Therm O Web Halloween Paper Topiary

It’s Trick or Treat time!

Time to get some fun things together for the holiday! And if you must choose between trick or treat…we chose treat!

Designer Patti Milazzo’s paper topiary is definitely a treat!!

Halloween Paper Topiary by Patti Milazzo

Therm O Web Supplies:
Therm O Web SuperTape 1/8”
Therm O Web Zots – Small
Therm O Web Zots – Medium
Therm O Web Zots – 3D
Therm O Web Glitter Dust – Gold

Other Supplies:
Clay pot – 3 to 4”
Floral foam (inside pot)
Gift bag filler (crimped paper)
Hemp / Bakery string
Buttons
Halloween stamps
Acrylic paint – black, cream & orange
Wooden craft dowel – 6” long x ¼” diameter
Kraft cardstock

Instructions:
1. Prepare the clay pot and wooden dowel for the project. Paint the top rim of the clay pot with black. Once dry, use the eraser end of a pencil to dot orange around the rim. Let dry thoroughly. Cover the bottom of the clay pot with a paper towel and lightly spray the rim only of the clay pot with Therm O Web Glitter Dust and let dry. Dot the bottom of the clay pot with cream colored acrylic. Once dry, spray the entire pot with a clear acrylic sealer – matte finish.
2. Paint a 6” wooden dowel with black acrylic paint and let dry.
3. Create 3 paper rosette medallions from double sided pattern paper: 1 – 5” diameter and 2 – 4” diameter medallions. For each rosette, cut 2 strips of paper 12” long. The width can vary. The 5” medallion for this project is 2” wide x 12” long and the 4” medallions are 1.5” wide by 12” long.
4. Score the 6 strips of paper for the rosette medallions at ¼” intervals. Connect 2 strips together using Therm O Web SuperTape to adhere the ends to form a “ring”.

5. Punch/cut 2 circles (2” – 3” diameter) for each medallion to adhere to the front and back of the rosette medallion using Therm O Web Zots (Medium). This will ensure that the rosette keeps it shape.
6. Apply 3 Therm O Web Zots to the top of the black dowel and press it in between the folds of the largest medallion to secure it in place.
7. Once the rosette medallions are complete, sandwich the 5” medallion between the 4” medallions. This will make it so that the project can be seen from any side. Again, use Therm O Web Zots (Medium) to adhere these pieces together.

8. Cut 2 – 6” x 1” strips of orange pattern paper. Cut off ends and fold to create a banner. Stamp Halloween image onto 2 punched kraft cardstock circles. Adhere both the banners and the circles with Therm O Web 3D Zots to the center on each side of the layered rosette medallion.
9. Lightly spray both sides of the medallion top with Therm O Web Glitter Dust and let dry.

10. Assemble the topiary by first inserting a piece of floral foam into the clay pot. Cut to size and press down for a snug fit. Cut a 3” circle from cardstock, punch a hole in the center and place it on top of the foam. Insert the dowel end of the “topiary” into the center of the cardstock circle/foam. Apply Therm O Web Zots (Medium) to the top of the cardstock circle and press on crimped paper. Tuck and add additional Zots as needed to secure in place.
11. Punch and stamp tags. Apply Therm O Web Glitter Dust and let dry. Then attach these to dowel near bottom of medallion with Therm O Web Zots.

12. Tie 2 bows using hemp and string, then adhere to front and back of topiary with Therm O Web Zots. Adhere buttons as well with Zots to complete the project. Enjoy!!!

Tip:
Keep a dryer sheet handy to cut back on any static cling you might encounter with the Zot clear plastic protective film pieces. I rub it on my hands a bit to prevent the plastic squares from clinging as I work. 🙂

Just a reminder…we’re looking to you our fans to help us out with a great cause! We’re working with Operation Write Home to send holiday cards to support our military troops. Unite with us in making a  Valentine or Love themed cards now through November 10th.  Our friends at Operation Write Home have let us know they could use these types of cards… so let’s join together and make sure they have plenty to provide come Valentine’s Day! (see this blog post for more information)

Here’s How to Enter:

1.  Create a Valentine or Love themed card using Therm O Web products. (please note…Operation Write Home cannot accept any cards with glitter).  Do be sure to include an envelope with your Valentine’s Day card!

2.  Then email us at [email protected] for mailing information. We’ll collect the cards and send those onto Operation Write Home to make their card mailing deadline.

3.  We’ll announce our three random Therm O Web winners right here on November 16, 2012.

Please be sure to take a moment to review Operation Write Home’s suggested guidelines for card making to keep your special card out of their “card hospital”.

Thanks for helping Therm O Web support Operation Write Home! Don’t forget..if you need any adhesives for helping make those cards…shop right from the convenience of your home at our Therm O Web online store!