Valentines Glitter Heart Wreath

Valentines Glitter Heart Wreath

What you'll need:

• recycled newspapers/advertisements
• scissors
• tape (of any kind)
• ribbon (tape can be used in place if you do not have ribbon it will just take a lot!)
• white card stock (I used banana leaf paper I had gotten from a recent trip to Cuba you just need any thick paper that will hold its shape)
• coloured/decorative paper
• feathers
• mod-modge (or clear drying liquid glue)
• paint (i chose gold to go with my colour scheme this year)
• glitter (i chose silver)
• 3 straws
• paint brushes (in a variety of sizes)
• hot glue gun
• glue-stick refills

Creating your Heart-Shaped Wreath

Step 1. Building your basic heart shape
Using Recycled news papers/advertisements I create a long tube like shape that I bent in the middle and used tape and mold into a VERY rough heart-shape. As seen below!

DO NOT stress if this is not a perfect (or even close to perfect) heart shape just yet!

Step 2. Wrapping/Shaping your heart
I used Ribbon to wrap the entire heart & I found this helped with shaping (and also made for less creases when applying the glitter). You could use tape or sheets of paper, whatever you have on hand to help wrap and form your heart into a more uniform heart shape . Just keep playing around until you are happy with your shape!

Step 3. Mod-Podge and Glitter

I strongly recommend laying down a garbage bag or crafting tarp before you begin this step (& remember to save the excess glitter that is left when you are finished for your next project!) 

Using a large paint brush start anywhere by applying mod-podge (or glue) (it dries quite quiet so you don’t want to do to big of an area at once) Than start shaking on your glitter!!! It will will dry clear so there is nothing wrong with going back over a spot that seems it lacks glitter and add a little more mod-podge or glue and reapply glitter) Continue this process all the way around your wreath until you are happy with the results!

Leave until completely dry and move on to making your arrow & decals! 

Step 4. Creating Cupids Arrow/Unique Details 
I have Included Instructions on How I Made my Details & Arrow below feel free to re-create them or use them as inspiration - but remember It's not about it being perfect its about creating your own unique piece of art, so have fun with your design & don’t be scared to let your creativity flow!

Creating Cupid's Arrow & Feather Details

Accordion Wheel.

I made an accordion type wheel out of glittery pink paper with the #14 in the middle for Valentines Day on a piece of Banana Leaf Paper (you can use card-stock). If you would like to re-create one of these follow the directions Below:

Step 1. Begin by cutting out three circles 

( sorry I forgot to take pictures of these steps during the original process so i re-created this template for you to follow ) Two larger out of what ever decorative paper you chose and one out of white card stock/banana leaf paper

Step 2. Cut the two larger circles in half

Step 3. Fold Accordion style

Begin folding the corner of one back from the center about a cm in and continue this process folding back and forth for all 4 half circles. As shown in the images below:

Step 4. Re-arrange your 4 half circles to make one as shown below:

Using your hot glue gun attach the 4 pieces together making sure you are lining it up from the OUTSIDE!! Yes - this will leave a weird hole in the middle but we will cover it no stress!

Step 5. Glue your white circle over the middle & paint/ decorate however you chose!

I painted on the number 14 in gold & glitter for Valentines Day – another cute Idea could be your & your Valentines Initials?

worst circle ever - sorry about the awful cutting job! I was in a rush to make this template!

Gold Dipped Feathers

To re-create this look is incredible easy – Pick out a few feathers and lay flat on the table using a small angled paint brush draw a diagonal line and begin painting up and outwards being careful not to tare or tangle the feather 'hairs'?

(unfortunately I do not have a picture of this step individually please scroll down to “Cupids Arrow” to see an image of this process)

Cupids Arrow

Step 1. Creating Arrow Shaft 

 Tape three straws together end to end 

 (you could also use a piece of dowel if you have it but I didn't so I had to make do with paper straws)

Step 2. Creating Arrow Head & Fletchings 

Using the left over card-stock or banana leaf paper from your Accordion wheel draw out the shapes you would like for your Arrows Head & Fletchings (those cute little details on the end that allow the arrow fly) & cut everything out.

Step 3. Paint & Assembly 

Paint all of the pieces with whatever accent colour your like (I chose gold) as shown below. Leave to let dry completely and then assemble using a hot glue gun. 

(sorry I don't have more images of these steps I will do my best to include more in future Tutorials)

shown here are the painted feathers, & all the painted parts of the Arrow before being assembled.

Wreath Assembly

By This time your Glitter Heart should be completely dried and ready to go! 

(& remember to shake of any excess glitter onto the bag or tarp and save it for your next project – you’ll be amazed how much would have been wasted)

     Using your Arrow and Decorations begin laying them out over the wreath until you are happy with the layout. (I used my accordion to cover a dent/glitter-less my cat made in mine when he decided to shove it off the table while still wet) Just remember to get Creative with it! Once you are happy with where you want all of your pieces to go begin attaching them with your hot glue gun – you will only have one shot at this as ripping it off and re-applying is not a recommended option)

Display

     I loved the way my wreath looked at this stage and wanted to hang it exactly as it was – so i just added a piece of 3M 'Command Strips'! 

(They are like Velcro that has an adhesive strip on the back to attach to just about anything and then press against the wall or door to hang & then just pull it off and the strips peal off the wall without chipping paint.) These are perfect for me as I am constantly changing up the decor in our home for every season and cant imagine the holes my walls would have accumulated if i had to use nails or screws for everything I hung!

Another Option is to add a Length of Ribbon (and maybe a bow) to the top of your Wreath to hang!

I hope you have enjoyed this Tutorial & If you have any questions or request for a future post feel free to share them below or contact me personally at j.arbonne@hotmail.com!

Never be afraid to sparkle a little brighter!