Wait! Before you donate that home accessory you are totally over…. can you make it better?

With earth month just around the corner, it’s a good time to remind everyone that some great DIYS are actually just up-cycle projects. That’s the case with this beautiful floral mirror. Here’s what you need to do this project:

• Mirror or mirror frame
• Back acid-free paper
• Craft glue
• Wire
• Scissors
• Pliers
• Wire cutter
• Staple gun or hot glue gun
• Spray finish
• Black paint
• Paintbrush

The first step is to paint out your mirror or frame. It’s generally a good idea to remove the mirror first, apply black paint, and seal with the spray finish according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When dry, return the mirror to the frame. If you want to keep your mirror in, use painter’s tape to ensure a clean edge.

The next step is a lot of fun – it’s making paper leaves! Simply fold a small section of paper in half and cut out two identical leaf shapes. Apply glue to one of these, lay a segment of wire down the axis of symmetry, and place the matching paper leaf over the wire. The wire is now forming the central vein of the leaf and its stem. Finish the leaf by cutting a serrated edge, crimping, or curling the paper’s edges with a paper folding tool. If you don’t have a folding tool at home, use a butter knife.

Step three is to make buds and flowers. First, cut a length of wire for the pistil and stem. Cut a strip of paper into a row of petals, apply glue to the bottom edge, and wrap the petals around the wire. Crimping the base of the petals and curling their upper edge will give a more rounded shape to the bloom. Look at plants in nature for inspiration. And remember, imperfect is perfect in the natural world.

Next, to create paper vines and stems, cut a length of wire and several 1/2” wide strips of paper. Apply glue to the paper and wrap the strip around the wire. Add leaves or blossoms by wrapping their stems under the paper as you move down the length of wire. You can make these flowers in any colour of paper, just keep it tone on tone for a sophisticated look.

Once you have assembled all the pieces of your flower garland, apply a few coats of spray finish following the manufacturer’s instructions. This way the garland’s finish will match the frame. Furthermore, spraying the paper will protect it from fading in the sunlight.

To attach the paper flowers and vines to the frame, simply wrap the ends of the wire to the backside of the frame and attach with a staple gun or hot glue gun.