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DIY Boho-Style Palm Leaves

Jan Halvarson — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:00:00 +0000

In planning for my festive tablescape I posted yesterday, and as promised, here is the how-to post on making all the different boho-style palm leaves I made for it using items one would find in a grocery store. From coffee filters to brown paper lunch bags, I love how these leaves can be dressed up by adding in gold leaves perfect for a New Year’s Eve dinner party, or made more casual for a Friendsgiving for example.

For the tablescape I made six different styled leaves. Some are using the same basic idea, just riffed by cutting or folding differently which you’ll see. Each one is unique and can be switched up in sizes too, customizing to how you want them. There really is no rule, and they are super easy to make. Also, keep an eye out on my instagram for how-to reels if you need more instruction on how to make them.

There’s also a contest! WIN $50 to buy all your brunching ingredients. Visit addjoy.ca for more details!

Here’s how to make them.

1. Coffee Filter Palm Leaves

You will need:

-Pour-over style coffee filters in different sizes. I used Size 2 and 4

-Bamboo Skewers

-Glue gun or tape

How to make:

Step 1

Place 2 of the same sized filters together. At a 45 degree angle, start to fold (accordian-style) working your way across from one end to the other.

Step 2

Separate the filters. Then place the same sized end of one filter, against the other and glue together using a glue gun. You could also tape, however keep in mind it might not look as finished as a glued one.

Step 3

Then gather the bottom end of the two glued pieces to create a fan-like form. Using an extra filter, cut a strip off one end. Then glue it to cover the end, wrapping it around like a stem. Secure at the end of the strip with more glue (or tape).

Step 4

If you wish to make the fan have a stem, you can now slip in skewer (pointed end) in between the folds of the stem of the fan. It can then be easily placed in a vase to create a bouquet.

2. Lunch Bag Leaves

Making these leaves will leave (no pun intended) you with a little surprise in the form of baby leaves without even trying. When you fold and cut the lunch bags (cutting the shape of larger leaves), once you open them up, you’ll find baby leaves in between (because of the fold already in the lunch bags themeselves). It’s pretty cool, and as you’ll notice, you can make tons of these pretty easily.

You will need:

-Brown paper lunch bags

-Scissors

How to make:

Step 1

You can make these leaves one lunch bag at a time, but I like to make 2 at a time for more efficiency. Grab one or two lunch bags and fold the bottom end downards. Cut off the base (bottom ends). Now fold the lunch bags in half (lengthwise).

Cut the shape of a half a leaf – with the center fold as the center line as your guide. Once cut, open up to reveal all the leaves and open each one up (large ones and the smaller surprise ones that will appear). Separate into two piles of same sizes. Large with large, small with small.

Step 3

Grab one pile (let’s say the large ones first), and fold in half. On the rounded edge now start to fold (accordian-style) at a 45 degree angle. Fold until complete. Then once folded, you can start to cut the fringe of the leaves.

Step 4

Then once folded, you can start to cut the fringe of the leaves. I like to start at the centre and cut right (since I’m right-handed), but if you are left, of course the other way is probably easiest. Then flip and start to cut the fringe on the other rounded half. Open up and ruffle up the fringe a bit to create a more realistic look. Repeat these steps for the smaller leaves.

3. Cardstock Leaves (3 Types)

For these leaves there are three variations. A simple accordian-style folded one, a fringe-ended one and then one that is gathered at the bottom end to create a bit of a stem, that can be left on it’s own, or add a skewer stem to it to add to a bouquet

You will need:

-Any type of 8.5” x 11” card stock paper (I used gold and brown)

-Scissors

-Glue gun or tape

How to make:

Style 1 – Simple Accordian Style Leaf

Step 1

Fold the paper in half (length-wise). From one end to the other, cut the shape of a half a leaf, with the fold as the center of the leaf.

Step 2

With the round edge, start to fold (accordian style) at a 45 degree angle. Fold back and forth till you reach the other end. Open up, and you have a beautiful folded leaf

Style 2 – Fringe Cut

Step 1

Fold the paper in half (length-wise). From one end to the other, cut the shape of a half a leaf, with the fold as the center of the leaf.

