Paper Trees with Glittering Toppers

I have this vision to one day have many varieties and styles of Christmas trees

decorating my house for the holidays.

- all kinds - fabric, wood, glass, paper-

Whatever happens to strike my fancy!

I have a few different sets:
my trio of fabric trees 

and my wood biscuit trees,

but this year I added a trio of Paper trees to the mix.

 

I have been enamored with my Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch since I received it and cannot wait to get my hands on some more dies...but do love the one I have.

So much so, that I made three paper trees with it.

P.S. If you love that glitter topper - head over to my Glitter Your Holidays post to enter to win some Martha Stewart Crafts Rich Essentials Glitter (a 24 piece set!)

I know it is so close to the holidays, but this is a pretty simple craft!

In fact I am making my kids one big one each for their rooms this weekend!

SUPPLIES

• Circle Edge Punch (watch the video tutorial for the Circle Edge Punch)
• NOTE: You can also use an electronic craft cutter or simply cut plain circles to make these trees. 
• 45 sheets of paper/cardstock per tree (15 per tree, 5 per level) 
• NOTE: You will notice I ran out of paper (and so did the store) and one of my trees is multi-colored - I actually like it!
• Glue stick or rubber cement (I use rubber cement and a glue stick...because I prefer rubber cement for a project like this...but ran out!)
• Hot glue/Hot glue gun
• Scissors or craft knife

Optional (for topper)

• Clear ornaments  
• Floor polish
• glitter  

MAKE IT!

• I used my Circle Edge Punch to punch out my circles
• Check out my video tutorial

• Large Tree: 5 - 12" circles, 5 - 10" circles, 5 - 8" circles
• Medium Tree: 5 - 11" circles, 5 - 9" circles, 5 -7" circles  
• Small tree:   5 - 10" circles, 5 - 8" circles, 5 - 6" circles  

• Fold each circle in half - when folding, match the sides and have all of the folds be in the same place (i.e. in between scallops or in the center of them- the center is easier). Run the side or your scissors or Popsicle/craft stick along the fold to really give  it a good crease.

• For the bottom level of each tree, cut 2 1/2" off the bottom of each folded circle. This flat bottom will help it stand up on its own.

LARGE TREE

• Bottom level: measure up 5 1/4" from the flat bottom - this is where the bottom of the middle level circles will touch/end/overlap onto the large circle.
• Apply adhesive to the overlapping areas of the circles, line up the mark you just made and glue them together, making sure the folds are in the same place/nestled together as well.
• On the second/middle level, mark up 6" from the bottom of the middle circle (at the fold. Lay your top circle so that the bottom of it (at the fold) matches this mark.

  
MIDDLE TREE

• Bottom level: measure up 3 1/2" from the flat bottom this is where the bottom of the middle level circles will touch/end/overlap onto the large circle.
• Apply adhesive to the overlapping areas of the circles, line up the mark you just made and glue them together, making sure the folds are in the same place as well.
•  On the second/middle level, mark up 4 1/2" from the bottom of the middle circle (at the fold. Lay your top circle so that the bottom of it (at the fold) matches this mark.

 SMALL TREE

• Bottom level: measure up 3" from the flat bottom this is where the bottom of the middle level circles will touch/end/overlap onto the large circle.
• Apply adhesive to the overlapping areas of the circles, line up the mark you just made and glue them together, making sure the folds are in the same place as well.
•  On the second/middle level, mark up 3 1/2" from the bottom of the middle circle (at the fold. Lay your top circle so that the bottom of it (at the fold) matches this mark.

 ALL TREES

• Apply adhesive to the overlapping areas of the circles. You may have to touch up the edges one you have your tree sections completed.
• Make sure the folds are in the same place as well.

 

• Repeat for all five sections - I lined up my first one with the subsequent sections to make sure my circles were all placed the same...even though I did measure.

 

• Let dry. It does not take long!
• Once you have 5 pieces of tree (three circles high) complete, run a "thick" line of hot glue on the fold of one section. Glue another section to the first section at the center folds. Apply more glue and add one section at a time. Until all five are attached.

• Repeat for all of the trees - it goes quick! 

TOPPER 

I finished my tree off with a clear glass ornament glittering with Martha Stewart Crafts Glitter (did you enter the giveaway for a set of Rich Essentials Glitter?)

• I saw this tutorial on The Single Nester for how to make glittering ornaments and had to try it. The process is pretty simple...Hope on over to the Single Nester for a full tutorial. Squirt some floor polish into the clear ornament, shake it around, and drain out the excess (onto a paper towel) - be sure to coat the inside of the ornament; then pour some glitter in there - put a finger or paper towel over the hole and shake it all up to coat the inside. Then let it dry.

• I used some vintage tinsel to wrap around the opening and then hot glued them to the top of each tree.  

Pretty, no?!

 

Want some gorgeous Martha Stewart Crafts Rich Essential Glitter for yourself...

Head over and enter the giveaway! 

What is your favorite holiday item to decorate with?

 

  

 This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

disclosure: in the past I have received some of these products for review. Those obligations have been fulfilled. I continue t use the products because they are awesome.