cardboard crafts.

Last year I got all fired up about handmade holiday and sadly lost some steam around December 3. This year I want to continue where I left off and return to the handmade spirit. For decorating and giving and of course celebrating.

This wreath was inspired by two sources. I had plans yesterday to purchase and put together this paper wreath but then I got a link from Julie to this post on Design Sponge. I love the cardboard trees. And I loved that the creator loved the patterned Piperlime packing box and saved it like I did. Instead of using green and brown papers, I just gathered up cardboard from shoe boxes and that I was already going to recycle. Repurpose is the name of the game.

Simple materials for this one. Cardboard, PVA glue, buttons and ribbon. I freehand cut the leaves with normal scissors. I could have used red buttons but figured this with white buttons I could keep it on display all year.

This is my first project of the season. I will continue to share my finds and crafts - keep me posted on yours!

Comments

[vee]

it looks awesome!!

[Cindy]

Very cute!! that reminds me, I need to get started on both my Christmas cards and a wreath. Thanks!

[Kal Barteski]

You rule. That's a beautiful wreath and I think I can do it. YOU ARE INSPIRING!

[Christine]

Really cute, thank you for the inspiration :)

[elaine]

this is DIVINE! I want to make one of these similar to this. Although I was thinking about using the corrugated cupholders from Atarbucks instead. I think it would be adorable! THe piperlime totally MAKES this wreath. LOVE the idea.

Secret: your handmade holiday is what got me hooked on your blog last year. I was google-ing handmade ornament ideas and your blog popped up and I was like "Omg. this person is my new best friend" and then i got addicted. haha.

just thought you should know. :]
you do good work, girl

[patti]

That is the cutest wreath I have seen yet! I will be digging through my recycle to grab some cardboard! Love it and love your blog!

[indigorchid]

Oh, I love handmade holidays! Here is a link I used a lot last Christmas, and now they are up for another round: http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/

Happy making Elise!

[Lisa]

you rock

[brooke]

adorable! must make one of those!

[leah eggers]

looove this.

[kris]

this is so gonna be the button tree of 2008.
you rocked it its gawgusss

[Vanessa]

awesome awesome awesome!!!
i can totally see doing a mini version of these and adding them to wrapped gifts : )

[SmilynStef]

Fun fun fun ... love this!

[alexandra]

I love this! Thank you!

[Lauren]

i must say elise, this is ADORABLE!

[Simona]

Love it, I'm gonna make it for Christmas!!! TFS :-)
Simona

[Michell B]

LOVE it! Going to COPY IT! :)

[Jamie]

Guess who's totally making that this weekend? Freaking cute and totally easy. Love it yo.

[Lisa]

I love this project - it looks like something I could actually do! I have a question for you - what font are you using for the cursive in your photos?

[tracy]

Super cute. Totally season spanning.

[giuseppina]

oh. my. gosh.
so cute!!

[Amber Filkins]

Elise, this is SO cute!! And I love it S-O-O much better than either of those other two examples you gave. Great job!! {I maaaaay have to copy you} ;)

[Kami]

So cute! Thanks for sharing!

[Mandie Segura]

LOVE this. You are brilliant.

[Laura]

This is so cool Elise! I'm gonna give it a go this weekend. Thanks for sharing your great work!

[Geekware]

wow, I love it! Everything about it! Green is my favourite colour too, and I'm a recycling GEEK so it totally appeals to me!!

I've been making ornaments out of old electronics and have been posting a new one on my blog every day or so. It's super fun making recycled Christmas crafts!

[steph]

Oh. I. Am. SO. Making. That!

TOO Cute, Elise!! :) Thanks so much for sharing!!

[Fairlight]

Olivia and I love this! We are so making some to hang around the house and I love someone else's comment about making mini versions to hang on gifts. Totally awesome idea! I love your wreath so much better than those trees. Can't wait to do this ourselves!

[marta]

ooo ooh loveliness. nicely done.. and even better than the ones i saw on my paper source catalogue! anyhoo, could you please divulge what that scripty font is. just adore it.

[Tara]

I always love your craft ideas with visual instructions. Maybe it's the presentation of the instructions I like the most. :) Photoshop???
I wanted to ask you, every year I send out Christmas cards, I like to put a little something in them to make them that much more special. Last year I made bookmarks with a great hot chocolate recipe printed on them. This year, I am not sure what to do. Any ideas?
(photos not an option...being as I'm single and putting a picture of myself in each card would just be odd.) haha

[lisa truesdell]

lovelovelove this. totally going to have to make one!!

[blackgoldfish]

o...this is so adorable :) i'd love to make one for my dear friends~~ thanks for sharing elise!

[Holly]

This is awesome and I want to make! I'm totally linking to you from my blog too! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Francine]

This is gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! I will definitely be making it. :) I have started posting my holiday crafts with step by step instructions on my tutorial blog

http://francineclouden.typepad.com/tuesday_todo/

[hockeymom]

This is awesome! I have a stack of ideas that I want to create this holiday season, but this one had to be done right away. My 5 year old and I got to work immediately after I found your blog, and we LOVE the results! It's already hanging in our dining room. We are both recycling nuts, so this was a great lesson in re-using. Now he's planning to make a paper wreath for his kindergarten teachers for holiday gifts! SO glad I found your site! :)

BTW: for other posters who asked, the cursive font has to be Ali Edwards--I'd recognize it anywhere. She rocks! :)

[Kelly Friend]

I saved my Piperlime box because I knew one day I would find the perfect use for those cute little limes all over a box:)Thanks for the idea!

[Gretchen Skovron]

Oh this is so cute! I'm going to give it a try and link it back to you on my blog.

[Chris]

thanks for the great idea - I made a wreath from old Starbucks cup holders, a used Priority mail box, some old patterned papers, and buttons. I put pix of it on my blog and credited the idea to you and linked the post to yours.
http://chrisaiton.blogspot.com/2008/11/handmade-holidays.html

[Renee]

I made these last night with 4 6 year old girls and they LOVED them. AND they turned out wall-worthy! thanks

[Renae]

How wonderful! Well done on your handmade Christmas - I lost steam halfway!!

[le]

I love this - great idea - thanks for sharing - I will link back from my frugal site - give me a day or two - cheers le

[Paige]

I just love this idea! Here's a link to the one I made last night:
http://lookaway.typepad.com/look_away/2008/12/cardboard-wreath.html

[Bree]

GORGEOUS WREATH, one of my faves this year!