Woo Hoo....After a back breaking day at Paper Tales (which consisted of eating pumpkin bread, talking with some lovely ladies who read my blog, solving a glitter crisis, eating more pumpkin bread, ringing up crafty customers, inadvertently letting someone know that the special crinkle ribbon that's all the rage at the Tim Holtz 12 days of Tags blog is simply seambinding, eating more pumpkin bread and then finally waving goodbye to everyone), I arrived home to two boys and a Papa who had been waiting anxiously for my arrival so we could all watch Toy Story 3 together. Once my eyes were dry from the ending of the movie, I got right to work on my Snowflake Box kits for tomorrow's class in between five loads of laundry. Why am I telling you this? Because I want everyone to see that I am totally committed to keeping my promise to bring you the tutorial.......even though I really want to sit on the couch and watch a movie......
But I must show you how to do this so you can become just as obsessed as I am. Then I won't feel so lonely in my little world of crepe paper and glitter. First, though, I have to tell you how it all happened. Cindy Gilstrap, a wonderful crafter/artist, had made a crepe paper Christmas tree for the Joli Paquet blog that you can see here. I instantly fell in love with it. However, because I have the patience of a gnat, I decided to use my sewn ruffled crepe instead. And the rest is history......
Now, I did a google search to see if these had ever been done before and didn't find anything. Has anyone ever seen anything like this before? Let me know if you do!
Now, here are a couple things you need to know about this project. Number one....once you start making these trees, you will find yourself unable to stop. Seriously. Ruffled crepe paper will never be the same to you. You will find yourself looking for reasons why you need just one more crepe paper tree in your life.
Number two....expect to be pulling hot glue strings from your tree, your table, your body and your children for at least the next two months.
Ok....I think we're ready!
First gather your supplies.....
1. Crepe paper......I have no idea how much because I neglected to measure beforehand so let's just say a roll
2. Hot glue gun (this is what I used) or a heavy gel glue like fabri-tac or 3 in 1
3. Piece of paper to make into a cone or paper mache cone
4. Peppermint Bark candy bar (you will get hungry)
I took a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper and rolled it into a cone. I then glued the end at the top to secure.......
Glue the sides......
Cut the bottom of the cone to from the base. Once you cut it set it on the table to see if it's even and stands straight......
I sew my crepe paper on my sewing machine using a basting stitch and tight tension. It ruffles up just right. On my old machine, I had to pull the one end of the thread to ruffle it. That works also.
Start at the bottom with your first section skirting the bottom of the table. Glue into place......
Continue around the base until you meet up in the back.....
Take it a bit above the last bottom skirt and continue around the cone.....
I worked in sections using pieces that were about two feet long. When you get to the end, just match end to end and glue....
Time for a break.....grab your chocolate......
Ok, back to work! We're almost done.......
Ta Da! You did it! For the very top I use a small section of the ruffled crepe paper and cut it a bit shorter than the other layers and then glue into place........
I hope you enjoyed it! Put a bunch of glitter on and you are good to go. I would LOVE to see any of the ones you make. Please send pictures!! Ok....I'm off to bed.....I've got a class to teach tomorrow!
What do you mean..."that's it"? What kind of glue do you use for the glitter? Where do you get the cute glitter balls and pearls? How can I get peppermint bark delivered to my home during crafting sessions? Sheesh...details please!
I cry like a baby EVERY time I watch Toy Story 3. Such amazing storytelling.
Posted by: Donna | December 04, 2010 at 10:48 PM
Love, love, LOVE it, Karin! I actually think I can do it--as long as I've got my peppermint bark by my side!
Thanks so much for sharing this--can't wait!
Julie
Posted by: Julie Campbell | December 04, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Karin=Brilliant!!!
Posted by: Jenny (thepolkadotpixie) | December 04, 2010 at 11:04 PM
super cool, I love that you just used a paper cone instead of a cardboard one or foam!! I guess this means I have to make my own now.. maybe it will get me into the studio. Miss you..
Posted by: Heather | December 04, 2010 at 11:33 PM
FABULOUS! Beyond brillinat - thank you so much. I especially like that you've use a paper cone: so much more accessible as I haven't seen chipboard or kraft ones available to buy in the UK. I've done a link to your tutorial on my blog: http://1stfloorflat.blogspot.com/2010/12/fabulous-crepe-paper-tree-tutorials.html
Hope that's OK? I'll remove immediately if not.)
