| Paper Topiary Trees |
From "DIY Crafts"
episode DIC-117 |
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Paper topiary trees grace some of the most elegant mantles and tables in decorator magazines. Sandy Dye, craft designer with Plaid Enterprises, explains the basics of making a twisted-paper topiary tree. The project is easy and can be completed in about an hour. Materials:
Large bird's nest with flat base attached (small basket or clay pot can be used)
Paper twist ribbon
1/2" or 3/8" dowel rod, 10" long
Block of floral foam
Raffia
Cloth-covered wire
White glue
Small stones
Potpourri, Spanish moss or shells
Dried baby's breath
Lace, about 1 yard
Double-faced satin ribbon, about 1 yard
Wire cutters
Scissors
Optional: artificial bird
- Decide on the size of the topiary tree. Small ones are nice as party favors; large ones can be placed by the fireplace. This project makes a tree 12" to 14" tall (figure A).
- Cut 20 pieces of paper twist ribbon the length of your hand, and untwist each one.
- Take one piece of paper ribbon and fold it in half, placing the short ends together (figure B).
- Squeeze the two ends together. Wrap a piece of cloth-covered wire around both ends, and twist the wire to secure the ends. This will create a loop (figure C ). Leave the excess wire uncut at this time. Fluff the paper so it is pouffy and full. Make all 20 paper loops.
- Cluster all 20 pieces into one bouquet, and form them into a ball shape. Place all the wires together, and pull them tightly (figure D).
- Holding the wires tightly beneath the ball, twist them several times to secure them together. Put them aside while you prepare the base.
- Cut a block of floral foam large enough to wedge inside the nest or basket base. Before inserting the foam, place small stones in the bottom of the nest to provide some weight and stability to the topiary.
- Apply some glue to the top of a dowel. Wrap several strands of raffia around the dowel, starting at the top and spiraling down till you reach the bottom. Apply glue to the bottom to hold the ends. After the glue has dried, cut off any excess from top and bottom. Frayed raffia threads along the dowel will add to the natural appearance of the tree (figure E).
- Place the dowel in the center of the foam in the base.
- Attach the paper-ribbon bouquet to the top of the dowel, using the wire at the base of the ball. Wrap the wire around several times until it is secure. Trim off excess wire with wire cutters, saving a piece for the bow at the end of the project (figure F).
- Generously apply all-purpose glue to the foam base. Cover the foam with potpourri, Spanish moss, shells or dried grasses (figure G).
- Dip pieces of potpourri in all-purpose glue and stick them between the ribbon loops of the ball. Distribute the potpourri evenly but randomly around the ball. The potpourri adds color and texture to the project. Or add baby's breath or dried flowers to the ball and the base to coordinate with the colors of the room.
- Finally, add a simple two-loop bow to the tree. Place double-faced satin ribbon on top of the lace. Make one loop, twist, make a center loop the size of your thumb, twist, and make a loop for the opposite side. Slip the piece of wire saved from step 10 through the center loop and under the two side loops. Twist the wire tightly at the bottom, forming a bow (figure H).
- Tie the bow to the dowel rod just under the paper ball. Allow the ends of the ribbons to hang down gracefully. Add an artificial bird to the base, if you like.
RESOURCES :
For booklets, contact
Plaid Enterprises Inc.
Website: www.plaidonline.com
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