Step 2

Then once cut, you can start to cut the fringe of the leaf. As mentioned above, I like to start at the centre and cut right (since I’m right-handed), but if you are left, of course the other way is probably easiest. Then flip and start to cut the fringe on the other rounded half. Open up and ruffle up the fringe a bit to create a more realistic look.

Style 3 – Cardstock Leaf with Stem

Step 1

Fold the paper in half (length-wise). From one end to the other, cut the shape of a half a leaf, with the fold as the center of the leaf. With the round edge, start to fold (accordian style) at a 45 degree angle. Fold back and forth till you reach the other end.

Step 2

Grab the bottom end and squeeze the folds together to create a stem. Glue with a glue gun or tape. Using some scrap paper of the same paper, cut out a 3” inch long by 3/4” to 1” wide strip of paper. Wrap strip around the bottom end stem, glueing to secure.

4. Large Grocery Bag Palms

For these leaves you can make using a large brown grocery bag cut into a square, or kraft paper too.

You will need:

-Brown paper grocery bags (one bag makes two palm leaves) or kraft paper

-Scissors

-Glue Gun or tape

Bambook skewers (optional)

How to make:

Step 1

Cut the bottom end off the paper bag. And then cut each side so they are separate, leaving the sides for scrap. Fold the cut squares diagonally to create a perfect square. Cut off the remaining edge and set aside for scrap. Open up the square, then fold in half. Cut from about 3/4 of the top a round edge on the right and then straight towards the fold.

Step 2

The cut should look like a rounded hill. Then open up the paper again, and folding horizontally accordian style till you reach the other end.

Step 3

Fold together the bottom end and secure with glue or tape. Using a scrap cut 3” long x 1” wide, secure by wrapping it around the base, and securing with glue.

Trim the tops of the fronds at the tips at a 45 degree angle to make them pointy.

Step 4

Open up the folds and then cut down the center of each fold to create the fronds. Continue until all the folds are cut.

Step 5

Then with the scissors, create fringe-like cuts within each frond (approximately 3 or 4 cuts per side.

Step 6

Open up and ruffle a bit to create a beautiful fan-like palm.

To add a stem, insert a bamboo skewer through the stem and glue.

Don’t forget to enter the contest! WIN $50 to buy all your brunching ingredients. Visit addjoy.ca for more details!

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DIY | A Festive Tablescape

Jan Halvarson — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 19:00:00 +0000

In anticipation of hosting friends and family that we haven’t seen in a very long time this upcoming holiday season, over the next few weeks I’m super-excited to share with you a few festive holiday ideas (including this DIY Festive Tablescape, to elevate your get-togethers.

For inspiration, I’m loving the boho-style paper palm leaf DIYs I’ve been seeing lately, which got me thinking about a budget friendly version. Things you can easily find in a grocery store. Like different sized coffee filters, brown lunch bags, maybe some larger grocery bags, skewers, etc.

To start, I’ve created a tablescape idea that I hope you’ll love as much as I do.

I’ve created a series of different DIY palm style leaves you can make using the items I mentioned above, as well as a few things you might have lying around the house, like card stock and pipe cleaners. I have always loved the challenge of making things out of everyday items, and I think you’ll agree, this one doesn’t disappoint.

Using the various palm leaves I created, I started out with a symmetrical layout, adding in dinnerware, cutlery, some pretty polka dot paper napkins, and created some little printable treat boxes (click here for the how-to) topping them off with a smaller coffee filter palm leaf which I think is so so cute.

To pull it all together, I made some cursive font words, using gold pipe cleaners and added some tea lights.

For food, the folks at KraftHeinz hooked me up with a few must-have recipes for the festive season. Starting off with a savoury Croissant Bread Pudding (the only brunch recipe you’ll need this holiday season, it’s that good), Banana Walnut Waffles with toppers like warmed hazelnut spread, nuts and whipping cream, and some Sweet ‘n Salty Peanut Butter Filled cookies (perfect to give as treat favours). The full recipes can be found here.

