paper leaves *tutorial*

Purple and light blue were unconventional wedding colors, absolutely, but the other colors we added in made it work, especially the green in the floral arrangements, courtesy of these cute little leaves. 

I found the original tutorial on Skram Mama, which is actually a German language blog, but handy Google realized I don't read German and translated it for me. It was intended for fall leaves, but it works just as well with summer ones :)

Here is my step by step tutorial, except for those steps during which I forgot to take pictures. Let me know if you get lost!


Step 1: Get yourself some green paper. I used scrapbooking paper.


Step 2: Cut it into perfect squares. Your finished leaf will be about half as long as the diagonal of your square, so plan accordingly. Then cut each square into two triangles, cutting along the diagonal. Set one triangle aside.

Step 3:

Fold your remaining triangle back and forth tightly like an accordion:

When you're all the way done it should look like this.

Step 4:

Keeping everything together with your fingers, fold the accordion in half so that the long sides are against each other:

Like so:

Step 5:

If you want to be able to connect your leaf to something on down the line, add a loop of wire through the middle of the fold. If you want to be all matchy-matchy, use green floral wire. If you are a fan of using whatever you have, do like I have done and use whatever you have.

Step 6:

Put a line of craft glue down one long side of the folded accordion. 

Press together and secure with a clothespin.

Step 7:

Resist the urge to play with it while it dries.

And that's it! You have a shiny new leaf to use! 

Let me know what you think and send me pictures if you make your own!

peace&love,

Jill