Farmhouse DIY Book Page Wreath and Chalkboard Backdrop

Little pops of black are so dramatic and striking, especially when paired with white. So when I learned this month’s topic for the Int’l bloggers is black and white, I was excited.   So many ideas came to mind but given the current situation I decided to make a book page wreath as the supplies are super simple and easily available. 

Once a month I am collaborate with the Int’l Bloggers, we are a group of bloggers from the far corners of the world.  Each month we have a new topic and it always great to see how my fellow blogging friends interpret the monthly theme.  You will see their beautiful posts linked up at the end of mine.  Enjoy!

To add drama to my little DIY farmhouse wreath I dug out an old thrift store picture and painted the entire thing black using black chalkboard paint.  I washed the whole thing off  very well first, and then painted it with three coats of black chalkboard paint. Letting it dry an hour between coats.    Let’s continue with the actual book page wreath tutorial.

DIY Farmhouse Book Page Wreath Supplies

12″ Wreath form or  cut cardboard for DIY form

Wire for hanger

Simple drawn magnolia leaf pattern

50 book pages

Scissors and hot glue gun

You will need either a 12 inch  wreath form, or you can cut one out using cardboard.  Cut a circle about twelve inches across,  it doesn’t need to be exact, just trace out the circle from a large bowl.  Then draw a second circle two inches narrower.  You will end up with a cardboard ring very similar to the wreath form you see in the picture.

Rip the pages out of a book. (I am using old encyclopedias,  I need to throw out some leaves if they have photos.)

Cut out a simple oblong leave shape with a little tail.

Layer two book pages together.

Fold your paper in half, and then in half again.

Lay the leaf pattern along the fold, cut out.  Snip off the end.  Apply pressure along the fold to create a leave, set aside. 

Each set of folded pages creates four leaves.

Repeat until you have about 100  leaves.

Cut off four inches of wire, thread through the wreath and wrap to form a wire loop.

Making the First  Wreath Layer

Lay out the first layer of leaves angling them so they feather out towards the inside and outside of the wreath.  

Starting at the hanger, attach each leaf to the wreath form with hot glue.

Once you got the first two leaves glued in, place the next set of leaves underneath the previous set. Repeat with the next pair of leaves.

Work your way around the wreath gluing the leaves in pairs until you reach the wire hanger.  Continue gluing the leaves over top of the hanger to camouflage it.

Check your wreath over quickly adding extra glue where you think its needed.

Making the Second Wreath Layer

On the second layer place your leaves less fanned out then the previous row.  Don’t place them straight but at a smaller outwards angle.  Like the first row add your leaves by gluing them underneath the previous leaves.  Start and finish at the hanger, working your way all around the wreath.  Using the glue gun, add some extra glue underneath some of the leaves as needed.

Making the Third Wreath Layer

For the third layer take a look at your wreath,  you may find some portions are a little bit thinner than others, fill in those areas. 

Gently fluff out any leaves that you want.  

Tying the Wreath to the Chalkboard

Decide which way your want your chalkboard, portrait or landscape.  Depending on the size of your chalkboard cut a piece of twine long enough to hang the  wreath plus six inches. 

I  always protect my backdrops by attaching wreaths to the back.  I don’t like to hang them using a nail etc, as I know I will use the background for something else eventually. 

Tie the twine to the hanger with a simple knot, then place over the top of the frame.  Tape the remaining twine to the back of the frame using packing tape.

Cut a second piece of twine and tie a simple bow around the hanging knot.  

International Bloggers

Here is the collection of my friends Black and White Projects.  So much fun to do this collaboration each month, I hope you love their projects as much as I do.

How to Upcycle a Farmhouse Flour Sifter | by Raggedy Bits in Australia

Black and White Blanket Ladder | by Northern Feeling in Spain

Wooden Wall Hanging | by Unique Creations by Anita in Australia

Whimsical Black and White Stacking Trinket Box Upcycle | by The Interior Frugalista in Canada

Paper Napkin Dream Catcher | by Crafty Mix in South Africa