Monday, November 10, 2008

Flower Garland Tutorial

Thank you to everyone who left a comment asking me to post a tutorial. It made my weekend to see all the comments. So without further ado, here's the tutorial.

*Click on the pictures to enlarge images

Supplies:
Catalog - I used the kind that are stapled together, not bound. You'll need a catalog with at least 30 pages/pieces of paper.
Scissors
White Glue
Cut off the bottom of the catalog, make sure the piece you're using is stapled together. You might want to add another staple for extra reinforcement.

Step 1: Open the first page of the catalog. Now place glue on the page (refer to picture). Glue down to the back of the cover.

You should now have a loop.

Repeat step 1 with the next page.

Now you should have two loops.

Repeat the process till all the pages are glued except the cover page to the left. Let sit for a half hour to dry.

Now, glue the last page to complete the flower. Let dry overnight.

Thread fishing line through a loop to hang.

* When I first made the flowers, I was concerned if they would hold up. After hanging all day, stepped on and batted at by a three year old the flowers are still in tact. So in my opinion, they pass the test.

If you have any questions about the project just leave me a comment or email me.
at

42 comments:

  1. UnknownNovember 10, 2008 at 5:39 PM

    I LOVE this garland tutorial. School holidays is starting this week, I'd like to do this with the kids...what a fun project.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Heather "Hev"November 10, 2008 at 8:20 PM

    Thankyou :)

    I was right in my thinking of how to do them - just wasnt sure if there was a trick to the fishing line for the hangers.

    THANKYOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. BobbiNovember 11, 2008 at 5:39 AM

    Very cool idea! Did you use white Elmer's glue?

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousNovember 11, 2008 at 6:17 AM

    I'm definitely going to make these! I'm so glad you posted the tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Misty BourneNovember 11, 2008 at 6:20 AM

    Thank you so much for posting this! These are so great! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rachel@oneprettything.comNovember 11, 2008 at 11:35 AM

    These are awesome, thanks so much for writing up the tutorial! I'll be linking.

    ReplyDelete
  7. PamelamamaNovember 11, 2008 at 12:35 PM

    cool, maybe we'll try in kindergarten!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousNovember 11, 2008 at 5:48 PM

    Love it! It would also make a great package bow if you don't finish it off.

    ReplyDelete
  9. mayalunaNovember 11, 2008 at 6:57 PM

    I'm so glad you wrote this up, it's really a beautiful tutorial. This project deserves all of the attention it's been getting in blogland. Such a great way of reusing something we all have too much of and making beauty. You did it AGAIN, Jessica!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rachael HutchingsNovember 11, 2008 at 8:58 PM

    LOVE this project! I also love your test--three year olds make the best testers of quality control!

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnkeNovember 12, 2008 at 2:16 AM

    I think I just clicked through one year of your posts and I'm in awe. Wonderful blog and projects!

    ReplyDelete
  12. RaeDecember 2, 2008 at 7:01 AM

    These are so amazing!!! I have two paper bags full of magazines and catalogs! Guess what I'm going to get out of the recycling bin!

    ReplyDelete
  13. CCDecember 2, 2008 at 9:31 AM

    That is so cool! It looks like tiny catalogs work best for this project.

    ReplyDelete
  14. RealmarceDecember 2, 2008 at 10:54 AM

    Great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousDecember 7, 2008 at 6:53 AM

    This is so terrific. I'm so excited, I'll have to try making one today. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. KamiDecember 9, 2008 at 7:54 PM

    Amazing! They really look so beautiful... I'd never guess they were so easy. delicious, delightful, thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousDecember 11, 2008 at 11:00 AM

    hi there!
    i really love this craft! it is so multipurposed. i can't wait to use it for a big even--have them hanging all over the place.
    i posted about them here...

    http://gardenpartynyc.com/wordpress/?p=880

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ro BruhnDecember 13, 2008 at 1:25 AM

    These are wonderful, thanks for the instructions.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jessica RaeDecember 20, 2008 at 10:32 PM

    I made half-versions of these and affixed them to Christmas presents I am giving. I love this idea. Next year I might use colorful card stock to change up how they look.

    I used a glue pen type dealie and it worked really well.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Arte da LuluzinhaJanuary 7, 2009 at 12:35 PM

    Very beautiful.
    =D

    ReplyDelete
  21. Melissa of {craftgasm}January 8, 2009 at 10:06 AM

    These are gorgeous! And I love that you can personalize them by just stapling a bunch of strips of same-sized (or different sized, I suppose, too) papers together to achieve a similar result.

