| Create an Account

Dare to Make It: Holiday

Dare to Make It: Holiday

How to Make a Garland with Punch

comments (22) November 30th, 2012     

Pin It

Jeff_Rudell Jeffery Rudell, contributor
Love it! 259 users recommend
This week I take up the old reliable paper garland of my elementary school days but with a twist: Bands of paper glued end-to-end become rings of paper glued edge-to-edge.
One-inch disks make a whimsically loopy garland. For additional visual rhythm, alternate large disks with smaller disks or introduce different-colored papers.
Loops, and lots of them, are the chief ingredient for this crafty tree-trimming. Despite being only paper, these links are surprisingly strong and, with care, should last years.
This week I take up the old reliable paper garland of my elementary school days but with a twist: Bands of paper glued end-to-end become rings of paper glued edge-to-edge.

This week I take up the old reliable paper garland of my elementary school days but with a twist: Bands of paper glued end-to-end become rings of paper glued edge-to-edge.

Photo: Jeff Rudell
< 1 | 2 View all
Add CommentAdd Comment
PrintPrint

  Open one half of all your disks by making a single small incision in them with a craft knife or scissors.

 

  Begin creating your garland chains by alternating one cut ringlet with one uncut ringlet.

 

  At regular intervals (every 10 ringlets or so in my case, stop and apply a small dot of white craft glue to the incisions on every other disk. Very little glue is needed and it should dry within a minute or two, allowing you to continue adding links to your chains.

 

  I worked on chains of about 30 ringlets at a time and then, once they were completely dry, I strung them together into longer chains.

 

  I used a wire topiary form as a pre-Thanksgiving stand-in for a Christmas tree. If you haven't a tree either (or if you haven't the patience to make a garland long enough to encricle a full-sized tree), a wire or styrofoam cone (available at many craft stores) will also suffice.

 

< 1 | 2 View all
Did you make this?
After you make this project, show off your work to other members!
Post your project in the gallery
 
posted in: scissors, craft glue, hole punch
Add CommentAdd Comment PrintPrint
Back to List

Comments (22)

EchoLin writes: creative idea, is that a tree branch? or something? i really like it, Looking forward to your other creative projects.
Posted: 2:27 am on March 13th
Nodan writes: Amazing, I decide to have a try.
Posted: 4:30 am on February 5th
freebrd06 writes: Wow, I'm truly impressed. It looks so much better with round rings, so much more graceful. Thank you for sharing!
Posted: 1:55 am on December 17th
Sunshine43 writes: Hey Jeff,
I really like that tree you bought. I think I would decorate that poor thing too. And what you came up with is astounding!
That does look like you punched with a punch and you used card stock instead of paper. I do hope I'm right because that is the kind of tree I like. Where did you buy that tree at? I really want to buy a tree like you decorated. That is the best kind! Then I can make your garland and decorate my tree.
Smiles, Barbara
Posted: 1:42 am on February 23rd
loyl writes: I love this great idea thank you!!
Posted: 7:48 pm on December 20th
ElizaDaisy writes: Hello
Posted: 7:48 am on November 4th
ElizaDaisy writes: Hello,
I am doing I.C.T. GCSE coursework and I would like to use this demonstration as part of my final peice.I will give the original author full credit.
Thank you.
Eliza.
S.t. Marylebone School.
Posted: 7:48 am on November 4th
ElizaDaisy writes: Hello,
I am asking for permission to use this as I am doing I.C.T. GCSE coursework and I would like to use this demonstration as part of my final peice.I will give the original author full credit.
Thank you.
Eliza.
S.t. Marylebone School.
Posted: 7:47 am on November 4th
ElizaDaisy writes: Hello,
I am a 14 year old girl and I go to S.t. Marylebone School. Currently I am doing I.C.T. GCSE coursework and I would like to use this demonstration as part of my final peice.
I am asking for your permission to use this if I give the original author full credit.
Thank you.
Eliza.
Posted: 7:45 am on November 4th
cftsimon writes: I am fairly new to this site and so I have just discovered your work and have spent the whole day looking at your work. Amazing, beautiful and gorgeous work. Where in the world do you get your ideas? Have you written a book with instructions for your work as I would certainly be in line to buy one.