This post is in partnership with Kraft Heinz. Stay tuned for a post on how to make these leaves coming tomorrow!

There’s also a contest! WIN $50 to buy all your brunching ingredients. Visit addjoy.ca for more details!

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DIY Printable Cookie Treat Box

Jan Halvarson — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 09:37:55 +0000

These Sweet and Salty Peanut Butter cookies I posted yesterday deserve to be gifted, they are that good.

This treat box project is the perfect compliment to these sweet and savoury cookies. Semi-sweet chocolate is melted in a mixture of butter and vanilla flour and eggs and then topped with a salty, peanut butter cream cheese frosting. For the full recipe, visit the addjoy.ca website and while you’re there, be sure to enter their Add Joy $50 grocery card contest where they are giving away $40k in cards!

Wrap them in these adorable printable boxes to gift to guests this holiday season. Check out the how-to and printable below.

DIY Printable Cookie Treat Box

You will need:

Cardstock 8.5 x 11 paper (I used gold)
Printable Box Template
Printer
Scissors
Glue Gun

How to make:

Step 1

Download and print off the printable box template. Print off as many as you’ll need. Click here for the file.

Step 2

Cut on the solid line outline(s), and the outside of all the flaps.

Step 3

Fold all of the dotted lines, and then starting at the opposite end.

Step 4

Starting from the bottom end, fold in the first flap underneath the next.

Step 5

Working each flap into the other until you form a box.

Step 6

Fold into a box shape.

Step 7

Fold flaps on top to secure until you glue into place.

Step 8

Secure the bottom using a glue gun or tape.

Step 9

Then secure the side with glue and hold until dry.

Step 10

Then measure and cut out some tissue paper to line the box.

Step 11

Fold the tissue to fit inside the box.

Step 12

Fill the box with a couple of the cookies.

Step 12

Then top with your favourite bow or something like this coffee filter palm fan leaf I made (see instructions below).

Coffee Filter Palm Leaf (Bows)

You will need:

-Pour-over style coffee filters in different sizes. I used Size 2 for these smaller leaves, however for the demo I used larger ones for visuals.

-Glue gun or tape

– Scissors

Step 1

Place 2 of the same sized filters together. At a 45 degree angle, start to fold (accordian-style) working your way across from one end to the other.

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Attach the bow to the top of the box using a bit glue.

Stay tuned for more tablescape and recipes coming soon!

Pssst! There’s also a contest! WIN $50 to buy all your brunching ingredients, go to addjoy.ca for more details.

Good luck!

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DIY Packet of Luck Envelope

Jan Halvarson — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 05:43:58 +0000

Recently I was looking for some mini envelopes and remembered a DIY we featured here on the blog a few years back. The project was using paper one would already have on hand and I thought it could use a little update. So I created some new paper (because —green gingham), that you can print off, and then the idea of filling it with a heap of shamrocks came to mind (something I think we all could use a little of these days), and it’s St. Patrick’s Day. So here you go, a DIY Packet of Luck envelope that you can send or give to someone you love or make it for yourself! (Luck included —in the way of some four leaf clovers you can also print out)!

What you’ll need:

— printable gingham paper (click here for the link)

— a small envelope (or print out our template here).

—shamrock printable (click here for the link)

— scissors

— glue

— printer

Print out the paper, and the envelope template if you need it as well. If you have a specific sized envelope yourself you can steam open the seams to make your own template. Set the shamrock printable aside.

Place the template over the printed gingham paper (or use a paper you prefer), and trace out the envelope. Cut out the envelope.

Fold the flaps together, then glue the flaps together.

Print out the shamrocks/four leaf clover printable. Click HERE for the link. Cut out whatever sizes you like. The more the merrier!

Stuff the envelope with the shamrocks and send them off into the world. Pssst! You can also use the paper as gift wrap if you like. Happy St. Patrick’s!

