Happy Spring Garland by Kirsty

Hello Hambly, this is Kirsty.
Inspired by the beautiful, sunny weather we’re enjoying here in London this week, I have a spring-themed garland project to share with you today. It’s based around a set of simple, handmade flowers, which you can also use to embellish cards or scrapbook layouts, if you prefer.


Supply list:

• Hambly papers
• Heart and circle punches
• Thin card
• Glue stick
• Buttons
• Hambly stickers
• Wire
• Knitting needle or pencil
• Washi tape

Step 1 : To make each flower, punch eight small heart shapes from your chosen Hambly paper and fold each of them in half along the centre.

Step 2 : Punch or cut out a circle (mine was 2.5cm/1inch in diameter) from scrap card. This will be hidden by the flower petals, so it doesn’t need to match your paper. Take one of the folded hearts and apply a little glue to the back, on the right-hand side of the fold-line only. Press the heart down onto the card circle.

Step 3 : Apply glue to a second heart in the same way. Stick it to the card circle, lining up the centre fold with the stuck-down edge of the first heart.

Step 4 : Keep going, adding each of the hearts in turn. The right-hand edge of the last one should neatly meet up with the fold-line of the first heart you stuck down.

Step 5 : Make as many or as few flowers as you want for your garland. To add extra colour and decoration, cover some plain buttons with clear stickers.

Step 6 : Now you can start joining everything together. Instead of string, I used fine jewellery wire to make the garland – it creates a different kind of look and means the end result is just a bit more structured and versatile.  Twist a loop at one end and thread on a button. Leave a small gap, then wrap the wire around a knitting needle or pencil a few times to create a spiral.
Step 7 : Punch a second circle, the same size as the one used to make your flower. Spread glue over one side, and onto the back of the flower. Press the two circles together, with the wire sandwiched in between.

Step 8 : Fold a piece of washi tape over the wire and press the ends together. Snip off at an angle or cut into an inverted ‘v’ shape.

Step 9 : Loop the wire around the top of a birdcage sticker so it hangs down from the garland. Add some extra paper or a scrap of transparency to the back so it’s no longer sticky.

Step 10 : Keep adding pieces to the wire – flowers, buttons, washi tape flags, stickers and wrapped spirals – until you’re happy with the length and way it looks. Twist the wire into a loop at the end, and hang it up, indoors or out!



Whether or not spring has already sprung in your part of the world, I hope you might be inspired to have a go at making a garland (and some new season cheer) of your own.

Comments

[Mou]

Very cute, Kirsty!

[{leah}]

Um. LOVE the garland!! ^_^

[Leigh]

Lovely! But where can I buy Hambly supplies in the UK?? :-(

[leeann Pearce]

That is just the cutest garland ever!

[Evelisa]

This is a great idea. I have a spring party every year and I wanted to decorate differently this year, I going try this.

[Kirsty]

Thanks so much, all. :)

Leigh - I've just written a post on my blog which includes a chunk of information on how to find Hambly in the UK - http://bit.ly/GEkPZT

Really hope it might be helpful.

[Ann]

So pretty - I'm definitely going to try those paper heart flowers. Lovely for over the mantle or in a window.