    ReplyDelete
  22. ChristieJanuary 17, 2009 at 1:33 AM

    I thought I'd say thanks for the idea. I ended up making one of these yesterday. I'd read the post a while back and knew right away that I wanted to do them with Coir and Cassi's classes. I was thinking Valentine's day or Mother's day. Anyway, I did them. I added a little color by spraying them a tad and I added a flower to the center. I've got pictures on the blog but they are a bit bright so you don't notice the yellow so much. We are going to make them with their classes for an upcoming holiday. Very sweet. My middle girls wants them in her room too! Gotta get busy. Thanks again.

    ReplyDelete
  23. MontseMarch 4, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    Oh! Thanks for sharing this!! Such a simple but GREAT idea ! :)

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousMarch 9, 2009 at 6:45 PM

    after having them hang for a while, how do they hold up? thanks in advance!
    afrindiemum

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousMarch 17, 2009 at 3:34 AM

    This is a wonderful idea. I will try to make this. many many thanks for this tutorial

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnyaApril 29, 2009 at 7:36 AM

    Beautiful tutorial! Thank you so much for sharing it.
    I linked it at PassiFlora magazine today (http://passifloramag.com/2009/04/vegetables-and-flowers/) Hope you don't mind.

    Anya

    ReplyDelete
  27. carbonaMay 23, 2009 at 11:34 AM

    Is it better to take the cover off so that all of the paper is the same thickness?

    ReplyDelete
  28. zakkalifeMay 24, 2009 at 4:21 PM

    yes. I recommend taking off the cover if it's not the same thickness as the rest of the paper.

    ReplyDelete
  29. susan said soJuly 31, 2009 at 10:32 PM

    so cute! what a fun and unique way to recycle catalogs/magazines - thanks for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. CalleLillyCafeNovember 25, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    I just found your blog via Elsie's blog! I love it! I'll be back to try out these tutorials! I love this catalog flower, I'm thinking I'll make w/my girls w/a little tweeking for Xmas! Thx! I'll be back & leave a link! =)

    ReplyDelete
  31. banuDecember 2, 2009 at 12:26 PM

    it is very very cute and i love it. I tried it with my children in the preschool and they also love this....We use 26 pieces of colorful paper and it was amazing...

    ReplyDelete
  32. SicaraFebruary 8, 2010 at 11:52 PM

    What lovely crafts you have! I especially like the paper crafts ^_^ Although I think your Kawaii Section has got to me my most favourite! It's just adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  33. flower PhilippineMarch 29, 2010 at 10:15 PM

    Thanks for guiding me through this. Rarely do I find good entries that would walk me through. Great post.


    -pia-

    ReplyDelete
  34. JessienaJune 18, 2010 at 11:56 AM

    This is a lovely tutorial, I love finding more ways to make flowers- thanks for writing! I linked it here:
    http://designbees.blogspot.com/2010/06/friday-flowers-magazine-flowers.html

    ReplyDelete
  35. Gia@ silk bouquetsNovember 19, 2010 at 6:11 AM

    Lovely tutorial, this is fun to do with kids, this is perfect for the coming Christmas holidays. I can use this as additional decoration around the house. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousMarch 2, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    muy bueno

    ReplyDelete
  37. Florist SydneyMarch 22, 2011 at 4:34 AM

    Lovely idea! this is perfect for Christmas decorations. A fun project with your kids around, they'll gonna love making it.

    ReplyDelete
  38. josette.272@gmail.comApril 14, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    merci elle est trop belle j aime bises jojo

    ReplyDelete
  39. HollyJune 13, 2011 at 10:46 PM

    Here is a question: When you hang them, how do you keep the "petals" from falling down? How do you keep all of the loops poofy and in the flower shape once it is hanging?

    Thanks! I really enjoyed this craft project!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. @prilJune 26, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    This is such a beautiful piece! I love repurposed projects! Thanks for sharing. I featured this on my blog: http://koolbeenz-blog.blogspot.com/2011/06/gallery-of-featured-crafters-4-with.html

    Feel free to grab my Featured Button if you like.

    @pril

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousDecember 12, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    i tried to make this garland but i am just wondering that even after sticking so many pages why the flower is not ready.

    ReplyDelete
  42. zakkalifeDecember 13, 2011 at 6:55 AM

    Anonymous,

    Are you using a catalog with over 30 pages?

    If so, maybe when you glue the last page to the first page the petals will stretch out.

    It's hard to know exactly what's going on when I can't see your project but I hope this helps :)

    ReplyDelete