Eco-Laurel Leaf Wreath From Recycled Newspapers

Step 2:

- OK, on to the dyeing. Cover your work surface with plastic and wear rubber gloves.

- For the full dye process, I'll need to refer you to the original project where I dyed this newspaper; the Dyed Newspaper Eco-Art project. Basically, I immersed the sheets quickly in a hot dye bath and hung them to dry. I used one sheet each of the green, aqua and brown dyed newspaper for this project. Another method that would work great for this project is dye-painting the paper. By painting the hot dye solution, the brushstrokes create a naturalistic watercolor effect that would look stunning as leaves. Here's a link to that technique. So it's your choice which dye technique you prefer for the desired look.

Step 3:

- Once the dyed newspaper is dry, fold it half and trace out a leaf shape that you like. I made a 3 ½" leaf template from the leftover cardboard. Continue to trace the leaf until you've covered the paper.

Step 4:

-Then just cut them out. It doesn't need to be perfect. Fold each leave in half lengthwise. This gives the leaf a three dimensional look.

Step 5:

- Start attaching the leaves to the cardboard one at a time with a dab of glue on the bottom tip of each leaf. Working around the wreath, glue the leaves in an overlapping fashion. When you get to the end, you'll need to sneak the tip of the last leaves under the first leaves for a continuous ring.

- Spray the wreath with a clear acrylic spray to seal the dye. Spray in multiple light coats for full coverage without drips. Don't forget to spray the back of the wreath as well.

- Glue a paper clip to the back of the wreath as a hanger.

- There you go! If you like, you can add some accents like beads to simulate berries or maybe a paper bow to make it extra festive.