The Magic of Christmas Advent Wreath Tutorial...

Hi folks...time to get yourselves a cuppa and comfy seat while I share the step-by-step tutorial to create the Christmas Advent Wreath using the "Magic Of Christmas" Paper Pad from Craftwork Cards

first of all you need to create yourselves a template from cardstock...

and cut a 4" circle from chipboard or cardstock to use as the base. Using the template trace the shape on to the back side of the papers and cut out 24 petal shapes...you will need 8 of each from 3 different patterned papers.

 fix the first 2 shapes onto the chipboard circle and the next 2 going the other way as shown below...

fix the 4 remaining shapes in place to create an 8-sided star...it doesn't matter if you use parts of the papers with designs on them...it will be covered up by the next layer...

with the remaining 16 petals...create 8 petals by glueing alternate papers back to back...in other words you are making double sided paper petals.

I used a Mini Mister to curl the petals into shape but any smooth rounded tool would do.  I rolled the petals so that I had 4 with the Bell images inside and 4 with them on the outside as shown below then I pinched the bottom edge to flatten it and stapled. 

I prefer to use a hot glue gun to fix the petals as the bond is instant and I'm a little bit impatient but a strong quick drying adhesive would also be suitable. Arrange the petals so that they lie between the base petals. Fix down the first 4 petals...I like to press down the stapled end of each petal to flatten it slightly so that the area in the centre doesn't become too bulky which makes it easier to fix the second layer of 4 petals. OK it looks a bit of a dog's dinner at this stage but all this will be covered up by the topper.

I covered a piece of cardstock with the Robin patterned paper...die cut a 3" circle and fixed it to the centre of the wreath...again using the hot glue gun. I fussy cut the Robin and layered it up with 3D foam pads to create dimension adding the bell image seam binding and twine bows.  I coloured the seam binding with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink which as luck would have it was an exact match for the red paper.

I decorated each shape with the advent calendar dates cut out from another of the papers and Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a dusting of Frantage Embossing Powder to create snow.

 and edged the red petals with the sparkliest glitter ever...Stickles Dry Fine Platinum Glitter from Ranger...

I hope you have lots of fun making your own Christmas Advent Wreath...please e-mail me with a link if you do...I would love to pop over and have a look. Sadly after many years of fun working with fabulous products...tight deadlines and last minute runs to the Post Office with samples...I've decided to hang up my Craftwork Cards Hat and step down from the design team.

Hugs Kath xxx

A little tip...the Frantage Embossing Powder is sprinkled on and heat set from underneath so you might find it easier to decorate the petals with the cut out dates and Frantage before you fix the petals down.