CHRISTMAS BALLOON WREATH

Instructions

Reference the downloadable project sheet for project pattern diagrams.

Make the Wreath

1. Inflate 2 x 30cm (12") balloons of the same colour (either Shamrock or Fashion Green) sized roughly between a 10-15cm diameter (4-6") and tie them together to form a pair.
2. Make a second pair the same, ensuring the pairs are of the same colour (i.e. same-coloured balloons for one pair).
3. Holding the first pair, overlap the second pair and push down so that the tied necks are touching in the centre. Once touching, twist one balloon around another to connect the pairs to form a quad.
4. Inflate another pair in the other colour, noting that the Shamrock Green and the Fashion Green will alternate around the wreath.
5. Hold one of the balloons already twisted into the quad and insert the new pair in between so that the tied necks are touching in the centre. Twist the new pair around the balloon in the quad to form a new cluster of six.
6. Create 12 more pairs.
7. Twist the pairs into the clusters by holding one balloon from the pair that was twisted in last and inserting the new pair by twisting around the neck of that one balloon being held. This will form a long row of mixed green balloons. twist around the neck of the balloon
8. Once all balloons have been used, noting that pairs can be subtracted or added depending on personal preference on the size of the wreath, take the ends of the green row to twist together, forming a circular shape.
9. Play around with the shape and look of the wreath by shifting a few balloons back and forth, twisting around other balloons until it meets the desired look.

Add the Baubles to the Wreath

1. Inflate 2 x 12cm (5") balloons of the same colour (either Fashion Red or Champagne) sized roughly to 7cm diameter (3") and tie them together to form a pair.
2. Inflate another 12cm (5") balloon of the same colour to roughly the same size as the pair and tie the balloon into the pair to make a 3-balloon cluster (all Fashion Red or Champagne).
3. Repeat above to make a total of 10 x - balloon clusters (i.e. 3 trios) - 5 in each colour (i.e. 5 trios of Red and 5 trios of Champagne).
4. Tie one end of a 260 balloon into the centre knots of a 3-balloon cluster and the other end of the 260 balloon into the other 3-balloon cluster. The sets do not have to be the same colour on each end, they can be alternated to one Red and one Champagne cluster attached to one 260 balloon.
5. Repeat the above to make a total of 5 sets.
6. Wrap each set into the wreath by taking one 3-balloon cluster and stretching the 260 balloon around and into the wreath so that it is hidden by the balloons.
7. Keep wrapping each set into the wreath, making sure to space the clusters out so that there is a nice gap between each cluster and the green of the wreath.
8. Play around with the look of the wreath and the baubles by shifting the balloons back and forth until it meets the desired look.
9. Optional: Adding a Ribbon: Using either a thick red ribbon tied into a bow or a pre-assembled bow, stick the bow onto the wreath by using double-sided tape on the back of the ribbon to the surface of the balloon.