Scrap Paper Christmas Tree Garland

These garlands are made using the same technique as gum-wrapper chains. Scrap paper offers an alternative to gum wrappers, giving a wider selection of prints and colors, and does not require hours of chewing gum.

You will need:
Scrapbook paper
Scissors

This is a relatively easy project, though it can be a bit time consuming. The first thing you need to choose is your scrapbook paper. (I have a tendency to use these lovely papers for everything but scrap booking!) Plain colors always look lovely, but if you want a pattern, choose one with a small design so it will not be lost on the garland. An alternative to scrapbook paper is to recycle newspapers by using brightly colored sections such as “the funnies” to make these garlands.

Cut the paper into strips four-inches long and half an inch wide. To begin the chain, cut one of the four-inch strips in half. You will now have 2 two-inch strips. Set one of the two-inch strips aside. Fold the other two-inch strip in half, then fold the sides into each other until they touch the middle fold. You will now have a square.

Fold a four-inch strip in half. Slide the two ends through the folds in the square you made previously. Fold the sides down until they touch the middle fold, this will lock the strips in place. You should now have half an inch sticking out from the first square.

Fold another four-inch strip in half. Slide the ends up through the half-inch. Fold the ends down until they touch the middle fold. A new half-inch will be sticking out. Continue sliding and folding the four-inch strips until the garland has reached your desired length.

At that point, retrieve the two-inch strip you set aside.
Slide the ends of the two-inch strip through the half-inch as you would normally. Fold the ends down until they touch the middle fold. This time there will be no half-inch sticking out, the garland will end with the square. Wind the garland around a tree or doorway for a holiday feel.