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas, tra la la....
Posted by: Susie Jefferson | December 05, 2010 at 03:07 AM
Love it. I can't find the paper mache cones here, so this one is just brillllliant ♥
Posted by: marian | December 05, 2010 at 04:19 AM
Oh I love them so much!! Thank you so much for sharing the steps.
Posted by: Jane Clark | December 05, 2010 at 04:45 AM
Oh, boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh, boy. LOVED THIS!! Love YOU! This looks like so much fun. I forgot about the ruffling tip on the machine. I used to make long lengths of ruffles for my daughter's dresses years ago. Love this. I'm definitely going to make one - or 45.. Time will tell. Happy dance, happy dance!
Have a WONDERFUL weekend, Karin!
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | December 05, 2010 at 05:09 AM
Love your crepe paper trees!
Posted by: Jan hennings | December 05, 2010 at 05:34 AM
Fabulous project!!!
Posted by: Lynda aka alrlsmom | December 05, 2010 at 07:36 AM
These trees are so so pretty!! Thanks for the tutorial...you make it look so easy! Peppermint Bark....YUM!!
Finally got around to viewing your celebrity pix...you guys look fabulous and the rooms look great...can't wait for the show to air and see you guys live!!
Happy rest of the weekend xOxO Nerina
Posted by: Nerina | December 05, 2010 at 08:48 AM
Because you did the tutorial and I can stop fumbling along on my own I will not tell you I found another Peppermint Bark recipe!
I refuse to watch Toy Story 3 because I know I will cry my eyes out. I'm still recovering form "Up".
Posted by: Beth W | December 05, 2010 at 09:13 AM
Love your trees Karin!!! Thanks so much for the shout out and I'm definitely going to have to make some of yours!!!
Posted by: Cindy (Junque Art) | December 05, 2010 at 09:25 AM
Thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to remember your blogging peeps! ha ha! I'm glad to see that you used plain paper to make the cone shape. Styrofoam is just too darn expensive. I checked out Cindy's tutorial at Junque Art, and she shows how to apply the glitter, in case anyone has questions about that step. She also decorates hers with pom poms. So cute! Have a nice time teaching your class, Karin!
Posted by: Cyndi | December 05, 2010 at 10:41 AM
WOW!!! love this project and that chocolate looks tasty as well! Thanks for sharing! LOVE IT
Posted by: sarah moore | December 05, 2010 at 11:38 AM
Gorgeous Karin! Love these.
Karla
Posted by: Karla | December 05, 2010 at 11:41 AM
I could hardly wait to see how you made these....no I have not seen them done this way before....I love them...can't have Peppermint Bark, darn! Well, maybe a little won't throw my sugar off too badly....
Thank you, thank you for taking the time away from your movie time to make us all happy!
Off to see if I can make one.......
Jil
Posted by: Jil | December 05, 2010 at 12:03 PM
Gorgeous, Karin! Thanks so much for the step by step tut (including chocolate....lol). (I posted a link on my blog for others to come here to see these beauties.)
Huggies ~
Sharron♥
Posted by: Sharron / Sharrahug | December 05, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Soooooooooooooooo very cute you clever little elf!!!! Thanks for sharing! HUGS!
Charlene
Posted by: Charlene | December 05, 2010 at 01:59 PM
I love it!!!!!!
Posted by: Laura Vigliarolo | December 05, 2010 at 04:08 PM
Oh WOW ! This is the best tutorial i have seen !
Were you born so talented ? :)
Happy Pink Saturday !
Posted by: Le Chateau des Fleurs | December 05, 2010 at 08:25 PM
love these ..so cute..
Posted by: connie | December 06, 2010 at 07:48 AM
Oh my gosh, these are amazing, thanks for sharing the tut! Have a great week, Nan
Posted by: Nan | December 06, 2010 at 09:14 AM
Karin, these tress are gorgeous! Thanks for showing us how you made them!
xo
jeanne
P.S. When will your episode of HomeMade Simple be on?
Posted by: Jeanne | December 06, 2010 at 01:04 PM
You made it looks so easy. Love it.
Posted by: Judith Norman | December 06, 2010 at 03:39 PM
I love the trees!
Just perfect...I've
gotta try this for sure.
