It's Craft Time - Paper Book Wreath

I've been wanting to make Living with Lindsay's fabulous paper book wreath since I first saw it. Mine took on a puff ball shape, instead of a wreath, but I'm really happy with how it turned out. I, again, was crafting at night, so my picture isn't at its best. Lindsay has a great tutorial at the above link with awesome pictures and even a video. I'll give you a quick once over on the procedure, but for all the details definitely check out her link.

Crafting supplies were the usual suspects. A $1 wreath form from the Dollar Store, one $1 paperback book from the Dollar Store and my trusty glue gun and lots of glue sticks. I got a thick book not knowing how many pages I would use (240). I thought I would get fancy and change up one of Lindsay's steps. She has you antique the edge of the book with brown paint (the only antiques in my house are 1960's Danish Modern ones so this step just won't do). I used bright olive green instead (you can see it on the book in the picture a little). However I was disappointed that the green barely shows up in the finished project (you have no hope of seeing it in the poor picture above).

You start by rolling a page of the book. I found rolling in from each corner at an angle, meeting in the middle and squishing in some glue worked best for me. Lindsay has you glue the edges of only the starter strip, but my other strips kept unrolling once glued on. I found it easiest to glue the edges of each piece of paper, let it dry a few seconds, then glue to the wreath form. You fold in a little tab on your rolled up strip of paper and keep adding layers to the wreath form. Round and round and round.

Maybe I'm a slow crafter, but after the 1 hour 30 minute mark, I had to stop and take a break. My attention started to wander. At this stage the wreath isn't very pretty. It looked raggedy and like I would never get it done. After a little dinner and some online TV viewing, I was ready to get it finished. I don't have any other pictures to show you. It's 240 times of rolling the pages and gluing them on. It's a bit tedious (understatement). I think it was mentioned to make this while you watched TV.  I got a couple 2nd degree burns and I was paying complete attention, sitting at a table, focused (mostly). I can't imagine using a glue gun while being distracted by TV!

The wreath (or puff ball) is gorgeous in person. I hope you make one. Mine is now proudly hanging on my front door (where the picture taking quality is even worse than in my house).

Be sure to check back for next Wednesday's It's Craft Time. I'm using magazine strips to make .... ! I can't tell you! It's so fun, so make sure you come back to check it out. I'll probably be making it over the weekend, so there is hope for decent daytime pictures!

I'm posting this to several of the wonderful link parties listed on the lower right hand side of my blog. Be sure you go on over and visit awhile (but only after you are done hanging out here!). They are just full of creativity.