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Make a Nordic Snowflake

Jan Halvarson — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 06:48:00 +0000

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DIY Pampas Grass + Feather Faux Holiday Tree

Jan Halvarson — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 05:29:00 +0000

Every year around this time, I look forward to creating something special for the holidays to share here on the blog with our readers. I love the idea of a faux tree that one can print out to add a little holiday decor to an unsuspecting place, using regular printer paper you would already have handy hanging around at home or at the office.

Inspired by all the pampas grass I have been seeing so much of this fall, I created a faux tree using printable images of the grass, and paired them with printable fluffy white feather branches. The tree we created is 4 feet high, however you could make it as large or as small as you would like just by adding more or less feathers. See below for the how-to.

Feather Tree

This makes a 4 ft high tree from top to bottom of trunk.

You will need
Computer and printer
White (20 lb.) 8.5 x 11 paper
Scotch® Wall-Safe Tape
Scissors
Black fine tip pen
Print out: Feather PDF (approximately 17 pages – or as you go)
Print out: Pampas Grass PDF (approximately 10 pages – or as you go)
Print out: Tree Trunk (one page)

Instructions
Download the feather pdf file (see above for link). You will need to print out approximately 17 to 18 pages to create a 4 ft high tree. Of course you can make a smaller or larger tree, just increase/decrease the number of feathers. With the printout in the portrait direction, fold the paper in half (as seen in Diagram 1 directly below). Then fold again. Then cut following the edge of the feather. Each page will make 4 feathers

After the feathers are cut, fold the four feathers (from each print out) that you have just cut, and fold the feather in half. Then cut along the edges (top to bottom) to create a feathered effect. You’ll notice that the top feather will have the black edges. If you would like to have black edges on all the others for reach print out (like we created), you will need to run a black fine tip pen along the edges. (Note: we only added a bit of edges here and there, to make it look more hand illustrated, and to lessen the work involved). Repeat with all feather pages. Next, print out the pampas grass sheets, and cut out each image. Set aside.

To attach the feathers to the wall, we used Scotch® Wall-Safe Tape, which sticks securely, and removes cleanly, so that you don’t have to worry about damaging your walls. To start, first measure 4 feet up from where you want the tree to be placed. Then once you have it measured, start by taping feathers one by one as shown in the images below. We found it easiest to place each feather balancing symmetrically from side to side, and then when you start to get wider, just do the outsides first, and then the centre, criss-crossing as you go to create the illusion of branches. Place the cut out pampas grass images in between the feathered branches, as you see fit. We started off with a couple at the top, then, every two feathers and then mid-way, every three feathers, down the side. And then once you have all the feathers place, you can fill in more pampas grass as you see fit. Simply print out more feathers and pampas grass as you need.

At the very end, add the trunk. Just print it out and cut, taping it securely to the wall. Congrats! You have created a beautiful pampas grass and feather tree!

Psssst! To create the gold leaf washi tape leaves and gift wrap accessories seen beneath the tree, check out our next post, or click here! Happy Holidays!

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DIY Bouquet Wrap

Jan Halvarson — Wed, 06 May 2015 06:39:00 +0000

Contributor post by Caitlin of The Merrythought

Mother’s Day is just around the corner and coming up with a personal gift that moms and grandmas will like can be a challenge sometimes. Here’s a way to add a personal touch to a traditional gift that anybody can make – even the kiddos can get involved in this project! Use some white or kraft paper to create a personal bouquet wraps for a lovely mama in your life!

Materials needed:
-Roll of packing paper or art paper
-Scissors
-Paint & paint brush and/or Sharpies
-Washi tape or string

How to make it:
-Cut out a square piece of paper. (I cut mine 20″x20″ – adjust according the the bouquet size.)
-Paint or draw on desired pattern and let dry.
-Fold paper following pictured instructions.
-Wrap around bouquet and use a piece of washi tape or string to secure.

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DIY | Paper Mache Mobile

Jan Halvarson — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 21:07:00 +0000

Guest post by Tracy Fillon

You will need:
cereal/cracker boxes (I had to source these out from my friends because I wanted to make about 20 triangles).
scissors, tape, ruler, yarn, newspaper, white paint, flour, salt, paint brush, white tissue paper, fabric bits, fishing line.

