Wednesday, October 06, 2010

paper leaves fall wreath tutorial

IMG_1559

We are heading into my favorite time of year- fall and then winter- and I have SO many fun ideas and tutorials to share! If you are a regular reader then you know that I love coming up with unique wreaths to celebrate seasons and holidays. Since we are already into October (can you believe it?) I am kicking off my fall tutorials and inspiration with a simple and sweet idea that makes use of the most accessible supplies.


IMG_3535

In a world full of the latest and greatest products, supplies, kits and tools, sometimes I just like to get back to basics- a pen, paint, paper and basic drawing skills. You would be surprised how far you can stretch all of these things!


IMG_3538

One of my favorite simple projects is this butterfly wreath that I came up with a while back using recycled book pages and watercolor filled drawings and I knew I wanted to use the same concept.
I started by drawing leaves on book pages and using watercolors, I filled the leaves with color.


IMG_3542

and more color.

FYI- Watercolors are perfect to use for painting over something (like text on a book page) because they are translucent enough for the page to to show through and create a sense of layers and visual interest.

IMG_3545

These days I carry my Sakura pocket watercolor box and water brush EVERYWHERE. They are the best for travel and for working on small projects.

IMG_3548

I created a variety of leaves in fall colors.

IMG_1532


IMG_1536

Next I cut out each of the leaves, leaving a little edge of the book page showing.


IMG_1542

I decided to use an old embroidery hoop which makes a really delicate base for a lightweight wreath.


a

Using hot glue, I glued all of the leaves to the surface of the hoop, alternating colors, shapes and direction.


IMG_1550

After I glued down all of the leaves, I felt like something was missing. I couldn't resist making some simple acorns that I added around the wreath.


IMG_3552

IMG_3563

IMG_3564

IMG_3554


And there you have it- a perfectly pretty fall wreath that I will be adding to our living room wall.


IMG_1558

47 comments:

Jenny Stevning said...

I love it! FUN!

Kittyj said...

LOVE it! Now I know what I was saving those old warped embroidery hoops for!

Unknown said...

awesome. i'm in love!
i go buying a book to make this myself. (don't want to cut the books i have!)

thanks, doro.

lynda Howells said...

l have just made this and if l say so myself..looks good! thanks for the tutorial, very genous of you to share your talentsxxlynda

lekyvijay said...

wonderful idea simple too....

Fifi said...

sensational idea, simple and smart

Big Mook Craft said...

as always i adore your creations and creativity!

K said...

I love it! I was looking for an idea for a fall wreath :)

Anonymous said...

I love this! I want to be braver and start painting on book pages. Great tutorial! x

whyducks said...

What a pretty idea!

Nelly said...

What a great idea to use the embroidery hoops. Love Love

andrea creates said...

really pretty!love the acorns ;)
thanks for sharing :)

Carol said...

simply beautiful!

cheryl howes said...

I love your style...and your wreath

Jane LaFazio said...

adorable! I LOVE painting fall leaves, and this is perf.

Stacey said...

Beautiful. You are so inspiring.

Unknown said...

I absolutely love this....Your creativity is soooo inspiring.
Thanks for sharing it!
Many Blessings,Deborah

Rachel M said...

I love it, thanks for sharing! :)

astr!d said...

im so glad you told us what watercolors you were using. i love that stinkin brush, i've just mentally added it to my x-mas list!!

GynnaB said...

So Pretty!!!! And thanks for sharing your paint/brush info.... I was wondering what to get my artist brother for Christmas!

Karla Jeanne said...

Hello Alisa! My name is Karla, I'm from Brazil and like your blog!
I posted one of their paps on my blog, which I liked a lot of your work, do not worry, I gave due credit.
If you want to take a stop by.
Sorry an error in writing, is that I used the google translator.
http://karla-ascoisasdekarla.blogspot.com/

BJKS OF KARLA ***

Settee said...

This is stunning!

She Who Doodles said...

very nice, what a good idea.

Home and Heart said...

Beautiful!! You are a FABULOUS painter!!

Bonafyde said...

gorgeous wreath!!! I love the vibrant colors and as always I'm a sucker for book text.... MMMmmmm.....

I love water brushes but hate when the paint color travels upwards into the water chamber(Grrr...), does that ever happen to you and if so what prevents that? I'm not sure mine are by Koi (I can't remember but i think they are sakura) so could be my brand???

Tessa said...

I love the use of on hand items! No need for "oh, I have to go buy this and that so I can do this one project". You're an incredible artist.

Candylei said...

Add me to your "Love it" list. It's beautiful and like you said it comes from basic supplies.

j. wilson said...

aack! this is bee-yoo-tee-ful! and now i have to say super drats because i have been working on a wreath tutorial that is exactly this (only without the awesome finesse that you possess). i'll just chalk it up to great minds think alike and pretend we are super friends. heehee. your work is as always gorgeous!

Giggles said...

Very pretty!

katie said...

I really like this! I think I will have to make something like this! I also featured it on my blog here:
http://punkprojects.blogspot.com/2010/10/make-it-monday_11.html
Come check it out!
xo,
Katie

Anonymous said...

Love this--I'm headed to the Goodwill store to snag some embroidery hoops!

Geek+Nerd said...

This is beautiful - nice work!

Nelda Ream said...

Thank you for this fun tutorial! I am going to do this with my grandchildren when visiting them next week.

Sew-Over-It said...

LOVE this idea, I featured you on my blog about Book Page Decorating ideas today. Love your blog!

http://sew-over-it.blogspot.com/2010/10/ripping-out-pages.html

Tatiana said...

Hello!
First:Sorry for my english, I'm french!!I've done this wreath with kids who have intelectual deficiences and they loved it.It was really fun to do that with them...Thank you

Lindy said...

Awesome project...I love it. I love using books like this!

gale said...

I quickly looked through your blog.
What fun! Things that I could do while I sat with my husband in the evening watching tv! Thanks!
Gale

Nani Luculescu said...

LOVE this! I tried my hand at it using my sample election ballot! lol - here are my leaves so far: http://plixi.com/p/51811786

Nancy Ward said...

Hi!

Wanted you to know I posted a link to this tutorial today on my blog, PaperFriendly.

Nancy Ward
PaperFriendly
http://nancywardcrafts.com

Didi said...

I am inspired!!!! I made hubby take me out last night in search of watercolors! I havent used them before so I need some practice but I think we have created a monster! LOL
I already had some of those water brush thingies. Does the color go up inside yours?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11356857@N08/5123607168/

Alissa @ Homemade Gifts said...

gorgeous! i love this :)

kelly said...

lovely! what a great idea, and beautifully done.

Oli said...

I like you blog. I invite you to visit my blog of hand made. Kiss OLI


http://entrebarrancosmanualidades.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

How charming! Have to try this. But I REALLY have to check out the Sakura pocket watercolor box. I'm not a watercolorist, but I'd love to have colors with me wherever I go. Who knows? I just might give it a go!

Again, beautiful project.

Rose Clearfield said...

I have included your awesome tutorial in a tutorial round up on my blog today. Enjoy and have a great day!
Saturday Link List: the February tutorials edition

Anonymous said...

This was a great project that I did with my after school kids. They look beautiful hanging in the windows. Thanks for the idea will us it again and again.

Anonymous said...

I bought several books from a thrift shop and made this lovely wreath. Then I went a step further and cut multiples of each leaf and acorns. Then after painting them, I stacked them 3-D style but interspersing single and double layers around the embroidery ring. The overall look with multiple dimensions looked terrific. I made them for everyone!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails