the big impact item for decoration at kd's wedding: puff balls of course. last fall we absconded with bags and bags from anthropologie as they were taking them down from inside their store (and they were just going to get
thrown away), but we needed more. here's how you can make them too.
you'll need tissue paper, scissors, a spool of fine wire (we used 32 gauge), a wire snip and a few pals if you're making piles and piles (like us). we found packs of tissue at michael's, but my friend germaine found them for cheap at the dollar store (why didn't we think of that?). ours measured 20" x 20", but any size will do. don't forget a paper bag to corral the scraps (remember to recycle).
accordion fold several sheets of tissue so the folds are about an inch and a half apart. for a large puff use six to ten sheets. to make small ones, use four sheets and then cut the accordion stack in half to make two puffs.
halve the accordion stack lengthwise to mark the middle and then unfold. cut a slice about half an inch long on both sides of your middle mark, making sure to not cut all the way through. measure a length of wire (approximately the same length as the tissue) and cut. bend it through the slits so the ends of the wire are pulled up and even, then twist snugly to secure.
now the fun part! cut a simple but graphic pattern on both ends of the stack. zig zags make spiky ends, scallops create petals and small slices produce a fun fringe (with no scraps to clean up!) it's less complicated than making a paper snowflake.
fan out one end and start pulling the layers apart. use a firm but gentle hand, making sure to pull as far down the fold towards the gathered center as you can - the more spread apart the more full the final product looks. rips are easily hidden, so don't worry if you make a few mistakes.
turn it over and do the same thing to the other end. fish out the wires to hold it up when finished and fluff any areas that seem a little empty.
voilà! we are hanging ours from xmas lites (i think the glow will be nice) and from the trees outside.
(marvin liked to help.)
the big impact item for decoration at kd's wedding: puff balls of course. last fall we absconded with bags and bags from anthropologie as they were taking them down from inside their store (and they were just going to get thrown away), but we needed more. here's how you can make them too. 
you'll need tissue paper, scissors, a spool of fine wire (we used 32 gauge), a wire snip and a few pals if you're making piles and piles (like us). we found packs of tissue at michael's, but my friend germaine found them for cheap at the dollar store (why didn't we think of that?). ours measured 20" x 20", but any size will do. don't forget a paper bag to corral the scraps (remember to recycle). 
accordion fold several sheets of tissue so the folds are about an inch and a half apart. for a large puff use six to ten sheets. to make small ones, use four sheets and then cut the accordion stack in half to make two puffs. 
halve the accordion stack lengthwise to mark the middle and then unfold. cut a slice about half an inch long on both sides of your middle mark, making sure to not cut all the way through. measure a length of wire (approximately the same length as the tissue) and cut. bend it through the slits so the ends of the wire are pulled up and even, then twist snugly to secure.
now the fun part! cut a simple but graphic pattern on both ends of the stack. zig zags make spiky ends, scallops create petals and small slices produce a fun fringe (with no scraps to clean up!) it's less complicated than making a paper snowflake.
fan out one end and start pulling the layers apart. use a firm but gentle hand, making sure to pull as far down the fold towards the gathered center as you can - the more spread apart the more full the final product looks. rips are easily hidden, so don't worry if you make a few mistakes. 
turn it over and do the same thing to the other end. fish out the wires to hold it up when finished and fluff any areas that seem a little empty. 
voilà! we are hanging ours from xmas lites (i think the glow will be nice) and from the trees outside.
(marvin liked to help.)
I love them!
ReplyDeleteI am going to make some soon ;)
Beautiful! Can't wait to see it all together!
ReplyDelete