How to make it:
First cut up your boxes into triangles, (I used several different sizes, from 3″ to about 9″). I found it easiest if I cut all the flaps off the box, measured a line down the centre of the length then again down the centre of each half, you can cut 3 triangles out pretty quick.

Next comes the paper mache part. There’s lots of you tube videos on this. I used 1 part flour and 2 parts water and a couple tbsp of salt (I didn’t cook it or anything). I’ve used watered down glue before and I much prefer the flour. I used a little paint brush to apply, first wet the surface with flour/water, apply the paper and cover again with the flour & water mixture. If you want to do more than one layer, let dry in between. After the triangles were completely dry I painted all surfaces with white paint.

Once you have all the triangles you need-lay them down on the table then tape a piece of yarn or string in a loop at the top and make a knot in the loop first (it stays put better). It’s easier to do it this way, then just fold it up into your 3 dimensional triangle and tape it up.

I then screen printed images onto white tissue paper. I know most of you don’t screen print so I tested out some fabric and it worked great. You can also draw or paint on tissue paper, or any thing else that would work with collage.

Paint a thin layer of glue (you can also use the flour/water, I’m sure, but it looked slightly opaque so I used a glue that dries clear.) Apply tissue, fabric or image you’d like and press on gently to your triangle, smooth out the wrinkles and add a thin layer of glue over top.

That’s it. I used the fishing line to hang it from the ceiling so it looks likes they’re floating. This was fun, I listened to New Wave music making and installing these little guys, spring has sprung!

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Tutorial: Easy Tiny Envelopes

Jan Halvarson — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 05:51:00 +0000

Guest tutorial by Ruth Bleakley

I discovered this envelope making method completely by accident when pulling soggy rain-soaked mail out of my leaky mailbox – I had a total *eureka* moment when the envelope I gingerly opened up completely unfolded at the seams revealing an envelope “template” perfectly.

I’ve seen many envelope tutorials online, some offer downloadable templates, some show fancy paper folding techniques and some suggest specific measurements to create your own D.I.Y. envelopes. I’m going to show you how to replicate any interesting envelope that you might already have, no measuring involved!

1. Choose an envelope you already have that you like the size and shape of

2. Soak it in a bowl of water (lukewarm is probably best) for about one minute, or until the glue releases from the paper easily. It will not take as long as you think!

3. Pat the now unfolded envelope dry – it doesn’t have to be completely dry, just not drippy – and trace it onto a thin piece of cardboard – chipboard works well, as would something like a cereal box. Try to be accurate at this stage and trace neatly

4. Cut the template out with a pair of scissors, and you may want to label it so that in the future you (or whoever you live with) won’t say “what is this strange piece of cardboard?” and toss it out!

5. Use your new wonderful template to trace out an envelope design on any and all types of paper! Think gift wrap, maps, magazines, old calenders, stamped cardstock – you name it! I like to trace using pencil on the side that will be the inside so the marks won’t show.

6. Carefully cut out your envelope with scissors and fold it up – I like to do the sides first, then use the folded sides as a guide on where to fold the top and bottom. Use the handle of your scissors or a bone folder for really crisp edges.

7. Use a glue tape roller to stick your envelope together, or glue stick but I find glue stick gets brittle after just a few months, go ahead and get a glue tape roller, they’re like $5 and you can find them in the adhesive section of an office supply store or craft store.

8. *Bonus Points* if you’ve ever wanted to be able to lick and stick your envelope flaps, check out this Lick& Stick glue I originally bought from Paper Source (they don’t seem to carry it anymore). If you can’t find it, you can also D.I.Y. your own envelope glue (2x craft bonus points!)

9. Ta-da! Admire your finished work! Ideas for use include: penpal & swap envelopes, gift card envelopes & storing small things in your studio – if you happen to make some yourself, I’d LOVE to see them! Post a link in the comments.

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