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There’s Nothing New Under the Sun

I’m going to call myself on this before anyone else does. This idea is in a Pottery Barn catalog and it inspired many bloggers to make a paper wreath of their own. I really liked the look of them and thought it would be a fun project to try. If you’re going to throw up if you see one more blogger make a paper wreath, you may want to scroll down and check out my bathroom makeover instead. (I finally found where I originally saw this wreath. It was at The Shabby Nest. Thanks, Wendy!)

After seeing the beauty and simplicity of these wreaths, I knew immediately that I wanted to make one out of the antique sheet music I found in my grandparent’s attic. If you don’t have antique sheet music, you could buy a new paino book (or print some free off of the Internet) and tea stain it.

 I used an ironstone wash bowl as a template for a cardboard wreath base. I purchased this sheet of cardboard for a different project from the mat board section in AC Moore. You could always use a spare box, though.

 Trace the rim of the bowl, then turn it over and trace the base inside the larger circle.

No one will see this cardboard wreath base, so it does not have to be perfect. You just want it to be wide enough to provide stability and a good gluing surface.

 Roll up the paper into cones and add a dab of hot glue to hold it in a role. (I have a few burns on my fingers from this process, so be careful!)

 Apply a bead of hot glue on the wreath base and stick the paper cone on immediately.

 I rolled up the sheet music all different ways and didn’t find that one way was better than another. I did find that it’s best to glue four cones in a north, south, east, west pattern and then fill the rest in. This ensures that all of the points are going to the center. Otherwise, it’s easy to start going askew.

 I used sheet music of varying sizes from different books and I was not picky about everything lining up perfectly. I think sheet music from piano etudes & movements look the best, but that’s just a preference thing.

 This is how it looks from the back. Just a warning – this wreath gets pretty heavy, so that’s why it’s important to use a sturdy cardboard. If you’re using book pages, it might not get as heavy.

 Attach a ribbon to the cardboard base using hot glue and/or staples. In hindsight, I would do this BEFORE I glued all of the paper cones on. Attaching the ribbong after made it a little tricky to attach.

 This makes a huge wreath! I used full-sized antique sheet music and started with about an 18″ diameter base. You could cut the sheet music in half and use a smaller base, if desired. I might make a smaller one to hang on my piano.

 For now, I hung it on my dresser mirror, but I don’t think that will be it’s permanent home.

 I really think using the antique music made this wreath special, so I hope you were able to choke your way through another paper wreath tutorial. I’m going to work on my FFF favorites post right after this, so check back tomorrow for the results!

Miss Mustard Seed

I’m linking this to Kimba’s DIY Day and Bloggeritaville’s Thrifty Thursday.

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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59 Responses

  7. Well, I, for one, never tire of the things you talented bloggers show us how to do. I THINK I might can do this…I will put it on my list for NEXT Christmas but….don't you think this one will look pretty all year long..not just at Christmas?
    xo bj

  11. I've been looking for something to put above our very tall piano and this might do the trick, but I also wanted a book one in our "library" but that's right around the corner from the "music room." (In case you couldn't guess – they're all the same room.) Ah, decisions, decisions, decisions. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and giving me such inspiration!

  15. A unique art piece, a wreath that can remain after the holidays.

    I wanted to share a holiday e-card, really cute. Just click on my name to view.

    DecorMadeSimple

  16. Stunning! I agree, the patina from the pages is what makes yours incredibly special!

    FWIW, I'm sure I'll be the last one in blogland to try this, so guess what… another one will eventually make it's way out there. 🙂

    Loved your easy to follow tutorial.

    Donna

  17. Yours is the prettiest I have seen! Must be the special aura given off by the beautiful paper from your grandparents home!
    Have a great day!

  19. You got me laughing on this one! While I haven't seen too many of the paper wreaths this season I have seen many, many repeats of the same projects. I do an internal groan when I see them.

    This turned out really cute! I never thought about stalking Pottery Barn to get ideas on what to make.

    Thanks for sharing!

  20. Thank you for such a detailed How-To! I have thought about making this…wanting to use music sheets as well but cannot find an old book of music. I have been stalking the Goodwill…now I can tea stain my own. Thank you for that suggestion!

  21. I've been looking at all these wreaths and loving them. Yours may be my favorite, because I love sheet music and I play the piano…hmmm. Maybe one for over my piano?

    xo
    Claudia

  30. I have spent lots of time web browsing holiday stuff, but missed this wreath so I'm really glad I found your post today. I can see lots of applications for this, using all kinds of paper – with all the scrapbooking paper styles available, wouldn't it be great to make one for a nursery or themed for a powder room? I'll be sure to link to your post soon from my blog because you gave such clear instructions and the photos illustrate it perfectly. Thanks for sharing.
    Terrie @ YourDecoratingHotline.com

  37. I think your version with the sheet music is really great! I have seen a few of the wreaths around and I liked them, but I decided to try doing a styrofoam ball, to make a book page ball thingy..I'm actually STILL working on it…it's a little tedious! I can see it from here…hanging on a wire clothes hanger by it's jute string…it's mocking me…I gotta finish it!!

  39. i'm in love with this! wow!

    i did a wreath over a mirror for diy day @ soft place to land. nothing like yours. but i love how hanging wreaths over mirrors create such a bigger impact!

    blessings!
    kellie

  43. It is SO pretty and I really like it hanging from the mirror. Can't believe I didn't comment on this before. I apologize because it certainly is worth commenting on!

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  51. I saw one like this in the White House Christmas Decorating Special on TV last Christmas, but this is the first tutorial I’ve found. Thanks for not making me muddle my way through it on my own.

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I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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