FREE PROJECT: Christmas Garlands

It is free project time again!  By now you should have finished making your Christmas cards, written and posted them...I wish!  So if you have any left over bits of paper or card why not put them to good use and make these really pretty garlands.  This simple project is taken from PAPER SCULPT SENSATIONS by Marion Elliot.

Simple paper shapes make the most unexpected forms if they are joined together in multiples. Here, hearts cut from plain and coloured vellum paper are glued together in sets of six, then inverted to make teardrop shapes, which look lovely strung into a delicate garland. Semicircles cut from decorative Japanese papers are again joined in groups of six to create stylized flower-like forms or something reminiscent of star anise spice. These have pale pink and blue pearl beads added for a touch of glamour.

TEARDROPS
You will need:
A4 sheets of white or coloured vellum paper
metal eye pins
embroidery silk or thin wire
pliers
basic tool kit

Vellum is great to work with, as it creases beautifully and is stiff enough to hold its shape. After the six folded vellum hearts have been glued together, a short metal eye pin (used in jewellery making) is inserted down the centre and the end formed into a loop with pliers to keep it in place. Eye pins can be found in most bead shops and some craft retailers, or order them online.

1.
To make the multiple shapes cut six hearts from the sheets of vellum paper, folded in half with the centre of the heart placed along the fold.

2.
To assemble the shapes place five of the hearts side by side, then butt up against each other and glue the adjacent halves of the hearts together.

3.
Add the sixth heart, gluing one half to the fifth heart and one half to the first heart to complete the shape. Press all the joined sides together firmly.

4.
To add the wire hanger take an eye pin and push it carefully down the centre of the decoration until the eye rests on the top of the shape. Using pliers, twist the other end of the pin into a loop to keep it in place. Make several of the decorations and thread on to a length of embroidery silk or thin wire to make a garland.

SEMICIRCLES
You will need:
A4 sheets of handmade patterned papers in pale colours
large and small pale pink and blue pearl beads
metal eye pins
embroidery silk or thin wire
pliers
basic tool kit

Although six semicircles have been joined together here, you can use a larger quantity to make a much more complex shape. As with the teardrop decorations, eye pins have been inserted through the decorations so that they can be strung together to make a garland, but here the pins have been threaded with some small pearly beads in colours to coordinate with the papers.

1.
To make the multiple shapes, using a pair of compasses, draw three 6cm (23⁄8in) diameter circles on to the paper. Cut out the circles and fold them in half.

2.
Fold each semicircle in half again so that you have six folded semicircles.

3.
To assemble the shapes butt five of the semicircles up against each other and glue together. Add the sixth semicircle, gluing one half to the fifth semicircle and one half to the first to complete the shape. Press all the joined sides together firmly.

4.
To add the wire hanger thread a large and small bead on to an eye pin. Push the pin down through the decoration and thread another bead on to the end. Twist the end of the wire into a loop to keep the pin in place. Make several of the decorations and thread on to a length of embroidery silk or thin wire to make a garland.

Done!  Now all that is left to do is put on some Christmas tunes, heat some mulled wine, get out a plate of mince pies and start decorating your house - great fun!

For more fab 3D paper projects check ou this amazing book:

Marie