burlap & denim decorations
www.shewolfecraftworks.ca
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burlap & denim decorations
Create these rustic-charm decorations for
tree ornaments or handmade cards by
upcycling jeans. Pair the denim with burlap
or recycle your kraft parcel wrap and add a
bit of paint and glitter. A sweet and simple
project that can be finished in an afternoon.
Equipment and Supplies
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jeans or denim scraps
burlap or parcel wrap
poster board or blank card
ribbon
white glue in squeeze bottles
paintbrush - broad for glue
paintbrush - fine for lines
white acrylic paint
translucent glitter or glitter glue squeeze bottle
scissors
pencil
cardboard for templates
7-9cm tall (3-3 3/4") images or shapes (tree, star,
snowflake, Christmas ball, etc.)
hole punch
burlap & denim decorations
www.shewolfecraftworks.ca
Page 2 of 3
Tips, Tricks and Be-Carefuls
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use cookie cutters for shapes
go easy on the glitter - it looks better in specific places rather than all over
use empty food boxes as the cardboard for your templates
preserve your ornament with a coat of acrylic spray
if children are doing this project, applying the glue in Steps 11 and 12 might be easier if done
with a small paintbrush instead of the squeeze bottle.
Instructions
Step 1
Select your shapes and cut them out of cardboard to use for your pattern tracings.
Step 2
Cut out a cardboard template for your background that is 11.5cm x 10.5cm (4" x 4.5"). Make 2 hole
punches at the top. Place each hole about 2cm (3/4") from the edges.
Step 3
Cut the denim into 10cm x 10cm (4" x 4") squares.
Step 4
If using parcel wrap, crumple it up then flatten it out. On the back side of the parcel wrap or burlap,
trace your background shape including the hole punches. If making ornaments, trace the background
shape on the poster board as well. On the back side of the denim, trace your template shapes.
Step 5
Cut out your shapes and background and hole punch the backgrounds. If using burlap, it will be easier
to poke holes later when it has wet glue on it rather than use the hole punch.
Step 6
Using the narrow paintbrush, decorate the denim shape with white paint. Wait 5 minutes for it to dry a
bit and do a second coat.
Step 7: For Ornaments Only
Use the broad paintbrush to brush glue all over the posterboard. Attach the burlap or parcel wrap,
lining up the holes and then generously paint over the burlap or parcel wrap with more glue. You can
poke holes through the burlap now with the end of a pencil.
burlap & denim decorations
www.shewolfecraftworks.ca
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Step 8
Cut your ribbon length to about 26cm (15") for the an ornament or 20cm (10") for a card. Bring one end
through each hole, tie in a simple knot, and trim ends. Ornaments will need it as a hanging strap and
cards will need the ribbon to be flat to the back.
Step 9: For Cards Only
Squeeze glue onto the back of the burlap or parcel wrap, making sure to apply some glue to the ribbon
as well. Attach to the card and then, using the broad paintbrush, generously paint over the burlap or
parcel wrap with more glue. If using burlap, poke the holes using the end of a pencil.
Step 10
When the paint is dry, generously paint white glue over the back of the denim and attach it to the
burlap or parcel wrap.
Step 11
Using the squeeze bottle, apply lines of glue where you want the glitter to be. Carefully apply the glitter
to the glue lines.
Step 12
Using the squeeze bottle of glue, apply a small line of glue to the outside edge of the denim shape to
stop the fabric from fraying and to make sure the fabric is well adhered.
Step 13
Lay flat to dry then shake off any excess glitter.