Make It Monday: Clothespin Photo Wreath

If you took a look at my Laundry Room Facelift post this Make It Monday project will not be a surprise.

In the process of jazzing up my laundry room I thought it would be nice to have some sort of simple artwork on the wall. What could be more fitting than a clothespin wreath?

What you’ll need:

Stiff cardboard

Scissors

Hot glue

Felt

Clothespins

Photos, fabric or pretty paper

Ruler

Rotary cutter

Cutting mat

Photo safe glue

Small paintbrush

Picture hook and nail

Directions:

Step 1. Trace and cut out a large circle on the cardboard (size will depend on how large you want your finished wreath). Trace a slightly smaller circle about 1 – 1.5” inward on the large circle. Carefully cut out the inner circle. You will be left with a cardboard ring.

Step 2. Glue a piece of felt to the front of the cardboard ring, trim the edges around the ring leaving enough excess to fold over and glue to the back of the ring. Carefully cut the centre of the felt through the ring, trim, fold over and glue to the back of the ring.

Step 3. Arrange the clothespins on the ring alternating heights to add dimension. It's important to do this step first if you're using photos that need to be aligned.

Step 4. Measure the width of the clothespins and cut your photo in narrow strips to fit. Do not trim the strips to the height of the clothespin yet.

Step 5. Spread a thin layer of glue on one of the clothespins that is positioned furthest from the centre of the ring. Align the top of the first photo strip with the top of the clothespin and press it firmly down. There will be excess photo strip at the bottom of the clothespin. Spread a thin layer of glue on the next clothespin, which is positioned closer to the centre of the ring than the first. Align the top of the next photo strip next to the top of the first one and secure it in place on the clothespin. The second clothespin will then have excess photo strip at its top. Continue gluing and placing the photo strips in sequence ensuring the picture lines up.

Step 6. Once you've completed step 5 remove one of the clothespins, place it photo side down on your cutting mat and trim the top and bottom excess using a rotary cutter. Replace the clothespin on the felt ring and repeat with the next clothespin. Continue this process until finished.

Note: I used two photos to complete this project. I aligned the top of the second photo with the end of the clothespins closest to the centre of the ring. See image below.

Step 7. Decide what point you want to be the top of the wreath and hot glue the centre clothespin to the ring. Mount a simple picture hook on the wall; hook it underneath the secured clothespin to hang it.

Happy Monday!