I have about a million of those re-useable grocery bags. My problem? I get to the store and realize they are still in my basement at home. Then I’m asked the question. The big question:
Paper or plastic?
Kill a tree. Or get my groceries in a bag that will never really decompose. It’s a lose-lose.
About a year ago I first showed you this project over at Aprons & Ambitions. It’s a super easy wreath you can make using just a paper grocery sack, an old box and some hot glue. I’m revisiting this tutorial today. It’s a bit updated, but still as easy and thrifty as ever.
Here’s what you do:
Draw a leaf shape on your bag. Mine is about 3″ long and 2″ wide. I cut one out then trace it over and over so they are all the same size. Then cut then all out. One bag full of leaves is enough for one wreath.
Once your leaves are all cut out crease them in half. Like so:
Next…make your wreath form. You can cut it out of an old box…or use up some more paper bags. For the one I made yesterday I used bags and a cereal box. The point is to make a form that is fairly stiff to glue your leaves to.
To make your form from bags do like this:
Use a big mixing/salad bowl to trace half a circle on your bag. If you are making a bigger wreath you may only be able to fit half on one bag. Use a smaller bowl to make an arc about 2″ wide. Cut them out of four bags. Trace your arc twice on a cereal box and cut those out too. Sandwich all your arcs together to make a full circle and hot glue them all together.
Then it’s time to glue on your leaves. Please don’t be too repulsed by my hideous carpet. You know how much I hate it. It’s days are numbered.
Glue them on in small clusters until you’ve gone all the way around. Finish it off with a dusting of gold spray paint. I usually get mine out in the fall…but it’s a super versatile wreath for all year.
And…I know Christmas is still a long ways off, but while you are at it, you can easily whip one up for Christmas. Follow the same instructions, but spray paint it green and add some paper bag poinsettias. The tutorial for those is on the old blog. See it here.
Happy Crafting!
Amy
PS…This post is partying at Sew Can Do…and these other great linky get-togethers.
