Here’s the how-to:
- Gather several brown paper grocery bags. I probably used 4-5 bags to make this wreath. Cut the bags down to workable flat pieces of paper avoiding any imprinted areas.
- Use craft paint or water color paints and water - I used green and brown. Using a lot of water wet your paper and dab on the paint so that it’s not uniform.
- Once your sheets are dry cut out your leaves. You can fold the paper and cut several at once.
Add a hanger to your wreath form and start gluing on your leaves. For this project I used a glue gun. To achieve a more natural look slightly curl each leaf with your fingers as you add them.
I love the look of water color and the effect is even more muted and water colory on these brown bags.
From throw-away grocery store bags to a pretty wreath.
Thanks for visiting.
Carolyn
I link at the wonderful parties listed here and
Carolyn that is flipping awesome! I thought it was made from real leaves but I love it even better knowing you recycled a bag! I love it!!!! Susan
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! I love recycling things :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Love it Carolyn
ReplyDeletexo,
Alexis
What an awesome idea! Your bay leaf wreath is so realistic looking and I love the upcycle factor too. Love it! ~Melanie
ReplyDeleteSometimes people come up with wreath ideas that don't quite work (myself included). Yours, however, is really lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool, I thought it was real at first. I really like it!!
ReplyDeletenow THAT is amazing! i love it!
ReplyDeleteit's fabulous! bravo!
ReplyDeletesmiles to you and hope you'll visit soon.
michele
This is so pretty Carolyn!! It looks so real!
ReplyDeleteAh Carolyn this is stunning!! You have perfect taste girl!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThat is absolutely stunning! I would love it if you would link it up to the Fall into the Holidays blog hop!
ReplyDeletehttp://redcrowgreencrow.wordpress.com/2012/09/16/fall-into-the-holidays-2-happy-misgivings-day/
Katie @ Horrific Knits
Who would have thought! It looks fantastic! Guess I'll be saving those bags for a new project ;)
ReplyDelete-Fotini
this is simply beautiful - only you can pull off something like this Carolyn, I love how you did not add any flowers or any other adornments on it. Simplicity is beauty really, and this is an epitome of that. :-)
ReplyDeletevery pretty and so simple!! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteCarol..you beat me to the punch.. I was going to make some paper magnolia leafs....this looks super pretty...xo
ReplyDeletevery pretty! looks better than an actual dried bay leaf wreath. I'm so remembering this!
ReplyDeleteI love that you upcycled a grocery bag, Carolyn!! It really gives the wreath some thickness. It looks so real!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, this might just be my favorite project of yours now! This looks so elegant and sophisticated - great job!
ReplyDeleteThis is a fantastic project! The wreath is absolutely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteWould you consider linking this up at my Pinworthy Projects Party? I hope to see you there!
This is so incredible - really - and that you recycled paper bags is unbelievable!
ReplyDeleteLove it!
I'm usually not a fan of faux, but this wreath looks so real. Great job! You got the color and the shape of the leaves just right. Wow.
ReplyDeleteAny chance you'll post your leaf template?
Groovy idea - and cheap too~ LOVE
ReplyDeleteBeautiful - unbelievable that it is made from brown paper bags. I love it and am pinning it.....Found you through Snap's linky party....
ReplyDeleteThat looks SO real! It's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are so creative, Carolyn...simply lovely!
ReplyDeletevery sweet wreath! I love paper!
ReplyDeleteLezlee
Blown away! So completely gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really cute wreath. I was thinking copper spray paint would be great for autumn, and silver or gold spray paint for the winter. I liked your tutorial so much I just featured you in my weekly Crafty Thursdays post.
ReplyDelete-Viva recently posted 4 Simple Ways to Save Money
No WAY!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou can't tell at all these are made from a brown [paper bag! This is terrific...
You are one smart girl....
Carolyn!!! This is GORGEOUS!!!! What a clever project!
ReplyDeletelove it!
ReplyDeleteI love this so much! Everything you do is beautiful. I'm featuring you tomorrow. XO, Aimee
ReplyDeleteitsoverflowing.com | simply inspired home living
GORGEOUS!!! Such a fantastic idea, thanks for the tip...I always try to think of things to use mine for but hadn't thought out of the box 'this' much...just fantastic! :)
ReplyDeleteDawn
www.leroylime.blogspot.com
Elegant and so, so clever! I love the wreath and the way that your technique for making the faux bay leaves can be used in so many different ways -- swags, boutonnieres, embellishments for presents, etc.
ReplyDeleteGreat use of paper bags. Fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThat is just lovely! I have always wanted to have a fresh bay leaf wreath, but never did b/c of the cost... this is a great idea to get the look!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Saw you featured over at Vanessa's..Nifty Thrifty Things.
Great idea to make something awesome for nothing! Proof positive that you don't have to pay the big bucks to have style in your home :)
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing. Every year I look at these in the Williams Sonoma catalog , and every year I can't justify what they're asking. You've solved that! Just wanted to let you know I featured it as part of my weekly link party wrap up today.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! You are so creative and skilled. Thank you for linking your beautiful creation!
ReplyDeleteThis is the coolest thing ever, I love it so much! Pinning this!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this wreath Carolyn! It reminds me of my bay leaf trees! It's beautiful. Thanks for linking it up to our Countdown to Fall Party!
ReplyDelete~ Kim @ Sand & Sisal
I love this! Just pinned it to try later! Thanks for sharring! Visiting from the CSI Project link up.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible wreath! It turned out so neat. I would have never thought to try this. I'll have it on my FB.
ReplyDeleteYour wreath is still being admired over 2 years later! Congrats for that! I'd like to ask some specific questions -- 1 What is the approximate size of the wreath you created (diameter)? 2 What is the general size of the individual leaves (length, width)? 3 What type of base did you use? (cardboard, wire, straw, vine, styrofoam, etc.) Thanks for your inspiration and your help!
ReplyDeleteBJ - thank you so much. The wreath is approximately 12-14" in diameter. Each leaf is approximately 2 inches long. I used an inexpensive foam base for this project but any type of base would work. Hope that helps! Happy crafting.
DeleteAfter pricing artificial greenery I used Carolyn's technique to make laurel leave crowns for a costume. Well done!
ReplyDelete