Recycled Wreath

I have been motivated this week to recycle and repurpose items.  This project was started since my students are studying about recycling and I've been put in charge of center pieces for the May meeting of our local Board of Education.  I figured we could combine the two and create something unique.  While searching Pinterest I found this adorable wreath made from an old book and a styrofoam  wreath, but I could not find a single tutorial for this project.  It took awhile to perfect, but I think I figured it out. To make the project completely recycled I used an old cardboard box and a book I bought at a bookfair when I was in middle school.  

Materials Needed:

Cardboard  at least 12" by 12"

Used book (1-2)

Hot Glue, 5 sticks

Ribbon, 12"-14" 

I marked a center point in the cardboard and measured out around the point to create a circle. The first one I did had a 22" circumference and it was just too large, so I would suggest going with a 12-14" circumference.  The second wreath was a much more manageable size and only took one book versus two.

Next, I cut out the circle with about a 2" wide ream.  I hot glued a ribbon on the front so that it can be securely hung when it is finished.  

Before you get started you will have to tear each page out of your book.  If you are using older books like I did, be very careful since the pages are brittle and they will easily tear or rip.  I had to continue to pull back the binding glue on the book so that the pages would rip out easily.  Take the pages and do an accordion trifold to each. (See Below)

I put a dap of hot glue between each fold so that they would not come apart.  Then fold the button to create a tab and hot glue to the cardboard.  I started by going around the outside perimeter of the circle.

The next layer, I staggered the paper placement.  I also gave plenty of room and just made sure I covered the cardboard with the paper.  About  3/4 of an inch is between the two folds of the paper.  Since the circumference is smaller the paper may get off on the staggering.

The third layer I went on the inside of the wreath and glued it to the back of the cardbaord.  Make sure to crease the fold inside the wreath to give it dimension.

Here is what the wreath will look like with just the three layers.  

The last thing we will have to do is fill in the gaps between the inside layer and the other two.  I tried to be sure I staggered the layers and did some folded to the center and some to the outside.  This layer requires that you look at the overall look of the wreath to make placement decisions. 

\\

Here is the final product!  I was very pleased with it!  It took all of the pages from the book Jacob Have I Loved (my favorite book in middle school).  

This one is was my first go at it.  I placed the ruffles in a different directions and was not very pleased with the look.  It is much larger and took two books to complete.  I cut out a cardboard letter and colored it to complete the look.  Since I tore apart a book it was only fitting that I gave it to our media specialist.

I hope you enjoy making these as much as I have.  This weekend I found an old math text book from college and want to see if I can't make one with it for a math teacher.  I do think this would be the perfect end of the year gift for my kid's teachers!  Add rulers, pencils, etc. to it and it would be perfect!