Monday, December 3, 2012

DIY Vintage(d) Tree Topper: Scrapbook Paper, Glitter, and Paint

Vintage(d) Tree Topper

I decided when I took down last year’s tree that I wanted a new tree topper. I’d been using big ribbon bows but they were looking a little tired. We get a real tree, and nature does not always provide that perfect branch at the top for most of the vintage or vintage inspired glass  toppers I like. So natch, I made my own !

For this project you will need:
  • Paper mache cone
  • Craft paints ( I used a Sterling Silver and Sterling Silver Glitter)
  • One 12x12 sheet of scrapbook paper
  • Oversized bottle cap ( you could also use a jar lid)
  • Paper cut to fit inside your cap
  • Focal point ( I used a vintage looking brass sticker)
  • Glue Gun
  • Glitter
I painted my paper mache with a couple coats of silver metallic, then went over that with a couple of coats of the silver glitter paint.

Before and After Metallic Cone

In between coats of paint, make the medallion that is the centerpiece of this tree topper. Cut one 12x12 page of scrapbook paper into 4 6x6 sections. I used a sheet music page from Recollections and made one inch score marks using my Martha Stewart scoring board.

Martha Stewart Scoring Board

Once you’ve scored and folded each of your sections, hot glue them together. Since the paper I used was pretty heavy I used hot glue vs tape.

Paper Medallion

Then I took a small paintbrush , thick glue, and silver glitter and made my way around my medallion until it was edged.

Glitter Edged Medallion

I had some giant bottle caps in my stash but a small jar lid would work for this too. Cut a circle of silver glitter paper to fit inside, Mod Podged it in there, and then added an embossed brass colored sticker to the middle. The one I used is by K&Co.

Giant Bottle Cap

I hot glued a silver tinsel pipe cleaner around the inside edge. I had some silver glittered snowflake pics from my after Christmas deal scrounging last year so pulled on out, stuck it through the top of my cone and added a dab of hot glue to keep it in place. Glued  my completed medallion on to my cone and done.


Vintage(d) Tree Topper

Vintage(d) Tree Topper

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8 comments:

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Clever, clever, clever. Love the vintage look and your great tutorial.

Unknown said...

I love it! You had me at sheet music!

Michele {The Scrap Shoppe} said...

Gorgeous!! It looks amazing, Carol. I love that giant bottle cap, too!

srpprcrftr said...

Your tree topper is so gorgeous and different. Don't have a tree to need a topper for this year but that would be one I'd love to try to make. Gonna print it out to save for another time. Thanks for the great tutorial and for sharing this.

Jenn Erickson said...

Oh Carol! It's absolutely gorgeous! Love! Love! Love!

Jenn

Honey I'm Home Blog said...

What a beautiful & creative project. Love it!

Warmly, MIchelle

Anonymous said...

Omg how cute is that! I am so pinning for next year.

Anonymous said...

Wow!!! I never would have thought to do this myself. I really do need a topper for my tree. Right now we just have some cheap, red ribbon bow tied around the top. Haha! It turned out really good. :)