Series 6: The Box Chain #5 - Paper Wreath

Happy Monday!

Well well well, if it isn't another installment in the Box Chain Series... I know. I keep suggesting that the end of the series is nigh. And then I change my mind. It's just that for a while there, I was making box chains with a vengeance. Box chaining at the boy's karate. Box chaining in the car. Box chaining while watching TV. Box chaining in the shower... That's a lie. I never made 'em in the shower. The point is, I was obsessed. I was a box chaining machine. I made heaps of 'em. So, yes, you may see one more teensy box chain craft in the future... Two at the very most.

Ready? Let's ride!

Tutorial: Box Chain Paper Wreath

You will need:

• Many box chains made from junk mail, newspaper, or old gift wrap (I show you how to make box chains HERE.)
• An embroidery hoop (I found mine in my beloved thrift store.)
• Glue (I used carpenter's glue because it's oh so strong.)
• Some clothes pins or paper clips to use as clamps (Not shown.)

To begin, take your box chains and make several long strands by glueing your short chains together into long ones. I made 4 long strands but you may have to make more or less depending on the width of your chains and the size of your hoop.

Take a long box chain strand and wrap it loosely around the hoop. You will have to adjust the size of the strand, either by glueing on or cutting off a box chain section, depending on the size of hoop you use.

Clamp the ends of the strand together using a clothespin or paper clip.

Wrap a second box chain strand, wrapping it around the hoop as many times as the first one. Adjust the length as necessary. Clamp the ends.

Continue adding your long box chain strands, wrapping them around and around....

... until the hoop is fully covered, disappears as if by magic, and a pretty paper wreath emerges!

Fun? Oh yes. And with so many colour possibilities too. I see a Canada Day red and white version, or a July 4th red, white and blue version, a Christmas version, a fall version. I see a lot of versions, eh? Pick one. Make it. Let me know how it goes.

To see the rest of Series 6, scroll to the bottom of the Series page.

Alright. Well, you have a fantastical day now. I will too. And I'll see you again on Wednesday!