Miycreations Project article and photographs
by Madeleine M Langlois MaddyLane Designs
Stylish Copper Foliage Fall and Halloween Wreath
Fall MIY Outdoor Decoration; For a fabulous fall wreath, infuse it with copper
foliage in bright autumn colors. This adaptable MIY Fall Outdoor Decoration is
ideal the entire fall season; simply add a turkey or a pumpkin foil shape at the
centre for Thanksgiving and a cat, or bat for Halloween.
Hands-on time: Less than three hours.
Total time: Add drying time for the paint to dry and set - roughly 48 hours.
Skill: this miy fall outdoor decoration project is of moderate skill.
Materials & tools:
•A wreath base in the shape and size of your choice (with fall berry cluster
accents of your choice; this one has orange bittersweet clusters)
•Classic copper metal sheet in 36 gauge by Metal Works
•A drawing or a traced image of a leaf (I used an oak leaf design)
•Sharp scissors
•Work gloves (when working with metal, gloves will protect your hands from nicks
and cuts)
•A stylus
•A soft foam square sheet (the kind used for children's crafts)
•Masking tape
•Arti'stick window paint colors by Pébéo to paint the copper leaves (dries
translucent) (Vitrail paints can also be used, they are also transluscent and
won't crack of fade outdoors)
•Artist paintbrushes in assorted sizes (optional)
•An awl punch and a hammer
•Wire cutters, round or needle-nose pliers (three-in-one craft pliers are
available at several craft stores)
•Copper craft wire in 22 gauge
•Instant Rust set by Modern options (optional)
(Materials for this project are available at hardware stores and garden centers.)
MIY INSTRUCTIONS:
Start by drawing or tracing a basic leaf design, such as an oak leaf, onto paper
in the size needed. I made large leaves measuring 14 centimeters, and smaller
leaves at 12 centimeters. Unroll the copper foil, cut a length to fit as many
leaves as you need. Remember to wear gloves. Place a piece of soft foam on a
hard, flat work surface. Place the foil sheet over it. Place the paper designs over
the foil piece and attach them at each end with tape in order to keep your work
stable. Trace over the basic leaf shapes using a stylus (or pencil) to transfer
and emboss the motifs onto the foil. The foam helps create deep and clear
embossing outlines in the foil. Cut out the leaf shapes using sharp scissors.
Apply extra freehand designs along the centre of the leaves if you wish.
Once the foil leaves are embossed, paint them with Arti'stick or Vitrail paint
colors using the applicator tip or with assorted artist paintbrushes. Leave some
of the copper exposed around the borders for extra panache. Let the paints dry
for 48 hours. Once they are fully dry, make a hole at the stem part of each leaf
using an awl and a hammer. The hole is to insert the copper wire to affix them to
the wreath.
Cut copper wire lengths of 20 centimeters, one for each leaf. Thread a wire
length halfway through the stem hole, twist to secure the wire to the leaf at the
back. Add a spiral curl shape to the front tail ends. To create a wire curl, simply
wrap the wire end around a pencil or paintbrush tip several times. Secure the
leaf to the wreath with the other wire end by twisting the end around a branch.
Repeat steps for remaining leaves. Once the paints are set after 48 hours, wait
a few days before putting the foil leaf wreath on your front door or porch. This
wreath is sure to add pizazz to your front door.
Miy Variations:
•To add a true fall rustic charm to the leaves you can omit the translucent paints
and apply a rust or patina finish or leave the copper leaves in their natural state;
a natural patina will appear over time.
Please do not copy or download my articles and photos (thats stealing!).
You can purchase my articles and photos for your blog, website or
media needs at Miy Photo Store at a very affordable prices* No portion
of this article or any articles on the MIY Creations site are to be copied
or published without permission.
Thank you. Maddylane
| Fall and Halloween ~ MIY Outdoor Decoration, "Fall Copper Leaf wreath" "f o r t h e p u r e j o y o f m a k i n g t h i n g s S p o o k y f o r H a l l o w e e n" |
| The copper leaves can be painted with either of these transluscent paints ~ Arti'stick or Vitrail by Pébéo. They will not fade or crack outdoors. |
| © All Rights Reserved 2009 Photos and miycreations projects are copyrighted ~by MaddyLane Designs~ |
| MORE MIY Halloween Decorations & Inspirations |
More MIY Halloween Projects |
| To purchase Halloween photo stock images visit "MIY Photo Store" |
| Halloween photo stock for your media creations, blogs, website and newspaper, by Maddylane "MIY Photo Store" |
| Design concepts and creations by MaddyLane Designs. MaddyLane Designer, Columnist, Photographer |
Make it Yourself Creations... The Spirit of Making Things ~ Naturally Simple
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| My favorite part of this wreath creation is that it will look great on any door throughout the whole season, from fall to Halloween! Simply buy adding a cat, it now has a Stylish look for Halloween. |
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| © All Rights Reserved Photos and miycreations projects are copyrighted 2009 ~by MaddyLane Designs~ |
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