Nov 3

Wrapping Thanksgiving with Pipe Cleaners

by The House that Lars Built

I always walk by pipe cleaners in craft stores and think, “There’s gotta be a way to make those not look like they are meant for only 4 year-olds.” Well, I think I may have found an answer as wrapping devices. They are perfect for braiding and twisting (and you’ll learn how to braid five ways. Yipeee!). Chosen well and the colors can mimic a beautiful autumn harvest. I added some gift tags into the braiding for an extra bit of spice.

Materials Needed:
Extra long pipe cleaners (also called chenille stems)
Gift wrapped boxes (kraft paper is always a simple favorite)
Gift tags of your choice (manilla tags are clean and classic)
Scissors
Glue (hot glue gun or glue dots, which I used)
Optional: stamp pad and stamps for tags

Step 1: Let’s learn to braid five with five strands. It’s a great way to add lots of color to a simple braid. It’s super easy by just remembering the “3 to 2″ rule. First, start off by pinching them together at the top. You can also set them under something heavy to weigh it down. Split one group into three and the other into two. Take the outside strand of the three group to the inside of the two group. Now, take the new three group and take the outside strand to the new inside two group. Keep on going by switching off “outside three” to “outside two” and so forth and soon you’ll see a braid developing.

Step 2: Halfway through your braiding, take the gift tag and slide it into the braid where you’d like it to be seen from the top of the package. Continue to braid until you reach the end. You don’t have to secure the ends because the wire will keep them in place.

Step 3: Glue the ends to the bottom of the box and hold to secure. You might want to bend the wires of the pipe cleaners to ensure a secure an easy shape to the box.

Get clever with the braids by adding two together in an “x”, try twisting just two colors, or try a simple 3 way braid and you’re good to go! Happy harvesting!

Photos by eLove Photography

Category: DIY projects, thanksgiving

Posted by brittany on Nov 3, 2011

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