Thanks again for all your beautiful and inspiring art.
Posted: 8:24 pm on January 16th
koolmomvb writes: Totally beautiful! I can picture the same garland in pastels to decorate our "Easter Tree" Made from a spindly tree branch, spray painted white, "planted" in a small clay pot that's been painted white as well. Oooh can't wait to get started!
Posted: 1:39 am on April 13th
margaretlouise writes: Being new to paper crafts, I found out why the 1" and 5/8" punches were used after I had cut hundreds of aqua and acid green 2" circles and found it almost impossible to cut a 1" center! I ended up cutting the 1" off center. It worked really well. After all, symmetry is boring.
Posted: 1:55 am on December 27th
Toffy writes: It is clever and stunning. Kudos
Posted: 5:15 pm on November 24th
eveh writes: I love this idea. The white is beautiful. thank you for your great tutorial and back story. I think this will become a favorite garland.

I have a roll of linen look, high end, wallpaper, that my BIL the wallpaper hanger, gave me. It feels and looks like fabric although it cuts like wallpaper. I wonder if it would work for this. I have been looking for something special to make from it.
Posted: 2:16 pm on November 22nd
javadiva writes: You are so gifted at making ordinary white paper look stunning!
Posted: 11:02 am on November 22nd
Angela009 writes: Jeffery:

One of my Fiskateer friends linked us all to your project. We love it and of course we love that you're using one of our favorite tools- a Squeeze Punch. However, now we're debating whether or not your scissors are Fiskars are not... can you put an end to the debate?

And for the record, I would be a red, green alternating traditionalist too.

Angela Daniels
Lead Fiskateer
Posted: 10:45 am on November 22nd
lamerex4 writes: When our 4 children were young we created a red and green chain on Thanksgiving to count down the days until Christmas. It was then hung prominently from a top cupboard at the end of the counter in the kitchen. Every morning they took turns and would remove the bottom link of the chain. They loved to watch the chain get smaller day by day. The chain was a great way for a young child to visualize how much longer they had to wait for Santa's arrival. Thanks for bringing back such a great memory!
Posted: 9:50 am on November 22nd
quitethecrow writes: Hi Jeffery...I just found this site and your wonderfully elegant contributions! I have added links to your page here to my blog as I hope to increase your fan base! I hope you don't mind. I've also added your feed to my account. Your work is beautiful, inspiring and simple. I love how you turn a phrase, which makes reading your posts not only instructional but amusing too. Thank you for sharing your brilliance!
Posted: 10:06 am on November 21st
Peggy123 writes: Wow! Everything you do is amazing! I can't wait to make the Garland! Plus your direction is so easy to follow. I love the way you write-you have a way with words. I look at your blog every week, I just love it! Thank you!
Posted: 11:15 am on November 20th
Sister_Diane writes: Oh, my goodness. Utterly beautiful. I love it on the wire tree, so you can enjoy the form of the paper to the fullest.
Posted: 1:41 pm on November 17th
Average_Jane_Crafter writes: This project is unreal! Stunning, simple, gorgeous and innovative - just perfection. Your tutorial is easy to follow and the pictures are amazing. Thank you!

And, what I love most of all is your back story on the project. I love your writing style, and your understanding that - so often - it's the story behind the craft that makes it so special and memorable.
Posted: 10:38 am on November 17th
AWilcox writes: The Days of Popcorn Garland are OVER!

Your ideas and creativity is AMAZING! I love this garland and plan on recruiting all my nieces in creating yards of this amazing piece of art. Thanks so much for always coming up with the NEXT BIG THING! And for coming up with a garland that is NOT edible and will help not only my Christmas tree look fabulous but also keep my waistline slim.




Posted: 10:29 am on November 17th
You must be logged in to post comments. Log in.