Have a wonderful day,
Stephanie ♥
Posted by: Queen of Dreamsz | December 07, 2010 at 01:07 AM
Ohhhhh I want to make some
soooo badly! I am going to
hurry through all the stuff
I have to do today and
work on some cuteness trees ~
Thank you for the tutorial :)
xoxo
Lori
Posted by: Lori | December 07, 2010 at 05:54 AM
Delightful! Excellent tutorial!
Posted by: Theresa | December 07, 2010 at 06:18 AM
I'll DEFINITELY be making these tonight! They're great!
Posted by: Nicole | December 07, 2010 at 09:55 AM
So decadent and beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Heidi Meyer | December 09, 2010 at 08:20 AM
oh my goodness!! Darling Karin!! too cute!! hugs!! Britt
Posted by: britt-sparkled vintage charm | December 10, 2010 at 05:47 AM
absolutely lovely! I think I may go shopping for the supplies today :D
Posted by: Toni | December 10, 2010 at 08:24 AM
gorgeous!! thanks for sharing!
Posted by: enrica | December 10, 2010 at 11:03 AM
I'm headed to the store for crepe paper as I type this!!! Can't wait to make one....twelve this weekdend!!! THanks a bunch!
Posted by: HollyWo | December 10, 2010 at 11:28 AM
GORGEOUS!!!! Thank you for instructions!! :) : )
Posted by: JustYolie | December 10, 2010 at 04:32 PM
These are very pretty. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: G | December 10, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Sooooo pretty. Thanks for sharing this ruffly glittery goodness. It's perfect.
Posted by: sarah. | December 11, 2010 at 08:57 AM
Awesome! I totally love this project- might have to make that with my girls today. I also laughed when I saw the name of your blog- I named mine the same thing for the same reason. LOL! (though I don't seem to get enough crafting done on mine). Beautiful idea, thanks! I will try it with the ruffle foot I bought for my machine.
Posted by: Cynthia | December 11, 2010 at 09:12 AM
Gorgeous...I love this idea!! I am defiantly going to have to make one or some!!
Daisy~
Posted by: Daisy | December 11, 2010 at 01:01 PM
This is beautiful...thankyou...I am wondering about the pink paper and why the ruffle line is sewn down the middle of the crepe paper? I already went to the store and bought some crepe paper streamers to try this...Thanks again
Posted by: Linda | December 11, 2010 at 02:26 PM
This is SO AMAZING! Thanks so much for this tutorial!
Posted by: Angela | December 13, 2010 at 04:57 AM
Great tutorial.. will definately give it a go and if it turns out ok, will let you know.. thank so much! take care, Maryann
Posted by: maryann | December 13, 2010 at 12:46 PM
These are the cutest christmas trees I've ever seen!! Love their ruffly gorgeousness!! Tanya x
Posted by: Tanya | December 13, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Beautiful idea and practice!
Congratulations
Posted by: Edna | December 14, 2010 at 01:41 PM
this is exquisitely beautiful. thanks so much for sharing.
any tips for making the pretty banner on the tree? is that simply something printed out from a computer? love that detail.
thank you again ~
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | December 16, 2010 at 05:38 AM
#1. You keep taunting us with the chocolate, Ghirardelli bar non-the-less!
#2. The glue gun was getting dangerously close to the chocolate bar... that is until I realized what you were doing... slowly warming uo the chocolate for the perfect temperature for the treat break.... no choco. bars here {BIG sad face}... time for a hot chocolate!
Thank Yo for all that you give to us Karin!!!, now can I have your choco. bar?
xo, Mary
Posted by: mary | December 16, 2010 at 11:27 AM
I want to thank you once more for this incredible tutorial and invite you to see what I've made based on it here:
http://anzouyaspool.blogspot.com/2010/12/crepe-paper-christmas-tree.html
Thanks again so much!
Posted by: Angela | December 17, 2010 at 02:36 AM
Olá!
Moro no Paraná, Brasil; olhei sua árvore de natal e encantei-me, maravilhosa, com pérolas e brilhos divina!!!!
Parabéns!!!
Lou Figueiredo
Posted by: Lou Figueiredo | December 17, 2010 at 07:20 AM
Lovely...I´ll feature on my blog...Hope you don´t mind.
Hugs from Brazil
Posted by: Rosana | December 17, 2010 at 04:45 PM
Wow! I just love this! I've loads to do but I'm just going to have to make one of these right now! thanks for the tutorial!!
Posted by: Clare Buswell | December 20, 2010 at 09:01 AM