Clothespin Wreaths

Making wreaths using clothespins is really simple.  It just takes some time cutting your paper, and placing the clothespins onto your base.  But, with different designs and styles of paper and embellishments you can make a wreath for any holiday or occasion in just a few hours. 

Fall Wreath

Close Up of Thankful Expressions Thinlits

Christmas Wreath

Close up of Merry Thinlits

I purchased the base for my wreaths at a local craft store.  I used a thin wood circular base and wrapped the entire base using coordinating ribbon so when you turned the wreath around the back also looked nice.

I cut my retired Designer Paper to fit the clothespins.  It took 58 clothespins to go around the entire wreath.  You could use more if you wanted them closer together, or less if you wanted more spacing between each one.  I adhered the paper to the clothespin using Sticky Strip, and then applied a thin coat of Mod Podge to each clothespin as well.  I attached them to my base using a glue gun.

For the Fall wreath I embellished the bottom by cutting coordinating Card Stock with the Autumn Accents Bigz Die.  I also ran the leaves through my Big Shot once again with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder to give them some texture.  After placing them onto my clothespins, I added my Thankful Thinlit.

For the Christmas Wreath, I once again used retired Designer Series Paper, and added my Merry Thinlits and also embellished with a large paper bow.

For both wreaths I added a handle using the same ribbon I used to wrap my base.

Here are quick instructions on how to make the large bow used on the Christmas Wreath  (when I have more time I will post a tutorial with pictures).

Cut strips of paper to measure:
6 at 11" x 3/4"
4 at 10" x 3/4"
1 at 9" x 3/4"
1 at 5" x 3/4"

You take your 6 largest strips and fold and twist to make a loop.  Adhere ends together using Sticky Strip.  Take three of these strips and staple them together (arrange in a bow pattern).  Take your next three strips of the same size and staple them together, and then put both of these stapled layers together.  To do this I added more Sticky Strip to the back of one of the layers.

Next take your four strips measuring 10" x 3/4", loop and twist each one, and then staple all four of these together.  Add this layer to the large layer above.

Then, take your 1 -  9" strip, loop, twist, and adhere together and add this to your layers.

Finally take the smallest strip.  Wrap it to create a circle and place that piece in the center of your bow.

The hardest part for me about making these bows was figuring out the looping and twisting.  But, once you get that down they really go together easy. 

The following current Stampin' Up! products were used:
Card Stock: Cajun Craze #119684, Midnight Muse #126843, Early Espresso #119686, Crumb Cake #120953, Crushed Curry #131199, Real Red #102482
Adhesive:  Sticky Strip #104294, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets #120805 (for the thinlits)
Tools:  Big Shot E113439, Expressions Thinlits #132171, Woodgrain Embossing Folder #127821