How to Paper Fold Greeting Card Wreaths
Paper folding is a popular pastime. This how-to is about tea bag folding and an easy paper folding wreath for Christmas cards or all occasion cards, as well.
Paper folding using tea bag folding techniques is easy and a bit addicting. It has an element of surprise because the finished project pops color in ways that can not be predicted.
If you add a little psychology it is "variety is the spice of life" approach. Creating something that is different almost every time. You get a little of something new with each folding project.
We are talking subtlety here. So get some paper to fold and start your card embellishments or scrapbook wreaths now.
Paper Fold Christmas Wreaths
First you need to find paper.
Make copies or use old sheets of music to cut squares. Any pretty paper will do.
Try a few and see if you like the process and then we will go into assembling the card. I have many ideas for that, even reusing old cards.
Yellowed sheet above is used to cut eight 2-inch squares, or tiles, keeping in mind to have the motif at three of the corners of the tile. (Or else the tile will pop plain paper or no motif.)
Click each photo below for the step by step task.
Paper Wreath Instructions
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Instructions for Assembling
Click thumbnail to view full-size
Ready to Make Holiday Cards?
Now that you have practiced the Christmas wreaths and decided to make your own Christmas cards I will outline what you will need and the best places to get it.
At right are a few examples of what you can do. The two wreaths at the top are made from tiles that are identical. 8 tiles can be cut from a notepad like the one shown or other paper that has repeat printing.
A page of old music can be copied on your printer eight times to make several wreaths without even leaving home. My preference.
What You Will Need
- Craft Card Blanks - The big craft stores have these in boxes of fifty or smaller packages. The wreaths I show here will fit nicely on A2 size cards or 4.25 X 5.5 inches. The white or cream cards could be used with coordinating background papers to put the wreath on.
- Ribbon - In various colors for tying bows on the wreaths.
- Glue and scissors or a paper cutter.
- Coordinating background papers or old Christmas cards - Do not forget to look at Tuesday Morning, Big Lots, and the Dollar Store for holiday-themed papers for backgrounds. You can go through your cards sent to you in years past and find motifs that will match your wreaths.
Assembly of Your Holiday Greeting
I like to get all my color components in one place. This way, I can take one wreath and glance through all the colors and mix and match up the best eye pleasing combination. Round up the blank cards your finished wreaths, background papers, and glue.
Find the matches you like the best, glue the wreath to the background paper or directly on the card.
Questions & Answers
© 2010 Sherry Venegas
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Do you have new ideas for the paper wreaths?
- AUTHOR
I have used 12 x12 inch paper for door sized wreaths with the same pattern.
It would be such fun to work on designs using this method for wreaths. Thanks for putting this tutorial together and sharing your ideas and projects.
You've given me a great idea for those cards received. Your last green wreath is lovely.
- AUTHOR
Asha, thank you for writing about this craft on your blog.
What an amazing idea. I've made one based on your tutorial on my Blog and linked it to this Page. Thank you so much for sharing.
xxx Asha
This method makes beautiful cards - I'll have a go for some of my Christmas ones.
This would be a great craft idea for schools, summer camps, etc.
These are awesome. Reminds me of fabric folding craft my sister does.
I can see why tea bag folding can be addictive with the wonders that can be created using that technique and your introduction to making paper wreathes is very inviting as you take us from Christmas to Valentines and then there's the possibilities for so many other occasions...weddings, baby showers, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Easter....and so much more! You do beautiful work and your excellent DIY makes it possible to have success with a little practice!
These paper wreaths really are just lovely! You could use one as a surround for the base of a pillar candle .... one in glass already!
I just made one with cardstock, and I think the paper was too thick. It REALLY pops out, and I can't get it to lay down! Oh, well, it's not bad for a first attempt!
My you are patient with those tiny folds! These folded paper wreaths are just exquisite. I'm adding this to my Christmas paper crafts lens ... nice project to use all the folding papers on my web site.
These are incredible! What a great use for paper or gift wrap that might otherwise have gone to waste. Thanks for the inspiration!
I think using old books that are beyond repair would be a good source for the paper.
As usual, you have given me some inspiration. You have also crafted a perfect crafting page here on Squidoo. Blessed.
(Should I have really started making the wreaths in August? Is it too late now? I don't send out too many cards.)
I have never even heard of this craft before! Thanks for introducing it!
These are just gorgeous. I have to go post it to my friend's facebook (she does the iris folding). I bet she will like this. Excellent visuals with this.
These paper wreath greetings cards look classy and professional. I'm going to have to try this next year!
What a great page! I was lucky enough to hit a yard sale and get a LOT of scrapbook paper; now I know what to do with some of it! Yay - I needed Christmas ideas!
What a great way to re-purpose pages from a torn-up book that cannot be fixed! Love it.
- AUTHOR
@junecampbell: That would look lovely!
I love the concept of using music sheets for these wreaths. I'm envisioning a larger wreath, containing many of these small folded wreaths and some type of green material for filler. Thanks for the inspiration.
The ideas and photos on this paper folding how to are spectacular! Visuals help me learn new concepts...yours were wonderful!
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