenrydesigns.com/2011/05/book-and-crepe-roses-wreath/
Milia
You are incredible. I stumbled upon your page through a friend’s Facebook link and in just two minutes you have inspired my future wedding. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
The Gallery Wall Revealed « Make Mine Vintage
[...] store. Everything else I either made, like the book page wreath (the tutorial I used is found here) or took from somewhere else in the [...]
Stephanie who loves you in Texas!
Ok, long time follower, first time commenter. Love this wreath. Have made one for my home and one for my cubical at work. So easy and so eco friendly. I went to Goodwill and bought 2 books for $0.99. Had a coupon at Michael’s arts and crafts and the foam wreath was $2.50. Couple of glue sticks later and voila…a fab wreath! Thank you so much for sharing your love of home and creativity with the world!
Missy
I just finished your book page wreath. It is so cute! Thanks for the great tutorial.
Shabnam
Ok…it looks nice! BUT destroys books… though why tear one up for this? use the ones the kids already read, re read and re re read to shreds! and use them to do the folding, instead of boring themselves to death. Helping mommy is something most kids like to do.
Something for Sarah | Delighting in Today
[...] do I do with this space over the bed??? I made that strange-looking wreath quite a while ago (via this tutorial from Jones Design Company). It was a little overwhelming at first, but it’s grown on me [...]
Emily
I just made mine! Your tutorial is fantastic! I posted pictures of my wreath on my blog and then directed my readers here for your thorough tutorial
)
Sally McVey
These are so cool! I can’t wait to try them! Thanks a million!
Vicky
This is cool but You’re ripping up books :’(
I hope that wasn’t a good one. If anyone makes this use Twilight or something.
Mia
What color is on your walls of your kitchen? Your kitchen is beautiful!
Erica Marie
Just finished mine last night- this is the most gorgeous thing I have ever made. I’m so proud! You are a genius! I love, love, love, your unique ideas!
DRESSLER
just love this. Awesome!
Tammy
Just finished my paperwreath. I love it! Thanks for the great idea and the easy to follow tutorial!
Lynette Nivens
This looks like a fun project. I have quite a few books that 1) I’ll never read again and 2) the pages have begun to fall out because of poor quality binding. Great Project!
Book Wreath
[...] have been itching to make a book page wreath and loved the one on the Jones Design Company blog. She created a fabulous tutorial so I decided to give it a try. I did this on a late weekend [...]
The Room Left Undone | Delighting in Today
[...] think I want the wreath gone, but it’s still hanging there. I made it using this tutorial from Jones Design Company. I like the wreath, it’s just too big for this [...]
Getting my craft on « Joey and Heidi | Heth Happenings
[...] tutorials on the newly discovered blog and told me to pick one that I wanted to make. I chose this one. It seemed like the least supply intensive option, plus I already had an old, thrift store book [...]
kelly thompson
I love this idea….looks time great
Linda Carr
I will be making this paper wreath very soon. It look like something I can handle. My sister loves to read so I’ll probably make one for her too. Thank you for the easy to follow tutorial to use. I hope I find more of your great ideas to make. Thanks again!!