Thursday, February 3, 2011

Rollin' out a sheet music miracle



Boy, was this day a long one. :)

I was striving to become Miss Mustard Seed and started to roll sheet music.
Roll and roll and roll and roll. 

Fuss and moan and whine and roll.

I'm pretty sure I'm the last person in the universe to try this feat and I seriously doubt you need a tutorial. However, by the end of the wreath, I had become so proficient on rolling these things my own invented way, I could squeal! 


See? I was even being encouraged along the way, eh? :)

(FYI - I don't say eh. Ever. I think it's an old wives tale myself...)


Thanks to Miss Mustard Seed's own sheet music wreath tutorial base idea, I cut this cardboard out so the cones had something to be hot glued to. (MMS, I cannot find that link yet again! Please help!)



So pretty! But, when I hung it up, it looked too... flat. And it was. The cones were all the same size and that was one problem. But there was one more hurdle. I wanted abit of colour added because it simply floated on my darker fireplace.


So, paper bags came to my rescue! They have such a nice organic texture to them and added the depth I was after.

And then, I invented a way to roll these sheets so quickly that I nearly made two of these wreaths! Nearly but not quite. :)

So here are my two inventions! 

And.. if I didn't invent them first, we can still pretend I did, so don't go tellin' me, ok? :)

miracle paper bag rolling technique


Cut both long sides of the bag straight through to the end.


Cut straight through along the mid fold.


You are left with the perfect size sheets.


Using a pencil, start rolling at one corner,



and roll up the entire sheet around the pencil.


But, do NOT let go like this! Oh no no. I have a much better way.


Once it's rolled nice and tight,


pinch one end, and let the pencil drop.


While the one end is pinched, use your other hand to spread out the cone.

Continue until the sheets begin to separate. Then stop, and tape the cone closed.

Done!

So easy! Once you get going, you FLY.


I used the same technique with the sheet music as well. The pencil trick was the ticket.


While it's pretty, I could think of 101 tweaks on making the wreath better. MUCH better.

My tips? 

* Use LOTS of sizes for your cones and stager them well. You'll get a much nicer random build to it.

* Glue your cones on the cardboard MUCH farther outwards so you're left with a hole in the center. I was cutting the cone tips countless times because I started too close to the center. The cones close in on you as you work.

Where is it today?

 I fully admit. My house has changed back to my Funky Junk ways. So the wreath has a new home.

However, the wreath looks most awesome in my bedroom on my headboard gate. I'd show you but my bed hasn't been made in a week, so, let's maybe not. :)

So, for now, let's just appreciate the moment. Such an emotional day with the challenge kickoff and all!


Go on, you can do it before you link up! Become a true MMS and give it a whirl! You now know how!

So what will I do with all this newfound knowledge?


Funky Junkify it for my rustic gate perhaps? Hmmm...  I'll let you know. :)

Full MMS room reveal where the wreath resides is HERE.

Copy Me Challenge linkup starts Fri, 7pm Pacific. Oh my... see you soon! :)

So, was I the last one to make one of these?

The Lettered Cottage


45 comments:

  1. I'm so used to seeing this with just one type of paper. Two tones make it even better.

    Cheers,
    Lisa x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I did this with MMS'd tutorial a while back. I just love and adore it. I made two and distressed my pages with ink. I Like your pencil tip for sure. Yours turned out beautifully!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love what you did. I especially love your descriptions though, they were so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The wreaths are very pretty, especially with the two tones of paper. I really do wish I had your information a few years ago. I had boxes and boxes of very old sheet music that I had no clue what to do with. It's all gone now. Your info would have come in very handy then.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The paper bags add so much to this wreath. Good thining. I can picture one of your "Christmas" ornaments hanging center stage on the wreath. It would give it that Funky Junk edge.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nope, I'm the last one! I just might try it seeing how you did it.
    Love the 2 tones!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am also planning on getting around to making one of these for our piano room! I just love the two tones on yours. Oh, I say "eh?" all the time. Definitely a Canadian girl!

    ReplyDelete
  8. well, Donna, I'm sorry to say..you didn't invent this...it's been done girl, but go ahead and bask in the limelight while you may...lol...fame only comes but once....lol...good job and nice two tone affect.
    Oh ..... and it's FRIDAY! see you later, Mel's Cabin

    ReplyDelete
  9. I have yet to make one!! Ha!! Beautiful wreath!!
    Love the two tones!! Very cool
    Hugs
    SueAnn

    ReplyDelete
  10. I just recently heard about these. I was going to make them for people for Christmas using the music for songs that were meaningful to them but ran out of time. Good thing there's always next year! I wondered also about copying the music on a muted-toned colored paper that coordinated with their home.... But I don't know straight up when it comes to decorating!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Donna, I love them! Check out this post on my blog. http://myhomeroad.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-fever-has-hit.html I made the same wreaths for a church fair. I made about 6 of them using an old hymnal from the church. I even spray painted a light mist of silver on the edges and added cardboard stars to some... If I understand correctly, I think I should be linking this for the "copy me" challenge! Have a great day!
    :) Susan

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oooh, Donna! I made one of those, too...and it took a while! I wish I had your tip on the pencil then! Love the paper bag addition It adds a whole new look! I wondered how long you and MMS would keep your opposite looks! lol Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  13. Excellent adaptation...as if there was any doubt.
    ~Pam

