Scrapbook Paper Tree Branch Centerpiece

This is one of the coolest centerpieces I have ever made.  I get a ton of compliments on it and it fits every season.  I saw a similar idea from a Pinterest post but altered it a bit.  It was a tedious task because it involved lots of cutting and gluing but it is something you can do over time while just watching a movie or relaxing with friends.  Plus, you can do what I did have solicit help cutting out leaves :) 


Here is the How-To...

SUPPLIES:

• TONS of Scrapbook Paper, I have no clue how many sheets I used but it was a lot!
• Scissors
• Tree Branches
• Glue (I LOVE the GEM-TAC, here is the link to a previous post I did about how awesome it is...  GEM-TAC Post)
• Vase
• Sand
• Chalk

DIRECTIONS:

1) Fold your scrapbook paper in half.  Cut leaves out with the sheet back to back, that way they are the same shape with the design on both sides.  You are going to need a million of these! 


2) Glue the leaves together. You glue both blank sides of the paper together so the design view is facing outward on both sides of the leaf.  You may need to trim them up a bit to make sure they match and there isn't any white paper sticking out.


3) Once they have dried you need your tree branches.  Now you want to glue each leaf to the branches in the same design as nature.  Try to mimic how real trees produce leaves by placing your fake leaves in locations that are similar to a tree outside. I also found it easier to curl the end of the paper leaf I was gluing it around the branch and then place the glue in the curl and wrap it around the branch.  You may have to hold the leaf in the position you want for a minute so the glue can firm up and will keep the leaf in the position you planned. 

4) Let the branches full of leaves dry and take your vase (I spray painted mine with Chalkboard paint because I thought it would look cool and wrote 'Bloom' on it in script) and fill it with sand.  Once the branches are dry the sand in the bottom of the vase will give you the ability to position them and the security to help them stand on their own.  

You're done! here is my final product! Thoughts?

What would you do differently?