{Easy Christmas Craft}: Tabletop Trees

A few weeks ago, I introduced you to my craft group: the Hot Glue Hotties.
This was our craft from November. It is super easy and can be customized for any decor.


As you can see, we all did our own style and they each came out great!

You'll need:

• styrofoam cone base {can use green or white}, the size is up to you...but the larger you get in these cones, the more fragile they are and difficult to work with {and 99% of the time, the tops break off when they are taller}.
• scrapbook or plain paper {for the larger size that you see pictured above, I used six sheets of paper, for the smaller one, I used four}. You can mix and match or even do all one pattern/color. 
• floral pins {you can use straight pins, but sometimes the head goes right through the paper...floral pins are available at craft stores...usually with the floral styrofoam}
• ribbon
• hot glue

 I used a paper cutter, but it isn't required.

I cut my paper into one inch strips.

And then cut the strips into 2 1/2" lengths.
Your final strips will each be 1x2.5 inches.

Start by hot gluing your ribbon around the bottom of your cone. The hot glue tends to melt the styrofoam, so just a little dab will do ya!

Roll up one end of your paper strip on a pencil to get the curled end.

Then pin into place...just above the ribbon. Continue all around the tree, in a straight{ish} line. Perfection is completely optional here...uniqueness is the way to go.
Crooked lines=character.

After you get the first row done, you can switch patterns if you're using more than one paper design.
Start your next row about 3/4 inch up from the previous row.
Just make sure to cover the pins from the previous row.

The narrow, top part of the cone can be a bit tricky. Try to push your pins in at an angle so they don't poke through to the other side. This was a bit of trial, error and poked fingers for me.

Once you get to the top, use another strip of ribbon to cover the pins. Just hot glue it in place as well.

We finished ours with jingle bells on top.
Several of the ladies did cute bows on top, too. LOVE that!

Happy Holidays!

{i linky-party here}