How to Make a Magnolia Leaf Wreath on the Cheap

Directions

1. 1
   Lay out all your supplies on a surface you don’t mind getting paint or hot glue on. I used some of my brown Kraft/butcher paper roll taped to my kitchen island. That way I could listen to music, watch TV or even make dinner between steps! 
2. 2
   Separate each leaf from the stems, wreath or garlands if needed. 
3. 3
   Mix 6 shades/colors of paint using your craft paints onto a paper plate or other suitable dish. You’ll want 3 brownish shades and 3 greenish shades. I used Decoart Americana in Dark Chocolate and Antique Gold as well as Craft Smart in Olive Green. The colors I used were: 100% Dark Chocolate, mix of 50% Dark Chocolate + 50% Antique Gold  mix of 75% Dark Chocolate + 25% Antique Gold 100% Olive Green mix of 50% Olive Green + 50% Antique Gold mix 75% Olive Green + 25% Antique Gold.
4. 4
   Paint all your leaves with your mixed paint colors. While painting, periodically look at the original Magnolia wreath to see the color mix.  It’s amazing that there’s actually such a variety of color when you really look at it.
5. 5
   Let dry. 
6. 6
   Once your painted leaves are all dry, add a little color variation by sponging on an accent color (a lighter green on green leaves, or some brown on green leaves, etc.), paying particular attention to the ends of the leaves where the lighter color is more concentrated.
7. 7
   Let dry. 
8. 8
   Then simply affix all your leaves (pointed in the same general direction) using hot glue to the grapevine wreath. Work your way around the wreath, filling it well from side to side as you go. Make sure you step back every once in awhile, or hold your wreath up to make sure there are no gaps. If there are, fill them in with more leaves.