    ReplyDelete
  14. P.S. I can't wait to see others contributions. This is really going to be fun!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey Donna!
    Ya ready for this?
    I have never made one of those wreaths!
    I want to...I really do....I have all the stuff EXCEPT NOW I need to go grab a pencil and some lunch bags!
    Thanks for the tips and sharign such great pictures.
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  16. The addition of the brown paper bag is devine (and not something Ive seen too much of). You did a GREAT job here :0)

    ReplyDelete
  17. That is soooo awesome !!!
    You did a rockin job
    on your rollin!!

    xoxo
    Lori

    ReplyDelete
  18. As soon as I saw yours, I said to myself, I like this one so much better because of the darker tones in it! Great job Donna! I didn't make one of these at Christmas time, but would like to have one, so send me yours ok?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love the brown bags added to it. The two colors are just perfect. Great tutorial also. Looks fabulous. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  20. Girl your video just made my week. Now you have me wondering what can I make?Hmmmm

    ReplyDelete
  21. Donna- That is a great idea. You are one smart cookie (or is that junkie);>) I love the touch of brown paper bags in there...You could even do a whole one with the brown bags! GREAT - love the way it turned out. I'm betting that you will make another one now! Hugs- Diana

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've never made one of these but I love the two tone effect. It looks great.
    ~Heidi

    ReplyDelete
  23. It turned out Beautiful...I love the two-toned colors. I have yet to make one of these, but I keep putting it off...LOL
    sandraallen260@centurytel.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. Nope, I haven't made one either. I like the added paper bags to it. It just seem to me that it's missing a little something. I know it's a tribute to MMS's style but it really needs a little funky junk. Maybe you could add a rusty faucet handle to the center to finish it off.? (the button bracelet is the cutest thing!)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Don't you worry Gina3, my wheels are already turning on creating my own take on this. And when I figure it out, this group will be the first to know. :)

    Missing layers is the issue with this one. That makes all the difference.

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  26. I made one and it's hanging above our piano, on a dark purple/eggplant wall. I LOVE it and get lots of compliments. Wish I had known the pencil trick, that's very clever. And adding the paper bags was brilliant! I might need to make another one...

    ReplyDelete
  27. Donna, I have not made one, sheet music not my thing, but I love the brown paper and here is the thing, dust???? I'm not that into it, *dusting that is) and thinking paper with a bunch of dust hanging on it isn't the look I want for my space! I'm just sayin...

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh, I love the addition of the paper bags. It gives it wonderful depth. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  29. The paper bags make this look soooo much better!!!! and I love the pencil techniques!
    You have such wonderful ideas and seem to get so much done. I need a nap after I read your blog!!!

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  30. nice touch with the paper bag cones! i just gave this a whirl right before christmas and had much fun with it. so much that i made a second one as a gift. i also used a piece of cardboard for the backing (pizza cardboard circles work great) making it light and easy to hang. you can see my attempt at 7pm when i link it up!
    judi ;)

    ReplyDelete
  31. You're quite the roller! A pencil..so smart! I think it looks smashing on the fireplace..Thanks for sharing and the good TIPS... a tip to you!
    xoso Sandy O

    ReplyDelete
  32. SOOOOO cute!! ^_^
    XoX, Meli
    http://domestiquette.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  33. I love this, I've seen them around, but amazingly, they never loose glory! It's cute. no worries...it's super cute! :-)
    -Brittany
    http://lifeyasadiywifey.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  34. lol@ you lasted 1 day and you felt naked didn't you?!?! i love this wreath with the brown bags adds so much to it.

    ReplyDelete
  35. It looks beautiful. Who'd have thought people decorate with paper? Gorgeous. I can bet I'd never have the patience for that though!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have never made one yet either, so you're not the last. Second to last maybe. Like the brown bag addition to the wreath. And I adore your button bracelet and I'm not a big jewelry person either. May have to figure out how to make one for myself! BTW, loved your video on MMS's site. Very creative and funky!

    ReplyDelete
  37. God, I just love the look of that wreath! I'm terrified to try it myself but I do admiring everyone else's efforts!

    Jeanine

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love the way you invented your own rolling style AND how you threw in some brown paper bags. It rocks. You rock.

    ReplyDelete
  39. That looks great, you did a fab job as always. And btw, I didn't think I ever said "eh" either, until I spent a week in the Dominican with a bunch of Texan's. I was shocked at how much it came out. Crazy eh?!

    ReplyDelete
  40. LOVE your version of it! The paper bag really gives it interest and depth. AWESOME!!! Rebecca

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi, I'm strolling thru blog land looking for great wreaths to share on a special blog post this week titled "How To Make A Wreath" - giving my readers some ideas. I'd love for your music sheet wreath to be one that I spotlight - would it be okay to lift a picture, giving you full credit and linking back to your blog?
    Thanks,
    Mary
    www.Redo101.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. It is beautiful - so divine. Thankful that Nester had this wonderful party.

    xoxo michele

    ReplyDelete
  43. Holy wow. That is so pretty. I must live on a different planet because I have never seen something like this before. LOVE it!

    ReplyDelete
  44. I tried to get my MMS on and make one of these last year - I must be MMS challenged {that could be the understatement of the decade - I mean really . . .} because it's just not as easy for me - mine looked pretty . . . junky {but not in a funky junk good way}. If I can get my nerve up, I might try it again. Thanks for the pencil tip!! And I love the depth the paper bags give it.

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments and read every one of these! For more interactive feedback from me, I'd love it if you'd join my FJI Facebook page where communication is always current and incredibly fun! Thank-you!